Savior, p.6
Savior, page 6
“Can I ask you something personal?” Savior asked, propping his head on his hand so he could watch me.
“Sure.” He’d already had his mouth in places no one else ever had. Compared to that, a question wasn’t a big deal.
“How is it you were engaged, but you were still a virgin? How the hell did that idiot keep his hands off you?”
My cheeks burned. I should have known he’d wonder about that. When Jeremy proposed, I’d been thrilled. Up to that point, we’d only held hands and kissed. I’d thought things would change once I had his ring on my finger. It hadn’t. If anything, he’d become more distant.
Savior reached over with his other hand and traced the bridge of my nose with his finger. The way he looked at me made me feel special. How could a man I’d just met treat me so much better than someone I’d known for years before I agreed to marry them? None of it made sense.
“Jeremy and I dated for a while. I wouldn’t call it a passionate relationship. We kissed and held hands. He’d take me on dinner dates or out to a movie. But he owns his own business, so he was always busy.”
“Too busy to spend time with you?” he asked.
I shrugged. “Yeah. I didn’t think much of it. I’d never really had someone pay attention to me before Jeremy. I guess I felt honored he wanted to date me, much less marry me. Sure, he spent a lot of time at his garage working on cars, but I saw it as him building a future for us.”
“You didn’t find it strange he never tried to have sex with you? Or did you just hold him off until after the wedding?”
I swallowed hard and looked away. Did he know he was bringing up all my insecurities? Jeremy had said he loved me. Asked me to be his wife. Then the accident happened, and he ran from me. Broke our engagement and my heart. If I were being truthful, I’d admit he’d been distant from the beginning. “I’m not beautiful. Men haven’t flocked to me, even before the accident. When Jeremy asked me out, I figured I wouldn’t see him again after our first date. Like all the others before him. Except, he called for a second date. Then a third and a fourth.”
“And you settled for him?” Savior asked.
“I guess so. I thought I was in love. Clearly, it was one-sided. If he’d ever loved me, he wouldn’t have left after I got stuck in the wheelchair. Would he?”
Savior shook his head. “No, honey. A man doesn’t run out on the woman he loves just because she can’t walk anymore. He’s a chickenshit and an asshole. He might have thrown you away, but I can promise I never will.”
“Why did you marry me?” I asked. “You didn’t have to. I would have gone with you and helped with the kids.”
“I thought about you a lot before I got to your house. Even if Judd hadn’t begged for me to go back for you, I think I would have, anyway. Maybe not quite as fast, which would have been bad. I can never apologize enough for leaving you vulnerable the way we did. And I’ll have a talk with Tempest. He was too harsh with you and should have made sure you were safe before we left.” He sighed. “We all should have. We shouldn’t have left without making sure you could shut and lock the door. It wasn’t safe.”
“We can’t change the past, Gabriel. There’s no point dwelling on it.” I reached up and trailed my fingers over his close-cropped beard. “That still doesn’t tell me why you wanted me for your wife. We’re strangers. What if we end up hating each other? What if you get tired of having someone stuck in a wheelchair for the rest of her life? What if…”
He placed a finger over my lips to silence me. I flicked my tongue out, and he growled softly, his eyes getting darker. His cock hardened and brushed against my thigh. It thrilled me. I’d never had a man react to me the way he did.
“I won’t get tired of you, Dessa. Not today, tomorrow, or fifteen years from now. How do I know? Because you’re a sweet, beautiful angel. More importantly, you’re mine.” He leaned in closer, our noses nearly touching. “If you wanted a way out, you should have never given me your virginity. Knowing I’m the only man who’s been inside you changes things. Anyone touches you, kisses you, or even thinks of fucking you, and I will end them. I don’t share.”
His words should have scared me. Instead, he was only turning me on more. There might be women who wouldn’t like his caveman tendencies, but I found him to be refreshing. Then again, I’d been told more than once I had a submissive personality. Even Sonja had taken charge whenever she was at the house, and I’d fallen in line. Mostly. When it came to the kids, I’d always fought for what was best for them. Or as much as I could.
