Page 16 of Wrath's Redemption

And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Chapter 6 - Lucy

I splash cold water on my face, trying to make sense of everything that's happened in the last few hours. The woman in the mirror looks both familiar and strange – still me, but somehow different. Like stepping into this world has already changed me somehow.

What am I doing? Leaving Anna with bikers, kissing Wrath's cheek, agreeing to stay in the President's room?

Twenty-four hours ago, I was reading bedtime stories in my quiet suburban home. Now I'm in a motorcycle club's compound, trusting my baby with men who probably have kill counts higher than their age.

But the way Hellfire held her, so careful and practiced... The way Crow's face lit up at being an uncle... The way Wrath...

God, Wrath. He's nothing like I remembered and exactly the same all at once. That night a year ago, he'd been intense but gentle, dangerous but protective. Now I see why. Everything about him – his strength, his hardness, his fierce loyalty – it all comes from protecting what's his. From making sure no one else ever feels as helpless as he did as a child.

And now Anna is his. We both are, in a way.

I dry my face with a surprisingly soft towel and change into sleep shorts and an oversized t-shirt. It's all I packed, not expecting to spend the night anywhere but home. Definitely not expecting to share a room with Wrath again.

My hand rests on the doorknob. Through the door, I can hear him moving around the room, his boots heavy on the wooden floor. My heart thunders in my chest as I remember the last timewe shared a room. His hands on my skin, his lips on my neck, the way he'd whispered my name like a prayer...

"Get it together, Lucy," I mutter to my reflection. "That was then. This is about Anna now."

But even as I think it, I know it's not entirely true. Because the way he looked at me earlier, when we almost kissed... That wasn't about Anna at all.

Taking a deep breath, I open the door.

The door opens and Wrath turns, his eyes darkening as they take in my sleep clothes. He's removed his cut, standing there in just a black t-shirt that clings to his muscles. For a moment, he looks at me like I'm some kind of mirage.

Then suddenly he's near me, his rough hands finding my hips, pulling me close.

"Lucy..." His voice is raw, desperate. "I let you go once. Not happening again."

His lips crash into mine, and it's exactly like I remember – passionate, demanding, yet somehow tender. His tongue traces my bottom lip, and I open for him with a soft moan. One of his hands slides up my back, under my shirt, his calloused fingers leaving trails of fire on my skin.

But when he starts to lift my shirt, reality crashes back in. I press my hands against his chest, breaking the kiss.

"Wait," I gasp. "Wrath, wait."

He pulls back slightly, but his hands stay on my hips. "What's wrong?"

"Is this..." I swallow hard, trying to think straight despite how good he feels against me. "Is this because of Anna? Becauseyou don't have to be with me just because we have a daughter together."

His eyes narrow, and for a moment I think I've made him angry. Then he presses his forehead against mine, his breath warm on my face.

"You think that's what this is?" he asks roughly. "You think I'm trying to play house?"

"I don't know what this is," I admit. "Everything's happening so fast, and Anna needs you, but I don't want you to feel obligated to—"

"Obligated?" He laughs, but there's no humor in it. "Lucy, I wanted to call you every damn day after that night. Wanted to find you, to see if what I felt was real or just in my head." His thumb traces my jawline. "Anna isn't why I want you. She's why I finally get to have you."

"Oh," I breathe, my heart racing. "That's... oh."

His lips brush mine again, softer this time. "Tell me to stop," he whispers. "Tell me this isn't what you want."

Instead of answering, I slide my hands up his chest and into his hair, pulling him down for another kiss. Because I've thought about him too. Dreamed about him. Not just because he's Anna's father, but because no one has ever made me feel the way he did that night.

"Lucy," he groans against my mouth. "You sure?"

"Yes," I whisper. "Yes."

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