Page 87 of Elling & Jackie

"Yep." She snuggled against his back.

Rubbing the outside of her leg, he gave her a squeeze. He hated the limitations put on him. She belonged to him. He should be able to touch her whenever he wanted, wherever he wanted, in front of her fucking family if he wanted to.

He wound his way through the garage and came out on the street. Using the flow of traffic, he worked his way to the Bridge. He headed toward the club, turning four blocks beforehand.

Slowing down, he searched the houses along the quiet street, looking for the gray two-story older home with a full porch on the front. When Peer mentioned he knew of a rental, he'd had his MC brother grab it for him without looking at it first. To him, a roof over his head was all he needed.

For Jacqueline's sake, he relayed to Peer he needed a solid home in a neighborhood where she'd be safe. Asking for a porch was an after-thought. He liked the idea of being outside with her in all the seasons.

Recognizing the description on the corner lot, he signaled and turned into the driveway. He shut off the engine.

"What are we doing?" Jacqueline slid off the seat when he patted her leg.

He took off his helmet and stood. "I want to show you this house."

She slipped her hand into his and walked up to the front door. He took out the key and slid it in the lock.

"Do you know who lives here?" she whispered.

The fact that she whispered as if he was planning on breaking in and she didn't want them to get caught struck him. He captured her face and kissed her lips softly. Knowing she would willingly stay by his side, even if it went against what she believed, made him want to impress her and go forward with what he'd planned for them.

He turned the knob and swung the door open. "Go in."

Waiting for her to cross the threshold, he followed her inside to what looked like a bare living room.

His boots thunked against the hardwood floor. There was nothing special about the house. The pale, beige walls and darker brown flooring made it look even more basic. Maybe he should've given Peer more ideas of what he wanted.

Jacqueline deserved the best, something to be proud of and would make her feel at home.

He walked into the kitchen, glad to see there was a stove, fridge, and dishwasher already in place. When he'd made the decision to live away from the clubhouse, he hadn't thought about all the extras he'd need to purchase.

Hell, they needed a bed. That'd be first on his list of things to go buy.

"What do you think?" He leaned against the counter.

She glanced at him. "About the house?"

"Ja."

"It's someone else's house." She looked around the small kitchen. "Or, at least it used to be. Are you moving out of the clubhouse?"

"It's ours now," he said.

She faced him frowning. "Excuse me?"

"I'm renting it. When you're ready to move in with me—"

She laughed, shaking her head. "I can't move in with you."

"Is there a rule that you have to live at the hotel while you work there?"

"No." She turned away from him.

He waited for her to continue, and when she stayed quiet and refused to look at him, he stepped over and turned her around. "Talk."

Her lips tightened, and she walked away from him and stopped out of his reach. "You need to slow down and think."

He gritted his teeth. All he'd done since he found himself alone at fourteen years old was hold in how he felt, afraid that the last thing he told anyone he cared about would somehow be the reason for their death. At the very least, would cause them to leave him.

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