Duke(40)

He slid into bed and pulled her into his arms. “You okay, Beautiful?”

“I’m so much better than okay, I’m not sure there are words.”

He looked at her, but she was suddenly embarrassed and looked away. Duke’s fingers touched her cheek, gently pulled her face back until their gazes met.

“You just gave yourself to me, Gen, and I think it’s the most beautiful gift I’ve ever been given. So pure and innocent, but not afraid to show me the real you on the inside. I want you to know you’re always safe with me, not just physically, but emotionally. And when we’re in bed together, you can say or do anything, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Ever. Do you understand, Beautiful?”

Gen grew more embarrassed as he talked, but Duke seemed to understand. “I told you a long time ago you’d have to get used to me, and this is what it means to get used to me, Gen. I’m real big on straight talk when it comes to just about everything, but especially sex. A month from now I hope to be able to tell you to strip and lean against the wall so I can fuck you, and then sit back and watch you get ready to take my cock in your beautiful little pussy.”

At this, Gen pulled her face away from Duke’s hand and rolled away from him, but he pulled her back, laying on his side and spooning her into him. “You’re mine now, Gen. I’m yours, too. I’ve never let another woman take control in any way, and I let you. I’m falling for you, Beautiful. Please don’t pull away from me. You wanted the real me, and I’m trying to get you used to me.”

“Isn’t it usually the girl who wants to talk after sex, and the guy just wants to fall asleep?” Gen asked.

Duke chuckled and said, “Okay, I’ll give you that one. You’re sleepin’ in my arms tonight, so I’ll give you just about anything right now.”

“Can I put my clothes back on?”

“Not a chance. Go to sleep now, Beautiful. I set an alarm for eight, is that good for you?”

“Mine’s set for seven, I have a little paperwork to look over before my meeting.”





Chapter Seventeen





Gen was exhausted by the time she drove towards the Rolling Thunder compound. She didn’t want to make a big deal of stowing away her weapon in the parking lot, so she put it and her extra magazine in the hideaway compartment while sitting at a red light a few blocks away.

She was deliciously sore today, and had a hard time focusing a few times during the day. Not enough anyone noticed, but she’d had a hard time not thinking of Duke.

He’d asked her to call him between appointments, just to check in so he could hear the sound of her voice. She’d done so, and they’d talked three times throughout the day. They’d had breakfast at a little café near her first appointment, and when he kissed her goodbye she’d watched his bike disappear down the road. She knew they didn’t match, her in a business suit and him in jeans and his club jacket.

She didn’t care about them matching, though, because they fit perfectly in bed.

She left her purse on the floorboard, pocketing her key as she stepped away from her car. Duke met her in the parking lot, and his hands went to her hips as he leaned down to kiss her.

She felt his fingers move from her hips around her back, and realized he was feeling for her gun.

Suddenly pissed, she pushed him away, but he didn’t move.

“You bastard! You’re just like the rest of them, demanding I trust you and then not giving me even a millimeter of trust! I told you I wouldn’t carry in your precious compound, and I’m not!” She looked at him a split second and lowered her voice to say, “And I never will, because I’m not coming back. I gave myself to you last night, in a way I’ve never given myself to anyone else, and this is how you treat me?”

Gen turned to leave and felt a bar across her middle. She looked down to see Duke’s arm, and then felt him lift her into his arms, carrying her like a baby.

“Put me down, Duke.” She didn’t scream it, said it as calmly as possible, but he didn’t say a word and kept going.

Someone opened the clubhouse door and he carried her inside, put her down with her back against a wall, and he put a hand on the wall on either side of her head and leaned forward.

“Rules say I have to check, Beautiful. Don’t be pissed.”

“Move out of my way and let me go.” Again, she spoke low, in control.

He shook his head. “You aren’t leaving until we work this out.”

“Holding me against my will is against the law.”

“Already told you I’m an outlaw. I’m not hurting you. We’re talking.”