Page 16 of Chaplain

Reluctantly, he pulls away and sits up, searching the floor for his clothes. I admire his powerful, tattooed physique as he dresses. Leaning down, he captures my mouth in a long, deep kiss that steals my breath.

"I'll be back as soon as I can. Get some rest now, beautiful." His voice is gruff with emotion. With one last longing look, he turns and lets himself out.

I curl into the warm spot he left behind, still able to feel his touch on my skin, his kiss on my lips. Unable to stop smiling, I close my eyes and drift into blissful dreams of my biker.

10

Diesel

Islip back into the clubhouse in the early morning hours, the scent of Eden still clinging to my skin. Most of my brothers are still asleep, but Ronnie looks up from cleaning his guns on the bar, his sharp eyes studying me.

"You're back late," he remarks, wiping the parts on the bar meticulously. "Productive night, I take it?"

I grunt noncommittally and grab a beer from the fridge. Ronnie watches me knowingly as I chug half of it down.

"That errand run a bit more satisfying than normal?" He smirks, seeing right through me. "You seem in an unusually good mood this morning."

I scowl without heat. "Just a decent away from here, that's all."

"Uh-huh." Ronnie's grin widens. "So that's not the sweet smell of pussy I'm picking up then?"

Despite myself, I chuckle. "Fuck off, man." I shove his shoulder as I walk by.

Ronnie laughs, following me to the weapons room. "It's about time you got some action, brother. You've been wound too damn tight lately."

I stow my favorite Glock in the lockbox, unable to stop a small smile as memories of the night with Eden flood my mind. Her silky skin under my calloused hands, those plush lips gasping my name, the way she looked at me with such fire and tenderness all at once.

It shook me how close I felt to her in those moments. A connection I've never experienced during sex before. Like our souls were intertwining along with our bodies.

I don't know what this thing between us is yet. But I know Eden's gotten under my skin in a dangerous way. She's woken up feelings and desires I've long kept buried.

I feel something dangerously close to happiness for the first time in too long. Which means the fear of having it taken away often outweighs the joy.

And one night with her has left me craving more. Needing her oasis from the chaos and violence. For however long it lasts.

Ronnie grips my shoulder, pulling me from my thoughts.

"Haven't seen you this lighthearted in a long while. She must be something special if she got you to unwind a bit. I'm happy for you, brother. Just tell her thanks from me for getting that stick out of your ass."

I flip him off, but we're both grinning now. After locking the weapons room, I join Ronnie back at the bar. He slides me another beer as I relax back on my stool.

"So listen," Ronnie says, wiping down his dismantled rifle. "The prospects tossed Eden's office yesterday on your orders. They said they came across some tech shit that isn't traceable. Thought she might be able to use it."

I glance up, intrigued.

"I had Knuckles grab a few choice pieces. Was gonna pawn them, but seems a waste when your girl could put them to good use." He shrugs. "Maybe you could swing by her place and drop them off. Call it surveillance, making sure she's still safe after helping us out."

Ronnie smirks knowingly and I flip him off again, but the suggestion has merit. An excuse to see Eden that benefits us both.

"Yeah, maybe I'll do that," I say casually, like my pulse isn't racing at the thought.

Ronnie chuckles. "Atta boy. Go get yourself a little afternoon delight." He claps my shoulder. "Just put a damn wrapper on it. I don't need any more nieces and nephews running around here."

I shove him hard, laughing to hide the pause his words create. I've always wrapped it up. I never wanted to saddle some kid with a bastard like me for a father. But now that Ronnie's said it, sudden images of Eden flush with pregnancy, belly rounded with my child, flash through my mind.

I shake my head, banishing the thoughts. I'm getting way too ahead of myself here. Still, the idea doesn't fill me with dread like it should. Having a family was never in the cards for me, but with Eden...maybe it wouldn't be the worst thing.

"I better get this job out of the way early." I grab the bag of tech gear Ronnie has lying at his side. "Don't want to miss Church."

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