SHADES: An Evil Dead MC Story (The Outlaw Series Book 3) (38 page)

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Authors: Nicole James

BOOK: SHADES: An Evil Dead MC Story (The Outlaw Series Book 3)

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“Me getting VP, the absurd idea of yours that I went after you just to get that VP patch, that’s bullshit, Sky and we both know it. I love you. I need you. Without you it all means nothing. How do you not get that?

“Yeah, that patch is what I’ve wanted for a long fucking time. When I walked out of that meeting, and you were gone…” he ran his hand down his face in frustration. “I finally had everything I wanted for so long, but then I realized that without you, it isn’t important, it means nothing if I lose you in the process. I realized that when the DKs took you. I finally got the position in the club, success, respect. But what I really need is your forgiveness and love.”

He watched a tear roll down her cheek, and it tore at him. All he wanted to do was take her in his arms, but he knew this shit needed to be said. She needed to hear it.

“You’ve had to face so much, so young, all on your own. I get that, Sky. You know I get that. But what you don’t get is that all that is over, sweetheart. You will never face anything alone again. Not as long as I live. Those fears you’ve been carrying all these years, hand then all over to me. I’ll carry that load. All of it. You live free and easy, pretty girl. No more worrying about any of that shit.”

Another tear rolled down her cheek, but he kept on.

“I know you think it’s a risk you’re taking…opening up to me and letting yourself love me, afraid I’m going to hurt you. I get that, too. But, baby, look at me. I am not going to hurt you. That is not going to happen. I’m not gonna tear us apart. And I’m not gonna let you tear us apart either.

“And maybe you don’t get that now, but you will. Every year that passes, you’ll get it more and more. Until finally one day, you’ll just know, the way I know, that this is going to last forever.”

“Oh, Shades.” Her eyes brimmed over.

“Are you getting it yet, babe?”

She nodded.

His hand lifted, his thumb brushing the wetness off her cheek. “Good, ‘cause my ribs are hurting like a bitch, and I think I gotta sit down.” He collapsed back on the couch with a groan.

“Shades, how did you get here?”

“I rode.”

“Your bike? With your ribs like this?”

“Yeah. Quickest way to get here. See the pain I go through for you woman?” He tried to laugh, but winced as a jolt of pain jabbed through him.

She sat carefully on the couch next to him. “Baby, we should get you to the hospital.”

“Naw. Slick taped ‘em up. That’s all the hospital would do anyway.” He paused to look over at her, his hand reaching up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “Did I make my point? You stayin’?”

She nodded. “I’m staying.”

“Good.” He smiled at her, his hand brushing down her cheek, his thumb stroking her lips. His eyes met hers. “I’d carry you up those stairs to the bed, but I don’t think I’d make it with these ribs. But I want you.”

“Baby.”

“We got a couch right here.”

“Shades, we can’t. You’re hurt.”

“We can if you climb on top and do all the work,” he suggested with half a grin. He didn’t wait for her response, he was already pulling her leg across his lap, hiking her skirt up as he settled her on top of his lap. His fingertips skated up her thighs, sliding under her skirt, and his eyes stared into hers. “Do you want me, Sky?”

“Yes,” she whispered, her breathing already accelerating.

He smiled, one hand going to the back of her neck and pulling her face down to his until her mouth brushed softly over his.

“I love you, pretty girl.” He searched her eyes. “I fell in love with you the night I gave you a ride home.” That caught her interest.

“You did?” she asked, brows arched.

He nodded. “Um-hmm. I remember the exact moment it happened. Do you want me to tell you?”

She nodded.

“I was dropping you off. And just before you walked away, I hooked a finger in your belt loop and pulled you close for a kiss. Do you remember?”

She nodded again. “I remember. It was the first time you kissed me.”

“Do you remember what you did after that?”

She put her hand over his beard. “I touched you. Like this.”

Shades covered her hand, like he had that first time. “You’d been wondering about what it would feel like. When you touched me like that, all soft and gentle, it was like a mule kicked me in the chest.”

“A mule, huh?” She grinned.

