Page 46 of Wheelie's Challenge
Then Wheelie had her close to him, smoothing down her hair, whispering words she couldn’t hear as he held her tight.
“You don’t need to talk about it. I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m the type of guy who can’t sit by, but you’re right about me not being there. Who knows how I would’ve reacted.”
Sofia knew exactly how Wheelie would’ve reacted if it had been his family: he’d make sure his dad never hurt his mom again.
“Do you still see your brothers?”
“No. I don’t really talk to my family or friends from my past anymore.”Tigger made sure of that.“Every once in a while I’ll call my mom. She never calls me.”
“Is she still with your dad?”
“Yeah. And last I heard, both of my brothers are in prison. Mom didn’t tell me why. I don’t think she knew. She’d only gotten letters from them. Man… I have a really fucked up family.”
Wheelie laughed and squeezed her closer. “The important thing is that you survived. Now, you gotta stop the cycle and throw Tigger to the curb, because I’m gonna be honest with you, babe, if he as much as lays one finger on you, I’m gonna beat his ass until he’s dead. I’ve been holding in a lot of anger about the way he treats you, but I’m not standing on the sidelines anymore.”
His words seeped into Sofia, filling up all the holes Tigger’s abuse had created within her. Right there, cocooned in Wheelie’s heat, she felt safe. Gently, she skimmed the palm of her hand across his forearm, the light spattering of hair tickling her skin.
“You don’t need to be afraid. I have your back. Let me know when you want to leave and I’ll be there, but don’t tell him you’re leaving. Promise me.”
“I promise,” she said softly.
“I’m fuckin’ crazy about you.” Wheelie kissed the top of her head, and his fingers stroked her cheek.
His words and his caresses spread joy slowly through her veins and warmed her. “I’m crazy about you too.” Sofia touched his lips, raised her head, and met his molten gaze, burning with desire…and love? Does he love me?Wheelie bent low, closing the space between them, and crushed his lips against hers. Hands that held her tight seconds before were now everywhere. Fondling. Stroking. Scratching. One hand cupped her breast as the other slipped between her thighs. Moaning, Sofia slid her hands up his chest and back down again while Wheelie’s muscles rippled at her touch.
“I need you, babe,” he rasped, his fingers gliding under her shorts. “In so many ways.”
“Let’s go to your bedroom,” Sofia whispered as she peppered kisses down his throat, licking his Adam’s apple.
Wheelie pulled her up, and with their arms around each other, they went up the stairs.
Later that night, as Sofia watched Wheelie sleep, the expression on his face looked peaceful.He’s so beautiful.She traced the outline of his strong jaw, his full lips, and his curved brows. Watching his chest rise and fall, she smiled and lay back down beside him, his arm automatically drawing her close to him. Sofia drew light circular patterns over his sculpted chest.So wonderful, so perfect.But it was the man inside that was the most awesome part of Wheelie. He gave her laughter and security. He brought the glitter back into her life. He was her strong and steady.
“I love you, Wheelie,” she whispered into the darkness.
Outside, a few stars shone through the partially closed blinds, and she looked for the brightest one. Finding it, she stared at the sky.Star light, star bright. Would you grant my wish tonight?She closed her eyes.I wish that Wheelie doesn’t get kicked out of the club, and that he tells me he loves me. I know that’s two wishes. Am I allowed to have more than one? I don’t remember.
The following day, she’d call Cara and make an appointment with the family law attorney. At that moment life carried so many possibilities, and the thought of starting over made her giddy with anticipation.
I never thought I’d be happy again. Then Wheelie happened.
Snuggling closer to him, Sofia let his steady breathing lull her to sleep.
Chapter Fourteen
Wheelie stood inthe back of the meeting room waiting for church to start. A few of the members straggled in, bumping fists with Wheelie, engaging in small talk, but he didn’t want any of it at that moment. His gut twisted and tightened like a boa constrictor coiling around its prey.This is probably the last time I’ll be in this room. Fuck, this sucks.It was shit luck that Wheelie had run into Hawk at the concert the night before.He’s the last damn person I thought I’d see at an Aldean show. I never figured him liking country.But Wheelie had known the risk all along, and he couldn’t help taking his friendship with Sofia to the next level. They were drawn to each other, and as hard as they’d tried over the years, their connection only grew stronger.
Wheelie leaned his head back against the concrete wall as the corners of his mouth twitched.She’s beautiful, sexy, and sweet. She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.Everything about Sofia made him feel great. She was his shot of whiskey. She brought light to the darkness that had invaded his heart ever since Kendra died.
The muscle in his jaw pulsed as more members came into the room, and he gazed at Hawk as he entered, noticing that the vice president didn’t even look at him. Wheelie took several deep breaths, exhaling each one slowly.No matter what goes down today, I’m not sorry. Sofia is worth it.Little by little, over the years of car rides, conversations, joking, listening to music, and a thousand other things, she’d seeped into his heart, taken hold of it, and Wheelie would be damned if he was letting her go. Sofia was the only woman who satisfied him in a way no other woman ever had or ever could. When he thought of all the cruel things Tigger had done to her, fire raced through his veins.I should’ve beaten the shit outta that fucker the first time he laid a hand on her.Now, standing at the back of the room, waiting for the axe to fall,thatwas the only thing he regretted.
The room was abuzz with conversation and bantering when Banger walked in and went to the front. Wheelie stared at him, trying to gauge Banger’s mood, but his president’s face revealed nothing. Hawk stood in his usual place next to Banger, his gaze on everyone but Wheelie. Banger brought the gavel down on the wood block, signaling the start of church.
“The first thing we gotta talk about is something that pisses the hell outta me. Something I didn’t think I’d ever have to bring up or we’d have to deal with as a club…”
The muscles in Wheelie’s chest tightened, and he placed his palms flat against the wall behind him, bracing himself.Here we go.
“Someone’s fuckin’ with the books. The numbers aren’t adding up. Hawk and Chas have gone over them a ton of times, and there’s a deficit.” Banger ran his fingers through his blond hair. “And it’s an inside job.” He stared hard at each member. “It’s one of us.”
