Babylon felt heavy when I rode back through its streets. Ayda never flinched or said a word. I just held her hand the whole way home until we crawled back through the gates of the yard, and I had to find my spot to park up.
Killing the engine, I squeezed her hand in mine and glanced over my shoulder.
“There better not be any drool on my cut, woman.”
Twisting her smaller hands where they were housed under my palm, Ayda linked her fingers with mine and squeezed. “I’ll let you know when I get the feeling back in my extremities.”
I huffed out a laugh and peeled her off me, my smile growing at the disgruntled noises she was making and the quiet protests that were falling from her lips. Helping her out, I moved around the bike and quickly scooped her up into my arms, throwing her over my shoulder before I began to march across the yard.
“Never fear, your hero is here.” Reaching up, I swatted her ass.
A small grunt fell from her lips, tangled with an amused laugh. “Not helping your cut situation, Mr. Tucker. Oh…” She paused for dramatic effect. “Now it’s rolling a bit.”
I swatted her ass again, harder this time, squeezing my fingers around her thighs as I headed for the training room.
“Where are we going?” she finally asked, pressing her hands against my back and pushing herself up to look around us.
“We’re avoiding responsibilities while being responsible at the same time.” I turned my head and sank my teeth into her ass cheek, smiling around it before I released her from my mouth and pushed through the heavy training room door. “Shit, I’m starting to talk like Harry.”
I flicked the switch on my right, squeezing my eyes shut as the bright lights buzzed to life.
This place held a lot of memories for me. Now it was time to make some more with her.
Dropping her to her feet as carefully as I could, I pushed her blonde hair away from her face, tucked it behind her ears and cupped her cheeks, forcing her doe-eyes to look into mine.
“Realized I can’t do this shit without you by my side. You’ve already admitted you don’t want to be anywhere else. I know for damn sure you can shoot. I have no doubts about that fire in your belly.” I paused, looking into her with as much love and passion as I could. “Those eyes.” I sighed softly, quickly sucking in another long breath and holding it in my chest for a moment before letting it all free. “I don’t want you just to be my old lady, Ayda. I want you to be able to survive. Even if that means doing it one day without me. I need you to be able to stay alive without weapons because they aren’t always there when you need them. Sometimes, all we have isour instincts, our fists, and our fight. If you’re going to do this, live this life with me, you’re going to be the hottest fucking badass the state of Texas has ever created.”
There wasn’t an ounce of fear in her eyes. The only emotion she allowed to show was determination. Sucking in a breath, she rocked back on her heels and studied my face.
“I agree with most of what you just said, but if you think for even a second that I could go on without you…” she paused. “If you teach me, I will fight to my last breath, you know I will, but there is no me if there’s no you. Once you accept that, we’ll be stronger. We’ll both fight harder. I’m ready for this, to be at your back no matter what. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
I laughed quietly, running my thumbs over her cheeks and raising a brow. “Wasn’t exactly planning on dying, darlin’. At least not until I’ve knocked you up at least six times so I can make a mini MC for all my handsome little fellas.” I winked.
“Six?” she half squeaked. “You better stick around if you’re planning six damn kids.”
I laughed again, dropping my hands to hers and taking one to pull her farther inside the room. “I have to get your ass married first.”
Her smile blossomed on her lips, eyes flickering alight like blue fire. She dropped her hands from mine and pulled her hair back into a tail, using a band on her wrist to secure it back. “So, you here to knock me up or teach me how to survive? I’m down for either.” The tip of her tongue appeared between her teeth.
“I just wanted to see you getting sweaty.”
“Where’s the fun in that? You can do that with your mouth, right here.” She pointed to the curve between the neckand shoulder, then slid her fingers under the collar of her shirt and tugged gently. “Or here…”
Not taking my eyes away from hers, I began to strip out of my cut, removing it slowly before I folded it over and leaned to the side to drop it onto a bench. My brow rose as I watched her watching me, my hands moving to the zip of my hoodie before I slowly began to peel it down.
“I don’t have to touch you to make you sweaty, baby.” Tossing the hoodie aside, I lifted the edge of my T-shirt up, revealing my chest before I tore it over my head and carelessly tossed it to the floor somewhere behind me. I rolled my neck, bounced on my toes and flexed my pecs, just for show, to tease her that little bit more. “Sometimes I just like to watch you from a distance. Take off your top. Leave on your bra. I’m about to lock this place up and spend a few hours in here teaching you the basics. It’s going to get gropey.”
With her smile still in place, she accepted the challenge, her hands reaching for the hem of her shirt and pulling it over her head. She tossed the thing aside with as much disregard as I’d thrown mine, the only sign of her nerves showing in the rise and fall of her tits in the pretty white bra she was wearing.
“That’s my girl.” I moved closer, planting my hands on her hips as I towered over her, forcing her to tilt her head back to look up at me. “Don’t worry. I’ll fuck you hard once I think you’ve earned it.” I’d spent too long away from her, and now she had me back, I didn’t dare stray again. I was scared our connection would break and I’d fuck things up even more. Turn black like the night because the woman who showed me the day was too far away. “You’ve just got to promise me one thing…”
“Anything.”
“You’ll actually fucking listen and let me lead for once.”
Chapter Fifteen
AYDA