... and Forever (Next Generation: Chaos Bleeds 1)

“If you loved me, really loved me. Where you couldn’t think about anything but me, then you will stop this path you’re on, Simon.”

“You deserve for them not to be walking around.”

“It wasn’t them. It was one man and you never punish the entire family for one person’s wrongdoing. It’s not all their fault.” She also had just gotten Simon back. To wipe out a club, it would change him, and she doubted it would be for the better. The men in the clubs were always holding on by a thread. The thought of anything happening to Simon, of losing what she had now, she couldn’t stand it.

“Let me put this to one side for later. I won’t go after the Monster Dogs, and you will give me a chance.”

“Simon, it’s not like I have a choice.”

He smiled. “You have a choice and you know it. Stop trying to play the victim. It doesn’t suit you.” He kissed her lips.

It was a quick kiss.

No tongue.

She wanted to reach out, grab him, and deepen the kiss, but instead, she sat back in her chair as he went to the stove.

“Did you ever find a place to stay?” she asked.

“No. There was no reason to set down any roots. Dean and I, we moved from place to place, picking up work where we needed to, or entering fights to earn money. We kept a low profile for the most part. No one knew who I was, and Dean, well, he wanted to completely remove his prissy boy look.”

“Is that why all the ink?” she asked, pointing at him. He wore a shirt but she remembered the tattoos.

“Pretty much. Found a couple of guys along the way who are good with needles.” He drained the pasta and then split it between each pan.

Her mouth watered.

Simon served them both up two generous portions. He added some garlic bread to the mix.

“Let’s take a comfy seat.”

Getting to her feet, she moved toward the sofa and sat down. Her body still ached from the attack, and she had a whole host of new bruises. She was pleased Nathan hadn’t seen her. He’d have been upset and she hated to see her little boy upset.

This fight hadn’t been any fun and had in fact put in another reality to her need to fight. Not all fights would have a great outcome or allow her to walk away feeling invigorated or alive.

Simon put his food down on the wooden coffee table and handed her a pillow to rest her bowl.

She placed it on her lap and held the bowl of food in her hands as he lowered himself beside her.

“How are you feeling?”

“Fine.”

“I meant after being hit. You took a hell of a beating.”

“It’s not the worst one I’ve been in.”

“You mean the club allowed you to get hurt?”

His voice deepened and she glanced at him.

Reaching out, she put a hand on his arm. “No. I … I was on a date and afterward, we both kind of stumbled into a fighting ring. Nothing too serious. There was this woman and her opponent didn’t show. I volunteered. It was stupid of me, I know. I hadn’t really fought in such a long time.”

“Did you win?”

“No, it was a draw. The woman was one hell of a fighter.” She smiled, remembering the feeling.

“You were on a date?”

“Ah, so you heard it.”

“I hear everything you say.”

“Apart from the fact I hate you?” She twirled her fork in the spaghetti, enjoying every single part of this.

“I hear you. I just don’t believe you.”

“You’re fighting a losing battle.”

“It’s going to be a battle I keep on fighting for.” He put some pasta into his mouth. “Always.”

She licked her lips and picked up the garlic bread, taking a huge bite. The buttery taste exploded in her mouth, giving her a distraction.

They ate in silence.

With every passing second, Tabitha grew more aware of his body pressing against her. The feel of his thigh right beside hers.

Simon finished his food first and once she had, she handed him the bowl. He took them and she stayed seated, listening to him wash the dishes.

“Do you want me to help?”

“Stay. Relax.”

She looked toward the door. Had he remembered to lock it? Getting to her feet, she saw she wasn’t wearing any shoes. Simon’s back was still to her.

She tiptoed across toward the door.

“It’s locked,” Simon said. “You can give it a try, though. I don’t mind. See if it will budge.”

He hadn’t even turned away from the sink.

“You’re a smart ass.”

“I like your resilience. One day, you’re going to realize you don’t want to leave.”

“Why? Because you say so?”

“No, because this is where you’re supposed to be.”

“I have a son.”

“I know, and you’ll get to see him soon.”

She wrapped her arms around her body and went back to the sofa. Sitting down, she stared straight ahead.