32. Tempe

32

Tempe

Steel meets me at the threshold of the room where they hold church.

It should be illegal for him to look like he does. His forearm is propped against the doorframe, tugging his T-shirt up just enough for me to get a hint of his solid stomach. Showing off a trail of perfectly cut muscle that is pure temptation.

“Hey, wildfire.” He tips my chin up and plants a gentle kiss on my lips when I reach him.

The nickname he’s given me, paired with how he teases my lower lip with a kiss, has my insides melting. I slip my hands beneath his cut and plant my hands on his hard chest.

“That dress is beautiful on you.”

“It’s a pretty dress.” I smile up at him.

He brushes his thumb over the apple of my cheek. “Only because you’re in it. Come here. ”

He slips his hand into mine, pulling me into the room and shutting the door.

It’s dark since the only windows in here face inside the clubhouse, and right now, the blinds are closed. There’s a single bulb overhead, but it’s not bright.

Looking around, I see that one wall is covered in photographs. There are no people in them, just the open road. Some are black and white, others color. And the varying landscapes make it clear they were taken all over the country.

“What are those?” I ask.

“A tradition my grandad started when he formed the club. On your first run as a ranking member, you take a shot of the open road to mark the first miles of many spent as a Twisted King.”

“Which one’s yours?”

Jameson smiles, pointing to a photo on the far left. “Maryland.”

“That’s a long trip,” I say, admiring the beautiful forest road in Jameson’s picture.

Jameson’s smile falls. “That was right after the former leader of the Iron Sinners took my dad out. We chased him all the way across the country after we made our way through the members of his club, trying to figure out where he’d gone.”

“Did you find him?”

Jameson nods, and I don’t need to ask what happened to know what Jameson most likely did.

I glance at the images on the wall. The history of the club. The traditions they hold on to, and the things that they value. A bond I’ve never experienced when everything in my life has always felt temporary.

Glancing around the room, I take in the space the members consider sacred.

Their church .

“Am I allowed to be in here?” My gaze moves to the large wooden table in the center.

The Twisted Kings logo is carved into it, and someone must have taken a torch to add extra dimension because there are char marks on some of the edges. The chairs surrounding it are large and sturdy, with one that must be Jameson’s at the head of the table.

“You’re allowed to be anywhere you want, wildfire. So long as we’re not in the middle of church.”

“I figured you guys had more rules than letting everyone at the compound run wild.” I smile, walking around the table slowly and brushing my fingers over the smooth wood. “This is beautiful.”

“My grandad carved it.”

“Really? It’s gorgeous.”

Jameson nods. “Yes. And for the record, people aren’t allowed to run wild around here. But people aren’t you .”

“Oh yeah?” I smile when he meets me at the head of the table, reaching for my chin. “What makes me so special?”

“Generally speaking… everything.” He grins, and I can’t help but laugh.

“Someone woke up in a good mood this morning. Not that I’m complaining; keep the flattery coming, President. ”

Jameson shakes his head, dipping his chin and laughing, but there’s a nervous edge to it, and I don’t know why.

He rests his hands on my hips while he towers over me, and his eyes are serious when they lock onto mine. I’m still learning all his little ticks, but the intensity in his gaze tells me whatever he’s about to say is either really good or really bad.

“Did something happen?” My eyebrows pinch, and I bite the inside of my cheek to settle my nerves.

“Nothing bad… I hope.” He tucks my hair behind my ear. “I don’t want you and Austin to leave.”

“I know. Not until this is over.”

He shakes his head. “Not just then. I don’t want you to leave in general. Ever .”

I blink up at him, swallowing hard. “What are you saying, Jameson?”

My heart races as I look into his gray eyes. As I’m swept out to sea in the middle of the desert. As he lifts his hands to my face and looks down at me like he’s torn himself completely open.

“Tempe, I’m not a good man.” He sighs. “This life is hard, and the club will always have more attention than you’ll like. I’m loyal to my men, and because of that, I’ll always stand with my brothers. Before you and Austin, that was enough for me. All that mattered was my club.”

He drifts his thumbs over my cheeks, and I feel the tears already welling behind my eyes.

“But then you came in and stole a hell of a lot more than you ever intended. You found something beating in my cold chest, and you made me see what life could be like if I stopped trying so damn hard to run from it.”

Jameson leans in to kiss my forehead, pausing with his lips brushing my skin.

“I know it’s selfish to ask you this—to ask you to bring Austin into this life. But I swear, I’ll do everything to give you both what you need. To treat you right and make sure Austin has the support and family he deserves. You two give me purpose. You help me breathe. You see the man, not the patch. You see me. I want to love you for it. To thank you for it. I want us to be a family.”

“Jameson—”

“Just think about it.” He pulls back, dragging his thumb over my lower lip. “I never wanted a family, knowing what it feels like if you lose it. But now I realize that’s just because my family hadn’t come into my life yet. But you and your brother—that’s what you are. My family. Promise me you’ll at least think about it.”

“Jameson.” I reach up and grab the sides of his face, smiling up at him. “I don’t have to think about it. The answer is already a yes.”

