Verek (Savage Kings MC - South Carolina #3) - Lane Hart Page 0,56
doing no telling what. Do you really think he’s the type to settle down? Have you talked to him about having more than partially naked fun time together?”
“Sort of,” I remark, dropping to the edge of the mattress when I remember the story Verek told me last night about his upbringing, how being with women has always been so casual to him, that once it’s over and done he moves on.
“And? What did he say?”
“That he’s not sure if he’s capable of loving anyone, or of…sex meaning more than just a physical act. I think he used the word ‘transaction.’”
“Exactly!” Charlotte exclaims. “I’m sorry, Tessa, but I think how you feel about Verek is different from the way he feels about you. It’s probably just a crush or lust, you know? And by the time your heart realizes that, you’ll get hurt and then be alone when you could have a life with Paul. That man is going to move on eventually.”
Could Charlotte be right? She’s always been there for me, knowing what I need before I know it myself, especially after I was kidnapped and in a state of shock. I am still recovering from what happened and probably will be for a long damn time.
Being with Verek, while fun and exciting may not turn into anything more. While Paul and I were planning to spend the rest of our lives together, through thick and thin, even if the sex wasn’t off-the-charts great…
“So?” Charlotte asks. “Will you just try and give Paul a chance? He’s been looking forward to seeing you for months, and I’ve been putting him off because I know you weren’t ready to see him. I think you are now. Just remember that his life came to a sudden halt too.”
“Fine,” I cave with a sigh. “I’ll try to…date him. I’m just not sure I feel comfortable being alone with him,” I admit.
“The prospects go wherever you go, no matter what,” she reminds me.
“I know.”
“You could stick with day dates and do things outside if that’s easier.”
“I guess.”
“Just try. That’s all I’m asking, Tessa. You don’t know what will happen unless you take a chance.”
“Okay. I already agreed. You don’t have to keep trying to convince me,” I remark.
“Okay. If you left Verek and Paul alone, then I should probably let you go before Verek kills him. Apparently, he’s a pro at that.”
“Charlotte! That’s not fair. You know he only hurts bad guys.”
“As far as you know…”
“Shouldn’t you be fucking your husband right now instead of talking to me?” I say to change the subject.
“Think happy thoughts,” she says. “Now that we’re officially married, well, we’ve decided to stop using, um, protection.”
“Oh my gosh! You’re trying to get pregnant?” I whisper in surprise.
“We’re not getting any younger,” Charlotte replies before catching herself. “Sorry. I just meant we want to go ahead and start a family so that we’re not ancient when they graduate high school. Ugh, you know what I mean. You still have plenty of time!”
“I know,” I mutter with a sad smile. I get it. I wanted to start a family with Paul soon too before my life went to hell. “Go get knocked up,” I tell her. “And I’ll go make plans with Paul.”
“I’m so glad,” Charlotte says happily. “Have fun. Bye?”
“Bye,” I reply before ending the call.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Verek
* * *
After Tessa goes into the bedroom to talk to whom I assume is Charlotte calling to check in, Lola whines at the closed door before she comes and sits next to me, close enough for me to give her head a pat.
“That dog doesn’t like me,” Paul says.
While I wish I could agree, I tell him the truth. “She’s Tessa’s support animal. I think she’s been taught her limits, what things make her uncomfortable. She’s just trying to protect her.”
Although, when I reached for Tessa’s hand last night, Lola was right there and didn’t make a sound. Maybe she does like me.
“Yeah, of course,” he replies sadly before letting out a nonhumorous chuckle. “The dog knows my fiancée better than I do.”
Fiancée? Seriously? How can he still call Tessa that when she’s made it perfectly clear that she doesn’t want to marry him? Poor delusional prick.
We both finish eating our pancakes in silence, then Paul becomes very interested in whatever is on his phone, until Tessa finally comes out of the bedroom. Lola goes to greet her like she was gone for hours when it was just minutes.