Page 32 of Pit

“You’re not doing bad to say you hate dogs,” says Pit, his tone teasing.

“I don’t hate them. Well, not all dogs, just big ones . . . and some small.” I laugh again. “Okay, most dogs, but I have a history with them.”

“Dogs are loyal, a man’s best friend. The ones that are trained well don’t attack for no reason.”

“My dad kept big dogs,” I admit, wondering where the need to tell him my life story seems to have come from. “He used them to keep us in line.”

He side-eyes me. “That’s fucked-up.”

“Yeah. He was.”

King drops the ball at my feet, and I scoop it up, throwing it again. “Why won’t you have sex with me?” I blurt out, instantly regretting it when Pit stops and stares at me. “It’s just, if you’re going to kill me, I don’t want to die a virgin.” I don’t add that he’s driving me insane, and even though he always brings me to orgasm, sometimes even twice, I want him so badly, I’m dreaming of him.

“And what would your hubby have to say about that, Te?” he asks, smirking as he begins to walk again.

“So, you’re handing me back to him?”

“I don’t know,” he mutters. “I told you, I’ll come up with a plan.”

“To set me free?”

“To try and keep everyone happy,” he says, his tone irritated.

“But if your boss wants me dead then . . .”

Pit turns, pulling me against him and kissing me until my toes curl. When he pulls back, I’m panting. “I don’t want to talk about it, Te. Let’s not ruin the day.”

By the time we get back to the house, I’m surprised none of Pit’s friends are around. He indicates for me to sit at the table while he makes us a drink. When he joins me, I take the coffee gratefully. “Could you live here all the time?” I ask, looking around the kitchen. “It’s so cosy.”

He shrugs. “Not alone,” he says eventually.

“Okay, if you found the right woman, would you stay here?”

He shrugs again. “I like the road.”

“But you can’t ride forever, right?”

He smirks. “I’ll ride until my hips won’t allow it.”

“Haven’t you ever wanted to just settle down?” I had dreams of findingthe oneso I could marry and have kids. I used to list baby names and wedding venues, even though I knew deep down it would never happen. Not for love, anyway, because who would love me? Then, the older I got, the more I realised kids weren’t going to be part of my plan. I’d never want to put a child through the sort of things I’ve had to deal with. The world is too cruel.

“I never really thought about it,” he admits. “I’ve always done what’s best for the club.”

“How did you even get into the club? Is it like a membership?”

He laughs, shaking his head. “No, Te, it’s a brotherhood. I met Axel in prison a few years ago. He talked about the club like it was his entire life, and I thought, fuck, that’s the kind of life I want. When I got out, I reached out. He’s a good man, and he would lay his life down for any one of us.”

“Sounds nice.”

“It’s a lifelong commitment, so if I settle down, my woman has to be into that life too, and trust me, that’s rare to find.”

“What about London?” I ask, tapping my fingernail against the table.

He grins. “You’re jealous.”

“I’m not,” I snap.

“London is a club whore, Te, just like Ebony and the others. They’re not old lady material. At least, not mine.”

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