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I’m not going to be hooking up with anyone right now. But if I go anywhere, for any reason, or need privacy then I’ll make sure someone is watching over you.
Regardless of everything, he’d saved my life, and I owed him everything.
If you were mine, I’d kill anyone who told me to let another man touch you. I’d burn down the club before letting someone feel what’s mine. Within the club, the only other thing that is sacred is our women, the ones we claim, the ones we choose. If you were mine, I’d tell Tuck to go fuck
himself and if he tried to hurt me, then I’d welcome the carnage.”
“Doesn’t matter what I think, Pen.”
“Yours is the only opinion I care about. It matters what you think of me, Jamie. I care if you hate me or have a low opinion of me. I can’t bear to think you’re ashamed of me.”
“I’m just a no one in your life, Pen. Live for you.”
“You’re not no one to me…surely after all these years, you understand that.”
“It’s not…you deserve something bigger. Something real.”
I had been swept up in the fantasy of belonging to Jameson King.
“Well, she’s about to become my fucking wife, so you’ll get over your reservations and really fucking quickly. As for the kid…he’s mine too, and will be raised by me...” Oh my god.
This wasn’t fake, and whether he agreed to it or not, I’d claim a piece of him by the end of this. Some part of that gave me hope. If I could finally find a way inside his heart, then maybe he’d let me stay there.
“Penny, it’s an honor to watch over you.”
I never had kids,
but I see you and Callie, even Laura and Natty and I think of you all like daughters in a way. Just in the sense that I can watch out for you. So, I guess what I’m trying to say is, thank you for letting me.”
“Thank you, Harris. I haven’t ever had anyone look out for me. I’m honored that it’s you.”
I had stolen her first kiss, and it was only because at the time, I refused to accept that another would claim it.
but that first kiss would always trace back to me.
I’d be branded on her forever, whether she wanted me or not.
“You always watched out for her, Jamie, so I’ll tell you. She never once assumed you’d come asking about her, so it’s not like she warned me not to.”
“But I wonder if it goes deeper than that. Tell me, Jamie. Do you care for my daughter?”
“Would this stay between us?” Wanda’s smile grew. “It would. I’d never rob my daughter the joy of discovering someone loved her.”
“I never said that.” “You didn’t have to.”
“Because you weren’t the only one watching her, Jamie. That’s why. Write your letter.”
“We’re not using her.” “If it’s to draw him out then we have to consi—”
“Would you? If it was her…would you?”
“You aren’t the only one with people to protect. She isn’t a pawn.”
My gaze moved around the street until it landed on a familiar looking white car. Penelope. I was off my bike in a second and rushing forward.
It was my job to keep her safe, and I didn’t even know the name of where she was going to be tonight. It was another hit from
Silas, who had clearly been keeping better tabs on them.
but I’d been so fucked up about that kiss that I’d essentially just dropped her at the cabin and left as quickly as I could.
She tasted the same as she did the last time I kissed her, and years later, it was like I’d never stopped wanting her. Regardless that she had, in fact, stopped wanting me.
Burning to touch her.
She was tempting, and all I wanted was to lean her back and fuck her. But that would not be good for our complicated—fake dynamic. Or would it?
“You look fucking sexy,”
Stardust. Silent prayers and hope. So much hope it would burst through my chest and break my fucking heart.
I refused to take any more risks with Penelope.
That night, I stupidly tried to act as if I didn’t care that she’d moved to Richland. I could barely get my words out because she had been the prettiest person I’d ever seen. She was sweet and smelled like spring and winter at the same time. She felt like something from a fairy tale.
Fuck, I was fighting a hard-on.
My erection was growing, and I really needed to hide it. So I moved
around the kitchen counter and gave Penelope my back.
This was fucking ridiculous; she hadn’t even done anything but exist.
But the idea of existing with her, so fucking close was too much for me.
I just knew this new situation gave me permission to touch her, and I couldn’t find it in me to care.
I finally felt it…Sunshine clouded by grief, Jameson’s
gaze found mine. His feet faltered as if he’d just registered that I had been present for his father’s funeral. Mouth parting, brows drawing in, his expression twisted like he was conflicted over how he felt at the sight of me.
“You ever going to tell him how you feel?”
“I know you have a crush on him…always have.”
“I’ve watched you for a long time, Pen. I know you…and maybe I’m being selfish, but the sooner you get over him, the sooner you might give me a shot.”
Who knows, maybe Jamie will get over himself and let you in that ironclad chest of his. Fuck knows no one else is in there, especially not now that his pops is gone.”
