Page 7 of RiffRaff's Reward

“Thank you. It’s how I feel every time I cross the threshold. My old place… well, after what I found out, it wasn’t the same. I couldn’t handle the vibe within the walls, it felt dirty and cheap.”

Taking her hand, I pull her close and kiss her. Once we’re both breathless, I lean my forehead against hers and give her my vow. “Jilly, I will never knowingly hurt you in that manner. Not gonna say I won’t be an asshole from time to time. I think it’s genetically ingrained in most, if not all, men, to be that way, but I won’t ever disrespect you or what we’re building by stepping out on you.”

“You don’t have to make that promise, RiffRaff,” she says. When I go to protest, she holds up her hand. “We’ve taken things slow, probably a lot slower than you would like, but it’s let me get to know you as a man. I know you’re loyal and full of integrity,handsome, and you’d never do that to any woman, whether or not it was me. It’s not how you’re built.”

I’m not surprised she hit the nail on the head as far as my character goes. While I was steeped in the MC long before I prospected and became a full patched member, I watched the brothers and how some of them would cheat on their ol’ ladies and wives and vowed then I’d never be that kind of man. To know that Jillian sees that in me has me puffing up my chest with pride. I may have done things over the years that I wasn’t particularly proud of, but this is something important.

“I don’t have to, but I will. You’ve grown to mean a lot to me, sweetheart. How about we head downstairs and get comfortable, maybe watch a movie?”

Relief flashes across her face and I know I’m on the right track with keeping her in her comfort zone. Hell, if all we do is sleep tonight, I’ll be content as long as she’s in my arms. It probably makes me sound like a pussy, but I feel like I’ve got a new lease on life and I’m holding on with both hands.

“This is your sanctuary,” I state as I look around the lavender and gray walls. The soothing feeling that permeates the room is mind blowing.

“Yeah, we live in the rest of the house, of course, but after Kimber goes to bed, I come in here and hang out.”

My eyes start at the bedroom door and note the sitting area to the left, with huge windows that have plants set out on a smalltable. There’s a chaise lounge that’s currently holding a sleeping cat and I chuckle. “Chloe?” I ask, pointing to her.

“Yeah. She’s the reason I have to keep my desktop closed,” she replies, pointing to the small rolltop desk in the corner. “She gets up there and ‘helps’ me when I’m paying bills or doing some online continuing education. Makes me crazy when I forget to close it because I’ll come in and there’ll be papers and envelopes scattered everywhere. And it’s not like she doesn’t have toys either! Her favorite trick, though, is to pull the papers off the printer as they come out.”

“You little stinker,” I tease, leaning down and lightly stroking the cat. “Who knew such a little thing would cause such havoc.”

“She’s a good girl,” Jilly says. “She just wants attention.”

“I saw where you’ve got several cat trees in the house, even Kimber’s room.”

“I am a firm believer that cats need plenty of snoozing spots. Chloe likes being with her people, so when we’re gone, she’ll sleep in here because she’s come to know that I end up in my room every day.”

“Makes sense. Do you want me to light a fire?” I ask.

“It’s ready to go, I just had all of the chimneys cleaned so feel free,” she says. “I’m um, gonna get into something more comfortable before we watch a movie if that’s okay.”

“Jilly, it’s your house, honey, so go get comfortable,” I tell her, walking to the fireplace that’s tucked into the other corner. A ceiling fan lazily spins overhead, and I grin, because I suspect my woman is one of those who lets it run year-round, even during the harsh winter days. The fact that I see a fuzzy throw at the endof the bed makes me think my suspicions are right. While I take care of the fire, I see Jilly come back into the bedroom with a huge bucket of popcorn, a soda for her and another beer for me. She’s now in a pair of sweats with fuzzy socks on her feet.

“Snuck out on me when my back was turned, huh?” I tease, taking my cut off and hanging it over the chair.

“Maybe?” she sasses back. “Now, what are we gonna watch?”

CHAPTER FOUR

Jillian

It’searly morning by the time we binge watch a series of action movies, and I wasn’t wholly comfortable with the idea of him riding away during the twilight hours. Shyly, I asked him to stay, and he instantly accepted the invitation. Falling asleep with him beside me and waking up with him in my arms sounds like the best way to end and start the day if you were to ask me. Surprisingly, while we made out several times, he didn’t push for more, even though my body was primed and ready. I could get used to this, to having him in my space. I just need to see about getting over my mental roadblock and moving forward.

“Fucking gorgeous,” he says, his voice gruff from sleep.

“Me?” I ask. “I think you might need glasses, RiffRaff.”

“Nope, I have twenty-twenty, sweetheart,” he whispers, nuzzling my neck.

My bladder decides to make itself known and I say, “Can you hold that thought? Nature calls.”

He chuckles but releases me and I roll out of bed then head into my bathroom, hearing him go to the one on the other side, since I have a ‘his and her’ bathroom. I take care of business then set about refreshing myself, brushing my teeth then combing out my hair since it was a bit wild and crazy. We end up coming out at the same time and he wraps his arms around me and kisses me soundly then says, “Good morning, Jilly.”

“Good morning, RiffRaff,” I reply, a blush staining my cheeks.

After spending the night in his arms, something I’m not used to at all since Duncan preferred not to be touching when we slept, I’m feeling a bit… amorous this morning. Since I thought my libido had died years ago, I’m a bit surprised to be honest.

“When do you get Kimber?” he asks.

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