Page 155 of Gunner

“Aspen,” I pushed.

“Let it go, Haizley. Please.”

Aspen climbed into the back of Gunner’s truck and closed the door. Banshee fired up his bike and peeled out, riding in the opposite direction of the clubhouse.

“I’ll talk to him,” Gunner offered.

“Please don’t. Just let it be.” I watched her over my shoulder. Aspen stared out the window. She reminded me of the girl who first came home from the hospital, and I prayed whatever had happened with Banshee hadn’t set back her progress.

Whatever had happened served to put a damper on any desire that had been coursing through me after claiming Gunnerin front of the packed bar. When we got back to the clubhouse, Aspen went to her room, closing the door soundly.

Gunner came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist.

“We’ll figure it out.”

“If he did something—”

“He wouldn’t hurt her, Haizley.”

“Maybe not intentionally,” I said, mostly to myself. I knew Aspen was attracted to Banshee. He was older than her, but it wasn’t like Aspen was a teenager. She was thirty years old. Banshee looked to be in his mid to late forties.

Tomorrow, I planned to talk to her and hopefully convince her to confide in me. There was still a lot Aspen hadn’t shared. We mostly talked about her life here and what happened with Greg. I knew nothing about her childhood, where she grew up, her parents. Rumors spread with speculation that she was from Texas, but no one knew for sure.

“You’re thinkin’ too hard,” Gunner said behind me.

“I’m worried about her.”

“You can talk with her tomorrow. Tonight, I’m gonna make you forget your own name.”

Chapter Forty-Four

Gunner

Opening the door for Haizley, she stepped inside. The last time we were in this room together she left me. Walked away when I offered her everything.

I closed the door behind us, the soft click of the lock deafening in the silence.

“Do you remember what happened last time we were here?” I asked.

“Yes,” she whispered.

I didn’t touch her as I slipped past her and sat on the bed.

“Take off my boots.”

I didn’t look at her. She didn’t deserve my eyes yet. I hadn’t realized that the hurt of her leaving that night still festered deep inside me. I thought I had forgiven her.

Until we walked into this room.

As soon as I saw my bed, I remembered sitting there naked after making her come so hard she could barely breathe. Offering her my protection, my love, my life. And she’d walked away.

Haizley kneeled at my feet and lifted my pant leg to untie my boots. She didn’t object. Didn’t try to reason with me. She sat at my feet and served me.

One boot gone, then the other. She removed my socks, then sat back on her feet, her head bowed and waited for my command. Standing up, I withdrew from my cut and hung it onthe hook on the wall. Reaching behind my head, I pulled the shirt up and off, tossing it into the basket in the corner.

“Stand up.”

She stood silently. Her head still bowed in submission. Waiting for each command. As I watched her stand there without a sound, I considered my options. I could punish her. Turn her ass red so she understood how much she hurt me that night. Or I could fuck her, withholding her orgasms while I used her body for my own selfish needs. Or I could walk away. Show her how it felt.

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