Page 41 of Obliterate

But that’s not what this is about right now.

I want her to know thatthisisokay.

That what we’re doing isokay.

And it doesn’t have to be sexual for me to be in this with her.

I want her to not be able to pull away from me—not physically or mentally.

Pulling on the throttle, Ingrid’s weight draws her back into me, her body molding against mine. I rest my chin on her shoulder as she relaxes a little more. My hand around her waist gently rubs her stomach to soothe her. And I can’t help but notice the tension is slowly easing from her body.

We work as a team as she helps control the clutch lever at the right times, allowing me to focus on her more. Bringing my mouth to her ear, I raise my voice so she can hear over the engine noise and the wind as we move. “I know Nash seeing us was emotional for you, and I am sorry he did. Hear me when I say this to you…” her body tenses, so I tighten my grip around her stomach to let her know I am right here with her, “… you don’t owe anybody anything. Your children are adults. They have lives of their own. And if you don’t let yourself live when there’s a chance, angel, you will always wonder…what-if?”

Her body visibly shakes, and I can’t see her face, but I feel like this might be sinking in, so I continue, “I like you, Ingrid. Not in a fleeting way, or where I’ll be over it in a few months. This attraction sticks with you, and I want to see where it goes. If you’ll let me.”

Her right hand slides out, resting on my thigh as a show of comfort, so I push the point, needing her to think of herself for a change. “I know you’re scared. And you have so much going on right now. I get it if my coming in at this point is too much! But I want to helpsolet me help you, Ingrid. Don’t push me away.”

She turns her head to the side, her mouth near my ear, as she yells over the engine, “I hear you, but it’s not that easy. What about if Nash—”

I nip her earlobe, stopping her from finishing whatever she was going to say. While I understand her stress and acknowledge her kids will be a part of this, I honestly don’t give a shit what they think. My only focus is her. And if my words aren’t enough to make my point, I have other ways of making her see reason.

Perhaps I need to show her those ways sooner rather than later.

CHAPTER TEN

Ingrid

My heart beats rapidly, and I’ve never felt so cared for.

The way South is holding me on the bike like this, I’ve never experienced anything like it. I’ve been on the back of a bike more times than I can count, but I have never, not once, sat in front of a biker while riding and been held so tenderly like this.

It’s something else.

South is alpha and teddy bear all wrapped up into one. He can be assertive, telling me what to do one minute, and then the next, he’s taking care of me and knowing exactly what I need even when I don’t know what I need.

And even though we’ve technically not been in each other’s lives for all that long, somehow, I feel like South knows me better than anyone else. This man can read me and sense exactly what I need. It’s almost as if we are connected in a way that scares me but also electrifies me.

What he’s saying makes sense.

But… he doesn’t have kids.

He doesn’t understand.

But when his teeth graze my ear, combined with the heat of his body pressed to mine, the vibration of the bike, and the not-so-subtle erection resting against my ass, none of it matters.

Before Nash interrupted us, I was so close to coming, and now it’s all I want. I take advantage of our position and nestle my ass against him. South gifts me with a low growl that vibrates through me, and my breath catches.

My body hums with desire as he takes us out of the city, down past Woodland Park, and to the dead-end street of Patterson Drive, overlooking the Mighty Mississippi.

The sight of our beautiful river takes my breath away.

South kicks out the stand, tilting the bike to the side, then tenderly kisses my shoulder as he slides off the back of the bike. With his warmth gone, a chill shoots up my spine, and I take a stuttered breath.

When I move to get off, he stops me, making me sit, both legs hanging off one side. South places his hands on my knees, pushing for me to spread my legs.

“Your only job right now, angel, is to listen to me. Got it?”

And just like that, South’s alpha makes his appearance, and even though it makes me bristle, my body has a mind of its own. Instantly in reaction, my legs part, and my clit pulses.

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