Page 33 of Rebel

“The club comes first,” I said.Not a question.

“The club is family,” he corrected.“But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for more.”

“Jordan said something similar.”

“She would know.She and Havoc have made it work for a long time.”

I took another sip of whiskey, feeling the warmth spread through my chest.“I’ve been hurt before.And I don’t just mean what happened in the Army.”

“I know.”His fingers lightly stroked mine.“I won’t lie to you, Rio.This life isn’t easy.But I can promise you won’t face it alone.”

“I’m not afraid of hard,” I said.“I’m afraid of giving myself to someone and finding out I’ve disappeared in the process.”

Understanding flashed in his eyes.“I don’t want you to disappear.I want all of you -- the good, the bad, the broken parts, the strong parts.Everything.I happen to think you’re one badass woman.I knew it the moment you walked into the clubhouse.”

His words hit me like a physical touch.No man had ever wanted all of me before.They’d wanted pieces -- my body, my submission, my adoration.Never the whole, complicated mess.

“I’m not good at letting people in,” I admitted.

“I’ve noticed.”His smile was gentle.“But you’re here.That’s a start.”

The distance between us felt too great suddenly.I stood, moving around the table to his side.He watched me approach, his body going still like a predator sensing prey -- except I wasn’t running away.I was walking straight toward him.

Rebel pushed his chair back slightly, making room.I stepped between his legs, looking down at him.This close, I could see the flecks of gray in his eyes, the small scar near his temple, the day’s stubble darkening his jaw.He’d shaved his beard off the other morning, and I wondered if he’d decided to grow it back already.

“What are you doing, Rio?”His voice had dropped an octave.

“Taking what I want,” I answered, surprising myself with my boldness.

His hands moved to my hips, strong but light, ready to let go if I pulled away.“And what’s that?”

Instead of answering, I leaned down, bringing my face close to his.Our breaths mingled.For a heartbeat, we stayed like that, suspended in the moment before everything changed.

Then I kissed him.

It wasn’t gentle.And that was fine.It was the last thing I wanted.I poured my fear, my desire, my hope into that kiss.His response was immediate, one hand sliding up my back to tangle in my hair, holding me to him as he took control of the kiss.

Rebel kissed like he did everything else -- with absolute confidence and skill.But there was something else there too.Something that felt like reverence.

When we finally broke apart, we were both breathing hard.His eyes had darkened to storm clouds.

“Been wanting to do that since the first time I saw you,” he said, his voice rough.

“Why did you wait?”

“Told you.Your pace.”His thumb traced my lower lip.“Worth the wait.”

I smiled, feeling lighter than I had in months.Maybe years.“So what now?”

“Now we figure it out, day by day.”He pulled me onto his lap, and I went willingly.I hadn’t outright agreed to be his, but I’d implied it.Was that enough?“No pressure, no timeline.”

I rested my forehead against his.“I can work with that.”

His arms tightened around me.Safe.I felt safe with him, which was ironic given who he was, what he did.But maybe that was the point.The man most people would fear would move heaven and earth to make sure I never had reason to be afraid again.

“Stay with me,” he said softly.Not a demand.A question.

“To sleep,” I clarified.

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