Page 134 of Riding the Edge

Chapter Forty-one

The door opens and automatically I tighten the sash on my silk robe. Unwilling to look at Al, I glance out the living room window and notice the dark sky. Realizing, I’ve wasted the good part of the day grieving my body, I stand and draw the blinds shut.

“Lady?” he questions.

The concern in his voice causes me to flinch and silently, I collect my bearings before turning around. Not meeting his eyes, I stare at the leather covering his shoulders.

“How’d it go?” I ask hoarsely.

Instead of answering me, he crosses the room and closes the space between us. Engulfed by the familiar scent of his cologne, I close my eyes. He takes my hand and I start to object when I feel him close my fist around something. Releasing my hand, I open my eyes and look at the object resting in my palm.

President.

Putting my own emotions aside, I lift my chin and finally meet his gaze. I’m at a loss for words and struggle to read him. There isn’t a trace of elation in his eyes. If anything, he looks just as empty as I feel, making it clear this is no victory. Congratulations aren’t in order for the new president of the Satan’s Knights.

“Will you sew it into my cut?” he asks hoarsely.

“Of course,” I reply, watching him shrug out of his vest.

With the patch in one hand, I take his other and lead him into the kitchen. Retrieving my sewing kit from the cabinet, I take a seat at the table, next to him, and as he lays the leather on top of the wood, I thread the needle. No words are spoken between us as I stitch the patch onto his vest. I guess neither of us is in the mood to discuss our demons or help one another work through them.

As I insert the last stitch, I clip the thread. Running my finger over the patch, my eyes trail to the pink ribbon he stitched into his leather the day I was released. I trace the loop before pushing back my chair. With his vest in my hand, I step around the table and meet his gaze.

I never thought I’d find a love like this.

I didn’t think good men like Al existed in the world.

But he proved me wrong.

He made me fall in love and taught me it’s okay to lean on someone.

He restored my faith in mankind and showed me leather can be as soft as silk.

I’ll never regret trying it on for size.

I’ll never forget how beautiful leather and silk are when they’re blended together.

As long as I live, I will look back on my time with Al and know I was not alone. For a brief pause in time, I was loved.

The thing about love is when it’s true, it’s selfless and you realize the heart sometimes must let go for the greater good of the other person in the relationship.

Draping his vest over his shoulders, I run my hands down his arms and squeeze his biceps.

“There,” I declare. “All done.”

Closing a hand around my wrist, he pulls me around his body.

“Let’s go to bed,” he whispers.

His words are more of a request than a demand. A plea from him to me. I should spare us both the heartache and deny him but how do you deny a man who has given everything to you and has asked for very little in return. How do you say no when his eyes are begging you to help him escape Satan? Remembering I promised to be by his side, my mind and heart become conflicted.

In the end, the heart overpowers the mind and I take his hand.

He follows me to my bedroom and closes the door behind him. Without looking at him, I release his hand and round the bed. Out of the corner of my eye, I watch him remove his cut and hang it on the doorknob. As he continues to undress, I make work of taking the pillows off the bed.

“Where are Adrianna and Lauren?” he asks, as he steps out of his jeans.

“Lauren was going to come by after the arraignment, but I told her not to and Luca came down with a fever.”

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