Page 62 of Trick

As he pulls up outside the clubhouse and cuts the engine, his attention comes straight to me. “You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to,” he says, giving me an out.

I lean across the centre console, squeezing his hands in mine. I love that he wants to take care of me. It makes me feel cherished and wanted, something I haven’t felt for a while. I’ve always been the burden, the annoying widow unable to let go of the past. But since Trick and I became… whatever this is… I’ve begun to heal in a way I didn’t think was possible. I want to be better, I want to live again and be happy, and he is helping me to do that. “I’m fine. I promise. I’m not going to break just because our friends are having babies.”

The pained look on his face has me cupping his. “You’re so fucking strong.”

I’m not. I’m weak and damaged, but I’m very good at hiding it. Trick makes me feel as if I don’t need to do that anymore. He makes me believe it’s not bad to show vulnerability. “Only because you make me that way.”

He grabs the neckline of my dress, pulling me into him so he can kiss me. The passion and need comes through in that gesture and it makes my toes curl inside my wedges. He sets my body alight in every way possible, and I’m not sure if he knows how deeply he saved me.

Blowing out a breath, he pulls back and climbs out the car. I follow him, reaching into the back to grab Sophia’s bag while he unhooks his daughter to carry her inside. Sophia rambles, her words becoming stronger every passing day. She strings together full sentences almost, though some of it is still hard to understand. Her father listens, as if he understands every word, responding as we walk into the clubhouse together.

I’m careful to keep my distance. No one knows what is going on between us, and I’d like to keep it that way. These people already judge me, believing my only motivation for taking care of Sophia was to steal her from her father. I can only imagine what they will say if they discover we’re sleeping together.

Bobby is on the main door and gives us both a lift of his chin in greeting as we pass. He grins at my little wave before we head towards the common room.

Inside is decorated with balloons, banners, and multiple baby-related things. My heart instantly squeezes as I take in the room and the two heavily pregnant women we’re here to celebrate. Skye is standing with Elyse, a hand resting on her round stomach, while Hope is in Terror’s arms across the other side of the room. The burly biker seems as if he doesn’t want to let her go, and she’s trying to talk him down. The possessiveness of these men never changes.

The other women stand around a long table filled with food and drink.

As always, I feel awkward and on the outside, though things have been getting better. They have never been outwardly hostile towards me, but I feel the judgement. I can’t blame them for that.

I was vile when I first returned to the club, but they don’t know why. If they did, I’m sure their suspicious looks would be replaced with pity, and I would rather have the former than the latter.

“Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” Trick asks again.

No, I’m not, but this is also part of fixing our lives. Just as Trick needs to rebuild bridges, I must do the same. This is our family, and I want to be a part of it again. “I’ll be fine.”

I hold my hands out for Sophia, and he hands her over. She settles quickly in my arms, just as she always does, though she tries to grab for the necklace around my throat. I gently pull her hands away, knowing how that usually ends.

“Be careful,” I say to Trick.

Intending to walk away, I barely twist to the side before his hand latches around my bicep. Confused, I turn back to him.

“You forgetting something?”

I stare at him, unsure what he means. “I don’t?—”

Before I can respond, he dips his head and kisses me. I should push him away because people are going to see, but the moment his mouth touches mine, I lose all sense of rationality. My body softens and every inch of me feels alive and needy for him. I press a hand against his chest, needing the connection between us as he deepens the kiss before pulling back.

Breathless, I gaze up at him, feeling a little dazed. His mouth pulls into a smug smirk, knowing the effect he has on me. I should be mad, but how can I be mad at someone who wants to show the world I belong to him?

“I thought we agreed we weren’t going to tell anyone about us,” I say.

“We didn’t tell anyone.”

I roll my eyes at him, readjusting Sophia in my arms. She is getting so big and heavy now. Soon, I won’t be able to carry her like this, and that thought breaks my heart. “You kissing me in public is very much telling people,” I chastise without any real heat.

He brings our faces closer together so he can speak quietly to me. “I don’t care what people think. The only opinion that matters to me is yours. If you tell me you have a problem with what we’re doing, I’ll walk away right now.”

There is no way in hell I am going to tell him that. When I don’t answer, he kisses the tip of my nose. “If you need me to come and get you at any point, just drop me a message.”

While I appreciate that, the fact is that running away won’t fix anything between me and the old ladies, so there is no way in hell that message will ever get sent. “Thank you.”

“I love you,” he says in a low voice, emotion thick in his voice.

I did not expect him to say this, not yet at least. I feel the same way he does, but we hadn’t yet told each other those three little words that mean so much. The surprise must show on my face, because he says, “I just wanted you to know.”

“I want to say it back. I love you too.”

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