Page 33 of Lamb

It was different from the stolen kisses in exchange for a drink. This had been my desire and mine alone. It had been instinct and thoughtless. I was already moving, pressing my lips to hers before I could even question whether it was a good idea.

I’d expected her to pull away, to fight, but when she melted into my touch and responded, my mind had vanished.

I’d wanted to take her then and there, jump into the bath, and cover her body with my own. I wanted her legs around my waist, my hands all over her naked skin, and my fingers buried in her hair. I wanted to see her submit to me, to give me her everything, to beg me to take her.

Water had sloshed onto my lap, and it might as well have been artic with how I’d jumped from her.

Pouty, swollen red lips, eyes wide and dazed, the blush spreading from her flaming cheeks, down over her quivering chest.

I’d nearly torn the tap from the faucet as I’d closed it, my actions and the moment of pure impulse registering with complete, chilling clarity.

I had physical desires and have had satisfied women in my bed, and women who’d satisfied me. But that had been nothing compared to this. The obsessive need that had rampaged inside of me was like a matchstick to gas—as fast as it was dangerous, and even more so destructive.

It made me question everything about myself. It made me ask things I had no answer to. And that, more than anything else, struck a fear I’d never tasted, piercing deep into my core.

“Lamb.”

Even with that cold resonating deep inside, all I could see was my hard work crumbling to pieces, my plans torn to shreds.

Ash having a panic attack wasn’t strange behavior. She never hid her trauma; with the permanent bottle in her hand, the nomad lifestyle, and the prickly personality, it wasn’t hard to assume even for the average onlooker. I’d planned for it. Chosen specific small steps to get her used to me, used to this space and her new life, and now I was experiencing the exact consequences I knew came from such stupid mistakes. I could do nothing but watch as Ash’s mind dissolved like sugar in water, seeping through my fingers, intangible, uncontrollable. I had been, for one of the rare few moments in my life, utterly powerless.

“Lamb.”

I’d used pressure on her neck to cause her to pass out, and she’d come to a few moments later, but there was exhaustion,and confusion riddled her mind. I’d tucked her into bed, allowing sleep to give the reprise I couldn’t.

With her difficulties staying asleep, I’d be surprised if she wasn’t already awake. And even more so if she hadn’t drunk the half glass of whiskey left next to her meal.

“LAMB!” a voice roared half an inch from my face.

I covered my pounding ear as I turned, glowering at the huge giant leaning over me.

“What?” I grumbled, pushing my chair out from beneath the mountain’s shadow.

Hunter’s face was wrought into a deep frown, and as I turned to scan the room, I saw others mirroring his expression, a whole sea of brothers giving me silent stares.

“Were you even listening?” He dropped back down into his seat, dwarfing the extra-large office chairs we’d had to buy for our steroid-sized members. Dim bulb light once again washed over me, and I gave him a raised brow.

I sighed, tucking myself and my chair back in front of the table from where Hunter had spun me from it. I pointedly ignored Wolf on my other side, giving me an intense glower before opening my mouth.

“Club business profits up by fifteen percent. Run on the fifteenth will go ahead as scheduled; Hunter, Wolf, Pretty, and Jax will go. Keep an eye out for some mercenaries; they’ve been hijacking other club’s runs recently, and the last thing we need is our last winter run to go awry before we can start up again in spring. Anything I missed?”

I couldhearWolf roll his eyes, but other than that, the brothers looked a curious mash between impressed and disgruntled.

“If you were listening, answer the first time,” Hunter grumbled, turning away from me and back to the table, a shrug shifting his massive shoulders.

I reached over, sliding my hand over his huge biceps. “Sorry, baby, I didn’t mean to neglect you,” I purred, a smug smile pulling over my lips as Hunter’s face turned visibly green.

“You’re a sick fuck.” Hunter yanked his arm away, rubbing furiously, as if he could ever be rid of my trace.

“Oh, come on, baby; don’t be like that.” I pulled my chair closer, the wheels pulling me smoothly along the wooden floor.

Hunter all but sprang out of his chair, the poor thing toppling to the ground behind him with a clatter. Laughter broke out amongst the crowd, followed by some jeers and teasing Hunter’s way. A couple gave me horrified looks; others were relieved they weren’t my victim for the day.

I was about to stand from my chair, stepping in my huge bear of a brother’s direction, when a loud, resoundingbangstole sound from the room.

I turned, planting my ass in my chair, as Wolf held his gavel aloft the plate. His eyes were dead and cold as he stared point-blank into the room, but even if his gaze wasn’t direct, the message had gotten across.

Quit fucking around.

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