Free A Perfect Chance by Becca Lee

I’d finally been feeling more like my old self. I was gaining more independence, more confidence. I laughed and joked more. And while I took ownership of that, knowing it was my own resolve and fierce determination that had got me to this point, Mace also had a big part to play in my healing.
    Flipping me on my back, Mace gently pinned my hands above my head as he settled between my legs. "What?" he repeated.
    Unable to contain my smile any longer, I let it spread easily across my face to the point of hurting my cheeks. "I just…" I hesitated, not sure how much to reveal. Taking the chance, I continued, "You, this, us. It took me by surprise." His eyes remained steady, waiting for more. "Don't get me wrong, I've thought about it a lot. And by a lot, I mean since I first met you." It seemed I was revealing all my secrets. While a flicker of anxiety at my honesty came to life in my stomach, I was no longer the naïve girl from when I was at uni. Too many years and nightmares had passed for that. With the decision to be the woman I wanted to be firming my resolve, my voice strengthened. "I wanted this to happen, and I want it to continue to happen, Mace."
    Sure, this “new” version of me was raising her awesome head, but that didn't stop me from waiting anxiously for him to respond and wondering if I'd pushed a little too far. I tried and failed to not remind myself that everything I knew about Mace included his being methodically distant since I'd known him, and it most definitely did not include relationships.
    His eyes roamed my face, his expression serious. "I don't know if I can be who you need me to be."
    I swallowed and then tentatively touched his cheek. "But you're you. Why would I need you to be anyone else?"
    His eyes widened at my words before he tilted his head slightly. He was considering something. I wasn't quite sure what that was yet. I just hoped it didn't result in me being mortified.
    Determination crossed his features, a combination of his jaw tightening and his eyes softening. Mace leaned down and pressed his lips against mine once more. Our lips moved together lightly, with a tenderness that I did not expect. Pulling away before the kiss had time to build up, he looked down at me again. "I want this to happen too. I want you in my bed every night."
    Damn, that was one hell of a statement.
    A thrill of excitement rushed through me. I could never imagine Mace saying something he didn't mean, or something he wouldn't make happen. "I like that idea."
    He grinned widely and planted another kiss on my mouth. This time, there'd be no pulling away. I was determined to celebrate our new relationship with Mace buried deep inside me.
    ####
    Mace had brought brunch to bed. We'd since devoured it, and each other again, and were talking. We were wrapped up in each other, my body half-sprawled over him, while sort of watching the movie that played on the screen.
    It was an easy decision to stay in bed for the day. Not only did it allow us the time to get to know each other better, but with the threat of Riots up in the air, there wasn't really another place for us to go. When Diesel had spoken to me the previous day, he'd shared enough for me to understand two things: stay with Mace and stay inside.
    Knowing Diesel was out doing who the hell knew what filled me with dread. It always did. But he'd always come home to me, to protect me, and I had to believe he would continue to do so until I could do those things for myself. It wasn't the time to worry about him or doubt him.
    Plain and simple, he was a hard-arse. Long before he'd become president of the club, the illegal elements had been cleaned up and cast aside. Well, mostly. Sometimes the guys were a law unto themselves, but only if they were forced to step up. Considering the evil I knew existed in the world, I was more than okay with that.
    The whisper-soft stroke of Mace’s fingers against the scar on my chest made me smile. There was a time when even the