Chapter Twenty-One

Fade

Adalee was pressed against the shower wall, her body glistening with water, and I couldn't get enough of her. The warm spray from the showerhead mixed with the heat radiating between us. I had her pinned, her legs wrapped around my waist, and I was thrusting into her with a primal urgency that I couldn't control.

"Fucking perfect," I whispered into her ear, my voice raw with need.

She moaned in response, her nails digging into my shoulders as she held on tight. "How does that get better every time?" she gasped between breaths.

I pressed my forehead against hers, our eyes locking in the steamy haze. "No clue, cupcake, but it's not going to change."

I adjusted my grip, sliding my hands under her ass to lift her higher, and she responded by tightening her legs around me. The sensation of her slick, tight warmth around me was driving me crazy. Every thrust sent waves of pleasure through both of us, and I could feel her body quivering with each movement.

"Fade," she breathed out, her voice a mixture of desperation and desire. "I need you so bad."

"I know, baby," I growled, increasing my pace. The sound of our bodies colliding echoed in the shower, mingling with the sound of the water and her soft whimpers.

I could feel her nearing the edge, her muscles tightening around me, and I was right there with her. The intensity of the moment was overwhelming, and I knew we were both on the brink.

"Come for me, Adalee," I urged, my voice strained as I fought to hold back.

Her body arched against the wall, and with a cry of ecstasy, she came undone, her orgasm rippled through her. The sight and feel of her climax pushed me over the edge, and I followed her into bliss, my release crashing over me like a tidal wave.

We stayed like that for a moment, panting and trembling, the water washing away the evidence of our passion. I gently lowered her back onto her feet, keeping her steady as she caught her breath.

"That was amazing," she said, looking up at me with a satisfied smile.

I grinned, brushing a wet strand of hair from her face. "It's you, cupcake. You drive me wild."

She laughed softly, leaning in to kiss me.

I wrapped my arms around her, holding her close. "And you have a way of making me feel alive."

We stood there for a while, letting the water cascade over us, enjoying the intimate moment. Eventually, I turned off the shower and grabbed a towel, wrapping it around both of us as we stepped out.

"That is definitely the best way to start the morning," Adalee sighed as she dried her hair, standing in front of the bathroom mirror.

It had been almost a week since she had been fired, and while I knew she was trying to figure out what she was going to do next, I already knew that whatever it was, I was going to be right next to her. Watching her move about the room, stopping to dry her hair, I couldn't help but feel a mix of pride and concern. She was strong, but I knew this uncertainty was weighing on her.

"When are you going to unpack your bags?" I asked casually, leaning against the doorframe.

Adalee stopped drying her hair and stared at me, her eyes wide and unsure.

"Did I say something wrong?" I laughed, trying to lighten the mood. "I just figured you didn't want to live out of duffle bags forever."

"That seems kind of... permanent," she whispered, looking away.

I looked down at my naked body and then back at her, meeting her eyes. "Isn't that what we're building?" I asked gently.

"Well, uh..." she stammered, clearly caught off guard.

I pushed off the doorframe and walked over to her, grabbing the towel from her hands and letting it drop to the floor. I pulled her into my arms, her warm, damp skin pressing against mine. She tipped her head back to look up at me, her eyes filled with uncertainty.

"What's going on in your head?" I asked, my voice soft but insistent.

She chewed on her bottom lip, a habit she had when she was deep in thought or worried. "Uh, I mean, it's a lot up there right now. I'm unemployed, on the brink of homelessness, and sleeping with you, who is a target of some crazy politicians."

I sighed, resting my forehead against hers. "You don't have to worry about being homeless, Adalee. You're with me now. This is your home, too."

She closed her eyes, leaning into me. "It's just... everything happened so fast. I wasn't prepared for any of this."

"That's life, cupcake," I said softly.

"I'm just going to spew all my thoughts, okay? I don't know what else to do." She sounded so vulnerable, and I could feel the weight of her worries pressing on her.

I gently made her tip her head back, and our eyes connected. "Tell me," I urged her, wanting to hear everything she had to say.

She took a deep breath. "I like you. Like, like you more than anyone I have ever liked in my life. I think it might be... another word, but I know it's too soon for me to say that. I think you want me to be here, to stay in your room, but then my brain starts working overtime, and I wonder why you even want to be in the same room as me. But then you kiss or touch me, and I forget about all of that. And then while I'm trying to deal with that, I lose my job, which I know was a godsend because I truly did hate that job, but then I know I need a job because I can't just spend the rest of my life in bed with you. I love to decorate cakes, and I know I'm good, but am I good enough for people to pay me?" She cringed. "The past says I'm not." She finally took a breath. "I'm not even going to get into all the crap you guys are dealing with because that stuff is way more important than what I'm dealing with, but yeah... that's what's going on in my head."

That was a lot, but I figured she was dealing with all that, except for her thinking that she's not good enough for me. That was bullshit.

I tightened my hold on her and kissed her forehead. "First off, let's get one thing straight. You are more than good enough for me. In fact, you're the best damn thing that's happened to me. Don't doubt that for a second."

She looked up at me, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "You mean that?"

"Every word," I said firmly. "And about the job thing, we'll figure it out. You love decorating cakes? Then, we'll find a way to make that work. Screw what the past says. This is about the future. You have me and the club behind you. Look at the Fiends. Our gym and garage exploded, and we're still going."

She nodded slowly, absorbing my words. "But what about all the other stuff? The MC stuff?"

"It'll get figured out," I promised. "One step at a time. The club is trying to figure it out. As long as you're here with me, you'll be safe." The club was at a standstill with Boone and Gibbs. As much as I hated it, it was like we were waiting for them to strike again.

A small smile tugged at her lips. "You make it sound so easy."

"It's not gonna be easy," I admitted. "At least not the stuff with Boone and Gibbs. But you and I? Shoot, cupcake, being with you is easy."

She hugged me tightly, and I held her close, feeling her heartbeat against mine. "I feel better," she whispered.

I pressed a kiss to her head. "Good, cupcake. If you need to spew out your thoughts, lay it on me."

"There's my Prince Charming," she laughed.

I'd be whatever the hell she wanted as long as she was mine.