Page 31 of My Prince

“Are you really going to stay the night?” I asked.

Fade nodded and sat back on the couch. “That’s the plan, cupcake. At least for tonight. I think Yarder is going to move you guys to the clubhouse tomorrow.”

“Is Yarder really going to tell Garett and Mark what is going on?” I wasn’t sure it was safe to involve more people in this. If anyone found out that Garett and Mark knew about Boone and Gibbs, that would put a target on their backs.

“That’s going to be up to Yarder. If I were him, I’d be vague about what is going on and not mention Boone and Gibbs. Tell them enough to keep them safe, but still informed.”

I smothered a yawn with my hand. “Seems like a good idea. Garett is married and has a cute kid. I wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to him.”

“Nothing bad is going to happen to any of us,” Fade promised.

I hoped that was a promise Fade and the club could keep. I yawned again.

“You should get some sleep, cupcake. Seems like all the commotion the past days is catching up with you.”

I was pretty tired. “I’ll sleep on the couch. You can take my bed. There’s no way you can sleep on this couch.”

Fade shook his head. “I’m not taking your bed. The couch is good for me. I don’t sleep deep when I’m on watch.”

I could tell that Fade wasn’t going to let me convince him to take the bed. “Fine, but at least let me get you a pillow and blanket.”

Fade agreed.

I climbed the winding staircase to the loft, pulled the throw blanket off the end of the bed, and grabbed the extra pillow from the closet.

“I hope one pillow is enough,” I called downstairs to him.

I peeked over and saw Fade stand and move to the bottom of the stairs. “I’ve slept in some pretty shitty places before, cupcake. A blanket and a pillow sounds good to me.”

I started to make my way down the stairs, but halfway down, my feet became tangled with the blanket. Before I could react, I felt myself tipping forward.

“Oh boy,” I gasped, feeling the rush of panic as I started to fall.

Fade moved quickly, catching me in his arms before I tumbled down. His grip was strong and steady, holding me securely against him.

“This feels like déjà vu all over again,” I said, my breath coming in quick, nervous bursts.

Fade chuckled. “Except this time, you’ve got clothes on.”

A blush crept up my cheeks as I remembered the last time I slipped, my naked body pressed up against Fade when I slipped by the tub. “Thanks for the save,” I murmured, trying to steady my racing heart.

“No problem, cupcake,”

The feeling of Fade’s strong arms wrapped around my waist was intoxicating. I liked it. A lot. His embrace was both protective and possessive, sending shivers down my spine.

Fade carried me down the stairs and gently set me down, but he didn’t let me go. His arms stayed securely around my waist, holding me close.

“You always seem to be saving me,” I whispered. He was like my own prince, rescuing me all the time. First at the donut place, then when I slipped by the tub, and now when I almost offed myself by tumbling down the stairs.

He pulled the pillow and blanket from my hands and tossed them toward the couch, but his arm remained firmly around my waist. The air between us was thick with unspoken words and charged with electricity. Fade’s eyes were heated with desire, making my chest flutter wildly.

“Fade,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

“Shh, cupcake.” His voice was soft yet commanding. Fade’s hand moved up, cradling my cheek with a tenderness that made my heart race.

“You don’t have to...” I trailed off, feeling overwhelmed by his closeness. It seemed like he would kiss me, but I wasn’t sure of anything right now. Fade, being this close to me, seemed to scramble my brain.

“I want to, Adalee. It’s the only thing I can think about right now.” His lips were a breath away from mine; his eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made my knees weak.

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