Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven

Havoc

D o I feel bad about manipulating her into staying? Fuck no. If the storm hadn’t given me the perfect excuse, I’d have found some other reason to keep her here.

After she got out of the tub, I made sure she had everything she’d need for her stay—laptop, notepads, and Kindle. Without the internet, she was limited in what she could do, but it was better than nothing.

For the last five days, I made excuses for my absence at the clubhouse and again, the storm provided me with the perfect out. I filled those days mostly in bed with Nevaeh as we explored every inch of each other’s bodies.

Unfortunately, the storm had eased off today. As the club is on alert, still waiting to see if Khan would make another move, my presence was needed in church so we could run over strategies and contingency plans for the inevitable.

“Anyone have anything else they need to add?” I ask the room of brothers.

“Stefan called,” G says, leaning back in his chair.

“Stefan?” Conan asks.

“The director of the movie Amity was working on. He wants to know if we can fit him in next week.”

“I thought they were delaying shit because of what happened.” Probe frowns. “A week isn’t much of a delay.”

“Apparently, the studio wants to cash in on all the attention the movie is getting. I guess to them, there is no such thing as bad publicity.” G shakes his head

“How does Amity feel about this?”

He shrugs, “You know Amity, nothing much fazes her. Besides, her part in all this is over. Stefan said that they just want to come in and film a few location shots for authenticity. I get the feeling they want out of this place as much as we want them gone.”

I blow out a tired sigh, wishing I was back at the cabin.

“With Khan’s shit hanging over us, it makes sense to get this over and done with. The last thing we want is for anything to go down when there are camera crews around. All in favor of giving Stefan the go-ahead?”

Everyone votes yes, and with nobody having anything else to add, I end church.

Everyone files out leaving just me and G behind.

“You good?” He asks as I get to my feet.

“Yeah. Why?”

“Haven’t seen much of you lately.”

“You’ve been busy with Amity, and I’ve had shit to deal with.”

“Anything I can do?”

I look at the man and shake my head. If he knew what, or should I say who I’d been doing, he’d be pissed. He thinks of Nevaeh as a sister so he was less than impressed when I told him we’d slept together.

“Another week or so, and I’ll be back in the game, I might need you to hold down the fort for a little while until then.”

“Yeah sure.”

I slap him on the back and head out to the bar. I have a quick drink with the guys, then head out again, stopping to pick up a few things before heading back to the cabin.

I hate leaving Nevaeh alone for too long, even though I knew it was necessary. The only way I was able to leave at all was because I knew that nobody knows anything about my grandfather’s old place. Hell, I never even told Lola about it or brought her there. Maybe I always knew how this would go down with her and just didn’t want to admit it.

As I pull up outside the cabin, I stew on the fact I only have nine days left with her, and she’s still holding herself back from me. We’ve talked some, always sticking to safe topics. But when we fucked, we fucked like it might be our last time. I pray that never happens because I crave this woman more than anything I ever have before.

I take the gifts from my saddlebag and head to the door, as the wind whips around me. Finding it locked; I smile before fumbling in my pocket for the key. I open it and step inside, thankful to be back out of the cold. I find Nevaeh asleep on the couch with a throw blanket over her legs and her laptop open beside her.

Placing the flowers and the books on the counter, I make my way over to the couch and crouch down next to her, staring at her for a moment—fuck, she's beautiful. I trail my fingers across her cheek. She doesn’t stir, so I leave her be, knowing it’s my fault she’s so tired; I’ve been keeping her awake night and day.

I lift her laptop and carry it over to the table. Kicking off my boots, I scroll through to see what she’s been up to and find an open document.

I glance at Nevaeh, then back at the screen. I start reading, and before I know it, I’m lost in the story—getting fucking rock hard when I realize one of the scenes is loosely based off the other night when I fucked her over the bike. Only this time the couple fuck over a balcony during a storm. I look at my girl and smirk. I’m more than happy to be her inspiration.

I leave the laptop open on the table—I don’t risk shutting it in case she needs to save her work—and head into the kitchen to find a vase for the flowers. Naturally, I don’t have one. Why would I? I settle on a tall drinking glass and add the flowers to it before setting it on the counter, then get to work making us something to eat.

