Page 37 of Giving It to the Enemy

“Is everything okay? What did he mean a fight?” she asked, whispering against his ear.

“Shawl, leave. I’m not having you here when my woman leaves the water. Fuck off!” Pipe growled out, and she moved away from him.

Elena had never heard him talk like that, and it suddenly dawned on her that she didn’t know the whole of the man. Pipe wasn’t just the man she was falling for, he was a club Prez.

Swimming toward the edge of the lake, she climbed out.

“Elena.”

“I better go. I’ll go and get changed, and I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

“Elena,” he said, climbing out of the lake. She was already walking back toward his cabin when he caught her arm. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing.”

“You can’t bullshit me.”

“I’m not trying to bullshit you. I’ve got a lot of things to do.” The lies just kept spilling out of her mouth, and she hated it.

“You’re bullshitting me. Tonight you were going to be in my bed. Tell me what the fuck is going on, as otherwise I’ll chain you to my fucking bed!”

She tensed up and pulled out of his hold. “Don’t talk to me like that. I’m not some club pussy for you to talk about.”

“What is it then? You’re better than me once you don’t get my fucking dick?”

She slapped him across the face. The moment she did it, she regretted it, covering her mouth, hating herself. She was no better than he was. She was worse even, as Pipe had never hurt her.

“I’m sorry,” she said.

He took a deep breath, and when she thought he was going to hit her back, he cupped her cheek. “I’m not going to hurt you, baby. Don’t ever flinch away from me, okay.”

“You’ve hurt women before.”

“I’ve not hurt you.” He tilted her head back to look at him. “You break my heart when you flinch.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I’m not going to hit you. I don’t even want to.”

She nodded. “I’ve never heard you speak like that. I didn’t mean to hit you. I’m so sorry.”

“Shawl lives part of the life, and with the way I am with you, there’s been some concern that I’m going soft. My club can’t afford me to ever go soft. Do you understand?”

Elena frowned. “With me present you’re showing that you’re still a tough guy?”

“Pretty much, make sense?”

“It does. It just made me realize that you’re, erm, you’re like my brother. You’ve got a club to run.”

“If you want to go home to be alone, then I understand. You don’t have to leave. My cabin is yours.”

Feeling entirely stupid, she forced a smile so he wouldn’t be worried. “I made a mistake, and it’s my fault. I’ll stay in the cabin, and I’ll wait for you to return.”

“You’re sure?”

“I’m sure.” She took hold of his hand, and they walked toward his cabin. Shawl was waiting on a bike, and he didn’t even look away as they moved toward the front. Elena was about to leave Pipe when he grabbed her, and pulled her to him.

“I’m going to talk club business, but I want to be with you. I’ll be back soon.” He slammed his lips down on hers, kissing her. She closed her eyes as the world fell away until they were the only two people.

---