Duke(55)

Gen shook her head, slid from her barstool, pulled the rolls from the fridge, and started placing them on a tray. “I’m not sure you and I are going to work, Duke. I thought it didn’t matter that we come from different worlds, but now I’m not so sure.”

“You’ll get used to me.”

“And you’re having to pretend you’re someone else to get me used to you. If we’re going to work, you shouldn’t have to take the time to let me see who you are a little bit here and there. What if I finally meet the real you in two months, and don’t like whoever the hell you turn out to be?”

His eyes narrowed. “You like my cock well enough.”

“Yeah,” she agreed, speaking quiet while focusing on the rolls instead of him. “And I like parts of the man attached to it, but I’m beginning to think there are huge chunks of you I might not be able to handle.”

“Why have you had so few relationships?”

Gen’s head popped up, surprised at the question. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve had three long term relationships and my longest lasted nearly three years. I’ve had two relationships that only lasted a few months, not long enough for me to have sex with them. I’ve been on a lot of dates that didn’t work out. I’m a successful businesswoman, and it turns out that’s a turn-off for a lot of men.” She shrugged. “And while I was becoming successful, there wasn’t time for a man in my life.”

“You dated two men for a couple of months, and didn’t have sex with them?”

She nodded and he asked, “Did they own dicks?”

“Don’t be crude.” She put the rolls in the oven, double-checked the timer, and poured herself some more wine.

Duke walked to her and Gen backed up. Her back hit the counter and she froze, watching him stalk towards her.

“I really can’t handle you bein’ afraid of me, Beautiful.” He gently stroked her cheek, his fingers curled around her neck, and his mouth angled over hers.

This wasn’t his usual kiss. He was gentle, soft, caring. He rose a few inches, his gaze intense. “I’m not going to hurt you. Ever. Yes, there’s something wild in me, and I’ve seen you recognize it a few times. Someday, I’ll try to explain it, but for now, just know you’re safe with me, but the wildness inside of me wants to chase when you act afraid. I really need you to figure out how to not be scared, Gen.”

She leaned into him, wrapped her arms around his middle, rested her cheek on his chest. When she was in his arms, she felt safe. Maybe she could have the conversation she needed to have sitting with him, in his arms?

The buzzer went off on the oven, and she pushed him away, but he said, “I’ll get it.” He donned an oven mitt, and Gen watched in amusement as he handled the rolls and lasagna as if he belonged in a kitchen.

Duke asked about her day as they both fixed their plates and prepared to begin eating, but Gen picked up with what was on her mind when the conversation lulled.

“If I was to find out one of your people did something truly bad, like raped someone, or was robbing houses, or had a meth lab set up in the back of the compound, I’d personally go to the police and report it.”

Duke’s fork stopped midway to his mouth, and he set it down and looked at her. She saw his face close off, saw a wall form between them, but she kept going.

“If you beat the hell out of someone for raping someone, I won’t approve, but I won’t say anything to law enforcement. If they come to me asking, I won’t lie, but I won’t answer their questions.”

He didn’t move, didn’t say anything, and Gen added, “You told me up front you were an outlaw. I appreciate your honesty, and from what I’ve seen so far, I can live with the kinds of rules you don’t pay attention to, but I’m trying to explain that even if I can understand where you’re coming from, I don’t want to be an outlaw.”

“We’re in agreement, then, because I don’t want to make you one. I’ll keep club business away from you, Gen.”

“Okay. I’m not sure how we’re going to make it work, but I’m willing to give it some time and see. I’m not willing to wait months to get to know the real you, though. Tell me something you’re waiting to reveal. Something you don’t think I can handle.”

“You asked me once how many sexual partners I’ve had, and I told you I had no idea. I thought about it later, and I figure it’s probably at least a thousand people.”

Gen couldn’t even fathom that many, and could only stare at him.