I open the fridge and grab everything I’ll need to make chicken Alfredo. It’s been a while since I made it, but it’s not something you forget. I liked cooking before I went to prison, but I’d be lying if I said that most of it didn’t fall to Lola. There was always some crisis at the clubhouse or with my brother that kept me tied up.

Hearing movement, I turn and see a groggy Nevaeh heading my way. I walk around the counter and grin when she walks right into me. I wrap my arms around her, and she lets out a contented sigh.

“Mmm… You’re warm.”

“I can turn the temperature up if you’re cold,” I say, pulling back. I look down at her and see that she's wearing her Care Bear sweatshirt again, this time with a pair of black leggings. On her feet are a pair of fluffy socks with strawberries printed all over them.

“No, I’m okay. It’s mostly my feet. Mmm… What are you making? It smells amazing.”

“Chicken Alfredo. I thought we could eat and watch a movie. There’s a stack of DVDs. Or if you want, we could do something else—the cupboard beside the TV is full of games.”

“Sounds good. I’ll go look—” She stops talking, staring at something behind me. I turn and see she’s spotted the flowers.

“For you,” I say, looking back at her.

“Really? Nobody’s ever brought me flowers before.”

“Good, I like having all your firsts.”

She smiles, and I reach behind me to grab the two books I brought, too.

“I don’t know if they’re the type of books you read or not, but I saw them and thought of you.”

She stares at the books in my hand before she looks up at me. “You bought me books?”

“You like to read, right?”

She doesn’t say anything, and I’m worried I’ve messed up somehow, but then she launches herself at me, wrapping her arms around me. Okay, note to self: books are her kryptonite.

“Thank you, Havoc.”

“You’re welcome, Cupcake.” I press a kiss to her forehead and watch as she walks back over to the couch, hugging the books to her chest.

I go back over to the stove, but I’m aware of every move she makes. Once the food’s done, I take everything to the table and call Nevaeh over to eat.

“So, how’s the book coming along?”

“Good. I’m almost done. I can’t remember the last time a book’s flowed this easily.”

“Maybe I should kidnap you more often.”

She glares at me, and I chuckle, taking a bite of my food.

She lifts her fork and groans as she takes a mouthful of food, and fuck, if that doesn’t make my cock throb.

“This is so good.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

We eat in comfortable silence. When she stands to grab the plates, I stop her. “I’ve got it. You go pick the movie or game. Whatever you want.” I smile at the dumbfounded look on her face and carry the dishes to the kitchen.

After I finish washing the dishes and cleaning up the kitchen, I microwave some popcorn and grab a couple of bottles of water from the fridge. Once the popcorn’s done, I walk to the couch and sit down next to her, setting the bottles on the table.

“I feel like watching a movie. But we can do games tomorrow, maybe?”

“Whatever you want.” I lean back, place the popcorn on my lap, and wrap my arm around her, pulling her so her head rests on my chest. She hits play on the remote and snuggles in closer.

I should’ve known she was up to something—she was being just a little too sweet. Instead, I’m halfway through The Notebook when I realize she played me.

“Enjoying the movie?”

“Sure am,” I say, even though I know she’s trying to make me suffer.

After The Notebook , we watch How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days and then Notting Hill . I didn’t even know I had these DVDs. There must’ve been a bunch of Lola’s in the box I brought here.

I look down to ask if she’s done torturing me but find her fast asleep. I watch her for a moment. This—her tucked into me—is what I’m fighting for—these unguarded moments when she gravitates toward me.

I turn off the TV and ease out from underneath her, picking her up and carrying her to bed. She stirs when I take her clothes off but doesn’t say anything. She reaches for me, her mouth finding mine in the dark.

I strip out of my own clothes and pull her on top of me, positioning myself at her entrance. I ease myself inside her, slow and steady, until I’m buried completely. Her warmth wraps around me, and for a moment, nothing else matters.

She murmurs something but doesn’t move. I run my fingers up and down her back as my eyes drift closed, ever conscious that time is not on my side.

The next eight days flew by, but something shifted after our movie night. Nevaeh let her guard down. She let me in. And even though I hate talking about myself, I did the same.

