Wolf (Devil's Fury MC 9), Harley Wylde [intellectual books to read TXT] 📗

seizures by the time she was six weeks old. They got them under control, but they took a toll on her. Her motor functions aren’t quite where they should be. There’s a chance she could be autistic.”

“That’s… a lot.”

Glory sighed. “There’s so much they still don’t know about seizures in infants and the long-term effects, and some of what they believe I think is mostly conjecture. Studies with rats aren’t necessarily conclusive evidence, at least not to me. Sienna is just Sienna. If I find out later she’s autistic, then I’ll roll with it and do what I can for her. Right now, her motor skills are off, she’s not speaking yet, and I honestly worry there may be other mental issues we’ll be dealing with in the years to come.”

Glory set a bowl of chicken and dumplings in front of me with a glass of sweet tea, then did the same for herself. I cleaned up Sienna’s face and hands, then gave her some foam bath toys Glory kept in the kitchen for times like this. While we ate, I watched my two girls.

“You love your daughter unconditionally,” I said.

Glory blinked at me. “Of course, I do.”

“But the way you seem to frequently point out she’s delayed, sometimes makes it seem like you think no one else could ever love her too. Even if she isn’t their daughter by blood, she could still be their daughter by choice. Look at Steel and his family. He didn’t contribute to Coral’s DNA, but she’s very much his daughter. Or Dagger and Guardian… they both adore their son, Luis, even though he was a toddler when they claimed his mother. Sometimes family isn’t about what flows through your veins, Glory. Family comes in all shapes and sizes, and it doesn’t always require matching DNA.”

She dropped her gaze and worried at her bottom lip. “You’re right. Maybe I’m doing her a disservice by avoiding men.”

“Thanks,” I muttered. “Do I need to start bra shopping with you?”

She’d just taken a drink of her tea and spewed it across the room. She coughed and patted at her chest. “No.”

“You don’t avoid me,” I pointed out.

She wouldn’t look at me. A pink tinged her cheeks. “You’re different.”

I could live with different. For now. It was a start at any rate.

Chapter Three

Glory

I couldn’t stop thinking about what Wolf had said. He was very much a man, and I was certainly aware of the fact. When I’d said I avoided men, I hadn’t even thought to include him in my statement. Because Wolf wasn’t just any man. He’d been there for us, even when he’d thought I didn’t notice. It’s part of what had worn me down. I’d noticed him lurking in the shadows multiple times. I’d asked Slash about it when I’d gone to visit Shella. He’d barked out a laugh and looked rather gleeful when he’d told me Wolf was smitten. His word, not mine.

After that, I didn’t mind having him shadow me. I felt safe, no matter what time of day I had to be out. The way he watched Sienna and played with her made me feel all warm and gooey inside. I’d often heard the way to a man’s heart was through his stomach. Well, he’d apparently figured out the way to mine was through my daughter. I’d enjoyed spending time with him, which is why I’d offered to feed him on several occasions. Maybe subconsciously, I’d been testing the waters and seeing if not only I could handle dating someone, but if Wolf could also handle Sienna and me.

I’d already put Sienna to bed, and Wolf was pulling his keys from his pocket, ready to head home for the night. I swallowed hard, hoping he was going home and not over to the clubhouse. I didn’t think for one minute he’d been faithful to a non-existent relationship between us. My stomach knotted at the thought of him being with the women at the clubhouse and bile rose in my throat. I pushed it down, my hands clenching and unclenching at my sides. Was I ready for what I was about to do?

Wouldn’t know until I did it. Rip the bandage off, so to speak.

“Wolf.”

He turned his head and waited, watching.

“Would you stay a little longer?” I asked. “Maybe… Maybe even for the night?”

Every muscle in his body visibly tensed and his hand tightened on his keys to the point I worried he’d draw blood. I wondered if I’d read the situation wrong. Had I just screwed it all up?

“Glory, you don’t have to invite me into your bed. I enjoy spending time with the two of you. I wasn’t trying to ask for…” He cleared his throat. “That wasn’t the point of what I said in the kitchen.”

“I’m not stupid. I know the men around here can have sex whenever they want with those women at the clubhouse.”

He walked toward me. “And you what? Thought you’d offer up yourself to make sure I didn’t go to them?”

He wasn’t entirely wrong. And yet, he wasn’t exactly right either. It was somewhere between the two. No, I didn’t want him with those women, but the way he made me feel, I was curious what it would be like to be kissed by a man like Wolf. Held by him. Possibly more if I didn’t lose my courage.

“I haven’t been with anyone since the night Sienna was conceived,” I said, my voice almost a whisper. “I can’t promise I won’t freeze or want to bolt if things get to a certain point, but I’d like to try. It’s partially that I don’t like the idea of you going to those women. And it’s also because I think about you all the time.”

He reached up, his touch light as he skimmed his fingers over my jaw, then slipped his hand behind my neck. He held me gently, easily enough I could break away if I wanted. “You think about me?”

I nodded. “I’ve noticed you