Page 55 of Saving Grace

“I’m so scared, Matt,” Grace admitted.

“I won’t let him get you.”

“He knows where I am. Maybe I should go away—”

“No!” Matt cut in harshly. He cupped her face, tilting her chin to stare directly into her eyes. “I’ll keep you safe. I promise.”

“You can’t stop me,” she argued.

“Just try,” he said softly this time, but his tone brooked no argument. “If I have to lock you up in this loft or chain you to my bed, I’ll do it. Don’t test me.”

“Just think—”

“This conversation is over.” Matt pulled her up as he got them off the floor. Holding her close, he added. “I’m never letting you go. Understand?”

Defiance and disbelief lit her eyes, but before she could argue again, he shut her up in the best possible way he knew.

He slammed his lips on hers, pushing his tongue through the resistance of her mouth, and swallowed her outrage. Their teeth clashed, her hands tried to push him away, but he held on to coax a response from her. He groaned in satisfaction as her body yielded and a shudder rippled through her. Just when he felt her return his kiss, she tore away from him so violently, she would have fallen on her ass if he hadn’t reached out to steady her.

“What the hell?” Matt swore incredulously.

“I need … I need a moment,” she whispered, eyes wild and almost confused. “Troy … they’ll be here any moment.”

Matt frowned. She was back to looking pale and a tad overwhelmed. “What’s wrong, Grace? I didn’t … fuck. I didn’t scare you, did I?”

“Just.” She looked everywhere but him. “Please, Matt. I need a few minutes.” Still avoiding his probing eyes, she firmly removed his hands on her arms.

Matt tracked her movements until she disappeared into his bedroom and closed the door with a soft click. His fists clenched at his sides. Locked out again, but he was determined to be sharing her bed tonight. He was through giving her space.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Grace

Just as knowledge chased away the fog in my mind, my memories had returned.

At least almost all of them.

The tide of information almost brought me to my knees, and I needed to get away from Matt before I collapsed. It took me more than a few minutes. It might’ve taken me more than an hour by the time Matt knocked on my door to tell me that Troy and the sheriff had arrived. I could hear the irritation in his voice and I felt a bit guilty. Now that I knew what I knew, I felt better about this life growing inside me.

I checked my reflection in the mirror and felt a familiarity I had not felt in a long time. I finally felt centered as I opened the bedroom door. I felt confident. No one could tell me anything I didn’t already know.

But first there was something I had to do.

They had gathered around Matt’s living room. Troy stood looking out the window. His second-in-command, Cristiano, sat on the couch directly in front of him. The sheriff was talking to Matt and Cassie. Lucas was sitting on the long sofa working on the computer.

They all either turned or looked up when they heard my footsteps.

My eyes were focused on Troy as I walked purposely toward him. There was a spark of confusion in his eyes just as I closed the last speck of distance between us and pressed my body against his, tilting my chin up to him. The biker’s arms closed around me just as my own circled his neck and I brought his head down to mine. I kissed him hard, and he returned my enthusiasm in kind. Troy was a good kisser, but, unfortunately, he didn’t set my insides on fire. I had my answer.

I ended the kiss and stepped back.

“What the fuck was that?” Matt’s angry outburst sounded very close behind me.

A shadow of disappointment crossed Troy’s face but was quickly replaced by a self-deprecating smile. “Welcome back, darlin’.”

Strong fingers clamped down on my arm and I was dragged against a hard body before I was spun around.

“You better have a good explanation for kissing Troy,” Matt growled, his lips curled back in such a snarl, he looked almost feral.

---