Thunder (Hell's Handlers MC #10) - Lilly Atlas Page 0,99

morning. I want to hold you when you’re sad, help you with the kids, and be as much a part of their lives as I am yours.”

He wanted to spend every moment making her smile and smiling back at her in return. The fear of having it crash and burn still in a spectacular explosion of pain and heartbreak lingered, but his desire for Makenna dominated it to the point he was willing to take the risk.

For the first time in his life, he understood why people risked it all for another.

“Holy shit,” she said on an exhale.

“I just want you, Mak. And I have no idea what I’m doing, or if I can make a relationship work, or if I should even try. But I want to.” He pressed his fist to his chest. “I want it so bad I ache with it. And I want it with you, only you. Shh.” He pressed a finger to her lips. “Don’t say anything yet. Let me tell you about where I come from. Then you can decide if you’re willing to take a chance on me.”

Then she’d probably run away screaming, but at least he’d have his answer.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

THUNDER’S WORDS WRAPPED themselves around her soul and unearthed a powerful desire buried so deep, she’d never allowed her mind to drift there. The things he wanted, being an integral part of her and her family’s life, holding her when she was down—twenty-three years, and no one had done that for her. Not once. The thought of having him as a permanent fixture to lean on, share responsibilities with, laugh with, and spend her nights tempted her beyond belief.

And that’s why she should put a stop to this. If she knew what was good for her, for both of them, she’d place her hand over his mouth to keep him from spilling his secrets, get dressed, and ask him to leave.

Not because she wanted him to go, but because it would spare them both so much pain and suffering later.

He wanted to try a relationship with her.

God, he was everything she desired and more. The man was fun, funny, sweet, dependable, kind, and his body…made her eyes cross just thinking about it. And there he was not only ready to bear his soul but change his life for her. What woman in their right mind would say no to him?

Yet she had to. Because how could she bring him into her life? A life where they hid from her psychotic family. A life where the money never met the demand. A life full of responsibility from the second she opened her eyes until she finally passed out each night. Yes, Thunder had a few years on her, but he shouldn’t spend the rest of his twenties shackled to someone with a mountain of baggage. Hell, she shouldn’t be spending her twenties as a mom to five kids, but they were her blood.

They were her everything.

But as she looked at the sincerity and desire in her eyes, she found herself saying, “Tell me.” Because she desperately wanted to know him and learn everything about this incredible man lying naked in her bed.

She couldn’t seem to stop touching him, stroking her fingers over his chest, his arms, his abs. That thigh between her legs was doing insane things to her. It kept her aroused, riding the line of desire. Every so often, her hips rocked against him, completely out of her control. And it felt so damn good.

Thunder seemed reluctant to stop touching her as well. His hands roamed her back, stopping to squeeze her ass every so often.

“It’s going to be impossible to concentrate on what you’re saying if you keep doing that,” she said as her eyes fluttered closed. Who knew having a man’s hands on her backside would drive her wild?

He hummed out his agreement then slid his hands up her back. “My mother was a prostitute,” he finally said.

The confession wasn’t exactly a bucket of cold water on her arousal but did shift her focus to his words. Thankfully, she’d already known that much from Cassie, so the news wasn’t a complete shock.

“Wow,” she said softly. “That must have been difficult growing up.” Her heart ached for the little boy whose parents didn’t give him what he’d needed.

He nodded. “Yeah, and I’m just getting started. I have no idea who my father was. Some trick she fucked. She worked at an illegal cat house in Kentucky. The place had apartments