Page 14 of Facing the Pain

“The Sons of Wrath MC is my family and Eve will be my family, not Jules and Duke. If I haven’t proved that, then I don’t think I ever will.” The room is quiet.

“You’ve more than proved yourself and you are our brother, but we know it will be difficult. We will all be here to support you. Alright, boys, I need a motion.” Garner bangs his gavel.

“I motion we support Deacon in his claiming of Eve,” Kentucky says with a smile.

“I second,” Horn speaks up.

“All for.” Garner sees the hands and they all go up. There’s no one that doesn’t support me. “Anyone against.” No hands are lifted. “Then it passes. Deacon, claim that woman of yours and I hope you know what you’re doing brother.”

“That makes two of us,” I say and Garner bangs his gavel again.

“Dismissed. Let’s eat,” Garner says.

Chapter Twenty-Two

EVE

A Date For Life

Ihave changed my clothes ten times and I am back where I started. I look at myself again. My makeup and hair are not so bad, but my clothes just don’t fit right anymore, if they ever did. My jeans are a bit snug and I know I am going to need to go shopping very soon. Out of all the things I have had to worry about, clothes just don’t rank. I have been wearing an old pair of sweats that I know were never mine. They are three sizes too big and they look like male sweats. I have the matching hoodie to go with them. Do I have an older brother, maybe? I don’t care, the sweats are comfortable and they make me feel safe. Is that even normal? I guess it is my normal. I’m brought out of my thoughts by a knock on my front door. I didn’t hear Deacon’s bike. Maybe the prospect needs to use the bathroom or maybe Deacon has changed his mind. I walk into the living room and open the door.

“I’ve told you to look out the window first. Woman, what am I going to do with you?” Deacon has a smile on his face. He has repeatedly told me this and I have always have the same response.

“How am I supposed to know if it’s someone it shouldn’t be?” I smile back and reach for the small bouquet of flowers in his hand. “You bought me flowers, thank you.” I step back and let Deacon in. “Do bikers always bring flowers when they go on a date? It’s very unexpected and sweet.” Deacon smiles broader. Deacon steps in and shuts the door.

“I’m not all bikers and I stopped and got gas in Garner’s truck. The store had them in a display cabinet and I thought you would like them. They made you smile, so I chose right.” Deacon seems happy he made me happy. That gives me tingles all throughout my body. Deacon cares what I think.

“I was hoping you’d think about the baby. My mind went blank when you said bike ride. I was simply happy you asked me on a date,” I tell the man. I know I’m blushing.

“Can we sit and talk about that for a few minutes before we go eat? I did something today and I need to tell you about it.” I knew this was too good to be true.

“Sure.” I try not to show my disappointment.

“It’s nothing bad so quit looking like I kicked your puppy. It’s just something that is about you, so I need to share.” That doesn’t sound so bad. “Here, sit for just a few minutes.” I do as Deacon says and wait for him to tell me. I can do this even if it is bad. I look at Deacon and he is pacing in front of me.

“Just tell me,” I tell the tortured-looking man.

“I claimed you in front of the club today. I know I should have asked and we should have talked it over before I did it, but I just wanted it handled.” Claimed? I’m not sure I understand what he’s saying.

“I’m not a piece of luggage. You can’t just claim me. What does claim mean to you?” I’m trying to understand and not panic, but Deacon’s pacing is making me nervous. Deacon stops and looks at me and I pat the sofa beside me. Deacon sits down and faces me and takes my hand in his.

“In the club, claiming means we are as good as married except there is no turning back from this unless I decide it. You and your child belong to me now and I will protect you until my last breath and so will all my brothers in the club,” Deacon says. I don’t like the way it sounds at first and I take my hand back. I start to get up to get away from Deacon but then it’s like a lighting flash—my child and I will be safe.

“How do you know I am in danger? There’s nothing your club or the cops have found to show I am in trouble.” I am trying to come to grips with all this.

“You had a car you just bought. You had no cell phone and nothing to tie yourself to anyone. It was like you were on the run—no checkbook and no credit cards. I don’t know of any other explanation and no one has come looking for you. It doesn’t matter. I still want you even if you’re not in trouble. I have felt drawn to you since day one. Is this all one-sided?” I almost lie to him, but I can’t do that to Deacon. He’s been nothing but good to me and so has his club.

“No, I didn’t say that. I feel the same pull, but I have a life inside me that depends on my decisions and I don’t even who the father is. I don’t know if I can trust my own judgement.” I feel the tears stinging my eyes.

“If you are mine, then all that worry goes away. I’m the only one to worry. You can concentrate on bringing this child,ourchild, into this world. Please, just take a chance and trust me. I won’t let you down, either of you. I will be this child’s father and your man. I will never let anything happen to either of you.” Deacon has his hand where my child is safe inside me. Can I do this? Can I trust Deacon? I only think a second and I know the answer. I already do trust Deacon. Right or wrong, I just do.

“Deacon, I don’t know where I come from or if I have need to be concerned about it, but I know I trust you. I trust you with my life and the life of this child.” I put my hand on top of his. “Just, please, don’t hurt me. I can take not knowing my past if I know we are working toward a future together. Don’t make me regret it.” I hope and pray I am doing the right thing. It seems right. Everything feels so much better the closer I am to Deacon.

“I will do whatever it is to make both of you happy and safe. I swear it on my life.” That’s the last thing I hear before Deacon takes my mouth and owns it. The kiss isn’t a regular kiss. My man is marking his territory and I love every damn bit of it. I give to him everything that he is giving to me. Deacon’s hand moves from my baby bump to my ass and before I know what is happening, I am climbing him and wrapping my legs around the man that has my panties drenched. The moans coming from me show Deacon exactly how much I like what he’s doing. Deacon never asks or hesitates. He’s showing me that I belong to him and him alone. Deacon walks us to the bedroom and I don’t realize it until I feel the bed underneath me. He pulls my shirt over my head and lavishes my breasts with kisses as he gets rid of my bra. My head is swimming. I must be drunk off his kisses. When he sucks my nipple into his mouth, my back comes off the bed, but he firmly presses my body down with his hand as he unsnaps my jeans. He is kissing and nipping on the skin of my belly and I want more. I want to push his head further down, but Deacon is having none of it. This man is in charge and my body is trembling with need.

“If you don’t want this, you need to say it now. You need to know that after I am inside you, there will be no turning back. Eve, I don’t ask, and I am in control of all things in our bed. I’m a selfish bastard but I will always worship every inch of this delicious body. When we are in our bed, I am Braden to you. Can you handle all that?” Deacon asks me in a husky voice. I can see the lust in his eyes and there’s no way any woman could say no to him.

“I want more,” I say in a sexy voice that I barely recognize.

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