CHAPTER TEN

Wolf moaned and arched into her mouth.

“Fuck.” Another thrust. “Best way to be woken ever.”

Sofia’s hot mouth deepened the draw, her cheeks hollowing with the pull on his dick. The woman knew what she was doing. He refused to think of who taught her. She slid back up and her tongue licked around the tip before sinking down.

“Shit. Damn. Fuck.” All he could do was cuss as his balls tightened against his body. He was unsure if exploding would make them drop once more.

When her skillful mouth slowly returned to the head, her tongue dipped into the slit at the end, and he detonated. She sank down his shaft again, sucking every drop.

“Holy hell, woman, marry me.”

She released him and coughed, wiping at her face. Sitting up, she stared down at him, eyebrows raised and eyes wide opened. “Marry you?”

That was his opportunity to make a joke and brush it off. They could play it as post-orgasm euphoria. But he couldn’t. He wouldn’t. From the first time his eyes met hers, and she gave that little shy grin, he’d been doomed. No, grateful that the woman of his dreams finally showed up.

When he’d been a kid, playing Robin Hood in the surrounding woods near his family’s home, he wanted to belong to a group of people who would watch his back, not turn on him or leave him behind. He wanted to be different and free to do whatever he wanted. Then he grew up and found the Brothers of Mayhem. Perfect. Just what he needed. But, hell, none of that mattered after he spotted Sofia. The club was important, but they were no longer number one. Not that he would say it out loud. He had more sense than that. The ball of energy in his bed had knocked them to second place.

“We’ll go to the Sand County Courthouse tomorrow and get a license and be married by the judge.” He opened his mouth to say more, but she pressed a finger to his lips.

“Shh.” She shook her head. “Thank you.”

What the fuck did she mean? Heat traveled up his neck to his face. He gritted his teeth to hold his temper. The first time in his life he asked a woman to marry him and she merely thanked him. How fucked up was that?

Satisfied that he wouldn’t act like a jackass and ruin the moment further, he clamped his teeth together.

Shit, were those tears in her eyes? He sighed. How could he be upset with her? He was fucked. He loved her.

“I’m serious. I want to marry you.” With a sweep of his hand, he brushed back his hair.

She covered her eyes. “This is so wrong. I swear I want to say yes. Crazy as it seems.”

Her precious face told him she teetered toward giving in. Rolling over her, elbows on the bed, his body caged hers with only their groins touching. He stared down into her eyes.

“I love you, Sofia. We’re right for each other. You need me, and I know sure as hell I need you.” He covered her mouth, putting all of his desire and need into that kiss.

Her hips arched up to his as she shook her head. When her mouth moved away, his hands balled up.

“No,” she said in a low voice.  “You don’t.”

For a moment, his heart jumped into his throat. Then he understood the no was from her belief he didn’t know his own mind and heart. She wasn’t saying no to the marriage proposal.

“Oh, baby, yes, I do. Let me prove it to you.” He moved away from her. “Stay right here, I’ll be back.” Damn, he didn’t want to leave her, but he needed her to understand he was serious.

In seconds, he pulled up his jeans, leaving them unsnapped and unzipped.

“Where are you going? It’s like five o’clock in the morning.” She pulled the sheet to her chin.

“Won’t take but a moment. Stay under the covers. I’ll be back.”

––––––––

Sofia had lost her mind. When she’d decided to do something different, and wake him in a way she believe most men enjoyed, she hadn’t expect a proposal.

Sure, she wanted to marry him, but would he turn around and hate her later?

Then the door burst open.

He stood there with the biggest grin on his face.

“Sit up,” he ordered. When she was slow to move, he reached down and lifted her. “Now, let us do this right.”

She couldn’t believe her eyes when he got down on one knee, grinning like an idiot, and dug into his jean’s pocket. He held out a ring. It was beautiful. Six smaller diamonds surrounded a larger one. The setting was an old design.

“Sofia Cruz, would you do me the honor of being my old lady and marrying me?”

She couldn’t help it. She giggled.

Instead of hurting his feelings, she watched his face light up.

“There. That’s it. Your giggle was what started me down the road to loving you.”

“You’re driving me crazy.” She wanted to tell him she loved him too, but what if she was wrong, and it was just lust, like she had for Ramon before they married?

She covered her mouth. Her mind a jumble with thoughts of the whys and why nots.

Why was she so determined to push him away? No one had treated her as well. Even when he broke things off between them, he’d done it to keep her safe. Then he returned in her life to protect her again. She’d never been loved as much and as selfless as he did her. Maybe she was being greedy, but she couldn’t give him up. If she said no once more, her refusal could destroy any chance of being with him. Love was so delicate.

“Do I have to handcuff you to me to get you to accept?” His smile didn’t exactly hide his insecurity in asking.

Yes. He was so precious to her. Tough biker with a big heart.

“No,” she said. His countenance fell. She quickly added, “No, no. That’s not what I meant. No, you don’t have to handcuff me. Yes. I’m insane. I’ll marry you.”

With shaking fingers, he pushed the ring onto her finger. A little snug, but it was perfect.

Happiness bubbled up from her chest making her lightheaded. She was probably as crazy as he was, but she decided to cast all her doubts to the side and grab any happiness she could before her past pulled her down.

He scooped her up against his body and hooted.

She laughed, smiling so wide the corners of her mouth hurt. Her heart swelled with love. That was why she could accept, no matter what else she told herself. She loved him. Ramon had said the words one time before they married, but never again. Not until later had she realized he’d lied. The betrayal had made her feel worthless, unlovable. Maybe that was why she couldn’t say it to Wolf. From the way he looked at her, and he treated her so sweet, she prayed he truly loved her. That everything he said wasn’t a trick for personal gain, money, or power. Actions said so much more than words. So far, he’d been truthful with her. She couldn’t allow her past to color what she felt for Wolf.

