A growl rips up my throat before I jump up, anger burning inside me. "Fuck this. Fuck all of this." I'm gone before I finish talking, making my way down toward the lake at the bottom of the Daltons’ yard.
And I don’t look back.
12
Sadie
Watching Rhett’s retreating form, I lose my breath. “He’s in a good mood.”
Dane’s arm curls around my waist, tugging me back against his front. His lips graze my neck, moving to my ear. “Leave him be. He needs to work through… stuff.”
“Stuff?” My brow lifts as I twist slightly to look at him, and heat rises inside me as he tightens his hold on me.
His lips twitch into a knowing smirk, and I think he might kiss me, but the sound of Wes clearing his throat reminds me we’re not alone.
“Sorry.” I turn back and give Wes a small smile. River catches my eyes and smiles.
“I’m tired,” she yawns. “I think I’m going to call it a night.”
“Straight to bed,” Dane warns, glancing between her and Jax. He pales, stuttering something about sleeping on the couch.
River blushes as she gets up and heads inside with Jax trailing after her like a puppy.
“Are they—”
“No,” Dane barks. “Hell to the no. Rhett would cut off his balls if he ever thought he was going after his sister.”
“Men,” I mutter. It’s obvious they like each other, and Jax seems different to the rest of them. Softer somehow. But I know all too well that it’s the quiet ones that usually harbor the most darkness.
Silence settles over us and I ask Wes, “Do you think your dad—”
“I really don’t want to talk about him right now.” He stares at the flames flickering in the night sky, his expression tight. The pain in his eyes makes my heart cinch.
“Hey,” I whisper to Dane. “Give me a second.”
He nods, nudging me off his lap, and I go to Wes. He looks up at me through his lashes. “Room for me?” I ask.
He pulls me down onto his lap and buries his face into the crook of my neck, shuddering as he breathes me in. My arms slide over his shoulders.
“It’s going to be okay,” I soothe.
“I hate him.” He lifts his head to look at me. “I fucking hate him, Sadie. I—”
“Shh.” I cup his face, leaning in, brow to brow. “I’m here. I’m right here.”
“I shouldn’t have left…”
Guilt weighs heavily on me, so I can only imagine how he feels. “She’s okay, Wes,” I say. “She’s going to be okay.”
“Yeah.” He lets out a long breath, lifting his bottle to his lips and taking a drink. “Savage isn’t too happy about it.”
“Rhett can go to hell. I want you here.” I glance over at Dane and add, “We want you here.”
He doesn’t argue, but a strange expression passes over his face. My lips curve in a smirk. Dane is on board with this—whatever this is.
“Shouldn’t we be a little careful in case your dad comes out here?” Wes says just as Dane’s cell pings. He pulls it out and scans the message.
“Prez has gone back over to Dee and Micky’s.”
“He has?” I frown.
“Yeah, he’s given me orders to keep you in the house. Looks like I’m on sitter duty.” He winks and I roll my eyes at the amusement in his voice.
“You can stay here too,” I say to Wes.
“I don’t have to sleep on the couch with Jax though, right?”
Laughter bubbles inside me. “No, you don’t have to sleep on the couch with Jax.”
“Where will I sleep then?” His eyes darken, making my tummy clench.
“I think we can figure something out.” I breathe the words against his lips. Dane is quiet, watching. I’m hardly surprised when I flick my gaze over to where he’s sitting and find his eyes flared with lust.
Wes runs his hand over the curve of my knee and dips it between my thighs, stroking his thumb along the soft skin there. A shiver runs through me, and I let out a soft sigh. “You’re so fucking hot, Sadie Ray,” he whispers.
Memories of how good his mouth felt latched onto my pussy flash in my mind.
“What are you thinking?” he asks, not caring that Dane is still watching us.
“About how good your tongue felt on me. In me.” I grin, ghosting my mouth over his.
“Fuck,” he rasps, leaning in to kiss me, but I dart out of reach, smirking.
“Oh, it’s like that, huh?” He gives me a lazy smile, draining the rest of his beer.
“Not out here,” I say. Although my dad said he’s gone over to Aunt Dee’s, he could still come back at any moment, and I’m not sure how I’ll explain the fact that I’m all over Wes. Not when he’s already probably wondering if something is going on with me and Dane.
“Okay, lovebirds.” Dane stands suddenly. “I’m going to check in with Pacman and then get another drink. You should probably get some rest.” He lets the word linger.
“Are you sure?” I ask.
“Something tells me Pretty Boy needs you more than I do right now.”
“Thank you,” I mouth, snuggling closer to Wes, who remains silent.
“I’ll see you both in the morning.” He heads inside.
“Alone at last.” Wes nuzzles my neck again, letting his mouth slide over my skin. I melt in his kiss, relishing how good it feels.
“We should go inside,” I say.
“Or,” he scrapes his teeth against my pulse point, “we could stay right here and you could let me thank you.”
“For as much as I want to know what thanking me looks like, I don’t want my dad to find us out here. I kind of like having you around.”
“Yeah?” He lifts his face to mine.
“Yeah. Come on.” I get up, offering him my hand. Wes takes it, and I lead him back into the house. There’s no sign of Dane or Jax, so I figure they’re out front with Pacman.
“Drink?” I ask Wes, and he nods.
After grabbing two bottles of water, he follows me upstairs. “Aren’t you worried River or one of the guys will see us?” he asks quietly.
“They won’t say anything.” Besides, I’m pretty sure Dane is handling that. There was something about the way he gave us his blessing earlier.
We slip into my room, guided only by the silvery hue of the moon bouncing off the walls. “Never thought I’d ever see the inside of Sadie Ray Dalton’s bedroom.” Wes pauses.
Glancing over my shoulder, I smile. “It’s nothing special.”
“Still,” he shrugs, “it’s your room. Your space.” He surveys the walls, the collection of photos and old band posters. Then he goes over to my dresser, taking a closer look at the trinkets and keepsakes I’ve accumulated over the years.
“We don’t have to do anything, we can just sleep.” I don’t know why I say the words, but he’s hesitating, nervous energy rippling from him.
Wes’s gaze snaps to mine. “You think I could possibly just sleep with you in bed next to me?” The words come out rough.