Page 71 of Scorched King

“Still at his place. We’ve got eyes on him, but he’s acting normal. Too normal.”

I stalked the length of the porch. Chel likely knew too much about the club. She was a loose end we couldn’t afford.

And my gut told me something about this still didn’t feel right. There was more going on. Something worse.

“Put the word out.” I kept my voice low. “I want her found. Use whatever resources we need.” It was time to let the brothers dowhat they did best. Club business never ended, but now I had more than just the club to consider.

“Already on it, Prez. Axel’s got his contacts checking the Canadian border.”

“Good.” Through the window, Sasha’s silhouette moved through the kitchen. “Keep me updated.”

The call ended, and my jaw ached from tension. Just when I thought we’d tied up all the loose ends, another one was unraveling. The club was still vulnerable, and that meant Sasha was too.

There was also the dissent still shrouding our club. Members mumbling under their breath about my leadership was poison in the air and I refused to go another day with whispered bullshit happening around me. This club had priorities, and?—

“You look way too intent for this early in the morning. Are you brooding again?”

I turned at the sound of her voice to find my woman standing in the kitchen doorway, her beautiful body wrapped up in a silky short robe that rested at the top of her lush thighs.

My dick jerked as it remembered how much it liked being buried right in that spot. As if to prove my point, all the blood in my body rushed south, and in seconds I had a tent in my sweats.

“It’s not that early,” I said as I placed my cup on the counter and prowled in her direction. “And I don’t brood.”

A sheepish smile crossed her face as she studied my crotch. “Oh you most definitely brood. Particularly when you are in denial. And considering how little sleep we got last night, I’d say it’s real early.”

“Poor, baby girl. You feeling worn out?” I chose to ignore the brooding comment—for now. We’d discuss it again later when I got her bare ass across my lap again. A wicked smile crossed my face. Fuck, she was fun.

She nodded. “Like I was wrung out and put away wet.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at her choice of words. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she walked toward me, her bare feet padding across the tile floor.

“Coffee?” I offered, reaching for a clean mug.

“Please. And maybe we can talk about what had you so focused when I walked in?”

I poured her coffee and slid it across the counter. “It’s the club. We’ve got a new contract on the table that I want us to take, but first I have to make sure everyone is still on board with my leadership.”

Her eyes widened. “Are they crazy?” You’re the best President they could ever get.” She crossed her arms over her chest.

I smiled. “I appreciate that, babe,” I said as I grabbed her around the waist and shoved my face into her neck to get my mouth on her. She smelled good too. A little like me mixed with a whole lot of her. My teeth grazed her soft skin, and I breathed in deep, savoring how perfectly our scents blended together. Having her here, defending me without hesitation, made something possessive stir in my chest.

The fierce emotion roared through my veins, making my chest tight. All I could think about was how much she meant to me and how I wanted that feeling locked down for good. So much so my next words tumbled out before I could stop them. “Marry me.”

Her body stiffened in my arms. “What?”

I pulled back to look into her eyes. “You heard me. Marry me, Sasha.”

“JD, you don’t have to?—”

“Stop.” I pressed my finger to her lips. “This isn’t about having to do anything. This is about wanting to. About doing things different this time around.”

Her eyes searched mine. “Different from Malia?”

“Yes.” I cupped her face in my hands. “What I had with her… it was intense but unstable. Not to mention crazy. We never could take that last step, making us official. And looking back, I knew something was missing no matter how real it felt. But sharing her, it was too hard. It wasn’t right.”

“And I’m what’s right?” Her voice trembled. “Are you sure?”

“You’re everything I never knew I needed. I was an idiot letting our differences keep us apart. Life is short, pretty girl.” I traced my thumb across her bottom lip. “I love you, Sasha. I want the world to know you’re mine. Want everyone to see that ring on your finger and know you chose me.”

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