Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 43456 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 217(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43456 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 217(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
Blaze lifted his hands in a placating gesture, one eyebrow arched. “Just putting it out there, brother. If it’s as serious as it sounds, maybe taking her off grid completely is the smartest play.”
I clenched my fists at my sides, a possessive growl rumbling from my chest. “She stays with me. End of discussion.”
King remained silent, studying me with the kind of calm intensity that would’ve made a lesser man squirm. His gaze cut straight through me, assessing everything—my reaction, my conviction, and exactly how far I’d go to protect the woman who’d gotten under my skin. Slowly, he raised a single brow, the only question I needed.
I took a step forward, my stance wide and unwavering. “She’s mine.”
Blaze chuckled softly, amusement glinting in his dark eyes despite the seriousness of the situation. “Well, well, brother. Looks like you just stepped right off the flight deck into the eye of the hurricane.”
I shot him a glare. “Glad you’re amused.”
“It’s always fun to watch a brother fall.” Blaze’s mouth twitched. “When one of ours goes down this hard, it means trouble. And you just strapped yourself into the catapult. There’s no punching out now.”
I grunted, refusing to give him the satisfaction from admitting how right he was.
I left the office, closing the door firmly behind me. The hallway felt lighter somehow, the weight of uncertainty lessened now that the club had my back. Linden wasn’t just under my protection—she was under the Hounds’ protection.
But the rage simmering beneath my skin hadn’t cooled. Whoever thought it was a good idea to go after Linden Holbrook would learn exactly what kind of hell the Hounds of Hellfire could unleash.
7
LINDEN
I’d slept better than I had in more than a year, but I still woke up groggy. And wondering why the mattress was so warm, hard, and uneven in the strangest places.
Then it all came rushing back, and my eyes flew open.
I was in Keegan’s bed, sprawled on top of his big body. My breasts pillowed against his six-pack abs, and my cheek pressed against his broad chest. One of my legs was hooked over his, like I’d claimed him in my sleep. And the bulge at my core was growing.
Heat crept up my neck when the sleepy fog cleared, and I realized I’d just instinctively rocked against his hard-on.
I swallowed against the sudden dryness in my throat and cautiously moved a little, acutely aware of how closely we were aligned. He was so much bigger than me, but it felt like we fit together perfectly.
I knew I should untangle myself. Give him some space before he noticed that I’d used him as my own personal mattress while we slept.
Instead, I stayed exactly where I was, savoring something I’d never experienced before.
But I shifted again, trying to ease the awkward angle of my hip.
It was a mistake. Or possibly my best decision ever, with what happened next.
His hand clamped down instantly, spanning my hip to hold me in place. A low groan came from deep in his chest. “Better not keep moving like that, little dove.”
He was awake. And fully aware of our situation.
My blush deepened as the realization settled in. He’d known exactly how we were positioned. And that I’d been moving against him like I didn’t have a clue what I was doing.
But he hadn’t pushed me away.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I didn’t mean to—”
“Don’t apologize.”
I stayed perfectly still, hyperaware of how completely his body dwarfed mine while he held me there.
My hips did the tiniest, helpless little roll against the solid heat of him before I could stop myself. The thin fabric of my panties and his boxer briefs did nothing to hide how hard he already was, pressed right against the cradle of my thighs like he belonged there. My breath caught.
“I warned you.”
Before I could whisper another apology, Keegan flipped us with effortless strength. My back met the cool sheets, and suddenly, he was above me. His broad shoulders blocked the morning light filtering through the blinds, his dark hair was tousled, and his green eyes burned down at me like I was the only thing in his universe.
My hands flew to his shoulders, but I didn’t push him away. “Keegan—”
“Shh.” He lowered his head, his nose brushing mine. “You moved, baby. Now you deal with the consequences.”
His mouth claimed mine before I could form another word.
His kiss was hungry, his tongue sweeping inside, tasting me like he’d been starving for it all night. I melted instantly, my nails digging into the thick muscle of his shoulders.
He kissed like he had all the time in the world to learn every sigh and whimper I could make.
One of his hands slid up my side, under the hem of the T-shirt he’d given me last night, his calloused palm skating over my ribs until he cupped my bare breast. I arched without thinking, a soft sound escaping me that I didn’t even recognize as mine. His thumb circled my nipple, already tight and aching, and the gentle pinch he gave it sent a bolt of pleasure straight between my legs.