Page 108 of The Fire We Crave

The words I want to ask sit just beyond my bravery.

He parts my legs, and smooths his hands along my thighs, before sliding them to my butt and pulling me to him.

“You asked me in the bakery, when I spanked you, if you were my submissive, and I corrected you. I told you that you wereasubmissive. As of right now, I’m changing that. You’re mine, Quinn. In every way that matters.”

His words make me smile. “Thank you.”

“And in case I wasn’t clear, yes, we can make our own list, because you’re a natural. And I really look forward to testing your limits. Now, let’s finish putting these boots on before I get second thoughts and keep you here in bed instead.”

Diligently, he pulls my socks on, making sure the seam and heel are in their rightful places. Then, he pulls on my boots before tugging me to my feet.

“Did I tell you I had a daydream once? That you…umm…” I feel my cheeks go pink. “Had your way with me on the pool table in the clubhouse.” The words come out fast, in one long stream.

Smoke groans. “When was this?”

“The day you caught me…masturbating. That’s what I was thinking about. You, and me, and?—”

“A pool table. And you’re telling me now, before we leave for the clubhouse and have to look at the damn thing all night.”

I grin. “Yes.”

He kisses me, solidly, wetly, with more energy than I expected, given we have to leave, but I love it.

“You’re killing me, sugar,” he grumbles, finally.

It’s another half hour before we walk into the chaos of the club party. It’s different than the barbecue. Darker lights, darker music, darker vibe. Old ladies are there, but so are the club girls, making no bones about throwing themselves at the men.

I see two of them look at Smoke and me when we enter, and I can feel myself getting smaller under their gaze.

“Ow,” I say, when Smoke pinches the skin just beneath my butt cheek. “What was that for?”

“I saw them look; I felt your shoulders droop. No need, sugar. You’re worth a thousand of them to me.” He places his lips near my ear. “And you’re insulting me in two ways.”

I look up at him. “I am?”

He nods. “One, you’re assuming I might want one of them more than you, and somehow find you lacking, which is completely inaccurate. And two, you’re insulting my taste in women.”

I grin and then bite down on my lip. “How do you always know the right thing to say?”

“Because I’m figuring you out, sugar.”

He takes my hand and leads me to a seat at the bar. “Hop up there. I’m just going to drop our bags in my room. Duke, line us up two beers, please?”

“Will do, brother.” Duke pours my beer into a glass and leaves Smoke’s in the bottle. The small gesture makes me smile.

“Hey, Quinn,” Taco says as I see Smoke’s broad shoulders disappear down a corridor. “Just wanted to say sorry for making a scene the other night.”

He offers me his hand to shake, and it seems awfully formal. But I take it and shake it. “Thank you. I think we both know who was making the bigger scene, but there may be a lesson in letting a woman choose if she’s free game.”

Taco shrugs. “Women who come into a biker’s clubhouse should do a little more research about what they’re letting themselves in for.” He says it with a smile, and I can’t help but return it.

“Lessons learned all around, then.” I offer him my beer glass, and he knocks the neck of his bottle to it.

Smoke reappears and steps behind me. His strong, looming presence reassuring.

“Taco,” he says gruffly.

Taco puts his hands up. “Just apologizing to Quinn for making shit awkward.”

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