Page 15 of Marked by the Protective Biker

I don’t want to burst her bubble, but this feels forbidden. Even though she is everything I could ever want, I know it’s not right.

I hold her to me and lay my head down on the pillow. She snuggles into me, and I soak it in, trying to commit it all to memory.

We lie here for a while, and when her breathing starts to level out, I ask her quietly, “So why the self-defense classes?”

She tenses instantly, and I know there’s something she’s not telling me. “Emily.”

She presses her head against my chest. “It’s nothing.”

I put a hand on her chin and tip her head up to look at me. “Emily, don’t lie to me. Something happened.”

She rolls her eyes and blows out a breath. “It’s not a big deal.”

I can feel the anger rolling through me. One day. I’ve been out of the prison for a little over twenty-four hours, and already something has happened. “What. Happened?”

She sits up, pulling out of my arms and wrapping the sheet around her. “Hey, don’t do this.”

I climb out of bed and pace back and forth in her tiny bedroom. My head fills with thoughts. All the what ifs and should haves come to the forefront. I turn to her. “Stand up.”

My voice is filled with anger, and I hold my hand out to her, softening my tone. “Emily, baby, I’m not mad at you. Stand up… please?”

She smiles and shakes her head. “I don’t have any clothes on.”

I lean over and kiss her softly. I’m not sure where this side of me is coming from. I’ve never done anything softly, but the thought of spooking her makes me nuts. I reach for my shirt and pull it over her body and then put my underwear back on. “There. Now stand up.”

She does as I ask and stands up next to me, tugging on the hem of the too big shirt. My voice cracks with emotion. “You look good wearing my shirt.”

She preens up at me and I grab both her wrists firmly, getting down to business. “Now, one thing to remember is that even ifyou’re smaller and weaker than your opponent, you can get out of any hold.”

She blinks up at me. “Wait. What? You’re giving me a self-defense lesson… now?”

I release one wrist and cup her chin. “Yes. I need to know you’re safe, Emily.”

She must hear the sincerity in my voice because she nods her head and pulls her shoulders back. “Okay, I’m ready.”

I go through the movements. I show her different holds and how to break them. We work for over an hour, and by the time she’s proven to me that she can do it, we’re both huffing and puffing. I sit down on the edge of the bed and pull her onto my lap. She struggles. “I’m all sweaty.”

I nuzzle my chin against her neck. “I like you sweaty.”

She finally leans into me, and I turn her so she’s straddling my lap. I’m holding on to her, not ready to leave but knowing I should. “Do you trust me, Em?”

I may not be looking at her, but I’m sure she’s rolling her eyes. “Yes, I trust you.”

I pull back to search her face. “Then tell me what happened today.”

She bites onto her lower lip. “It was nothing. It’s some new guy. It was after a group session, but nothing happened. One of your guys came in and stopped it. I’m fine.”

My blood starts to boil, and Emily tightens her arms around me. “I’ve already decided I’m going to talk to the warden aboutincreasing security. I’m fine.” She takes my hand and puts it over her heart. “I’m fine, Jack. I promise.”

All I see is red. I know she’s fine. She’s right here in my arms, and I know she’s okay, but just knowing that someone thought they had the right to touch her makes me crazy. “I need to go.”

She jerks back. “Go? Where are you going? Jack?—”

I slam my lips to hers. I may not be able to say it, but hopefully the kiss will tell her everything I’m feeling. When I pull away, I look into her eyes. “I need to go.”

She opens her mouth and closes it.

I kiss her again and then pull back. “I’m sorry… I gotta go.”

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