Page 44 of Covert
"In the smutty books I read, I know there will always be internal and external challenges to the couple, but they don't feel so bigbecause I know there will always be a happily-ever-after. Life's not like that. I don't get a happily-ever-after. Iknowthat I don't. I get a happy-for-now. And..." she swallows, and I can tell the next part is hard for her. She's strong and independent. I have a feeling she doesn't open up to people a lot.
"You and the guys... you make me wish I could stay. You make me want a happily-ever-after." Her voice cracks, and a tear slides down her cheek.
I sit on the sand and pull her into my lap, wrapping her legs around my waist, and hold her as she cries.
"What would your happily-ever-after look like?" I whisper, my lips dragging against her soft hair.
She groans. "God, I don't even want to think about it."
"There's a method to my madness, I promise. Humor me?" My method is that I want her to imagine a future so beautiful, she can't help but fall so in love with the idea that she stays. That she lets us love her the way we want to; that she stops running.
She softens against my chest.
"It would be riding bikes with you guys. It would be the tattoo shop forever. It would be all four of you..." Her voice gets soft. "Forever." She's quiet for a moment, lost in thought. "It would mean kids, maybe. And a pet. I've always wanted a turtle or a dog."
I bark out a laugh. "A turtle or a dog? Baby girl, they couldn't be more different."
A small smile tugs at her lips.
"I know."
"I'll get you whatever you want."
"You don't have to do that."
"Now, what would it take to get the people looking for you off your back?"
She thinks about it and bites her lower lip. Before she can come up with a lie, though, she replies. "Someone very important would have to die."
I nod. I understand, even if I don't fully understand. For whatever reason, someone very dangerous is looking for her and won't stop until she's found.
"Why are they looking for you?"
Her eyes shutter. "I'm his most valuable bargaining chip."
"The way I see it, between the guys and me, we can protect you. If you're at the shop, or their house, or the MC compound, no one can get to you. Isn't that dog or turtle worth the risk?"
Her eyes darken when they find mine again. "Yeah, maybe they are."
I know she's not fully in this with us, but she's also not pulling away again. We've talked about the hard thing, and maybe we're worth it. She deserves whatever future she wants.
She takes my face in her hands and brings my mouth to hers. The kiss starts slow and sweet. It feels like an apology. Her hands roam my shoulders, my biceps, my back, before threading through my long hair.
I groan into her mouth when she drags her nails gently through my scalp. My already hard cock loves it and swells against my jeans.
Need thunders through my veins like fire.
"Lie back," she says breathlessly and pushes my shoulders until I'm lying flat on my back. She reaches for my zipper, but I beat her to it.
"I can do that," I say, flicking open the button of my jeans. Her hands rest on top of mine.
"I know that, but I want to."
I'm used to being in charge in the bedroom, making sure my partners have a good time and get off as many times as they can. But for Nikki, I could learn to give up some of my control.
She slides the zipper down and tugs my jeans and boxers halfway down my thighs. I'll get sand in my ass, but it's worth it for a chance with her.
She mounts me, knees on either side of my hips, before she tugs her underwear to the side and slides down my hard cock. No prep, no foreplay, no pretense, just connection. Her eyes close on a sigh, and something deep within me understands that she needs this right now.