“Your daughter is going to hate me, isn’t she?” I asked.
“Ares has had a rough life. I adopted her after saving her. She was a part of a human trafficking ring, one that preferred children and teens. She needed a home, so I gave her one. It’s been the two of us for about a year now.” He ran his fingers through my hair. “She won’t hate you, but she may be resistant at first.”
“I’ll be patient with her,” I promised.
“Are you hungry? I could go grab some dinner for us. Or do you feel like going out?”
“I hate asking you to go out and bring something back. But if I go, then you have to deal with my wheelchair.”
“Whatever you want to do is fine with me, Dessa. Want to go? I’ll put your chair in the truck. Want to stay here? I’ll bring back whatever you want. It’s our honeymoon. Tonight is special.”
I moved closer to him. “Why do you do that?”
“What?”
“Make it seem like it’s no big deal that I can’t walk. You didn’t go easy on me earlier. At least, I don’t think you did. I’d thought you’d treat me like I was made of glass. Most people act like all of me broke when my legs did. They speak to me differently, treat me like I’m no longer the same woman I was before.”
“You aren’t your wheelchair, Dessa. Did it stop you from being a mother to Judd and Junie?”
I shook my head.
“Did it stop you from having multiple orgasms tonight?” he asked with a wicked smile.
“No.” My cheeks burned again.
“Does it mean you don’t feel or think the way you did before? Are you less of a woman because you can’t walk?”
I stiffened. “No.”
“Right. The only thing it means is you need help getting around. It’s no different from being nearsighted and needing glasses.”
“Well, maybe it’s a little different.”
He shook his head. “No. Your wheelchair is a medical device, like eyeglasses. Necessary in order to make your life easier. Would you die without the chair?”
“Well… I don’t guess I would. Unless I needed to escape from something dangerous and couldn’t.”
“Right. If you didn’t have it, then someone would help you get around. It’s there to help you, Dessa. Nothing more. It doesn’t define who you are, and it doesn’t make me see you differently. If it changed how Jeremy felt about you, then he wasn’t much of a man and you’re better off without him.”
Tears burned my eyes. No one had been so nice to me, not even before the accident. I might not have agreed with everything Sonja did, and taking those children had been wrong, but it brought Savior to me. If she hadn’t screwed up, and dragged me into her mess, I’d have lived the rest of my life alone.
“Anything is fine,” I said. “But I think I’ll stay here.”
He leaned in and kissed me. “All right. Any food allergies? Anything you absolutely hate to eat?”
“I’m allergic to shellfish, so I tend to avoid all seafood.”
“Okay. I’m going to rinse off and get dressed. I’ll write my number down in case you need me while I’m gone.”
“I’ll be fine, Gabriel. I did manage to survive before I met you. I’m sure I can handle being in this cabin alone until you bring dinner back.”
He winked and got out of bed. And yes, I admit it. I watched him walk away. I’d never paid much attention to a man’s ass before. Until Savior. The man was a work of art from behind and in front. And for some reason, he was mine.
You’re in so much trouble, Dessa. That man is way out of your league.
I only hoped he never figured that out.
* * *
Savior
I’m not sure what I expected when we got home. The Prospects hadn’t only installed a ramp, they’d also made the porch larger. Dessa would be able to easily maneuver her chair up the ramp and have plenty of room to get the door open. There was another small ramp that would allow her to roll through the door and into the house.
I hopped into the bed of the truck and removed the tarp and tie downs from her chair. I’d picked them up before we’d headed home, wanting to make sure the chair stayed secured. Easing it over the side, my muscles strained. Why did it seem heavier than before?
Once I had it on the ground, I got down and opened the passenger door. Dessa had already removed her seat belt, so I reached in and lifted her into my arms. She smiled as she leaned into me, but I saw the strain on her face. As eager as she was to see Judd and Junie again, I knew meeting Ares had her nervous. Hell, I wasn’t too sure how my daughter would react. Too many changes in too short a time.
