Page 12 of Viper

“I can handle him. I’ll stay somewhere else tonight.”

I draw in slow, steady breaths as my teeth grind against one another. I’ve acted like a rational man, but I’m not a rational man. I was born a fighter. I’ve lived my life as a fighter. Deep down, that will never change.

This piece of shit ruined enough of Clementine’s life. He robbed me of ten years with her. He stole the only woman I ever gave a damn about and took it for granted.

“I’m going home with you tonight,” I say, brushing her hair back away from her face. “I’m going to make him go away.”

She drags in a deep breath and lets it out slowly. “Abe… I don’t want you to get involved. The lawyers will handle things on Monday, and I’ll get a restraining order. He’s usually a reasonable guy, so I’m sure that’ll scare him away.”

I laugh under my breath and hold her closer. “Look at me, little angel.”

She does as I’ve asked and glances up into my eyes.

I groan low in my throat as energy passes between us. Energy I haven't felt since the day I walked away. “Tell me you want this too. Tell me again how you’ve thought about us. Tell me you’ve thought about me pulling you over my shoulder and spanking that little ass of yours until my marks are all over you. Tell me you’ve thought about me sinking into that tight, little pussy over and over again until you’re full of my babies.”

She pants and hangs her mouth open slightly. “It’s all I thought about for years.”

“So it’s safe to say you want this then?”

She swallows hard. “Yes, I want this. I want you. You’re all I’ve ever thought about. How fucked up is that?”

I shake my head. “If we’re fucked up, then we’re fucked up together, little angel. End of story. You okay to ride my bike home?”

She nods and leans her lips against my neck and kisses me gently, and I know right now I’m never letting her go again.

Chapter Seven

Clementine

Little angel. He called me his little angel. I wanted to jump, squeal, and make a huge deal out of it, but instead I played it cool, though I’m not sure how long ‘playing it cool’ will last. My skin is aching for his big, rough palms and every ounce of me wants to climb all over him.

I close my eyes and lean back against Abe’s solid chest. He’s older now, but his body feels the same. Strong and firm. Massive and warm.

I can’t believe this is happening. I should pinch myself or dunk my head in a pool of cold water to make sure it’s all real. If it’s not, this is the cruelest dream of all time.

The bike rumbles beneath me as we head up the country road. It’s one of the darker nights we’ve had in a while. Stars hang overhead, but they’re dimmed and clouded by a storm that’s incoming. The air is chilly too.

Abe notices and wraps me in closer to his chest while still managing to control the bike. Why is that so hot? He leans in with a tone low in his throat as he says, “Where am I taking you?”

“I’m up the hill here on the right-hand side. You can’t miss me.”

He hums out a reply and leans into the turn effortlessly.

My clit throbs as the vibration in the seat reminds me how much I’ve missed out on. Bike rides, his arms around me, his lips pressed against mine, that bending me over thing he was talking about.

Dear God, I’d love for this man to spank me. I’d love for him to spank me, kiss me, lick me, and tell me exactly what he wants me to do. My panties are soaked. I should stop thinking like this. We still have to deal with Craig when we get back, and I’m not sure I want to.

Sure, it’s a major flex showing up to the house with this big, giant, hot guy as my protector, especially after all Craig has put me through, but I want him to see what it looks like when a man appreciates you the right way. That said, it’s not worth the drama I know it’ll cause. Abe is perfectly capable, I know that, but Craig is insane lately and I wouldn’t put anything past him.

We pull into the driveway of the cabin and my heart skips a beat when I see Craig’s truck parked on the side of the house where he’d parked the night before. I knew he was here, but seeing him still makes my stomach hurt.

Usually, he sits on the front porch, but tonight the porch is empty, and the board I had nailed up to cover the cracked window is gone and the curtains are blowing through the opening.

Abe slows his bike as we pop over stones in the driveway. “You’re going to stay out here while I go get him. Understood?” His tone is low and commanding. I get the feeling people don’t say no to him. He parks the bike and climbs off first, helping me off before turning toward the cabin.

“No.” I grab hold of Abe’s arm as he climbs off the bike. “I just got you back. I don’t want to lose you.”

He laughs. “Lose me? Angel, you’re not going to lose me. I’m right here.”

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