AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I’ll be meeting them tonight since there’s a party at the clubhouse. I would say I decided to go, but that’s not true.
The night I first went home with Tyler, after he tattooed me, we were laying in each other’s arms wrapped up in a contented glow. It’s never been like that with anyone else. Sure, sex was enjoyable, but I’d never experienced fireworks and feeling like my entire world tilted on its axis, which is what it felt like with Tyler.
He was running his hand up and down my arm as if he couldn’t stop touching me and it made me feel all bubbly inside. “There’s a party at the clubhouse this weekend,” his voice was gruff. “You’re coming with me.”
I turned toward him and looked into his steely eyes, full of hidden depths and warmth along with so much pain. With a cheeky smile I teased him, “You aren’t going to ask me to go with you?”
“No,” there was a finality in his tone that would have been a turnoff with anyone else. With him, there was a comfort in it I didn’t understand but decided to lean into. As long as he didn’t try and bulldoze through every aspect of my life, I was willing to give him some leniency. “You’re coming with me.”
I tapped a finger against my lips, his eyes tracking the movement and hunger started to bleed into his gaze. I arched an eyebrow, a challenge in my words, “A party at the clubhouse. I didn’t know meeting you would mean I’d get to cross some things off my bucket list.”
His lips twitched before he pulled my finger away from my lips and brought us together, our kiss fierce and his hands branding my skin. I forgot about the sadness in his eyes because all that shone back at me was lust and wonder.
He makes me feel adored. Cherished even. It’s an odd feeling, one I’m still not used to days later. Part of me hopes I never get used to feeling this way. I want it to feel new, to feel special. I want it for the rest of my life.
I turn in Tyler’s arms slowly, not wanting to wake him. When he sleeps, he looks so peaceful, like the weight of the world isn’t on his shoulders. He really is the most handsome man I’ve ever met, but there’s so much more to him.
His hands make beautiful art. I love the tattoo he did on me. It’s gorgeous and there’s a little bit of both of us in it. His hands are so big. They’re capable of creating beauty, but I know, because of his job with the club, they can also be used for brutality.
My man is complex. Brutal and beautiful. Peaceful but at war. Hardened and yet soft with me.
I love the dualities which swirl within him. Honestly, I love him.
I don’t think I even needed the last few days to realize I’m in love with him, but I’m glad I had them. I was smitten the moment I opened the door and saw him—all bad boy on a chrome steed. Since I’ve gotten to know him, I know the kind of heart and soul he shelters. Both are so good and pure, even though there is darkness within them as well.
I want to know more about it. I want to help heal him. But I refuse to push him to talk about whatever haunts him.
I reach out and run my fingers along the edge of his jaw, unable to stop myself from touching him. I love touching him. All his hard planes and sculpted muscles. He’s not ripped in the way some gym guys are, but he’s solid as hell.
I feel safe in his arms. Like he could shield me from anything coming my way.
“Hellcat,” he rumbles, his morning voice making my pussy wet and my thighs squeeze together. His steely eyes open slowly, and he gazes at me with so much wonder it makes me feel a little inadequate.
I’m far from perfect, but he certainly looks at me like he believes I am. Hopefully, I don’t let him down. Not that I think he would allow that to happen.
His strength bolsters me. I don’t even think he realizes how much.
“Morning,” I murmur and watch as the sadness, as the pain, ripples back to life in his eyes.
The same thing has happened every morning and it makes me feel like my heart is bleeding. For him. In sympathy. In solidarity.
“What shape are your demons, Tyler?” I whisper the words and freeze when he sucks in a sharp breath. I shake my head slowly, tears filling my eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that out loud.” I lean forward and kiss his forehead, something he’s done to me which makes me feel at peace every time. “You’ll tell me when you’re ready. I just want to be there for you, to help you shoulder some of your burden.”
“I should be carrying your burden, not the other way around,” he grunts.
I reel back from him, his tone isn’t harsh, but his words still feel like a slap to my face. I narrow my eyes at him, studying him, and all I see is sincerity in his eyes. He wasn’t trying to offend me, but that doesn’t mean I’m not.
“Tyler,” I hiss, “either we’re a team or we’re nothing.”
He blinks at me, surprise written all over his face. “I didn’t mean we aren’t a team.” His arms band around me and pull me tight against his body, allowing no space between us. “My shoulders are broader than yours.”
I huff out a small laugh and roll my eyes. Men. Am I right?
“It’s not about the size of the shoulders. If I just allow you to take on the things in my life, the things I need help with, but don’t do the same for you then what kind of partner am I?” I reach out and squeeze his shoulders. “Your shoulders are sexy as hell and I plan to straddle them later to ride your face, but I also want to be there for you. I want to understand the pain I always see swirling in your eyes. I want to help you let it go.”
He snaps his eyes shut and he takes a few deep breaths. I can feel anger and devastation rolling off him. It hits me square in the chest. I hate it. I hate everything about it. My man is a huge teddy bear when it comes to me and the fact that he has so much weighing him down hurts me.
“I don’t know if I will ever be able to let it go,” his words are haunted as he slowly opens his eyes. “Not when I failed Sofia.”
