will bring and if there will be anyone left to love her. "Am I your old lady?"
"You're my old lady."
"Forever?"
"Forever." He pressed his forehead against her forehead, his hands shook on her face. "Promise."
She sniffled, stroking his face with her hands, assuring herself that he'd come back. "You left, and I thought you were mad at me."
"Not at you." He tucked her against the front of him, holding her close. "I had to go...Faye?"
"Hm?" She snuggled and wrapped her arms around him.
"Did I force you that first time we had sex?"
"No." She lifted her head and frowned. "You would never."
His gaze intensified. "You said I pulled you into bed."
"To cuddle." She shook her head. "We've already talked about that. I slept with you all night, and you held me every second."
Underneath his beard, his Adam's apple moved. "I thought..."
"Did you think I didn't want to have sex?" She blinked, trying to figure out why he was upset. "I wanted you. I wanted you so much. I couldn't even sleep, because all I could think about was having sex with you and wishing you'd touch me. I'm glad you were my first." She smiled and quickly said, "And the only one to ever have me."
He hugged her to him and buried his face in the top of her hair. His chest expanded, and he slowly let out his breath. "Good."
They remained locked together for several minutes before he straightened. She leaned back and took his hand, clutching it in her grasp.
"I should really get back inside. The others are probably wondering where I am or if I walked off the job." She mustered a smile, concerned about his reasons for leaving today. "Are you okay?"
He leaned in and kissed her. "I am now."
"Where did you go?" She led him to the back door.
"Prison."
She stopped before going back inside. He moved the strands of hair off her cheek and tucked them behind her ear. "To visit a Tarkio member?"
"I went to see your uncle," he said huskily. "I needed to make sure I hadn't hurt you that first time."
"And you couldn’t ask me?" She tilted her head. "Why?"
"Because of our conversation this morning." He inhaled deeply and closed his eyes an extra beat. "I had to know."
"No. No. You did nothing wrong. You were gentle and loving." She caressed his cheek, and then her eyes shimmered. "Afterward, you were an asshole, but the sex was good. It was perfect because I could finally tell how much you cared about me."
"Loved you then." His gaze warmed. "Love you now."
She nodded. "That's how I've always felt toward you."
After she kissed him, she pulled him inside the building. Only a couple more hours, and she'd get to go back to his house and show him how deep her love was for him.
Remembering why he'd been gone all day and night, she stopped in the back room. "How is my uncle?"
"Same."
She swallowed. "I wish it was easier on him, but he is serving his time and doing the right thing. One day, he'll be free."
"Right." Curley looked away.
"I'm going to wash, and then I need to let the others have their break." She kissed him again. "I'm so glad you're back, and I can relax."
He let her go. She hurried into the restroom. Privately, she grinned, letting out her excitement on getting him back and knowing he was doing everything to stay in her life.
Chapter 30
Curley
Sequestered in the meeting room of the Tarkio Motorcycle Club clubhouse, Curley picked the crew to travel to California and check on the marijuana grow operation. He'd lead the men and be gone a week. It was the first return visit since cutting back on their traveling.
"While we're gone, Hammer will be tending the bar at Promise. He'll pick three of you to hang around there and make sure there are no problems. Make sure whoever is working escorts the ladies if they want to step outside during their break. Faye is in charge of handling the scheduling and has things under control regarding running of the bar." Curley leaned back in the chair, giving Priest a chance to update the others.
"As for the future of Promise, Tarkio is going to take over for Curley at the bar. Anyone who wants to sign up to work security and do the heavy lifting can put their name on the roster and pull regular wages. The rest of the profits from the business after the ladies get paid will be thrown in the