Chapter Seven

Clementine

Little angel. He called me his little angel. I wanted to jump, squeal, and make a huge deal out of it, but instead I played it cool, though I'm not sure how long ‘playing it cool' will last. My skin is aching for his big, rough palms and every ounce of me wants to climb all over him.

I close my eyes and lean back against Abe's solid chest. He's older now, but his body feels the same. Strong and firm. Massive and warm.

I can't believe this is happening. I should pinch myself or dunk my head in a pool of cold water to make sure it's all real. If it's not, this is the cruelest dream of all time.

The bike rumbles beneath me as we head up the country road. It's one of the darker nights we've had in a while. Stars hang overhead, but they're dimmed and clouded by a storm that's incoming. The air is chilly too.

Abe notices and wraps me in closer to his chest while still managing to control the bike. Why is that so hot? He leans in with a tone low in his throat as he says, "Where am I taking you?"

"I'm up the hill here on the right-hand side. You can't miss me."

He hums out a reply and leans into the turn effortlessly.

My clit throbs as the vibration in the seat reminds me how much I've missed out on. Bike rides, his arms around me, his lips pressed against mine, that bending me over thing he was talking about.

Dear God, I'd love for this man to spank me. I'd love for him to spank me, kiss me, lick me, and tell me exactly what he wants me to do. My panties are soaked. I should stop thinking like this. We still have to deal with Craig when we get back, and I'm not sure I want to.

Sure, it's a major flex showing up to the house with this big, giant, hot guy as my protector, especially after all Craig has put me through, but I want him to see what it looks like when a man appreciates you the right way. That said, it's not worth the drama I know it'll cause. Abe is perfectly capable, I know that, but Craig is insane lately and I wouldn't put anything past him.

We pull into the driveway of the cabin and my heart skips a beat when I see Craig's truck parked on the side of the house where he'd parked the night before. I knew he was here, but seeing him still makes my stomach hurt.

Usually, he sits on the front porch, but tonight the porch is empty, and the board I had nailed up to cover the cracked window is gone and the curtains are blowing through the opening.

Abe slows his bike as we pop over stones in the driveway. "You're going to stay out here while I go get him. Understood?" His tone is low and commanding. I get the feeling people don't say no to him. He parks the bike and climbs off first, helping me off before turning toward the cabin.

"No." I grab hold of Abe's arm as he climbs off the bike. "I just got you back. I don't want to lose you."

He laughs. " Lose me? Angel, you're not going to lose me. I'm right here."

"Right now you're right here, but you're going to go in there and he's crazy."

Abe pulls a nine-millimeter from his jeans. "Me too." He leans in, his voice a raspy whisper as he says, "I'd bet I'm crazier. That night should've been our night. That was the night the stars aligned. Had he not been lying to you, we'd have taken it and made the last ten years ours. We'll never get that time back, little angel. He's going to pay for that."

I drag in a deep breath and hold him tighter. "Please. Let's just go. We're together now. We'll get a restraining order, and he'll—"

"Who the fuck is this, Clem? You hire security?" Craig wanders off the front porch and into the lawn as though he has no concept of the gun aimed toward him. I'm guessing this is because he's drunk. I can smell the alcohol on the wind from here.

"Not security, asshole. You took something from me."

Craig glances toward Abe. "What?" His words are slurred.

I see now why they call Abe, Viper. He's calm, steady, and ready to strike.

"You heard me, asshole. You fucked with this woman's life, so you fucked with mine."

Craig's eyes widen, and he glances toward me. "You cheated on me? Were you cheating on me, Clem?" The sound of pain in his voice when he asks surprises me, especially considering his track record.

"No, she didn't fuckin' cheat on you. You hold that prize. But I gotta say," Viper kicks the dirt, and a cloud of dust has Craig coughing, "I wish she would have because I'd have shown her right then what a real man feels like."

Craig charges at Viper. He balls his fists and pumps wildly, aiming for his jaw.

I scream, but it's over in a blink of an eye as Viper knocks him off his feet and pins him to the ground.

"Okay… Jesus fucking Christ. Get the fuck off me, dude," Craig spits as Viper leans against his throat.

"Apologize to her." Viper lifts Craig up off the ground like a sack of potatoes and drags him toward me. It's not until now that I realize the size difference between them. I never realized how small Craig actually is.

This shouldn't turn me on, but it does. I guess I can add this to things I need to talk to a therapist about. Why do I love seeing this big, strong man take over? Why do I love watching him be rough and manhandle this jerk that's ruined my life? I'm not a violent person. I swear.

Craig leans forward. "I'm not apologizing to that bitch. She's a—"

Viper knees him in the stomach. "That doesn't sound like an apology, Craig."

"Fuck!" he coughs. "I'm sorry, Clem. I fucked this up. I know I fucked this up."

I don't expect it to sound as good as it does considering Viper is forcing an apology from him, but still, it does. I've listened to years of excuses, lies, and bullshit.

It sounds so good to hear him say that he's wrong.

Viper grabs rope from the side saddle of his bike and ties Craig to the bed of his truck before running back to grab some duct tape. I suppose it should worry me that this man keeps duct tape and rope in the side saddle of his bike, but I roll with it.

Whatever version of Abe is around, I know he'll protect me. I know I'm his top priority.

"My buddy Ox'll come take care of this for us," he says, kissing my head. "I'm gonna run down to that shed back there and see if you have anything to fix that window for the night. You go inside and run a bath. I'll be in shortly." He kisses me again and holds me in his orbit for a long moment before letting go.

I could stand like this forever, basking in his warmth. How? How did I meet a man for an hour ten years ago and know that he was the one ? It would be a fairytale if not for all the ass-kicking going on tonight. Then again, I guess even fairytales have dragons.

I smile and tuck behind the truck, away from Craig for another kiss. I savor the sweat on his lips as his rough hand brushes against the back of my neck.

He smacks my ass playfully. "Get inside, little angel, and draw us a shower. I'll meet you in five."

My thighs ache with need.

I could ask questions, but I don't. I knew the second I met Abe that he was the kind of guy that needs to take control. He needs to know he's needed. In return, he offers so much.

I tip up onto my toes and kiss him one last time before turning away and doing exactly as he's asked.