“Well, yes,” she admitted, deciding honesty was really the best policy. “You were drinking, Ice. A lot.” She cleared her throat. “I did this to you. I took one look at you and you’re so beautiful, so perfect, and I wanted you for myself. It was wrong. I know it was. I knew it then but I was drinking, maybe a little too much myself, but that’s not an excuse, I shouldn’t be making excuses . . .”
“Stop, princess.”
“You can’t possibly want to be married to me. You don’t know anything at all about me. Isn’t being in a club all about freedom?”
She tried to make a joke when she didn’t feel in the least humorous. Now that she’d made the confession, and told him the truth, it hurt to know she’d have to leave him. Really hurt. That was unexpected. That was how far she’d wanted to believe in the fairy tale.
“I knew what I was doing every step of the way, Soleil. I wanted you from the first time I saw you on the street. When you walked into the bar, I knew then I was going to find a way to keep you. You wanted me to sign the prenup, I had no problem with it.” He let go of her hair. “You signed mine. I gave you an out every step of the way. It’s done. We’re married. You’re my wife, and every single club member knows your husband was in here fucking your brains out because you’re not quiet when you come for me.”
She blushed. That was true. She hadn’t believed in screaming orgasms. She wasn’t even certain she’d believed in orgasms, screaming or quiet, until Ice. Now, it was the absolute truth, he could make her scream and he had—often.
“Sex and marriage aren’t at all the same thing,” she pointed out.
“Yeah, well, if all you’re feeling is the sex right now, I’ll take it.”
Ice caught her hand and pulled her out of the bathroom to the bedroom. Putting one hand on her belly, he gently pushed until she sank down onto the mattress. He crouched down and took her foot in his hand, pulling on a sock.
“I’m trying to save you, and you aren’t helping.” Soleil was feeling a little desperate.
“Save me from who? From what? I was sober, Soleil. I want you to be my wife. Do you even know what you are?”
She shook her head.
“A fuckin’ miracle, that’s what you are,” he said and pulled on her boot.
It wasn’t easy. She had to push her foot into it, and she did so without looking at him. He made her want to cry. She was no one’s miracle. More like their nightmare.
“I’m not, you know. There’s things that could get you hurt.” There it was. The truth. She had to keep him safe because he didn’t seem to comprehend, she came with too much baggage. “You have a sister. Alena. She needs to be safe. Your brother.” She waved toward the window. “All the people you care about. And that’s not even getting into the fact that we have no idea if we’re even compatible.”
He pulled up her other sock and rubbed over her calf before reaching for the boot. “I think we more than proved that we’re compatible, princess. As for the trouble you bring, the baggage, if you mean that pussy Winston, he’ll find it won’t be so easy to take on a club, if he’s so inclined. My guess, once you’re gone, he’ll disappear.”
She shook her head. “He won’t, Ice. And he has friends, policemen, lawyers. Money behind him. He won’t stop.”
Ice tilted his head to look at her, and the morning sun fell across his face like a spotlight. His eyes were as cold as their color, a complete glacier. He suddenly looked predatory. Dangerous even. Her sweet, easygoing Ice caused a shiver to go down her spine. That expression on his face should have been a red flag, but instead, it caused her blood to go hot and rush through her veins like a drug.
“Let him come, then, Soleil. We’re out of here. The boys are ready. Even Alena’s ready. I’ve packed everything, including your dress. That thing needs to be put in a frame and hung on the wall.”
She ignored the hand he held out to her. Someone had to be practical. He might think he could handle Winston and his friends, but the members of Ice’s club would be considered outlaws. Winston could harass them—although would he really think she was with a motorcycle club? Even if he found out about their marriage, how would he know where to find Ice? Unless he found out about their marriage and tracked them through the marriage certificate. The final copy would be mailed to Ice’s address. She just couldn’t do that to him.