We got to know each other during the day, talking and sharing pieces of ourselves, and our nights were spent tangled in each other. But now, on day thirteen, there’s this desperation in our lovemaking—like we’re trying to hold on to every moment and make every second count. I’m worried it’s Nevaeh’s way of saying goodbye.

With her head resting on my chest, she trails her fingers across my skin, tracing my tattoos, teasing the scattering of hair.

She pauses when she reaches the twisted thorns over my heart. “Is that a cupcake?”

I grin, wondering when she would spot it. Most people only notice the thorns, not the tiny cupcake they’re protecting.

“I told you, you were meant for me.”

“And you got a prison tattoo to mark the occasion huh? You sure know your way to a girls heart,” she teases.

I roll her over and tickle her making her laugh and wriggle trying to get free.

“Mercy, mercy!” She gasps as I kiss her.

Pulling back, I tuck her hair behind her ear, so I can memorize every freckle on her face before I roll back over and tug her into my arms.

A comfortable silence settles over the room for a few minutes before she speaks again.

“I like how quiet it is here but it’s been weird not having my phone,”

“No signal out here,” I repeat what I told her the first time she asked about her phone.

“What did you tell Amity? There’s no way she wouldn’t freak out about me being out of contact for more than a few days.”

I tense, and she feels it. She lifts her head and looks at me.

“Our time here is up, Havoc. You might as well tell me. You said we were working on trust—no more lies. Not tonight.”

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “Your phone’s in the trunk of your car, down the road.”

She blinks, and then starts laughing. “My car and phone have been there the whole time?”

“Yeah.”

“Of course they have. And is there really no signal here?”

“I mean… it’s kinda spotty.”

She groans and drops her head.

Taking a breath, I tell her the rest—I tell her about going through her phone, the messages I sent to Amity, pretending to be her, and lying about her being in Rome.

“What am I going to do with you?”

“Stay with me.”

She lifts her head back up, and this time, she looks sad.

“We can’t stay here forever. We need to go back.”

“No, I know. I mean, stay with me outside this place. Be mine, Nevaeh. Think of this as extreme dating if you want to.”

“I’m so mad at you right now. I want to scream at you and punch you and kick you and just… urgh.”

“I get it,” I tell her. I fucked up. I knew it the second I took her, but I just don’t regret it.

“The problem is, I’m not just angry anymore.”

I stroke her shoulder with my fingertips as she takes a deep breath. “You make me feel things I’ve only ever read about before. You cook for me, buy me books— which I do every day —and you watch chick flicks without complaining. You take care of me, and other than Amity, I’m not sure I can remember the last time someone really did that.”

I slide my hand into her hair and pull her down until her lips are a breath from mine. “I dreamed about you when I was in prison. In my heart, I knew Lola and me were over before I ever found out about her and Driller. Aside from the fact she never came to visit, I was already half in love with you, and I wasn’t even sure if you were real or a figment of my imagination. Either way, you’re the reason I held on. I just didn’t know it then.”

“What do you mean you dreamed of me? I don’t understand.”

“I’m not sure I do either,” I admit. “I got this tattoo after waking up with the taste of you on my lips and the smell of vanilla cupcakes in the air. I thought I was imagining it. Then I got out, and there you were—in my bed.” I brush her hair from her face, letting my fingers linger. “I know this is all new and scary for you, but for me, it feels like I’ve been waiting a lifetime.”

I kiss her softly, pouring everything I’m feeling into it before pulling back. “I need you to be mine because I’m already yours.”

A tear slips down her cheek, and she bites her lip. “I’m scared. I know you won’t physically hurt me, but…” She swallows hard, her voice trembling. “What about my heart?”

“I can’t promise I won’t upset you or make you mad, but I will always be careful with your heart.”

She groans, squeezing her eyes shut. “I’m going to regret this. I know I am.”

I freeze. “You’re saying yes?”

“I’m saying yes.”

I flip us so she is underneath me, and I can stare down at her. “You’re mine.”

“I’m yours.”

And then I fuck her until she passes out, turning her yes into a promise I won’t ever let her break.