Once Dessa was in her chair, and had unlocked the wheels, I hurried ahead to open the door. She wheeled herself up the ramp and into the house, stopping not too far inside.
I went in and shut the door behind me, checking the place out. Lavender sat on the couch with Junie and Judd on either side of her. A cartoon played on the TV. What I didn’t see was Ares, even though her car was out front. Which told me she was likely hiding in her bedroom.
“Thanks for watching them,” I said.
Lavender stood and hurried over. She held her hand out to Dessa. “I’m Lavender. Wire and I don’t live too far from here.”
“Dessa.” She cleared her throat. “I’m his wife.”
Lavender’s smile broadened. “I know. My husband is the one who made it happen. We’re so happy to have you here.”
The two kids got off the couch and rushed toward Dessa. Once they were close enough, she reached down and lifted them onto her lap, one at a time. They both cuddled against her, and the look of pure bliss on all three faces told me I’d made the right decision.
“Where’s Ares?” I asked.
Lavender shoved her hands into her back pockets and rocked back on her heels. “Um. Well…”
I narrowed my eyes at her. “Spill it.”
“She’s with Dawson.” Lavender winced. “I figured you’d prefer her hanging out at Venom’s house with his son rather than chasing after one of the older boys.”
“I’d rather she not hang out with any of them,” I mumbled. Of course, with her past, I doubted she was doing anything more than playing a video game or watching a movie. She hadn’t shown a romantic interest in anyone. Usually, if a boy got too close, she snarled at them like a rabid badger. The exceptions were the boys at the compound. I’d promised they would help keep her safe, and she took me at my word.
“Momma staying?” Judd asked.
Dessa nodded. “Yes. I’m here to stay. Want to show me the house?”
He smiled and scrambled out of her lap. She followed in the chair, with Junie still in her lap. I went along with them, wanting to see what changes had been made. Lavender tagged along, murmuring things as we went.
“They said the doorways were thirty-six inches, so they didn’t need to widen them. The guys were thorough. They looked up the type of chair she had to make sure Dessa could get around easily. They added handrails to the master bathroom, and they gutted your kitchen. It’s not finished yet.”
I stopped. “They did what?”
She nodded. “They said the counters were too high. Something about needing a space under the kitchen sink and making the shelves on the bottom cabinets where they’ll pull out.”
“Damn. They put some thought into it.”
“They did.”
I peeked into the kids’ room and saw the bed Sam purchased for Judd. It looked like someone had added a few toys too. I saw a handful of cars, some large building blocks, and other items a boy might prefer. They’d also bought Junie a few dolls and a play kitchen with dishes and plastic food.
“Everyone went overboard. I was only gone a day and a half.”
“Did you really think no one would spoil your kids? You’re the President now, Savior. Sam did a lot of the work, but Thunder stopped by to help with a few things, and so did Grimm and Viking.”
The front door opened and slammed shut. “Did you bring her home with you?”
I winced at how loud Ares was and turned to face her as she stormed down the hallway. I heard Dessa in the master bedroom, talking to the kids. Better to get this out of the way, before my daughter tried to run Dessa out of town.
“I did. There’s something we need to discuss.”
Ares sighed and leaned against the wall. “I already know. I heard Lavender talking to Wire. You married that woman.”
I nodded. “Yeah, I did. She’s the only mother Judd and Junie remember, and if you let her, she’ll be a mom to you too. I know you’re nearly an adult, Ares, but she’s a really sweet woman who’s been dealt a shitty hand. I’d like for you to give her a chance.”
“Fine. Guess I better meet her.”
I went into the master bedroom. I blinked as I stared at the bed. It seemed… shorter. Then again, if they’d ripped out my kitchen to lower the counters, they’d probably made changes in here too. I noticed the room seemed more open as well.
