Page 34 of Rock

Sheila set a hand over her heart. She shifted her attention to Lyla. “Oh my God. That’s awful. I’m so sorry.”

Lyla gave her a small smile. “I’ll be okay. Thank you.”

Sheila clicked on her computer. “I’ll get you checked out right now. There will be no charge for tonight.”

“You don’t have to do that,” Lyla argued. “I can pay for the week that I booked.”

Sheila shook her head. “Not necessary. Don’t even worry about it. It’s all taken care of.” She gave a final dramatic click on the keyboard and turned back to face them. “I hope they catch him.”

“They will,” Rock growled. They most certainly would. As soon as the MC found out what had happened, every member of his club would be on the lookout. “Thank you, Sheila.”

He led Lyla out the door and over to her room. When she pulled her keycard from her pocket, he took it from her. He didn’t think anyone was lurking around the area, but he wanted to check in the room before he let her enter.

“Stay here,” he ordered as he opened the door.

Lyla nodded. At least she wasn’t arguing with him.

He stepped inside, leaving her holding the door. It was just one room and a bathroom, so it took him seconds to decide that no one had broken in, nor were they still there. “Okay.”

Lyla entered and let the door shut. She looked nervous. He couldn’t blame her. Her face was pinched, too. “Does your head hurt, Little one?”

She nodded.

“Doc will meet us at my place and look you over. Then we’ll get you some pain meds and you can sleep.” He closed the distance between them and lifted her face. Holding her gaze, he continued, “I would apologize for airing your business to Sheila, but the truth is the entire town will know about the attack before morning. Telling Sheila won’t stop that.”

Lyla nodded. “I know. I used to live here.” She smiled.

“Things haven’t changed,” he confirmed. “Shadowridge is still a small town.”

Lyla sighed. “Of course.”

“I will apologize preemptively for my dominance. We’re not the same people we were back then. I have no business dominating you the way I am, but it’s in my nature. It’s who we were together. I don’t know another way to be—not with you, and not with anyone. I do want you to know that I haven’t dated or been in a relationship for a very long time, so this side of me is rusty.”

She bit her lip. Was she fighting a grin?

He narrowed his gaze. “Don’t get me wrong. My MC is filled with Daddies and Little girls. I dominate every one of them, but I’m nottheirDaddy, so it’s not the same.”

“You’re notmyDaddy, either,” she murmured.

He swallowed. Wasn’t he, though? He had been the last time he saw her. He’d been her Dom in every way. She’d submitted to him like a precious angel. He’d subtly dominated her for twoyears before that night they’d spent together, and it had easily come back as soon as they’d been alone.

In many ways, it felt like time had stood still, like nothing had changed since the last time he’d seen her. They were older and wiser, with life experiences they would need to share, but the dynamic between them had not changed. It was snapping back into place as if time had not passed.

She stared at him with wide eyes, challenging him with those last words she’d spoken.

Rock pulled her into his arms, hugged her close, and slid one hand into her hair. God, she felt good. His heart may have misbehaved a few years back, but it was ticking fine now. He hadn’t felt this alive in years.

Her hair was exactly as he remembered. Soft and thick. It was almost the same length, and it hadn’t turned gray. Sure, she was older. There were lines on her face. She was a few pounds heavier, but she’d been so young and had not finished filling out at eighteen. She was exactly perfect. And she felt so fucking good in his arms.

He couldn’t manage to let her go, and he loved the way she slowly wrapped her arms around his middle and held him, too. She even sighed as though relaxing into him.

He had questions. Millions of them. Why had she left and never looked back? He’d spent all these years thinking she hadn’t thought he was good enough for her or that someone else had convinced her he wasn’t. He hadn’t had any other explanation for her disappearance without a word.

They would get to that. They would discuss everything. But, for now, he needed to pack her up and get her home.

Home.

His home.

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