Loving Nicole (Savage Brothers MC #3)(53)

“I just found out, why did you change it?”

Confession time. Who said confession was good for the soul? Because they’re stupid. Still, I might as well bite the bullet.

“It always was Dominic. I was mad at you and I knew you hated those names,” I shrug.

“It’s a good name.”

“I’m really sorry about Frog. His sister seemed to be having a hard time.”

“Yeah, she is. He was all she had.”

“We should reach out to her,” I tell him, totally ignoring that I’m already putting us back together in my brain.

“Believe it or not, Skull has.”

Interesting, but I find myself hoping that works out.

“I’m sorry I was childish. I should have told you the baby’s name.”

“I was stupid, so I figure you had a right to be childish.”

My eyes must have given away my surprise, because he smiles sardonically and then shakes his head.

“I knew better, Mama. You’d never betray me. I was scared you were hurt and opening the door to see what…,” he shakes his head. “My big mouth just reacted first and my brain didn’t catch up. I’m sorry.”

It’s silent now and more than a little awkward. I move the spoon around. I manage to get down a spoonful or two of the soup, but that’s about it. Dragon gives me that look, so I put the tray on the coffee table and compromise by showing him I’m eating a handful of crackers.

He shakes his head, but his lips curve into a mocking smile. It’s a good smile, his eyes crinkle at the corners.

“I’m sorry I shot you,” I say when I finish eating and go back to just my Sprite.

His smile grows. His eyes light up. Have I mentioned how much I love his eyes?

“I can’t believe you shot me.”

“I may need to take gun classes.”

“Oh, hell no. You could have shot off my balls that last time. I think you need to stay away from guns—for everyone’s safety.”

“That wouldn’t happen if I were trained,” I defend.

“We’ll see. Here take some ibuprofen and let’s see about getting your fever down,” he semi-orders, reaching to the forgotten tray to give me the medicine.

I take it and turn back to the TV.

“I remember the first night I came here and you were covered up in that afghan.”

My eyes lock back on his.

“I had no idea then just how much you would rock my world, woman. I just knew, I needed you like my next breath.”

“Dragon…”

“That’s even truer today, Nicole. I might be an idiot, Mama. I know I’ve cut you deep. I’ll try and fix it, but you need to know that I love you with everything I am and if I f*ck up, it’s not because I don’t care.”

“Dragon, what’s happened to you? You’re getting practically mushy, better watch it, you’re losing badass-biker status,” I try to joke because his words touch me. They’re not enough, but they do smooth over some of the hurt, and I’m too sick tonight to try and shore up my defenses against him.

“I’m pretty sure that happened when I let your fine ass talk me into putting on that f*cking monkey suit.”

“Ugh. If I’m honest, you look damn good in a suit, but I missed my man in his jeans and cut.”

“Thank f*ck.”

It was my turn to smile, which wasn’t easy because I was trying to breathe through my mouth.

“My head is woozy.”

“Come here and lay in my lap and watch TV. Try to nap, you’ve run your system down trying to be everywhere, so soon after having surgery.”

“I should call and check on Dom.”

“He’s fine baby, I just came from there, remember? Our boy is a fighter.”

“Dragon…”

“I’m not asking for nothing, Mama. Well, that’s not true, I’m asking for a chance to prove to you I get what you’re saying. That I will do better, but for tonight just let me be close to you and take care of you.”

I should tell him to leave, that what he wants is dangerous. I should tell him there is a lot of trust to rebuild. I can’t. I’m too tempted. So I twist and turn to my side, laying my head on his lap. My eyes go to the television, but I’m not really watching. The sound is so low, you can barely hear it anyway. In a minute I feel Dragon’s fingers comb through my hair and my eyes close at the pleasure of it. I have missed his closeness so much. I had faced the rest of my life without him and, until this moment, I never allowed myself to contemplate ever having him back. The force of emotions that hit me cause moisture to gather in my eyes, but I choke it back. I can’t deal with any of that right now.

“Don’t blame me if I drool all over your jeans or if you get sick,” I mutter, annoyed with myself for being weak.

“It’s worth it, just to have you close. I’ve missed the hell out of you, Mama.”

“You sure aren’t sounding like the Dragon who thought I’d be the perfect Twinkie to add to his collection.”

“That Dragon was a stupid prick. Luckily the taste of your lips, woke my ass up quick.”

“So, you admit that’s what you wanted from me?” I prod with a giggle, because he’s always denied it.