Page 9 of Brightness

Whatever my problem is, Ivy isn’t going to stand for it. But can I really be anyone other than who I am? Who I was raised to be?

It’s a hurdle I need to jump over.

I need to figure out if I’m willing to take the leap and risk falling to my knees, because Lord knows I’m going to have to ask for forgiveness more than once.

Glancing out the front window as I sip on my coffee, I exhale.

We should be getting back.

Ivy’s been gone for hours, and I’ll feel safer with her back home, in the clubhouse. Cars pass by on the road out front. Diners sit in the café, oblivious to the rear-of-shop operations, where extra-baked goods are being held for the lowlifes of Tampa.

There’s an entire back section of the shop blocked off like a vault, with a built-in exhaust filtration system to hide the pungent odor. We have Ominous pick up the product and ship it all over the place. It’s turned into a real fucking big enterprise.

I shovel another forkful of Key lime pie into my mouth, the hit of sweet and the tang of lime smacking me at the same time. Trixie always gets the balance exactly right. Smiling, I peer over at Ivy and Trixie, who stand in front of the everyday bakery section as Ivy points something out. Trixie goes behind the counter, fetches it from the cabinet, then places whatever it is into a small box.

She’s obviously bringing something home with us.

Ivy practically skips over to my table, beaming with happiness. She slides into the seat opposite me, placing the small pink box on the table. “I got some treats for us for when we get back to the club.”

“More pie?” I ask.

She draws her bottom lip in by her teeth, the move sexy as fuck. “Taffy-flavored truffles,” she says with a wry smile.

This woman sure is something else.

“Shall we?” I ask, tilting my head to the exit.

Ivy glances back, taking in every inch of the store as if she’s reliving her time here. I let her have a moment because who knows when she will return. She sighs, then turns back to me. “Okay, let’s go.”

Standing, I grab the box of truffles and raise my chin. “Thanks, Trix.”

She waves as she fumbles with something behind the counter, half distracted. “Thanks for popping in, guys. I’ve loved having you.”

“I had so much fun! I hope I can come back,” Ivy calls out as I place my hand on her hip, edging her toward the door.

“You’re welcome any time, hon.”

We exit, heading for my ride as Ivy lets out a long, exaggerated sigh. “That was… exactly what I needed.”

I smile. It’s a gesture that doesn’t come naturally to me, but I find myself doing it more easily around her. Then I place the small box into my saddlebag and grab the helmet, placing it over Ivy’s head. Her plump, full lips turn up just enough to show me how genuinely sweet she really is. She’s completely calm in this moment. The right amount of warmth teamed with a sense of satisfaction—the ease showing on her face giving her a glow brighter than the midday sun.

This woman—she’s fucking gorgeous.

She’s enticing me, pulling me in with her radiance—a brightness to my darkness and depravity. But if I stand here staring at her, she’s going to think I’m a fucking cretin. “I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. Are you full? Do you need anything else to eat?” I ask, in a lame attempt to carry on a conversation.

Good going, dickhead.

“Nope! The giant pressed sandwich, fries, kombucha, and pie were all pretty filling, but thank you for offering. Thanks for bringing me here. It was so freaking good to see how my work is being put to use. Trixie’s doing an incredible job.”

Instinctively, I reach out to slide my fingers up and down her arm. “It’s good to see you smiling. I’m sorry about going off on you earlier. I… I have this version of you in my mind. This innocent, breakable—”

“Virgin…” She sighs. “That’s what this all boils down to, doesn’t it, Void?”

Scrunching up my face, I exhale. “Maybe. I haven’t had anyone like you around me for a long fucking time, and it’s messing with me. Makes me think you should be acting a certain way, but you never fail to surprise me.”

“Just because I haven’t had sex doesn’t mean I have to be this virtuous, Mother Mary, freaking saint-type person. Please don’t make me out to be that kind of girl. I’m just… not.”

“I’m beginning to see that. When I thought I saw you with Dash, it fucking sent me over the edge. You’re also almost ten years younger than me. That’s a big age gap. I have no right to feel that way. But seeing you on your knees, especially with another man… I wasn’t prepared for that vision or the feelings it sparked.”

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