Saving Dallas (Saving Dallas 1)

“And how does someone know if they don’t belong?” I asked almost in a whisper. I couldn’t take my eyes off of Luke’s. It was as if I was in a trance. Luke rolled over on top of me, snaking his legs through mine and bringing his arms up next to my face.

“They can feel it.” Luke broke eye contact with me and started planting feather like kisses all over my face. “Every time they come around, every nerve in their body screams to them that this isn’t right.” I lifted my head back so he had access to my neck. “They feel like an outsider. They often ask themselves ‘why did I get myself into this?’” His knee was now between my legs rubbing softly.

“Well how do they get out when they realize they don’t belong?” I asked breathless.

“They leave-before they know too much,” Luke was now looking at me. His expression was impassive; his breathing heavy and his knee had come to a complete stop. I knew Luke was warning me. I knew he was hoping to scare me into rethinking what I was getting into.

The problem was-I did belong. I could feel it in my heart. It was not just my love for him that kept me here. There was something else. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but whatever it was had me convinced that I would give my life for any of them. I had never felt more a part of something than I did when I was with them.

“I’m not going anywhere. I love you, Luke and I love this club and everyone in it. I belong here,” I said searching his eyes for some sort of clue as to what he was thinking.

“There is a lot you don’t know-things I can’t tell you because it’s not my story to tell. I’m not a good person, Dallas. I work very hard to separate the two lifestyles I live. Dragging you into the middle of this is really going to complicate things. There are a lot of people who don’t like me and to get to me they could go through you. That’s why I have never really had anyone in my life like you. I just don’t want to take that chance, but on the other hand I can’t let you go,” he exclaimed frustrated.

It seemed Luke was fighting and internal battle and was losing. He climbed off of me, but pulled me to him once he was beside me again.

“Luke I’m a big girl. I have dealt with a lot of shit in my life. I can assure you I can handle anything you throw at me. I already told you I don’t want to know what’s going on and besides, I’m in love,” I said with a reassuring smile.

“Well that makes two of us darlin’.” Luke’s kisses are powerful-better than anything I have ever felt. This kiss was different. It was passionate, but hard. It felt like a kiss of warning, but reassurance. There was nothing out here but us and the stars. I felt small in his arms, but like I could face anything with him at my side. He was my protector, my rock, my best friend-my Luke.

“It’s getting late,” Luke said pulling away from me.

I didn’t want to sleep. I didn’t want to go back to the house. I could stay with him in this shooting house forever, just the two of us. He stood with ease and held his hands out to me. I let him pull me to my feet and he planted a swift kiss to my cheek before letting me go so he could close his “roof door.”

We walked back to the house hand in hand, him lifting me to carry me across the gravel road. A million things were going on in my head, but my biggest question was if everyone knew who Luke was, then why did society accept him? He seemed to be a hit at the engagement party and even the Mayor had spoken fondly of him and said he owed him a favor.

I didn’t want to upset Luke anymore with my questions. It seemed he was having a hard enough time convincing himself that it was ok to keep me in his life. I would ask Red sometime this week when Luke was not around.

As we walked up the driveway, I could hear music coming from the clubhouse. It seemed that Tiny and the others were having a pretty good time in there, but I was sure that somewhere there was someone sober and watching to make sure Luke was protected.

“You tired?” Luke asked me once we were inside.

“Yes, very,” I answered not realizing until that moment how true those words were. I didn’t think I would make it to the bed. Fatigue seemed to have taken over and I walked like a zombie until I was in the bed. I never remembered closing my eyes.