He swallows hard. “Are you sure? I know I’m not an easy man to get along with.”

“I can handle you just fine, President.”

“That so?” He grins, and I nod.

Jameson sinks back into his chair, pulling me with him so I’m straddling his lap. But he hasn’t released my face, so I’m hovering with my mouth just over his.

“You understand what it means being my old lady?”

“I’ve been briefed on the matter. ”

His eyebrows pinch.

“Pearl,” I explain.

“Of course.” Jameson chuckles before relaxing his smile and staring into my eyes. “I know it’s not an easy decision or an easy role in the club, given… everything. So I want to make sure you’ve thought it through.”

He could be referring to the danger of being with a biker. Or he could be referring to the women who still refuse to accept that he’s moved me into his life. Either way, in my heart, I accept the struggle to be by his side.

“Outside forces don’t determine what we are to each other, Jameson. Not our pasts, not your enemies. You’ll always be their president, and I understand that role comes with responsibility. But when it comes to you and me, all that matters is what we choose together—what we build together. And who we are to each other. Will you be loyal to me?”

“With all I am.” He cups my face, and when I look into his eyes, I genuinely believe him.

“Will you protect us?”

“To my grave.”

“Then that’s all that matters.” I lean in for a quick kiss. “Family.”

Jameson drags my hair back and kisses me deeper. His tongue tangles with mine, and I rock in his lap. The back of the hard chair digs into my knees, even as my shins sink against the leather seat cushion.

My chest brushes against Jameson’s leather cut, and I hand myself over to the man who helped me understand what it really means to be there for someone. What it means to really care about a person who isn’t my blood.

Who showed me what honor and loyalty really are.

“I love you,” he whispers.

“I love you too.” So much I didn’t think it was possible.

His hands drift down to my hips, and he cups my ass before tugging at my skirt to slip his hand under it.

“No bathing suit under this dress?” He growls against my mouth. “I told you we were headed to the beach this afternoon, and if you strip down to nothing in front of my brothers, I’m gonna be the one betraying my club when they look at you.”

“Figured you’d prefer the easy access,” I tease.

He drags his nose along my throat, nipping at the side of my neck. “When it’s just you and me… yes.”

I rock in his lap, tipping my head back when he moves to kiss the path down to my breasts.

“But all my men are going to be at the lake, looking at how pretty you are in this dress. The last thing I need is the wind giving them a show when I’m the only one who sees you like that. They can wish all they want that it could be their name on your back. But it never will be. Why is that, Tempe?”

“Because I’m yours.”

“Mm-hmm.” Jameson hums. “And I’m yours right back. It’s an honor that you want to claim me like that, wildfire. Something so fucking hot, I can’t resist needing to thank you for it.”

“Oh yeah?” I tip my forehead to his. “And how do you plan on doing that? ”

“By filling you with my cum.”

“About that…” I graze the sides of his neck with my fingers. “My pill pack just ran out, so we might want to use something until I get to the doctor.”

“No.” He shakes his head, pulling my mouth to his.

“What do you mean, no?” I murmur against his lips.

“If it’s up to me, you’re staying off the fucking pill from now on anyway.”

I pull back, smiling. “Did Jameson Steel just admit he wants to knock me up?”

I’ve never really thought about having my own kids when I could barely picture myself having a relationship. But the love and security this man brings into my life has the thought ballooning my heart.

“Fuck yes, I did. The more of you, the better. Little miniature Tempe’s running around the compound.”

My eyebrow hitches. “You realize they could also turn out just like you.”

“Then good luck with that.”

I laugh, and he catches my mouth in a kiss. He holds my jaw and connects me to him. With his free hand, he works the buttons on his jeans, and I shift so he can pull out his hard cock.

My fingers grip it, and the growl that vibrates through his chest has my body aching.

Shifting away, I try to pull myself from his lap to sink to the floor, but he stops me.

“Why won’t you let me please you?” I lean in, teasing the shell of his ear .

“I don’t want you on your knees in here. I want to take you on my throne like the queen you are.” He lifts my hips. “Sit on my cock, wildfire. Let me worship you where you belong.”

I stare into his eyes as I slowly sink onto his hard shaft. He stretches me, filling me in the way only he can. His hands on my hips shove me the final inch until I’m fully seated. And I don’t take my gaze off him as I start to circle my hips.

“You feel like the paradise I don’t deserve.” He kisses the center of my throat.

His fingers on my arm make the strap of my dress flutter down as he kisses up my neck. I chase the feeling of him all over me, riding him in desperation for my release.

“That’s it. Ride my cock like a good girl. It’s yours. Only yours.”

I wrap my arms around his shoulders and pull Jameson in for a kiss. We melt together as I claim a man who was so out of reach when I met him.

We were wandering alone at two ends of a desolate desert. And somehow, we managed to find each other.

I’ve spent my whole life fighting, but in Jameson’s arms, I don’t feel the need to anymore. I’ve found my safe space—my partner. I hand myself to him because that’s what he does to me, unapologetically.

When he comes, he marks me deeper than any stitches securing a patch to a vest.

He marks me as his.

And he’s mine.