Page 36 of Claim Me

Watching her warily, I mumble, “Yeah, but I’m in love with you.”

“Well, maybe I can fall in love with you, too. If we spend a few days together, I might glue myself to you. Are you ready for such commitment?”

I stare into her eyes and say without hesitation, “I’ve wanted you for a long time. You can’t know what it feels like to have you see me.”

Siobhan offers me the most beautiful smile.If I died right now, I’d go out happy.

“Then stay with me for a few days. We can go shopping. If you plan to bring the dogs here, they’ll need supplies. Oh, and I’m havinglunch over at Natasha’s house tomorrow. Tack and Hunter will be there. We can hang out with our friends.”

Frowning, I step back and lose my confidence. Siobhan notices my mood shift and inches closer.

“Don’t hide. Just blurt it out.”

“I don’t want to go to lunch.”

“Because you hate Tack and Bear now? Or is it Natasha and Hunter who are on your naughty list?”

“It’s not that.”

Siobhan smirks. “I know, baby. Just tell me what it is.”

“I don’t know. It feels like a bad idea.”

“Did you like the shopping idea?” When I nod, she taps her chin as if thinking. “Are you afraid to be my boyfriend in front of people we know?”

“Maybe.”

“Are you embarrassed about liking me?”

“Why would I be embarrassed?”

“I’ve had sex with two bikers from the same club. I’m a little bit of a slut.”

“Sync happened years ago.”

“True, and I only got to feel your dick inside me once. So, I guess, I’m more of a wannabe slut.”

“You’re not a slut at all.”

“Okay,” she says and wraps her arms around my waist. “I won’t guilt you into coming with me to lunch. However, if you want to practice being my boyfriend in the open, lunch would be best. Our friends already know about you, me, and the baby. Wouldn’t it be smart to get the hang of showing affection in public with them rather than waiting until we’re at the farm or Sync is around?”

I don’t like considering what Sync will think or say when he finds out about Siobhan and me. We came to the farm around the same time. I grew up with him. He’s one of my closest friends. I’m at his house all the time. I don’t want to lose that friendship, but Siobhan is my dream woman.

And right now, she’s watching me with the hopeful gaze of a woman capable of loving me like I’ve long hoped. If I have to lose Sync’s friendship or feel awkward at Bear’s house during lunch, I’m willing to pay the costs to keep her.

SIOBHAN

Indigo isn’t a morning person. He barely speaks after we wake, shower, and eat cereal.

At first, I worry he’s disappointed in me. Mostly, I’m paranoid about missing signals like I did with Sync.

Unable to trust my brain, I go with my instincts. Sensing Indigo needs reassurance, I wrap my arms around his waist and smile at him. He surprises me by mimicking my gestures.

“You’re so beautiful when you first wake up,” he says and kisses me.

Still a little wary about his mood, I ask, “Are you ready to spend the day together?”

When Indigo only nods, I step back and admire him in one of Pork Chop’s shirts and jeans. The denim is a little loose since Pork Chop is built thicker around the hips, but the shirt fits Indigo damn near perfectly. I can’t keep my hands off him as we settle into my truck.

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