“Do you know who I am, Ally?”
She swallowed hard, unable to look away.
“Say it,” he said.
“The president of the Straight to Hell MC.”
Lord nodded. “That’s right. And once everyone knows how important you are, they’ll treat you like gold. No one here will hurt you. I’ll never hurt you.”
****
Ally wasn’t sure what to think or say. This was like a fucked-up fairy tale, and she didn’t know what to make of it. She expected to wake up to her alarm clock, and this entire ordeal was all a nightmare.
But then she’d never have met Lord.
Would that be a good or bad thing?
Her heart kept tugging, insisting there was something worth exploring between them. But then he’d turn into an asshole and make her question everything.
“I’m not important,” she said.
“You are.”
She scoffed. He’d made it clear he was only keeping her alive because he wanted her virginity. She was a toy, his plaything of the week. And she had no doubt he could get any woman he wanted. Not only was he the prez, but he had an irresistible dark masculinity that held her captive. His scars, his flaws, his rough personality—it all added to his appeal.
“You don’t believe me?” he asked.
“You have a short memory. I thought … I thought things were going in a different direction last night, then this morning you were like a different person. I don’t know who you are, and you don’t know who I am. We’re strangers.”
“I know.”
“And then your own people attacked me. Humiliated me. I’ve never felt confident about myself, but today was the lowest I’ve ever felt.” Her traitorous tears slipped down her cheeks. She wanted desperately to be strong, to overcome her insecurities, to appear unaffected. It was impossible.
He kept silent, holding her head in place with his big, strong hands. Did he think she was weak? She was nothing like the women in his club, and she never would be.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered.
The sincerity in his gruff voice pushed her over the edge, deep waves of sorrow rocking her body. He pulled her against his hard body, holding her as she cried against him. It hurt her ribs a bit, but she didn’t care. She desperately needed his comfort and affection. Without him, she’d be alone in the world. At the mercy of the club.
“This morning, I was trying to push you away. Trying to be an asshole.”
“Why?”
“It’s what I do,” he said. “I’m not used to caring about a woman. Emotions are dangerous in a place like this.”
She believed him. The men in the club were like sharks. Ally had no doubt they’d tear apart anyone showing a weakness. What she couldn’t believe was that his feelings for her had changed so quickly.
“You said this was a deal. A temporary thing.”
“And that’s what I wanted it to be. Until I didn’t.”
She bit her lower lip, wondering, hoping.
He kept talking in riddles, and she wondered if he was just as insecure as her. He’d had a brutal childhood and a rough life in the MC. Trust wouldn’t come easy for him. Hell, it didn’t come easy for her.
“Lord.” She looked up at him, resting a hand on his bicep. He flinched for a moment, his muscles tensing. “Tell me what you want from me. Really want from me.”
He started to pull away again, but she held on to his sleeve.
“I don’t know, Ally. My life was just fine until you came along. Now, I don’t know what the fuck to think.” He took a breath. “I want more.”
“More?”
“I’m forty years old. The other brothers are fine fucking club pussy every night. They’re in heaven. It’s what they want,” he said. “It’s what I should want.”
“And now?” She held her breath.
“Now I want more. A worthy woman—innocent, sweet, mine. A virgin only I get to fuck. Kids. Nights watching movies. Feeling happy.”
“Sounds nice.”
“Does it?”
“I’m scared, Lord. Scared of being in a motorcycle club, of getting hurt again, of having my heart broken.”
“What about me, Ally? Am I a monster to you? Are you counting the days until I cut you loose?”
She shook her head, and before she could speak, his lips were on hers. He cupped the sides of her head, kissing deeply, desperately, as if his life depended on this one kiss. She was lost.
Falling, falling, falling.
When her knees grew weak, he scooped her up into his arms, effortlessly carrying her over to his big bed. He set her down, not breaking the kiss right away.
He rested a knee on the mattress. “If I let you leave right now, no debt, no retaliation, will you walk?”
She shrugged. “What life is there for me here?”
“One with me. By my side.”
“I’m not naïve. I know how it works in an MC. I couldn’t stand sharing you, wondering if you’re screwing around with one of the women around here.”
“Ally, If I claim you, you’re the only woman I’ll ever have eyes for. Just before my mother passed away, I remember swearing I’d never hurt my old lady the way she’d been hurt. It’s not who I am.”
“Old lady?”
“One day. That’s the goal, right?”
She wanted to belong to him, to belong period. Living on her own, pinching pennies, having no support system, it wasn’t an easy life. Love was a distant thought, something she never dreamed to obtain. If anything, she expected to be used by men, have her heart broken time and time again. From what she’d seen at the bar, most men were cheaters, and that was one thing her heart couldn’t take.
“Everyone here hates me.”
He smirked. His beard was coming in thicker. The way he looked at her brought her body to life, even though it had been broken earlier.
“Everyone will worship every step you take after tonight. We’re having a meeting, and I’ll set the club straight. It won’t be a problem.”
“What will you tell them?”
She wanted him to take ownership of her, to make her his old lady. But they’d only been together such a short time, and it was too soon. It didn’t stop her from wanting it, though. She worried he’d tire of her, change his mind once he got to know the real her.
“That you’re mine. And if anyone lays a finger on you, they’ll answer directly to me.”
Ally licked her lips. Right now, she wished her body wasn’t achy and bruised. She wanted Lord all over her, his hands and mouth exploring every inch of her body. Even without their deal, she wanted him to have her virginity. Any other man would be a disappointment in comparison to Lord. He was all male, powerful, no holds barred, and apparently, he wanted her.
He trailed a finger along her cheek, down her neck, and over the swell of her breast. Her heart raced, her pussy throbbing. She breathed in shallow gasps, anticipating his next move.
He rested his forehead against hers. “Don’t ever feel ashamed of this body. Those club whores aren’t even in your league, baby girl. They give themselves away for free. You’re different. You’re all mine.”
She remembered how they’d taunted her. They reminded her of how fat and out of shape she was—a waste of space, covered in cellulite, worthless garbage. It had been an excruciating experience emotionally. How could the prez choose someone like her? Her self-esteem was so shattered, it was hard to accept any positive words from him.