Brick Brick (Knights Corruption MC - Next Generation, #4) - S. Nelson Page 0,36
And it wouldn’t hurt if he was easy on the eyes. If someone is going to be my shadow, I think it’s only fair he’s cute.”
I tightened my hold and pulled her impossibly close. She had to crane her neck to look up at me. “The only shadow you’re gonna have is me.”
“You’re more like an eclipse.” She laughed. “So, no to the young, cute bodyguard?”
“Keep it up, and you won’t be goin’ out of this house at all.” I smiled down at her and winked. “In fact, that’s exactly what should happen.” I schooled my expression. “I won’t have to worry about your safety, and you’ll be at my disposal. Anytime I want.”
Seconds of silence passed between us, my face deadpanned and hers twisting into confusion, then shock when I didn’t tell her I was joking.
Zoe tried to shove me back but, of course, couldn’t budge me. “I know you’re not serious about the ‘you’ll be at my disposal’ part, but you better not be serious about keeping me holed up in this house just so you won’t have to worry about my safety.”
“Why?”
“What do you mean why? I can’t stay locked up here for the foreseeable future. I have a life to get back to.” The irritation in her voice prompted my own, even though our conversation had started off in a joking manner.
“Does that life include me?” The tip of my worry busted free. I didn’t even know I was gonna ask the question, but there wasn’t a damn thing I could do now that the words had left my mouth.
“Of course, it does. Why would you ask me that?”
Good question, man. Why did you ask that?
“Forget I said anything.” I shook my head to get rid of the bombardment of thoughts. There was no way I was gonna spill all my insecure thoughts at her feet.
“Is there something you want to talk about?” Instead of trying to move back, she wrapped her arms around me, stroking my back while she talked. “Once I go back to work, I’m going to be busy, and with your schedule with the club, things might get a little challenging, but I’m willing to put in the work if you are.” Her smile faltered. “You do want to be with me, don’t you? Or do you only feel some sort of obligation toward me since I stayed here with you, helping you while you recovered.” Zoe dropped her hands from behind me, but she couldn’t step back because I was still holding on to her.
“Is that honestly what you think?” How had our seemingly innocent back-and-forth morphed into both of us revealing our uncertainties about us? She lowered her eyes from mine, and I hated every second. “Zo, look at me.” She refused. “Please.” I wasn’t above pleading, especially when I saw the splinter in her unyielding façade. After another few seconds, her gaze finally met mine. “Is that really what you think?” I repeated.
“No.”
“Good. Because I do want to be with you. There is no doubt in my mind we belong together, even though the world might try to convince us otherwise from time to time. But I’m in it with you.” I leaned down and pressed my lips to hers, inhaling her sweet scent before pulling back. Because I wanted to switch the subject to something not so heavy, I asked, “What kind of stuff do you have to do?”
“Grocery store. Possibly a run to Target. Nothing much. I have to call my boss, too, but I can take care of that when you leave.”
“Okay. Make your call and I’ll be back soon. Then I’ll go with you.”
I unclasped my hands and my arms fell to my sides. Zoe moved back a step and all I wanted to do was pull her close again. But the guys were waiting for me at the club and she had a call to make.
After a fuckin’ kiss that turned my dick to stone, I headed outside to my bike, making a quick adjustment to my raging hard-on before throwing my leg over the impressive steel machine. I grimaced at the slight ache in my thigh, but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle.
As I drove out of my driveway and toward the highway, all I could think about was how much I hated leaving Zoe behind. I wasn’t only worried about her every minute of the day, but I missed being with her, even only having left her two minutes prior.