Page 85 of Viper

“Because Archer deserves to be with the people who love him and will support him.”

“And that includes you?”

Now she hesitates. “It includes me,” she finally answers. “And that includes me even if we’re over because of all of this. Because I love that little boy, and he deserves to have more women in his life that want him to succeed and show him not all women are like his worthless mother. And, then, if in the future I, or another woman if we’re not together, want to adopt him, nothing will get in the way of that. Because that means that someone chose him.”

My anger melts away, and in its place is awe. Awe of this woman and the lengths she’s gone to for my son, even in such a short time. “Eden,” I whisper, staring down at her.

She steps back and shakes her head. “No, I don’t want you to sugarcoat anything. I know you’re not happy, but I did what I felt was right. Even if you don’t agree, I don’t care. And?—”

“Shut up, woman,” I tell her abruptly. Her eyes fire as she glares up at me. “You think I’m going to be pissed at you for doing this for Archer? For me? For showing me that you care about us both so much you’re willing to risk your safety to see it happen? Don’t be ridiculous. Because if you think you’re going to leave me now, you’re sorely mistaken. You’re not going any-damn-where. You’re going to stay here, with me, and you’re going to build a life with me, my son, and my club.” I haul her into my arms, lifting her up, and she instinctively wraps her legs around my waist. “Thank you, Eden,” I whisper. “Thank you for loving my son, and for giving me the greatest gift I could ever hope for.”

Her eyes are wide as they stare into mine. “You’re welcome,” she whispers.

I kiss her, unable to keep from tasting her, and needing her to understand the words that want to come out but seem to be stuck. Not because I don’t want to say them, but because I don’t know how to say them in a way that she understands. Understands how much I want her, how much I need her in my life, and how I’m never going to let her go. Any doubt I had that I don’t love this woman has slid away. She owns me in every way. She meets me head on, her hand coming up to grip my dreadlocks and hold me steady.

Heat burns between us, but I force myself to pull back and rasp, “I’m never going to let you go, Eden. You’re mine, and you’re going to wear my patch so there’s no doubt. A man doesn’t fall out of love with a woman who loves his son so much she’s willing to put everything on the line to make him happy and safe.”

She stares at me. “You love me?” she murmurs, clearly shocked.

I give her a wry smile. “Baby girl, that’s not even a question.”

She blinks and then a soft smile pulls at her lips. “I’m pretty sure I love you too,” she tells me, and an explosion of relief and joy fills my chest. “So I guess this means you’re stuck with me too.”

“Thank fuck.” I take her mouth again, this time, not holding back.

She must be feeling the same, because she squirms against me, kissing me back hard and scoring her nails over my head as we fight to get closer together. “I need you,” she gasps against my mouth. “Now.”

I groan and wrench my mouth from hers. I look around and then finally decide to head for the treeline. She attacks my neck and I slap her ass when she latches on and sucks hard enough to leave a mark. “Naughty girl,” I grit out. “Daddy’s going to have to spank you for that.”

“Daddy’s been threatening that for hours and has yet to do it,” she taunts in my ear. “I think you’re all talk, no action.”

Challenge accepted, baby girl.

I set her down on her feet once we are in the trees and order, “I suggest you get those pants off, baby girl, now.” My voice is dark, tight, and full of promise that has her grinning wickedly at me, even in the dim light. She does as ordered, until her entire lower half is naked, and she’s leaning back against the tree seductively. “Turn around, hands on the tree.” She arches a brow but does as I say, arching her back invitingly so that her ass is pushed out toward me. I put my boot between her feet and force them further apart. “You good, baby girl?” I ask her, looking around quickly to make sure she’s not stepping on a rock or a twig that might hurt her.

“I’m good,” she assures me, looking over her shoulder at me. Then she gives me a wicked grin and adds sassily, “I’d be a lot better if someone put their fancy dick inside me, but—” She ends that sentence on a gasp of shock as I bring my hand down on her ass.

Crack!

The sound fills the trees and she turns her face into her outstretched arm, muffling the sound that escapes. I keep up my slaps against her ass, her gasps turning into cries as I redden it, before I finally stop and thrust two fingers inside her. “Baby girl, you’re so wet for me,” I purr softly, thrusting my fingers in and out of her at a fast pace that has her rising up on tiptoe, and whimpers falling from her lips. “Someone likes getting spanked, I think.”

“Oh fuck,” she gasps out. Her inner walls clamp down on my fingers, trying to keep me inside, and I feel the trembling of them as she gets closer to that edge. “Please, Viper. Please,” she begs.

“I suppose you deserve a reward,” I agree darkly. “You were such a good girl trying to make me happy. But you weren’t so good by putting yourself in potential danger were you? What do you think I should do with you, huh? Maybe I shouldn’t let you come? What do you think?” I pull my fingers out of her, holding her in place when she jerks at the loss.

“No,” she cries desperately.

“Or maybe, you deserve another spanking, huh?” I continue. “One for every fifteen minutes you left me to worry over you? You were gone an hour, so I say that makes four more, huh?”

“Oh God,” she moans, arching her back even more, giving me the only answer I need.

“Mmm, good girl,” I praise, before bringing my hand down hard twice on each cheek. She’s screaming into her bicep, and she lets out a garbled noise when I thrust my fingers back in. “Oh, yeah, that’s it,” I cajole. “That’s it, baby girl, move on my fingers. Make yourself come for me.” I can feel that she’s close, and I increase the speed of my hand, gritting my teeth as she gushes over me, so wet and desperate. Her body bows down even as her inner walls clamp down on my finger and her body detonates. So fucking hot I’m barely able to keep myself from following her. Damn, I’m not going to last when I get inside her.

When she finally stills, she’s leaning weakly against the tree, her legs trembling. I pull my fingers from her, undoing my belt and jeans quickly before shoving them down. But before I can press myself to her, I stop. “Shit,” I hiss.

“What?” she mumbles, sleepy eyes looking at me.

“No condom,” I admit.

---