Looking down at the ring, she ached from the need to be loved just for herself.

Her back touched the mattress, and his big body covered her as he took her mouth with a deep, hot kiss. When his tongue slid along hers, she almost came. She clutched his sides and moved her breasts back and forth, chafing her nipples against his chest.

“We’ll go to the courthouse tomorrow.”

She pressed a finger against his lips. “No. Let’s enjoy being engaged for a little while.”

“Then after Christmas.”

Laughing, she shook her head. “No. We’ll decide at a later date. Okay?” Her finger traced his lips. Staring into each other’s eyes, she felt as if she was doing the right thing.

Bang, bang, bang. They jumped. Someone slammed a fist over and over again onto the bedroom door. Why were they interrupted at every turn?

“Open the door, you horny bastard. We have a fucking bad situation.”

Sofia recognized the voice of the man named Cutter.

“Cover up. I’ve got to see what’s going on.” Wolf kissed the tip of her nose and stood, readjusting his cock and zipping up his jeans.

He opened the door and softly talked to the man on the other side. Cutter’s attention stayed on Wolf and never strayed to her cowering on the bed. Wolf shook his head.

“No. Let me grab my shirt and shoes and I’ll be down there in a few seconds.” Then he shut the door.

“Everything all right?” The sadness on his face pulled at her. “What’s wrong? Can I help?”

Jerking a tee shirt over his head, he leaned down and pulled on his socks and shoes in quick order.

“No. Someone set my house on fire. Good thing that Trick had a man patrolling the road along that area. They were able to put it out with minimum damage, but the insides have been trashed.” His fingers pushed hair out of his eyes. Then he jabbed fingers into his pocket and pulled out a rubber band. In seconds, the strands were tamed into a man bun. How could something so feminine look so manly and sexy on him?

Dragging her attention to the situation at hand, she moved out of bed and started to gather her things.

“What are you doing?” His tone revealed he was pissed.

“I’m coming with you.”

“No. You need to stay here where it’s safe.”

“I’m coming with you. No way will I stay here without you.”

A look came over his face and he must’ve realized she had a point. She sure didn’t feel safe with his crazy uncle.

“Fine. Just stay at my side.”

In moments, they were driving down a dark country road in a shiny new black truck. Due to the predicted temperature drop, Trick had insisted they use it. Wolf had accepted only after seeing how she huddled from the cold.

Deep inside, she knew her body shook not just from the temperature but from worry about what he would find. Was the fire set by her people or by Ramon? Her ex was known to use fire. Several businesses had burned when they paid too slow or refused to pay their protection money at all.

Other Brothers stood outside. Their glum faces tipped off what they would find inside. The doorframe was destroyed from being kicked in, and the door swung in with a slight push. The fire had started on the couch pushed up against the wall, paper trash thrown on it and set on fire. One wall was charred and the curtains surrounding the large window destroyed. Water dripped onto the ruined floor and disappeared beneath the house through the separated planks of flooring. Not too drastic—it was just one room—but the smell of wet, burned wood was overpowering.

“Has the fire department already left?” Sofia expected to find at least a uniformed man standing around writing down information about the damage. “Did they leave a report for Wolf to file with his insurance company?”

“You have to call to get them to come out this far, and you need insurance to send in a report.” Wolf stood next to her, disgust clear on his face. “Doesn’t matter. This is Mayhem Brothers business.”

She squeezed his arm in sympathy and leaned her cheek against his bicep. It had to be hard to see the damage to his family home. Beneath her fingers she felt him stiffen. She understood what he was saying. Bringing in the authorities, with the Brothers’ rep, would only hamper the club’s investigation. The police and fire department would only look at the club for suspects.

Footsteps from the other side of the room caught her attention. She looked up. Easy walked in from the direction of the kitchen.

“This was a nice house at one time.” The president of the chapter looked around. “Hey, Twofer, ride down to the highway and see if you spot anything suspicious.”

A tall, broad-shouldered man with a full beard and shaved head stepped in from the front porch and nodded and then ducked back out.

So that was the Mayhem Brother Cherry was interested in. He wasn’t as handsome as Wolf, in her eyes, but she understood the attraction.

“Sugar, wait outside for me while I have a few words with the boss here.”

She glanced at Easy and then nodded toward Wolf. “I’ll wait in the truck.”

The sun peeked over the tree line when she stepped outside on the porch. Mayhem Brothers milled around in the yard. A couple of them glanced up at her, eyeing her as she stepped into the truck. The keys were still in the ignition. Strange how they thought nothing about leaving their vehicles like that as if no one dared steal from them. After a glance around at the scary men, she had to agree a person would have to be crazy.

A little chilled, she leaned over with one foot on the gas and turned the key. Adjusting the heat, she felt the warm air thaw out her toes. Not having much sleep last night, she could do with more rest. Grinning, she looked down at the ring on her finger. All worth it. She wasn’t sure how she was going to work it out, being married to a Mayhem Brother and being related to members of the Thirty-Second. But she was determined to give it a try.

Tired from the lack of sleep, she closed her eyes. She only needed a few seconds. That was all. She knew better than to let her guard down, but warmth continued to seep into her body. The Mayhem Brothers wouldn’t bother her. Wolf was merely a few yards away. And who was brave enough to try anything in the middle of all those Mayhem Brothers? Before she knew it, she was asleep.