Page 77 of Brage & Dinah

While he'd be close to Federal, Idaho, he could use that time to find out more information about the location of Tony Reed. He had a score to settle for what he'd done to Dinah.

She twined her fingers in his hair. "That'll be great. Thanks for going with me. I'll feel a lot better having you along."

"I'll be honest with you." He undid one of the buttons on her work uniform and slid his fingers between the mounds of her breasts. "I'm not only going along to make sure you're safe but that you come back with me. I don't want you changing your mind."

She inhaled swiftly, and her chest expanded. He raised his gaze to her eyes.

"I think you should know I'm falling in love with you." Her lower lip trembled, and she stroked his face. "I'll be coming back with you, and afterward, I'm going to look for a place to rent close to you."

"We'll talk about that afterward."

"No." She moistened her lips. "It's important for me to live away from the club."

"Why?" He hooked his hands under her thighs.

As long as she was with him, she was welcome to stay. There was no way she could claim to be unhappy with him. He slept with her every night, and when she wasn't working at the bar, they spent their time together. He wanted everything to stay the same. There was no need for change.

"We both deserve to know each other the normal way." She lifted her chin. "To experience the anticipation and nerves and worries that come from living apart and coming together."

"Ah, bullshit, babe." He leaned back to get a good look at her to see if she was serious. "If you have a problem with me, just say it. No reason to make up fucking excuses."

She slid off his lap, stumbling to gain her balance once she landed on her feet. Straightening, she said, "It's not an excuse."

"Do you anticipate me walking into the bar when you're working?"

She frowned and nodded. "Yeah, but—"

"Do you ever shake inside when you want me to touch you?"

"Brage—"

"Do you worry that I'm going to change my mind about how I feel about you?" He gritted his teeth at the thought she wanted an excuse to pull away from him.

"Of course." She looked away.

"I think I covered what you believe we need." He straightened his beard. "Now, tell me what's really going on."

"I want to bring more into our relationship than you feeling responsible for me. I had a life before you. I wish you could've known me before Tony talked me into coming here to find out what Slag was doing and I learned the truth about who I am." She blew out her breath. "I don't even know who I am."

"You do know." He got off his motorcycle. "Ask anyone around here who you are. You're caring and helpful. Whether it's at the bar or in the clubhouse, you pull your share and always try and make life easier for everyone around you. You're not quick to trust, but I think that has more to do with you trusting yourself and being independent. You know that you can take care of yourself. I have a feeling you've been looking after yourself, fighting for yourself, supporting yourself, your whole life and nobody has told you the truth. You're a good woman. Smart. Beautiful. Strong."

"Stop," she whispered.

He stepped closer. "Have I ever lied to you?"

She shook her head. He bent his knees, catching her averted gaze. She deserved honesty.

"When I found out you were here, helping Moroad try to bring down Slag, you tried to prove you weren't out to hurt me."

"I wasn't. I swear," she said.

"I listened to you. I watched you, and I saw you." He swallowed, his heart racing. "Do you know when I realized I love you?"

She shook her head again.

"The third night you were locked in my room, you cuddled up to me in the middle of the night, and you didn't wake up crying. Do you know why?"

Her neck muscles convulsed as she tried to gain control over her emotions. He couldn't make her suffer waiting for an answer.

"Because when you believed all was lost, you clung to me like I was the most important person in your life." He palmed her cheek.

She sniffed and took a long blink. "You love me?"

"Ja, babe." He brought his forehead down to hers. "You take that for yourself. Don't throw it away because you believe you're responsible for making me happy or need to live your life differently. Take it and be happy."

She softened against him, leaning into his body. He closed his eyes and held her. No, he wasn't ever going to let her go.

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