Page 84 of Wild Cub

Wait a damn minute.

“Say that last part.”

“Show the world that you and I could do good in the world?”

I shake my head. “Before that, Alexander.”

“To show you the endless love I have for you.”

“You sneaky bastard.” I shove him. This is the moment he chooses to say he loves me? “You can’t just slip in that you love me and think I wouldn’t notice.”

“Teresa Saoirse, I love you, in this life and the next.” He reaches over and grabs the back of my neck to pull me to his lips.

“Motherfucker,” I murmur against his lips.

He nips my bottom lip. “And yet you’ve fallen for me, Little Cub.”

“Completely and maddening sometimes.” I smile slyly. He pulls back to the road until we reach the gate. We couldn’t ask for a better day. But to think that the one thing in life that I might have to compromise for, might be something that will float in the back of my mind for years to come. The one thing I don’t want to regret, at least to try.

Rolling up to the compound, I’m shocked at the 180 change from a worn down, multi-faceted compound to a kid and family filled area. Bubbles, games, balloons, cookout food are all lined up on a long table, music filling the air. Alexander leads me towards the party, only to be practically trampled by two little ones. With arms wide open, I scoop them up and embrace them.

“Sasa, you here!” Allie screams in my ear, not letting me go.

“I told you she would be. Especially cause Mr. Jackson promised.” Ellie looks at Allie.

“Sasa, he prince?” Allie whispers, as if the secret was so powerful that no one could hear it.

I glance back at Alexander, the smile on his face spread from ear to ear. I knew he could hear her. “I think so, Allie-cat.” I kiss the top of her head and set them both down. Allie runs off to play with a couple of the other kids. Ellie, she grabs my hand and pulls me across the gravel to our group of friends. Seth stands up and hugs me tight.

Michelle stands up next. “Jesus, woman,” she sighs and goes in for another hug. She hugs me tighter, as if to make sure I don’t slip from her grasp.

“I’m guessing your husband told you everything.” I cough out from her grip.

“Made my heart stop,” she teases, embracing me again.

“If you’re all quite finished with the hugging and embracing, Teresa has something to fulfill before we continue our family day. It might be a couple of hours,” Alexander sneaks up behind me and grabs my shoulders.

“Alexander Jackson, I swear to all things God…” He silences me with a deep kiss, making my knees weak.

When he breaks it, he whispers against my lips, “You can scream for him later, Little Cub.”Fucking hell.

I see Rawlings sitting in a lawn chair, chatting with Johnny, I tip my head to him as he raises his beer. Alexander leads me into the main building, stopping in one of the empty rooms. At least, it was supposed to be empty. Instead, there sits Memphis, sitting in a chair with what looks like a tattoo gun and equipment. His long waves cascading around him. He seems a bit too excited for this. My mouth drops open, but nothing comes out.

“Explain.” I step towards Alexander. He takes my hands in his and looks deep into my eyes.

“There’s a tradition in our world, especially in our club, that when someone’s in a committed relationship and has found their ‘old lady’, their girlfriend or partner is tattooed with our emblem and typically ‘property of’ whoever the person is. When we find our person, the emblem shows that you’re one of us.”

He places his hands on my cheeks. “I’m asking you to be mine, to show the world that you’re a part of my world, part of this family.”

I look at him, his rugged features, the scar above his lip, the light stubble on his jaw, his slight dimples. Am I willing to make the sacrifice? There won’t be children, no big bustling family, possible danger. Just him and me. Together. I think I am. I want him, only him. I nod my head vigorously.

“Yeah?” he asks again.

“Yes,mo chroi.” I smile. He hugs me tightly. “This is what you meant by two hours.” Alexander smirks at that. Memphis chimes in for a moment.

“What did you… oh..” It clicks with him.

“That’s stamina for ya.” Memphis inserts himself in the conversation. He pats on the table and I hop up. “Where would you like it?”

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