B - stard (Royal Bastards MC) - Sapphire Knight Page 0,53
I have a good time together, and while I want more with him, I can’t imagine he’d want me in the same way. We’re completely different. That has to make him hesitate, I’d think.
Richardson interrupts our conversation. “I can search around for an indoor pool that’s safe enough for you to swim your laps.”
Ripper pins his gaze on my guard, shooting him daggers. “The fuck you just say?”
Richardson’s brow rises. He retorts, “I work for Alice, not for you.”
Ripper stands, and I tug his wrist to me, not wanting him to go after my guard. “You’re in my clubhouse, and if what I’ve heard is correct, that you may be a prospect candidate, then you’ll learn to shut the fuck up when it comes to my word around here.”
Richardson stands up as well and I groan to myself. This isn’t going to end well. He points in my direction and I cringe. “This may be your club, but I’m here for her.”
“She’s my motherfuckin’ woman!” Ripper roars, stunning the club into silence. I’m panting, staring up at him, at his declaration. He glowers at my guard, stating, “She’s mine. If I tell her to wait, it’s for a fuckin’ reason. You defy me, boy, and I’ll bury your punk ass.”
Richardson is in his midtwenties, so Ripper threw that bit in to chafe him on an experience level. I’m not fond of what’s happening, but I’m at a loss on what I should do. If I come between them, then Ripper may think I’m taking Richardson’s side. If I stand up to Richardson, then I’ll be discrediting his commitment to me.
Did I have to pick the most stubborn man in Texas to start falling for? And what happens to my security if I do stick with Ripper? Richardson is someone I’d consider a friend and loyalty has to count for something where friendship is concerned. And what did Ripper mean about him prospecting? Could that really be true?
I speak up, asking, “Ah, Richardson? Is that true? Is joining the Royal Bastards something you could see yourself doing?”
He meets my curious stare and concedes. We’re not super close, but I can’t help but feel a bit upset that he didn’t mention anything before. We’ve had many hours in the car while searching for Madison, that we’ve broached the surface on things. I think of him in a brotherly sense and as a colleague. He glances at the members positioned around me and declares, “If you’re making this your permanent home, then I was planning on doing the same.”
My eyes are wide, my chest carved open by his loyalty. This man would sacrifice his home and his potential happiness to have my back. That truly means something. “Thank you for that, but I don’t know if Ripper and I want the same future.” I can’t believe I’m having this conversation openly in front of the club, but if it staves off a fight between these guys, then so be it. I’ll swallow my pride and lay it out in the open.
Whiskey argues, “The prez said you’re his. Don’t see anything else to discuss about it.”
My lips turn up at his quick rationalization. The older fellow is never one to hold back on his opinion about anything. I’ve come to learn that Ripper respects him a great deal because of it. Personally, I enjoy his touch of honesty and bluntness. His comment is enough to set the brothers at ease and several chuckle with the tension leaving the air.
“He did say that, didn’t he?” I meet the wise man’s stare, catching the twinkle in his eyes. He must approve, and that makes me feel pretty good inside to have a brother’s approval for their leader.
“Damn right, I did,” Ripper mutters dejectedly, pulling me into his chest.
He doesn’t give me a chance to say another word as he plants his lips on mine. He kisses me like a man starved for affection, and I return it with everything I’ve got. If he’s starved, then I’m parched, and he’s my water. I’ve never felt such a resilient tug toward a man as I do with him. He’s not anyone I’d ever pictured having in my life, but I don’t care. He makes me happy, he makes me feel free and desired, and that’s a heady combination for a woman not used to being in control of her own life.
He draws back, sucking my bottom lip for a beat before finally releasing the tender flesh. His forehead