Her whimper fills the room, but I don’t stop until I’ve licked my finger clean and her tang is coating my tongue. She lifts her eyes to mine, and the way she looks at me is my undoing. I thought I could walk away tomorrow. Yes, I would make sure she was protected behind these walls, but now it’s not enough. I need toknow she’s always protected. I need to know that anyone and everyone knows not to touch her… because she’s mine.
CHAPTER 4
EMILY
WHAT DID I JUST DO?
I open my mouth and then close it again.
I’m not even sure what I should say right now. He taps the desk. “Talk to me, Emily.”
I sit up a little taller and say the first thing that comes to mind. “What are your plans when you get out?”
He searches my face. “I’ll work for the club.”
Confused, I ask, “The club?”
He nods. “Yeah, I’ll probably work at Heat & Ink.”
“The tattoo shop?”
He nods. “Yeah.” His voice softens. “Do you have one? A tattoo, I mean?”
I shake my head. I’ve thought about it, but I’ve just never done it. Mostly because I don’t know what I would get. “No, I don’t.”
He juts his thumb at his chest. “You ever get one, I’ll give it to you.”
I shrug. “Okay, so you’re going to work at Heat & Ink. Where are you going to live?”
“The club.”
I nod and try not to let the jealousy take over. I’ve heard about parties at the Exiled Guardians clubhouse and I’ve heard about the cherries there. I never understood the concept until someone explained it to me that the cherries are there to take care of its members. Before I can ask him about them, I clear my throat and whisper, “I’ve never done this before. I’ve never crossed this line before.”
He nods. “I know that.”
What else is he going to say, though? I feel like I need to explain. “No, seriously. I have never?—”
He cuts me off. “Emily, stop, I wanted this. I wasn’t leaving here without touching you, so this is on me.”
I let out a low, slow breath. “Okay… so what about you? Is this a normal thing for you?”
He tilts his head. “You mean do I go around touching women in prison?”
I shrug. I’ve heard some stories about some of the administrators here, and there are nurses and other women in and out. I’ve seen the way some of them look at Jack.
He shakes his head. “No, honey. I haven’t wanted to touch anyone but you.”
I roll my eyes. I don’t even know who I am right now. This is not me. I don’t break the rules. Heck, I don’t even bend them. I’venever looked at an inmate twice in a romantic way, but when I get around Jack, it’s like I’m a cat in heat.
He grips the chair, turns me to face him, and then locks his hands on each side of my chair. “You’re quitting.”
I lift my chin in denial. “I’m not quitting my job. I can do good things here, Jack.”
He growls, and it’s obvious he’s not happy with me. I’m sure he’s used to getting his way and hates to be told no.
“Bradley.” I call toward the door.
He’s quick to turn. His eyes raised, he walks into the room. “What is it, Ms. Riles? You okay?”
