He’s said that every time I asked about the phone call from Jeremy. “How do you figure that?”
His arms tighten even more, pulling my body flush against his. “Laura was married to that dick head. You’re Shay, and you’re mine.”
His words steal the breath from my body. He’s right, I’m not the woman I was when I was Marcus’ wife. It’s not just the hair or the fancy clothes; I’ve changed on the inside. I am no longer Marcus’ wife. “You’re right; I’m not his wife.”
“Damn straight.” He murmurs before bring his lips to mine. Again, his kiss is possessive.
Somehow, we have gone from virtual strangers to a couple in the blink of an eye. I don’t understand why it’s happened, and something about the swift change has my urge to run kicking in. I’m not afraid of Bowie; I know he would never hurt me physically, but I also know he could do more damage than Marcus ever thought of. “I’m not yours either.”
His body goes taut, and his voice grows rough. “You are mine; you just don’t know it yet. No one is going to hurt what is mine. No one."
Tin-Man interrupts, tapping on the face of his watch. “We have seven minutes to get to her Mamá’s room. If you’re gonna make it, you better get your asses in gear.”
Bowie finally moves his eyes from me to his brother. “I’m gonna leave the bike here, walk over.”
“Why the fuck are you doing that?”
I listen closely, wondering the same thing myself.
Bowie shrugs. “I figure the fucker might have eyes on the place. If so, our bikes will draw attention.”
I look from his muscular frame and handsome bearded face to his brother’s beautiful brown skin. They are both over six-feet and incredibly handsome. The two of them are sporting vests with MC emblems on the back and more ink than any other man I have ever seen. There is nothing they could do to not draw attention.
Slowly, I shake my head. “You can leave your bikes here, but that’s not gonna help.”
Tin-Man shrugs a shoulder. “Why not?”
“Every woman in that place is going to remember you. There’s no way around that.”
A smile spreads across Tin-Man’s face, as Bowie lets out a low chuckle. I look up at Bowie and shake my head. “It’s the truth. When someone looks like the two of you do, you get noticed.”
He brings his face down, his lips hovering near mine. “You don’t have to worry, baby. My pretty face is just for you.”
Before I can argue, remind him that we are not together, his lips meet mine. The gentle caress softens my resolve and I instantly melt into him. As his tongue pushes inside, his unique flavor fills my mouth. I kiss him back, letting him explore every part of my mouth, and realize that he’s right. I don’t know how it happened, but I am his.
A loud cough breaks us apart. Tin-Man smiles at us and says, “Come on, she needs to see her Mamá.”
*****
The gentle hum of machines is the only sound to be heard, as I push the door open. Walking into the hospital room, I feel a chill run down my spine. Fear, unlike anything I ever felt before, fills my soul. When I see my mother’s frail body lying in the bed, I stop in my tracks.
Bowie’s body collides with mine as he wraps his arms around my waist and leans down to whisper in my ear. “I’m here for you, baby.”
The rumble of his voice pushes away some of my fear, allowing me to take another step forward. Just as I approach her bed, I hear movement near the back of the room. Bowie must have heard it too, because his body instantly moves, shielding me from whomever is lurking in the shadows.
“Laura?” A voice that I have loved my entire life calls out.
Before I can respond, Bowie growls out. “Who the fuck are you?”
“My dad.” I whisper out, stepping around him and running right into my father’s arms.
I can feel a sob work through his body as he squeezes me tight. “Daddy.”
It feels so wonderful to be in his arms again. Even though Marcus allowed periodic visits with my family, he did not like it when either of my parents touched me. Other than a quick kiss of the cheek, I had not touched or been touched by my father in years.
“Laura, Laura, Laura...” He continues to chant my name as he rocks me back and forth in his arms. “I’m so glad you made it.”
Slowly, he pulls back, not letting me go, and looks up to Bowie. “Are you the man taking care of my baby girl?”
I look back and see the bad ass biker I know is gone. In his place is a soldier. His body is rigid, shoulders high and feet spread apart. Both hands are fisted at this side, ready to strike out a moment’s notice. “I would be, if she didn’t walk away from me.”