“Don’t stop.” She wrapped her legs around his narrow hips, trembling as he lowered her inch by inch over his shaft, giving her time to accommodate to his size. Her sex throbbed as he slid deeper and deeper until he was fully seated in her core, as close as two people could be, as close as they had been the last time they were together, except then she had given herself completely to him, body and soul.
“Fuck.” He grabbed her hips and they moved together, Evie bracing her forearms on his shoulders, trying to match his steady rhythm with her own. Unlike their first time together, their joining wasn’t slow or tender. There was no exploration, no kisses, no hesitation. It was hard, desperate, animal fucking, and she was totally on board.
Her orgasm built, climbing higher and higher, flaming her blood until sweat trickled between her breasts. Close. But not close enough.
“Zane,” she panted her breaths. “I need—”
“I got you, sweetheart.” He reached between them to stroke her clit. One touch was all she needed. One touch and she had to bite her lip to hold back the scream as she climaxed, riding his long, deep thrusts as wave after wave of pleasure spiraled out to her fingers and toes.
Zane drew out her orgasm, driving his cock deeper as her sex rippled around him. Finally, he stiffened and groaned, his shaft becoming impossibly hard before he climaxed, the throb of his orgasm sending tiny aftershocks through her pussy.
Evie collapsed against him, resting her forehead on his shoulder as she caught her breath. It felt too good to be with him like this, too right. Dangerous.
“You’re real after all,” he murmured, stroking a warm hand down her back.
“Apparently so.” She wiggled to let him know she wanted down and he eased out of her and lowered her to the floor. Now that her physical hunger had been sated, Evie didn’t know what came next or what she should do now. She crossed her arms over her chest, feeling inexplicably shy as he tugged on his jeans.
Seemingly unaware of her sudden withdrawal, he brushed a kiss over her cheek and left to dispose of the condom.
Evie grabbed her nightshirt and tugged it on, then settled on the bed with her tablet, the blanket over her legs, her back up against the headboard, giving her the distance she needed to process all that had happened.
Zane paused in the doorway, and frowned, his beautiful body making her want him all over again. Damn he was fine. Those cut indents on either side of his abs made her want to rip off his jeans and follow that V down to its peak. But that’s all she wanted. Hearts weren’t made to break more than once.
“What are you doing?”
“Trying to sort out funeral arrangements and insurance. Getting in touch with Bill’s staff. Catching up with some friends.” She feigned a laugh. “Getting out a few posts to let people know I won’t be around because I’m being hunted down by a psychotic outlaw biker.” She cringed inwardly at her very obvious and cold attempt to brush him off so soon after they’d been intimate, but he needed to get the message: they had dealt with the sexual tension between them and now it was time to move on.
“It’s not a joke, Evie. Viper is a real threat.”
“If I thought it was a joke, I wouldn’t have uprooted my life and come here.”
When he didn’t move, she tried again, clutching the tablet like a life preserver. “I’ll be up for a while. You’d best hit the couch and get some sleep.” She dropped her gaze and stared at the blank screen on her lap. There. She couldn’t be more blunt than that, but if she’d hurt him, she couldn’t tell from the low, even timbre of his voice.
“Come here, sweetheart.”
She looked up, saw nothing but concern and understanding on his handsome face Still she, pressed her lips together and stared at the screen.
“Zane. Really I—”
“Come to me, Evie.” His voice carried a hint of command, although his expression was gentle.
She put down the tablet and went to him, not because of his command, but because she was already lonely behind the walls she had so quickly put up after their intimate encounter. And because, even after all these years, Zane knew when she was afraid and hurting, knew when she needed him most.
Zane circled her with his arms and drew her into his warmth. With a sigh, Evie slid her arms around his waist and pressed her cheek against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart.
“I’ve got you,” he whispered.
His words melted her just enough that the tension drained from her body, the walls falling down as quickly as she’d put them up. Myriad emotions assailed her, and she clung to him, drawing from his strength.
“I tried to save him.” Her words stuck in her throat. “There was so much blood. And then I stabbed Viper. He was so angry. He tried to…” She choked on her words.
Zane’s arms tightened around her, holding her firm, protecting her from the memories, whispering soft words as she shuddered against him.
“Breathe, sweetheart. Let it go.”
A tear slid down the side of her face and she took comfort in his arms. Not just because she felt so safe with him, but because she could feel him, remind herself he was real, and not just memory.
“If it wasn’t for T-Rex, Ty would be alone.”
“He’ll never be alone.” He brushed his knuckles over her cheek. “Neither will you. I’ll keep you and Ty safe, Evie. And the Sinners will always have your back.”
His hand was cool on her skin, his body warm against her. She didn’t know how long he held her, but she knew he would never let go until she asked.
“Thank you.” She tilted her head back, met his gaze as she brought her hand up and swept the long dark strands of hair from his face. So handsome. So perfect. She ran her fingers over the hard planes and angles of his cheekbones, trailing them slowly over his jaw, rough with a five o’clock shadow.
“Pleasure.”
She leaned towards him and brushed her lips against his. He responded with a gentle kiss, tracing her lips with his tongue then dipping into her mouth.
“Goodnight, sweetheart.”
She waited until his footsteps faded away and then fell back on the bed. How the hell was she going to keep this up? It was everything she could do not to run after him and tell him she’d changed her mind. He’d just shown her that the Zane she had loved—the sensitive, caring Zane who knew her better than she knew herself—was still there, hiding beneath the leather cut and the cool exterior. Part of her wanted to cuddle up to him in her bed with his strong arms wrapped around her, and feed that longing to feel safe and secure, but the other part wasn’t prepared to give up control in any other part of her life. If she let her guard down, if their connection felt too good, she would just be setting herself up for more pain when he disappointed her again. And although she felt a deep connection to Zane that went beyond the child they shared, she had lost her trust and faith in relationships.
Intimacy and connection only lead to pain. And she’d had enough pain to last a lifetime.
FOURTEEN
Try and try again. Don’t think you’re stupid if it doesn’t go right the first time. Even experts make mistakes.
—SINNER’S TRIBE MOTORCYCLE REPAIR MANUAL
Someone was watching him.
Zane slid his hand under the cushion and grabbed his weapon. He had only just fallen asleep after tossing and turning all night on the couch, wondering what the hell had gone wrong with Evie, or whether, in fact, it had gone right.
Did he really want to get involved? He’d been on his own so long he couldn’t imagine integrating not just a woman, but a kid into his life. And what kind of life did he have to offer? If he’d thought himself unworthy of Evie back in Stanton, he certainly hadn’t improved the situation by becoming an outlaw biker. Wasn’t it better to have dealt with the sexual tension between them so they could both move on? The answer came in a heartbeat. There was no other woman for him. He’d been searching for her since the day he left Stanton, and now that he’d found her, he wouldn’t let her go.