Free At His Mercy: Hell Brigade MC by Evelyn Glass Page A

don’t mean that.”
     
    “Don’t I?”
     
    “Nick, let’s not go there,” she pleaded.
     
    He ran a hand down her hair, his gaze intent on hers. There was understanding in his eyes, and something more. It was an emotion she didn’t recognize. In her life, Gabby never saw it before. Did he actually feel something more than plain, old lust?
     
    And if yes, what the hell was she supposed to do with that? She never thought about having a relationship with anyone before. No one ever encouraged her or showed any interest. Lyle was the only who cared, but he made it abundantly clear that he only wanted her sexually. And yet, the kindness with which he treated her often brought tears to her eyes.
     
    Nick was talking about something more than that.
     
    Love? Such a strange word, and so powerful!
     
    Was she ready for something like that?
     
    Did he mean it?
     
    Maybe was joking with her. She opened her mouth, ready to ask him that. Was he toying with her emotions? But then his fingers caressed down her cheek, and she closed her mouth again. He didn’t need to say anything. His eyes spoke volumes.
     
    The silly man was serious.
     
    A shudder ran through her spine. He rubbed her back. “We have to deal with our feelings, Gabby. And I will be honest...what I feel for you scares the hell out of me.”
     
    She let out a laugh. At least, he was honest. If he could bare his soul, so could she. “Same here.”
     
    “But I want to explore this further, see where it takes us. You and me, we could have a bright future together. And if not that, then at least a beautiful friendship. But it depends on you. Do you want to see how far we can go together?” he said in a voice that sounded so reasonable, so wise.
     
    He offered her the world – but she was scared to accept it.
     
    She considered his words, pondered over the implications and potential consequences. At worst, she risked hurting herself. If she began to spun castles around him and he up and left, she would be devastated. Gabby didn’t harbor desires to settle down with a man and have a kid. Such innocent dreams were for those who weren’t marred by the harsh realities of life. She never saw anything good in her young existence, and that was the reason why her dreams were plain and simple.
     
    Get a job.
     
    Become independent.
     
    Leave the filth of her past behind.
     
    And that was the most that she hoped for.
     
    But he was showing her a glimpse of another world. And this was alien territory. She didn’t know if she wanted to take the plunge. What if she landed face first on the hard floor? She wouldn’t be able to survive the fall.
     
    “I need time to think about it.”
     
    “Take all the time you want.” His arms banded around her middle and he pulled her next to him. Her body, smooth and soft, fit perfectly against his hard planes and angles. “I’m not going anywhere.”
     
    It was a while later that she realized he meant it. He didn’t intend to move away from her room. His soft snores were like music to her ears, and his heart beat against her, loud and rhythm tic. Listening to it, enjoying the banality of the whole situation, she finally fell asleep. When she woke up, he was still there. Gabby blinked in surprise. This never happened before. She’d never woken up with a man before.
     
    For a few minutes, she lay still, not sure if she was imagining it or if it was real. But then he stirred and she sat. He was right there. And it was the first time in her life that Gabby could see a man wake as he fought the cobwebs of sleep that clung to his eyes. He stretched, yawned, and then smiled when his gaze found hers.
     
    “Never saw a more beautiful sight,” he said. “Good morning!”
     
    “Morning!” She jumped out of bed. Gabby felt filled with energy. “I’ll go down and get us some breakfast.”
     
    “Coffee first, black and strong,” he said as he sat.
     
    Gabby wore her clothes at a hurried speed, went into the