Free Merciless Ride by Chelsea Camaron Page B

an iron fist, would fidget with his hands when annoyed. The more worked up he would get, the more he twisted his hands or twiddled his thumbs, unable to keep them still.  
    Spending so much time with those guys, I couldn’t help studying them. Sometimes life and death could depend on being able to read the look in your brother’s eye. Non-verbal communication can sometimes speak volumes without one sound being shared.  
    If only I had paid more attention to Tracie. I could have seen the internal battle she was facing. Tunnel vision for my career, my wants, and my needs all clouded my view, making me unable to see how everything I did was affecting her.  
    Looking down at Tessie, I watch as she continues to breathe softly on my chest.  
    How can I know the individual ticks of my Army brothers yet not see the slow deterioration of the woman I had claimed to love? Tracie was open with her hatred of my job. However, rather than listen and pay attention to her body language, I chalked it up to her being a needy bitch.  
    I should have paid attention. I should have been more supportive. I should have been more understanding. Compromise, something that never once crossed my mind before, but is now my biggest regret. I forced my choices on her. It was take me as I am or not at all. I never sought out a way to meet her in the middle on anything.  
    Allowing my mind to go back through my past regrets, I watch as Tessie seems to be at peace in my arms. She fits somehow. This is a foreign feeling to me.  
    Whispering into the night, I muse, “Oh, baby, what are you doing to me? You are stirring up too much of my past. I wasn’t man enough to save Tracie; I don’t know that I’m man enough to save you.”  
    As if she heard me, Tessie snuggles in closer, holding my waist tighter as she nestles her face against my chest once more.  
    “Mercy, shine down on her. Give her peace, if for just one night,” I whisper once more as I close my eyes, knowing I won’t really get any sleep.  
     
     

 
     
     
    Truth  
     
     
     
    Warm. I feel warm. Safe.  
    Arms envelope me, providing comfort and a security I have never felt before. I don’t want to get up. For the first time, I want to stay asleep. For once, I am feeling somewhat rested.  
    Wait. Arms? Who is with me?  
    Breathing deeply, I don’t even open my eyes. Shooter.  
    What the hell am I going to do?  
    Cracking one eye open, I try to ignore the masculine perfection under me and look at the clock on my dresser. Eight twelve in the morning. Shit! I am so fucking screwed right now. Axel is late for school. More than that, he will be coming in my room any minute, I am sure of it. My secret is no longer safe.  
    “I know you’re awake, baby,” Shooter says without moving under me. His arms are still casually slung over me like we sleep together all the time.  
    Refusing to answer him, I only close my eyes and blow out my breath.  
    “I don’t mind spending the day like this if that’s what you want,” he adds while gently rubbing my back.  
    “What are you doing here?” I ask without bothering to get off him just yet.  
    “Some things have changed with the club. I need to be here.”  
    “No, you don’t,” I argue.  
    Shooter shifts under me, moving to sit up against the headboard, easily moving me with him. My full size bed gives me little room to escape him. His hold is gentle yet firm and not something I altogether want to get out of.  
    “Baby, it’s time we have a talk about club life. What has Rex told you about women and the Hellions?”  
    At the mention of my ex-fling, I flinch. Rex, yeah, he is not the person I want to talk about before I have had even a drop of coffee.  
    “Not a damn thing. Truth be told—” I am cut off by Shooter.  
    “Nothing? He shared nothing with you? Not even for your own safety?” I feel Shooter getting tense under me.  
    Having someone so protective of me is a new experience.  
    “I don’t want