Page 23 of Ryker

My cock went hard as a steel post just thinking about fucking that ass of hers.But I wasn’t about to do that tonight.She was carrying our child inside her, and while part of me wanted to fuck her in every way imaginable, I wasn’t sure how I felt about getting all wild and crazy with a pregnant woman.My pregnant woman.

“Let’s get cleaned up and get some rest.This isn’t a one-time thing.”

Her gaze went all soft and dreamy.“You really want me, don’t you?Not just for tonight but for longer?”

“I want you for forever,” I told her.

And I meant every damn word.

“Come on, sugar.Shower, then bed,” I said.

I helped her up and got the water running in the bathroom.When it was warm, but not too hot, I helped her over the edge of the tub and pulled the curtain closed behind us.I couldn’t help but explore her body as I washed her from head to toe.It almost felt like a miracle that she was here with me, that I’d been given a second chance.And I wasn’t going to fuck it up this time.

Once we were both clean, I helped her dry off.She wandered back into the bedroom while I finished up, and I found her curled on her side, already asleep when I joined her a few minutes later.Guess I took more out of her than I’d realized.I shut off the light and curled around her, holding her close and just breathing her in.I almost felt at peace, getting to hold her like this.After so many sleepless nights, wishing she was with me, I finally had what I wanted.I just hoped I could hold onto her this time.

I didn’t sleep, even though I was exhausted.I spent the night watching over her, and as the sun began to rise, there was a knock at the front door.I had a feeling I was about to be put to work, so I pulled on some boxer briefs and went to see who the hell was bothering me so damn early.And I hoped like hell they didn’t wake up Laken.

I threw open the door and stopped and stared at Flicker.

“What?”I asked, my voice harsher than I’d intended.

“I’m going to assume my sister is here with you.”

“Yeah.She asked to stay.”

He nodded.“Look, you know I don’t like you.I haven’t made a great secret of it.Be good to her, though, or I’ll beat the shit out of you.And I’ll just be at the head of a long line of Dixie Reapers anxious for a pound of your flesh.”

“I never wanted to hurt her.She means everything to me,” I said, hating to admit that to Flicker.

“Good.Then I’ll make sure Zipper is ready for the two of you after Laken wakes up.You claim her, and you ink her.If you’re serious about staying, about making her yours, then you’re going to do this the right way.”

I nodded.“All right.”

He stared at me another moment before walking off.I shut the door and went back to Laken, holding her another few hours while she slept.When she woke up, I fixed her one of the only things I knew how to cook.Eggs and toast.Then we got ready and headed over to the clubhouse.I wasn’t entirely certain about having her inked, but if that’s the way this club worked, I’d fall in line.Laken didn’t seem worried about it, so maybe she’d expected something like this to happen at some point in her life.

The clubhouse was mostly empty when we got there, except for Zipper and a few others.He was nursing a beer at the bar, even though it was still morning.Too early for alcohol for me, but hey… to each his own.

“What am I inking?”Zipper asked.

“I’ve never seen a property tattoo before so I have no idea what to ask for,” I said.“Far as I know, Hades Abyss doesn’t ink their women.”

He nodded.“Each old lady has a distinctive tattoo that is unique to them.If you want, we can just do a basic script that saysProperty of Diablo.”

“Diablo?”Laken asked.“They call you the devil?”

“Misspent youth,” I said.She didn’t look like she believed me, but she didn’t press for more information.I’d take what I could get.The last thing I wanted to do was admit to my sins.There were too damn many of them.“Guess that makes you the angel who tamed me.”

She smiled at that.

“I don’t need anything elaborate,” Laken said.“Just the text is fine.”

That didn’t seem right to me, though.Laken was special, and she deserved to have a unique mark.Something that was perfect for her.The problem was that we were still learning about each other.

“What if we did something that’s a little bit of each of you?”Zipper asked.“You called her an angel, and your name is Diablo.What about a pitchfork with a halo hanging off it?Then we could do the text around it?”

“Perfect,” Laken said, smiling widely.

“Come on back.Let’s get this done.He’ll have to order your property cut from Hades Abyss,” Zipper said.

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