After Us (Next Generation #6) - J.M. Walker Page 0,57

wanted it to stop.

“My parents didn’t mind taking Brynn unexpectedly?”

“No. They were good about it.” In fact, her father knew that Piper and I needed to be alone. He said so in not so many words. It was also good to see them.

Dale and Maxine had been through a lot in the beginning. I didn’t know the exact details, but I had heard through others that Piper’s dad had been a dick.

“Don’t do what I did, Jaron,” Dale said, bouncing Brynlee on his knee. “Don’t push Piper away just because you’re scared of those feelings.”

Dale and I hadn’t talked much over the years but every time we did, I took his words to heart.

“Have you ever been on a date before?” Piper asked, pulling me from my thoughts. Her thumb brushed over the back of my hand.

“Once. I was in high school. It was after we came up here and I saw you.” I had been pissed because I couldn’t get Piper alone even to just tell her hi. Ashton and Aiden took up all of her attention.

“I went on a date too. He was a nice guy I went to high school with. Steven. My dad and Angel scared him. The date didn’t last long.” She laughed lightly. “God, that was so long ago.”

“And look where we are now,” I murmured. The lights to the restaurant came into view. “Did your dad give you a hard time about us in the beginning?”

“Surprisingly, no, he didn’t. I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s because you weren’t around for him to do anything about it. Who knows?”

I pulled into the parking lot, killed the engine, and turned toward her. “Has he said anything about what I did?”

“No. No one has. It’s like everyone just brushed it under a rug and left it as a dirty little secret.” She scowled. “I don’t know if it’s because Brody was the mayor’s son but…” Her head whipped around. “He almost raped me.”

“That’s my girl.” I grabbed her hand. “Get fucking mad, baby, because no one deserves that shit.”

“I saw a therapist a couple of times. It was one the hospital had provided, and I felt like it did nothing.” She huffed. “I wanted to talk to you and not a stranger. I tried talking to my parents. Your parents. Even our friends. But everyone just kept asking me how I was doing. They still ask me. Well you know what? I’m not okay. I’m not. Even though it’s been almost two years, I can still feel him. I can still hear the vile words he said. I can still smell him.” She shivered, pulling her hand from mine and hugging her arms around herself. “I’m not okay.”

Before either of us knew what I was doing, I left the car and went around to her side. Opening her door, I reached in and unbuckled her seat belt.

“Jaron?” When her fingers touched my cheek, I lost it.

In a rough move, I pulled her from the vehicle and shoved her up against the side of it. The door slammed shut behind her, the sound reverberating between us.

I stared her down, expecting her to push me away but when she grabbed my waist and pulled me closer, I crushed my mouth to hers.

Her lips opened, inviting me in and speaking every silent word she could never say. That neither of us could say.

Pushing her harder against the door, I ground into her. Not to hint for more but to let her know that I was hers. Every inch.

“What is it?” she whispered, breaking the kiss.

“You are in control. With me. With your life. With everything. What you and I have, it wouldn’t be happening without your complete consent.” I pushed into her harder. “This, all of me, it’s all yours but only when you give the go-ahead.” As dominating as I could be, I wanted her to know that she was in control of the situation. It was all her.

“I know.” She looked up at me through her lashes. “I would never think that you would do something without my consent. Is that what this is about?”

I released her and began pacing, blowing out a slow breath. “I don’t want you to think that just because I’m a biker, I take whatever I want from a woman even if they tell me no. I’ve never been like that. Most of the guys in my dad’s club aren’t like that. Yes, it happens. I’m not going to lie and say