Chapter 4

Bronx

The sun is a lazy spectator,slinking away behind the endless stretch of highway as I pull us into the safe harbor of this deserted truck stop. It's just me and London now, the world outside fading to a blur. She"s curled up in my lap, her slender body fitting against mine like she"s always belonged there. The cab of my Peterbilt is our secret cocoon. The hum of idling engines and distant laughter from other drivers can"t touch us here.

"Bronx," she whispers, her voice a sigh against my neck, and damn if it doesn't send shivers right through me. Her fingers trace the lines of my salt-and-pepper beard, and I can"t help but lean into her touch. Every rough edge in me softens at her caress.

"London," I murmur back, my hands exploring the curve of her waist, feeling her shudder under my touch. Everything about her screams delicate, but I know better. There's steel in this girl, a fiery core that keeps her standing tall no matter what life throws her way. I pull her closer, lips finding hers in a kiss that starts out slow but quickly heats up, igniting something raw and desperate within us both.

It"s a dance we"re perfecting, her small frame against my bulk, a contrast that only seems to pull us tighter together. My world narrows down to the taste of her, the sweet scent that clings to her pink hair, and the way her nails dig slightly into my shoulders as if she"s afraid I"ll slip away.

Not a chance in hell.

"Fuck, Bronx..." she gasps between kisses, and that"s all the invitation I need to lose myself in her, to let the hunger take over. But then?—

"Look what we have here."

That voice, snide and unwelcome, slices through our haze of lust like a cold blade. We freeze, London"s breath hitching in her throat as recognition dawns on her face, mirroring my own shock. Our bubble bursts, leaving us exposed, and I"d do anything to claw back that privacy.

"Isn"t this a quaint picture?" The old acquaintance from London"s past leers at us through the window, his shadow looming over our intimate sanctuary. His grin is wide, vicious, and I feel London"s body tense against mine. Her brown eyes are wide, the flicker of fear in them igniting my rage.

I gently push London behind me, a human barrier between her and the past snapping at our heels. "Get lost," I growl, but the bastard outside just laughs, the sound grating against my nerves like sandpaper.

"Bronx, isn"t it?" he sneers, his voice oozing contempt. "You think you know her? Little Miss Innocent?"

Anger flares hot and fierce in my gut, but I keep it leashed tight. Can"t afford to lose it, not when London"s counting on me. My hands curl into fists, knuckles white with the effort of restraint.

"Spit it out if you"ve got something to say," I snap, voice low, dangerous. I"m not about to let this prick rattle me. Not in front of London.

"Ah, where to begin..." He chuckles darkly, taking a perverse pleasure in dangling secrets like bait. "How about we start with the fact that London here once tried to auction off the most precious thing she had—her virginity? Yeah, that"s right. Wanted to sell herself to the highest bidder for a chance at a better life. Bet the little whore didn't tell you that."

My heart clenches at the words, but not in disgust. Hell no. Instead, there"s this fierce surge of protectiveness that wells up inside me. So what if London"s been through some shit? Haven"t we all?

"Thought she could escape the dirt and the grime of her little nowhere town," the slimeball continues, venom dripping from every syllable. "But she didn"t have the guts, did she? Ran off the stage before a single bid was placed. Been running ever since."

"Enough!" My voice is a thunderclap, echoing off the walls of the cab. "You think that changes anything? Think that makes me see her any differently?"

The silence that follows is heavy, loaded. London"s presence at my back is a steady warmth—she"s not alone in this. Never will be as long as I"m breathing.

"Fuck you," I say, the words cold and hard. "Whatever London"s done, wherever she"s been—it doesn"t matter. She"s with me now. So, I suggest you beat it buddy because if I step out of this truck I'm wiping the payment with you.."

The guys laughs, but then it dies off when he looks at me again.

Yeah, finally, he's starting to get it. I'm motherfucking serious, and I owe him one anyway for calling my baby girl a whore.

My fists clench. The fucker's eyes flick down to my balled fists and he puts his hands up and backs away. "Okay, okay. Just warning a guy."

"As am I," I growl back. "Last time."

The guy looks from side to side and swallows nervously, all his earlier bravado gone before he finally turns on his heel and walks away from my truck.

As soon as he leaves, the cab turns icy with tension, and I can feel London"s shivers even through my thick flannel shirt. She"s clinging to me like I"m the last solid thing in a world gone mad, her fingers digging into my sides. Her wide brown eyes search mine, begging for something to anchor us both back to reality.

