Page 16 of Riding Free

And now he’s saying I’m his—we’re his.

But I want to know what he means, because as much as I’m telling myself not to panic, I could go into a full-blown freak-out at any given moment. And that doesn’t even begin to touch how my parents are going to react to this.

If they think it’s bad I got knocked up by a man I didn’t even know, wait until they find out he’s a biker, and not just any biker, an Iron Flame. They’re going to lose their fucking minds, I know it.

“It means you’re my woman, babe,” he states. “We’re together. Both you and Thea are mine to protect. I’m claiming you.”

His words cause my spine to straighten and the hairs on the back of my neck to stand at attention. Claiming me? I don’t know what that means, and frankly, I’m not sure I want to know.

I press my lips together, rolling them a few times while I try to think of how the hell to respond to him without pissing him off, because I don’t know what he means by using the word claim, but I can guess. I don’t think I like any of the speculations that are coming to mind, but he doesn’t explain further, so since I need clarification, I decide it’s time for me to speak up.

“That can’t mean what I think it means,” I murmur.

He tilts his head to the side, his eyes searching mine, and I watch a sexy little smirk play on his lips. That sexy little smirk is telling, and I wonder if it’s because he’s going to say something I’m not going to like.

“You know I’m in an MC?”

I hum, nodding once, though I’m unable to break eye contact with him. He holds me motionless, and he knows it. He knows what he has over me, and I couldn’t hide it even if I wanted to. So I don’t.

“Then you must know that we live by our own code. That we have our own set of rules.”

A lump forms in the middle of my throat. I swallow it down as I try to think of what to say, how to say it. I don’t want to lose my shit on him, but I’m not a piece of property. I’m not an animal for him to claim and own.

“If that code declares that you own me, I don’t think I want any part of it.”

My words come out strong, my delivery and tone not so much. I’m not sure if I’m someone who could even stand up to this man. He’s a force that is so strong, it not only fills this entire house, but it consumes me, too.

“Yeah?” he asks with a chuckle. “You didn’t mind so much a year ago.”

I can feel the blood drain from my face, and I know I look pale at his words. He’s right, I didn’t mind a year ago. I loved the way he claimed my body, but I didn’t know he was going to try to claim my soul, too, and that is exactly how this feels.

“Is that what you did? You claimed me, like property?” I ask.

I watch as his lips curve up into a grin. “Babe,” he states.

The simple word is all he says, as if that is enough in this moment. I open my mouth, but no words come out. Instead, he lifts one of his hands, cupping my cheek, and I melt in an instant.

He slides his thumb along my bottom lip, his eyes following the motion, his nostrils flaring before he leans forward and I feel his mouth touch mine. It’s not a deep and wet kiss. It’s chaste and firm—but perfect.

And with this kiss, consumed by it, I think I would agree to being claimed.

CHAPTER

TWELVE

HOUND

When I shift back, Thea wriggles in my arms, then she lets out a small cry. She sounds so fucking cute. Tearing my gaze from Keely’s, I look down and see her resting in the crook of my arm. Flicking my attention back to my woman, I clear my throat.

“You’re moving in here with me.”

Keely’s eyes widen, then her lips part. I have no doubt she’s going to try and say some shit, but I shake my head once. “You’re mine, both of you, and I’m going to take care of you. That means you live here, under my roof.”

“How can we live here?” she asks in a whisper.

I hand the bundled baby back over to her. She slips her from my arms, and I stand. “Give me a week,” I state. “What do you want fixed? Tell me, and I’ll do it. I’ve got new lighting fixtures in the garage, along with some flooring, a kitchen, and a bathroom faucet.”

“Brock,” she exhales.