“Yep. Bam. I was in love.” He grinned back at her. “And you’ve had my heart every day since.”

She lowered her face, her mouth brushing his. “Hello, love,” she whispered.

“Hello, love,” he whispered back. His hand lifted, cupping her face, his thumb stroking over her lips, his eyes on her mouth a moment before they lifted to her eyes. “Every time we go through something, Sky, every time we make it to the other side of it, we’re stronger for it. It makes us stronger, better. The couples that are meant to be are the ones who go through everything that’s designed to tear them apart and come out even stronger. I’ve got no doubts about us, babe. None. No part of this road feels wrong.”

She smiled.

“I’m sorry, Sky. I know how hard this has all been on you.” His voice was soft, his tone tender. “I know you’re afraid. I know it’s scary, but I’ve got two strong arms to wrap around you when the world goes crazy. The only thing you need to know is
you are my world
. You get
that
, you feel that deep down and everything else will follow, everything else will fall into place.”

“I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck.” She whispered the confession.

He grinned. “I know the feeling, Sky. When love comes along…sometimes it whispers in your ear. Sometimes it slams you against the fucking wall.”

“I’m home.” She said it almost in amazed wonder.

He wrapped his arms around her.

“You’re home, baby. You’re finally home.”

EPILOGUE

Skylar—

I lie in our bed, naked, waiting for Shades to come home. After so many missed chances and screw ups, I was finally going to make his wish come true. He’d said more than once that what he wanted was to come home and find me waiting for him, naked, in his bed. I smiled as I realized how many times we’d tried to make it happen and had been waylaid.

But I was determined.

Most nights we went to bed at the same time, and that didn’t count in my eyes. No, he had to come in and find me in his bed, waiting for him.

I’d texted him a short time ago telling him I was home from work early.

I immediately got a text back saying he was closing the shop early.

I smiled. I knew my man. So well. And my baby knew me. So well.

I heard him come in. I heard him coming up the stairs. And then I turned to see him standing at the foot of the bed.

I was on my side turned away from him. I twisted, my shoulders pressing flat to the mattress, but my hips were still canted to the side. With one hand I slowly pushed the sheet down to my hips.

His eyes moved over my naked body.

“My pretty baby.” His voice was soft.

Then he grabbed a handful of sheet in his fist and pulled it slowly the rest of the way off. The sheet gliding across my skin, as well as the heat in his eyes, had tingles washing over me.

“You’re home,” I said in a breathy voice.

He gave a slight nod of his head.

“You’re naked,” he said in a growly voice.

I gave a slight nod of my head, the corners of my mouth pulling up.

God, how I loved this man.

Shades—

Damn. I felt my heart squeeze. My baby. Looking up at me with that shy little smile on her face. That shy little smile that I’d fallen for so many years ago. I didn’t need to take in the rest of her gorgeous body, that smile and the look on her face was beautiful enough.

But, hey, I’m a guy, so yeah, I looked.

Perfection, from her head to her pretty pink polished toes.

Heaven, all laid out for me.

I smiled back at her.

And then I pulled my shirt over my head, undid my belt and let my pants drop to the floor. I heard the thud of the velvet box in the pocket hitting the floor. The ring inside would have to wait until later tonight. My baby had a gift of her own for me and I intended to relish every moment of it.

She reached out with her foot, rubbing her sole up and down my abs seductively.

I took her foot in my hand, wrapping my palm around the arch of her foot, squeezing, massaging, until she moaned in pleasure.

“Miss me?” I asked softly, my voice gravely with need.

She nodded. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

“I see that.”

I brought her foot to my mouth and kissed it. Then I wrapped her leg around me as I crawled over her to settle in the cradle of her thighs, sinking into her in one thrust. Her legs wrapped around me, pulling me close, right where I belonged.

God, how I loved this woman.

“Hello, love,” I whispered against her mouth, stroking the hair back from her face.

She smiled up at me, and her face lit up, fucking lit up as she whispered back, “Hello, love.”

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Watch for…

WOLF

The Outlaw Series

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GHOST

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