Page 79 of Savage Loyalty

“What does that even look like?” he asked, his voice raw.

I hesitated, the image in my mind as fragile as a dream. “It looks like a home. A real home. Somewhere safe, where we don’t have to look over our shoulders every second of the day. Where our child can grow up surrounded by love and stability. I need that, Ryder. And I need to know if we can build it together.”

He didn’t answer right away. His hand tightened around mine, his grip like a lifeline as he wrestled with the weight of my words.

“I don’t know how to balance this life and what you need,” he admitted finally, his voice shaking. “But I can’t lose you. I won’t.”

“Then figure it out,” I said, my voice trembling but firm. “Because I won’t live like my mother did. I know the MC is your family, but I’ll never be okay with you fucking someone else, Ryder. And I won’t let our child grow up thinking the club is the only thing they can ever be.”

The silence stretched between us, heavy and suffocating. But as I looked into his eyes, I saw something shift—a spark, a promise.

“I’ll figure it out,” he said, his voice steady now. “For you. For the baby. I’ll figure it out.”

It wasn’t a solution, not yet. But it was a start. And for now, that was enough.

I shifted on the bed, my body stiff and aching in places I didn’t want to think about. The weight of days spent lying here pressed down on me, and I let out a shaky breath. “I need a shower,” I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper.

Ryder’s head turned toward me immediately. “I’ll help you,” he said without hesitation.

“I can do it,” I started, but the look he shot me stopped me in my tracks.

“Kitten, you can barely stand without wobbling like a baby deer,” he said, his voice laced with equal parts concern and determination. “Let me help.”

The thought of needing his help was equal parts frustrating and comforting. But I nodded, knowing he was right.

He stood and moved to the side of the bed, extending a hand to me. “Come on. Take it slow.”

With his help, I managed to sit up, the effort more draining than I’d expected. His hand was strong and steady as he guided me to my feet, keeping me upright when my knees wobbled. He didn’t say a word about it, just held me close, his presence grounding me as we moved toward the small en suite bathroom.

Ryder reached in to turn on the water, testing the temperature with his hand. Then, without a word, he pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it aside. His boots, jeans, and boxers followed, leaving him in nothing. He moved back to me, his expression calm and steady as he reached for the oversized T-shirt I’d been wearing. His hands were careful and respectful but firm as he helped me out of it, letting it drop to the floor.

Without hesitation, he guided me toward the shower, his hands warm against my skin as he helped me step under the stream of water as he followed.

The water hit my back, and I let out a sigh of relief, the warmth easing some of the tension in my muscles. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” I said, my voice softer now. “Thank you.”

He nodded, but his eyes stayed locked on me, a mix of worry and something deeper flickering in their depths. “You don’t have to thank me, Kitten. You’re mine to take care of.”

The words sent a shiver through me, and I wasn’t sure if it was from the water or the way he said it, like it was the most natural thing in the world. For the first time in days, I felt a flicker of something I hadn’t allowed myself to feel: hope.

It wasn’t a solution, not yet. But it was a start. And for now, that was enough.”

He nodded, his eyes searching mine with concern. "Let me help you," he murmured, reaching for the soap. His gentle hands glided over my skin, working up a lather as the steam swirled around us. I closed my eyes, losing myself in his touch and the soothing cascade of water.

"Turn around," he said softly, and I complied, feeling his strong fingers work into the knots in my shoulders. I let out a small moan of relief as the tension began to melt away. The scent of lavender filled the air, mingling with the steam.

His hands moved lower, massaging my back in slow, soothing circles. The warm water cascaded over us as he worked his way down, kneading away the aches and stress of the day. I sighed contentedly, relishing his tender ministrations.

Gently, he turned me to face him again. His eyes roamed over me appreciatively as he lathered more soap in his hands. He started at my neck, his fingers tracing delicate patterns across my collarbone and down to my chest. When he reached my breasts, he cupped them softly, his thumbs brushing over my nipples. I gasped at the sensation, arching into his touch. He squeezed lightly, eliciting a throaty moan from me as pleasure bloomed through my body.

His hands glided lower, caressing my stomach and hips. I trembled with anticipation as his fingers traced the curve of my waist. Slowly, teasingly, he moved downward. When he reached the apex of my thighs, I parted my legs instinctively. His finger slid through my folds, eliciting a gasp of pleasure. He explored me gently, his touch feather-light yet electric.

Finding my sensitive bud, he began to circle it with agonizing slowness. Waves of sensation radiated outward as he increased the pressure and speed. I clutched his shoulders, my breath coming in short pants. The warm water continued to cascade over us as he pleasured me, heightening every touch.

My hips began to move of their own accord, grinding against his hand. He slipped a finger inside me, curling it just so as his thumb circled my most sensitive spot. A moan escaped my lips as waves of pleasure rippled through my body. I gripped his shoulders, my nails digging into his skin as the sensations intensified.

"Ryder," I gasped, my voice husky with desire.

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