Page 25 of Rebel's Fairytale

“Listen, kiddos. You remember Mary, right?”

Hunter rolled his eyes. “We just saw her like two days ago, Dad.”

Rock nodded. “Right. And you’ve talked to her on the phone.” He saw his daughter smile and nod her head. Mia loved her girl talks with Mary. “Well, remember how I told you she was my friend?”

“But you looooove her,” Mia cooed with a little giggle. “I heard you say it, and Mama Nia said that it’s not like I love my friends.”

Rock took a deep breath and tried to remember that he loved Mama Nia more than life itself. He also reminded himself that it was his own damn fault he was in that position. With a nod, he confirmed, “I do love her, and no, it’s not like you love your friends. It’s like… how Pops loves Mama Nia.”

“Like… you loved Mom… but more,” Hunter guessed, his expression guarded.

“Yeah, Hunt, like that but more.” He ran his fingers through his hair and scrubbed his face with his palms. “Okay. As for your mom, I will always love her.” He rested his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands together in front of him. “I will always love her for the person she was when I met her… and because she gave me you two. I know that’s confusing, but it’s true. With Mary… I love her because of who she is as a person, for how she is with her kids, for how she takes care of me… all the things thatshouldcome along with a relationship. Do you understand?”

When both of his kids nodded, he let out a sigh of relief.

His daughter was kicking her legs out and bringing them back, over and over again. “Mama Nia said she wouldn’t be our new mommy, but she would treat us like her kids.”

Rock nodded, hating that his cheeks were heating with the embarrassment of how poorly he handled the situation. “Mama Nia is right. No one can take your mom’s place, and no one is expecting you to call herMomor anything.Butif you needed to talk to her about anything, she would listen and talk you through whatever it was. You would be expected to listen to her, just like you would listen to Mama Nia or Aunt Ginger.”

Hunter nodded and was quiet for a moment. Then, he asked, “Are we going to have to share rooms?”

Rock kicked himself again for not even thinking about room assignments and did a quick mental evaluation of his three-bedroom house. “For now,” he answered. “As you get older, we’ll figure out how to build a couple rooms in the basement. Fair?”

After huffing out an annoyed breath, Hunter grumbled, “I guess.”

Rock sighed. “Her son, Miles, is nine. He would room with you, Hunt. Her daughter is six, and her name is Jenna. Mia, baby, you’ll have to share your room with her.”

Mia clapped. “Yay! Sleepovers!”

Chuckling, Rock reached out and gave his daughter’s hand a squeeze. Then, he looked over at his son. “I’ll build you a room in the basement as soon as I can, Hunt. I’ll let you decorate it however you want. I just need you to have some patience. Okay?”

Grudgingly, Hunter nodded. “Yeah, Dad. Okay.”

Rebel

When Rebel walked into the clubhouse, he wished he could say that his mind was on the conversation he had to have with Axle, but it wasn’t. His mind was on Ruby and his lust for her. The woman was driving him crazy in the best possible way. He couldn’t stop picturing her bent over her desk or his kitchen island or his bike. All he could do was imagine coming up behind her and sliding inside of her, fucking her until they were both sweating and panting. He’d never wanted a woman so badly in his life. His wolf wasn’t much help either — growling, snarling, and demanding Rebel claim their mate.

Crossing the room, he didn’t even acknowledge his brothers. He just rounded the bar, poured a shot of tequila, and threw it back.

“Hey brother,” Rock uttered as he set his daughter down on her feet. As soon as Rock let go of her, she was running off with her brother to greet their uncles, scattered around the room. “You good?”

“No,” Rebel growled and poured more tequila. “I’m trying to be a gentleman and take this slow. I don’t want to fuck it up or push too hard, but…”

Rock gave a nod. “And who said she wanted you to be a gentleman? Did she tell you that?”

Rebel looked at Rock and wondered if he lost his damn mind. “What?”

“Rebel, look… I get you want to be a gentleman. There’s nothing wrong with that, but what makes you think she isn’t waiting for you to make a move?”

Rock’s words hit Rebel like a ton of bricks. Was she waiting for him to take things further? Would she be open to more? Were they at that stage of their relationship? Hehadbeen the one to stop things every time. It was something he would have to ponder.

“For fuck’s sake,literally, stop thinking so damn much,“ Rock said and took Rebel’s glass. He shot it back, winked at Rebel, and walked away.

“If you want my opinion, and I’m sure you don’t, but here it is…” The prospect behind the bar stopped at Rebel’s side and said, “The worst thing that could happen is she stops you.”

Rebel glared at him, but he didn’t really mean it. He wasn’t annoyed with the prospect. He was annoyed with himself. Ruby had him tied up in knots, and he suspected it was him that caused it.

“How long have you been a prospect?”

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