“Dessa, I’d like you to meet Ares.” I reached behind me and tugged my daughter forward. “She recently turned sixteen and has her own transportation. Her bedroom is the one next to the kids’ room.”
Ares took a hesitant step forward, then another. “Um. Hi.”
Dessa gave her a warm smile. “Hello, Ares. I’m so happy to meet you. Your dad didn’t tell me a lot, but I can tell he’s really proud of you.”
“He’s been an amazing dad.”
“I know things are changing. You have two new siblings, and now I’m here.” Dessa pressed her lips together for a moment. “I’m not trying to push you out of the house. This is your home, and Savior will always be your dad. I hope you know that. But I’d like to be your friend, if you’ll let me.”
I saw Ares’s jaw tighten. Dessa might have been trying to ease her way into Ares’s life, but she’d just screwed up. I placed a hand on my daughter’s shoulder.
“Calm down, Ares. She wasn’t trying to hurt your feelings.”
Dessa’s jaw dropped. “Oh, no. What did I say? I didn’t mean to upset her.”
“When you said you’d be her friend, she assumed it meant you didn’t want to claim her as your daughter,” I said.
Dessa wheeled a little closer and reached out to Ares. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean it that way at all. I’d love to be your mom, but I didn’t want you to feel like I was pushing my way into your life. I’ll be here if you need me. I also don’t want to smother you with attention if that’s not what you want or need.”
“Whatever,” Ares mumbled. She broke free of me and rushed off. I heard the door slam again as she left the house.
“I fucked up,” Dessa mumbled.
“She’ll come around,” Lavender said. “Kid has had it rough. Once she calms down, and gets used to you being in the house, she’ll realize you aren’t a monster and won’t steal Savior from her.”
“Might take her some time.” I glanced down the hall and wondered if there was anything I could do to smooth things over. “She can be stubborn, but it’s largely due to what she’s been through. She’s not as tough as she tries to appear.”
“I’ll be here if she wants to talk. At the same time, I won’t force her to spend time with me.” Dessa looked up at me and I saw the sheen of tears in her eyes. “What if she never likes me?”
I kneeled down next to her. “Honey, it’s impossible to hate you. She’ll come around. Promise. Until then, we’ll get this house remodeled, so it’s easy for you to get around and access everything. You can meet the other wives and old ladies, even the kids. Just take things one day at a time.”
“Everyone’s eager to meet you,” Lavender said.
“I have to admit I’m nervous,” Dessa said.
“Your husband is the President of this club, which means he’s in charge. He’s rather new to the position, and clearly hasn’t had a woman before now. If you want to find out more about being the old lady of the club President, you should talk to Isabella. She’s married to Torch, and he was our President before he stepped down.” Lavender smiled. “You aren’t in this alone, Dessa.”
“Have Junie and Judd had a chance to meet the other kids around their age?” I asked.
Lavender shook her head. “It’s a nice day, though. Not too hot. Want me to take them over to the playground? I can text Delphine, Pepper, and Katya on the way there. I’m sure at least one, if not all three, will bring their kids over.”
“Thanks. I’d like to get Dessa settled into the house and talk to Sam about how long it will take on the kitchen remodel. If you could keep them busy for about an hour, I’ll try to have things wrapped up by then.” I ran my fingers through Dessa’s hair. “I’ll bring your things in, and you can put them away.”
“I might have already cleared some drawer space for her,” Lavender said. “Wire fussed at me for snooping, but I hung your jeans and T-shirts in the closet. I wasn’t sure if she’d be able to reach anything hanging up and thought the drawers might be easier.”
“Thank you,” Dessa said. “That was sweet of you.”
“Come on, kids. Ready to make some new friends?” Lavender asked, holding her hands out.
Both Junie and Judd went to her, but only after hugging Dessa. Once we were alone, I brought Dessa’s things inside. While she put them away, I called Sam.
“Hey, Pres. You home now?” he asked when the call connected.
“Yeah. About the kitchen…”
