The Billionaire's Secret Love Child(48)

I realized now that Buck thought we had the chance of not only getting back together, but he assumed we’d be married. It’s not that I wasn’t interested in him at all. I still missed all the days we spent together, and knowing the warmth of his big powerful arms. But, he hadn’t changed at all, and I didn’t want to marry him unless I was his one and only.

“Buck, I’m not marrying you,” I said.

He cocked his eye and gave me a confused look.

“You’re the one that told me to use my words to solve this problem; now you won’t go through with what I decided?”

He crossed his arms and puffed out his chest. He didn’t look like he was in the mood to argue.

“Why didn’t you just apologize, or marry Gracie instead? I’m sure if you were with Gracie then you’d make an alliance with the clubs. If you want to get married so bad, why didn’t you say that?”

He laughed.

“You think I’d marry that little brat? I don’t want some alliance with his motorcycle club. There’s only one person on god’s green earth I’d marry, and you’re it. We just have to get married, Tara.”

I had a feeling that he was about as interested in getting married as I was.

“If I’m hearing you right, it sounds like you just need to be married so Connor won’t be breathing down your back, right? So we don’t have to stay together or sleep together, nothin’ like that?”

He nodded.

I bit my lip thinking about the options. Buck wouldn’t be the worst person to be married to. It only seemed fitting to be married to the man that took over my dad’s motorcycle club. And, it seems that I don’t have to stick around, either if I don’t want.

“So, if we get hitched, then we just have to keep up appearances? Then we can go our separate ways when things cool off?”

“Yep,” he replied.

I let out a drawn out sigh. He had me cornered, and I really didn’t mind.

“Okay, fine. Let’s get married,” I said.

He could tell I was reluctant, but I doubt he really cared. He embraced me in his arms, and some of my worries disappeared.

“Once this thing is all over, I’m gone,” I said while climbing back on the bike.

“Fine by me,” he said, “one less person I have to take care of.”



4.

“How long have you been engaged for,” momma asked me.

“Today makes it a week,” I replied.

“It’s nice to see you two finally getting’ together. You two were always just right,” she said.

I tried my best to hide my disdain.

“Momma, you know we’re just doing it to keep the heat off the club. Once it blows over, I’ll be taking off. Besides, we’ve both decided it would be best to keep it impersonal.”

She raised her eyebrow and shot me a look of disbelief.

“I know you two, hell he’s practically been my son since your father died. I know he’d be the perfect man to take care of you. Why don’t you just get married for real?”

I didn’t really know what to tell her. I wanted to tell her about all the women that Buck slept with while we were dating, or about all the times he had to beat someone up to prove himself the leader of the club. I’m sure she knew how brutal politics could be in a motorcycle gang.

“Ma, I know I still have feelings for the guy, but it just isn’t right. I’ve changed over the past few years, and so has he. We’re just not meant to be.”

She laughed, I didn’t.

“People always change; whether they’re in a relationship or not. Your father used to take me out for rides before he started the club. But, after we had you and settled down, he opened that bar. Then he stopped taking me out on rides. He was a different man, much more responsible in his later years.”

My mother didn’t talk about my father like that very often. It was a treat to hear her talk of the old days.

“Well, Buck and I aren’t like you and Dad-”

“Oh posh,” she interrupted, “love is something that grips your heart and doesn’t let go. You’ve loved Buck since the first time you met. And, he loved you right back just the same.”

My thoughts started to wander as we talked. I knew that deep down I wouldn’t ever stop loving the guy. He was always there for me and knew just what I needed. My heart ached to actually feel as I did when we first met; those days when we’d just ride and sleep together, and beat up anyone that got in our way.

I wanted to think that it was possible to fall out of love, but life was proving that impossible. I wondered if that was what Buck thought.

I snapped out of my daze when I heard a knock at the front door.

“Are you expecting anyone, ma?” I asked.

“I haven’t been out of bed in more than a week, how could I invite anyone over.”

I peeked out the window and saw a couple of motorcycles parked in the front lawn, ones that I didn’t recognize.

“I’ll be back in a second, Ma,” I said.

I crept up on the front door, trying to see if I heard any weapons being loaded or waiting. I’ve been shot at a couple of times, and the last place I wanted that to happen was my momma’s house.

I opened the door just a crack till I could see who was there. I didn’t recognize them in the slightest. I rested my hand on the shotgun that I always had stashed just inside the entryway.