that somewhere between fucking you and when you'd fall asleep in my arms each night, I realized, I love you." He swallowed. "Probably back at the cabin or when you paid for that elderly couple's pie last Wednesday from the tips in your apron or when you tried to shoot Big or when you held Bethy's hand and led her to me at the clubhouse."
Her gaze softened. "You never said anything."
"Because there are men that are better for you than me." He paused. "But, I can guarantee that none of them could love you the way I do. I'd kill any one of them that tried to love you."
"You would?"
He kissed her surprised lips and murmured. "You know who I am. You know what I want. Tell me you still want me."
She sucked in her breath and exhaled. The air caressed his face, and he groaned in impatience, needing to know if he blew any possible chance with her.
"I'd hate to have to kidnap you and bring you back to the clubhouse and lock you in the bedroom," he murmured, inhaling the scent of her.
She shivered. Unaware the fire had gone out until then, he pressed his lips against her neck.
"Please, stay with me," he whispered. "I'll get down on my knee—no, I'll get down on both my knees and beg you because I'm nothing without you."
"What about Big?" Her neck muscles spasmed. "Aren't you going after him?"
"Not tonight." Knowing that he had something more important waiting for him, going after Cusclan could wait until tomorrow. "Right now, I want to take you back to the clubhouse with me and make sure we're all right."
"Wait." She grabbed the front of his vest.
She stayed on his lap. He dipped his chin, trying to catch a glimpse of her face.
Finally, she raised her gaze. Tears glistened in her eyes. His breath caught in his chest. He wasn't expecting that.
Yell at him. Hit him. Hell, shoot him. None of those reactions would've affected him the way he viewed understanding in her eyes.
"I'm sorry..." She moistened her lips. "About your parents."
His hands tightened on her hips. He hadn't even talked about their murders since that night. Not even with Tracy.
There wasn't anything he could do to bring them back or change the outcome. All he could do was wait for the day that Cusclan paid for what they'd done.
"Let's go home, sis." He set her on her feet and stood. "Are you okay to drive?"
Knowing she was exhausted and her ability to fall asleep if she closed her eyes, he worried about her driving alone in the dark.
"I'll be okay." She hesitated. "Are you okay?"
He kissed her forehead. There it was again. The reason why he loved her.
"I am now that you're with me again," he whispered.
Once he had her settled in the car, he walked over to his motorcycle. Putting his mind on the trip back to the clubhouse, he was aware that he was a sitting duck for Big.
All he had to do was get Twyla back safely. After she was on Tarkio property and inside the building, he'd deal with what happened tonight.
Cusclan would learn not to touch what belonged to him.
Chapter 23
Twyla
Angie walked over to the pool table in the clubhouse. Twyla glanced at her sister and continued lining up her shot.
She missed. Straightening, she grinned at Whip and planted the cue stick on the floor between her feet.
"I told you I sucked." She eyed Whip as he leaned over and hit a ball in the corner pocket with ease.
A thrill shot through her. He had the cutest butt.
He walked over to her and kissed her. "But, when you suck, you make me happy."
She slapped his ass, laughing at his one-track mind. He chuckled, going to the other end of the pool table. Over the last several days, he'd relaxed more.
It was good for him to take some time off from watching her. Sitting outside the restaurant while she worked wasn't the easiest job. Boring, taxing, and lonely, the hours were long.
Longer for him than her. At least she stayed busy and had customers to keep her occupied.
"Are you going to continue to ignore me?" asked Angie.
She took her turn at pool. "Do whatever you're doing. Don't mind me."
"You act innocent." Angie moved closer, lowering her voice. "But, you're up to something."
She watched Whip instead of facing her sister. "Why don't you ask your boyfriend or anyone here what I'm doing? You're not going to believe me."
"You're my sister."
She looked