"Bronx," she whispers, her voice crackling like dry leaves. "I"m so sorry I didn't tell you. I understand if you don't want me around anymore?—"

"Shh," I cut her off, my heart hammering against my chest. "None of that matters to me. I understand, and you're crazy if you think anything in hell would keep me away from you. I want you, London. All of you. The good, the bad. Hell, I would say the ugly, but there's not a single ugly thing about you. You're the most beautiful thing to ever happen to my life."

Tears spring to her eyes, but I pull her into my lap and wipe them away. "You're perfect, baby."

She shakes her head in denial, but I reproach her sternly.

"No, you listen to me. You want me to be your daddy, right? Then, that involves trusting me. I'll never tell you anything that isn't true, and I vow to always take care of you, so when I tell you you're perfect, you're going to believe me, aren't you?"

London bites that puffy pink lip as she nods at me shyly.

And I'm suddenly very aware of the way her hot little pussy is pressed right against my raging erection. "That's a good girl," I murmur as I brush a strand a hair back from her hair. "You're such a good girl for your daddy, aren't you?"

She lets out a whimper and nods her head as she involuntarily shifts her hips on me, dragging her pussy against my erection.

My arms band around her as I bury my face in her neck and growl. "Fuck, baby doll, you and that hot little pussy are going to be the death of me."

Her response is a mix of a moan and a sigh, her body melting against mine in the cramped space of the truck cab.

"Bronx..." Her voice trembles with vulnerability. "You make me feel so safe."

I tighten my grip around her slim waist, pulling her closer until there"s no space left between us. "That"s because you are safe," I promise her firmly. "As long as I"m here, ain"t nobody ever gonna hurt you."

London"s eyes glisten with unshed tears, her emotions raw and palpable. She buries her face in my chest, gripping onto my shirt as if anchoring herself to me might somehow erase the horrors of her past. I can feel every tremble that runs through her body, every silent plea for reassurance.

In that moment, I swear to myself—and silently vow to whatever gods might be listening—that I"ll destroy anyone who tries to bring harm to this precious woman in my arms.

I tip her head up and brush her lips gently with mine, trying to offer comfort, but my girl goes off.

She opens her mouth and climbs higher on my lap as she starts kissing me desperately while she humps me through our clothes.

Another motherfucking hell am I here for it. Every sweet inch of it.

I kiss her back and still her hips as I struggle to contain myself. "Fuck, got me ready to blow my load in my pants already, baby."

She whimpers when I stop her, but I instantly try to console her. "Ssh, baby. Daddy is going to give you what you want, but he needs to put it between your legs. So, be a good little girl and take those little cocktease shorts off."

London lifts up and does as I instruct while I pop the button on my jeans and free my aching cock.

It springs free just as London settles back down on me, her tight pussy sliding right onto me.

"Fuck!" I hiss as she squeals in delight.

"Daddy," she whimpers, and motherfuck, that's my undoing.

I turn into a beast, holding her hips fast as I pump up into her sweet heaven for all that I'm worth.

Her cries fill the cab. The truck rocks slightly on its suspension as we move together in a frantic rhythm. Every nerve in my body screams with the intensity of the moment, her warmth enveloping me in a way nothing else ever has.

"Bronx," she gasps, her voice hitching with every thrust. "I—I love this. I love you."

Hearing those words, something fierce and possessive takes hold of me. I slow my pace, gripping her tighter, wanting to feel every inch of her connected to me. "Say it again," I demand, my voice rough with emotion.

"I love you," London repeats, her eyes locked onto mine, shining with tears and sincerity. "I love you so much."

I press my forehead against hers, feeling the sweat and heat that clings between us. "I love you too, baby girl. More than anything."

We find a new rhythm then, slower but deeper, each movement deliberate and filled with meaning. London wraps her arms around my neck, holding on as if she"ll never let go. I can feel her heartbeat against my chest, rapid and strong, mirroring my own.

And then I feel her pussy pulse around as London cries out. Her orgasm triggers my own, and I release my hot seed inside her in deep pulses that feel like my soul is being torn from me.

And I give it to her. Hell, I'll give her everything because she's my everything. She can have my heart, my body, my soul, anything she wants.

Because London is mine, and I am hers.

Always.