One of the younger girls sauntered over to him, shaking her rear with every step as she purred, “Hey there, hot stuff.”
A playful smirk crossed his face as he grabbed his crotch. “Why don’t you come and sear this meat with that hot pussy of yours?”
“I’m ready any time you are.”
I was watching him lead her out of the bar when Delilah came over and sat down next to me. There was something about her I’d liked from the start. It was probably because she was very similar to me. She didn’t put on any airs. She was just herself, and I liked it. I also liked the fact that, like me, she wasn’t overly dressed. She had on a tank top with silver buttons down the center and a denim skirt with flipflops, and I could totally see myself wearing the same thing. A warm smile crossed her face as she said, “Hey, girl. How’s it going?”
“Pretty good,” I replied as I motioned my hand over to Rafe and Widow. “Just enjoying the show.”
“They can be quite entertaining.” Delilah giggled. “So, how are things with Shotgun? Are you enjoying being over at his place?”
“Yes, I like it a lot. It’s been going good, really good.” I nudged Noah with my elbow. “Especially now that he’s finally stopped knocking me out of the bed.”
“What? Knocking you out of the bed?”
“Yeah.” I sighed with a shake of my head. “I guess he had to get used to having someone sleep with him.”
“No, it’s because she has two blocks of ice for feet, and I thought I was being electrocuted every time she touched me with those icicle toes of hers.”
“Oh, good grief. It’s not that bad,” I complained.
“The hell you say. It’s fucking brutal,” Noah argued. “Why do you think I’ve started wearing sweats to bed?”
Delilah chuckled as she leaned towards us and said, “Don’t feel bad. Hawk talks in his sleep and snores like a bear when he’s tired.”
“Who snores like a bear?” Hawk asked as he came up behind us. “’Cause I know you aren’t talking about me.”
A bright smile crossed Delilah’s face as she leaned back, pressing against Hawk’s chest. “Who else would I be talking about? You’re the only one I sleep with.”
“Well then, you must be dreaming because I do not snore. You, on the other, can peel the paint off the walls with your snoring.”
Delilah’s mouth dropped open in horror as she sat up straight and gasped, “I do not!”
Delilah looked utterly appalled, and I was sure she was about to lay into him when Hawk leaned down and kissed her, silencing any argument they might have had. She just melted into him, and I could immediately relate. I felt the same way when Noah kissed me. They probably would’ve continued kissing if it hadn’t been for Viper walking up with Axel. In his fatherly tone, he gave Hawk a nudge and said, “Looks like you two need to get a fucking room.”
“Nah, Prez. I was just winning an argument.”
Delilah’s eyes narrowed as she fussed, “You did not just win that argument, mister.”
“Don’t worry. I will later tonight.”
Ignoring their exchange, Viper and Axel sat down in the empty stools next to Noah. After getting a couple of fresh beers, they both started drinking and talking to the guys. They were actually smiling and cutting up like friends and family members do, and I had to admit, after all that’d gone on, it was good to see this side of them. I could understand why they all meant so much to Noah. They truly did look out for one another. I was talking with Delilah when I overheard Viper ask Noah, “Did you take care of our guest?”
“I did,” Noah answered. “If I had to guess, I’d say he’s sitting on a beach somewhere in Mexico having himself a Crown and coke right about now.”
“Good.”
I could only assume he was talking about the guy who’d been chained up in the office, but I knew better than to ask. Besides, it no longer mattered. That part of our lives was over. It was all about the future now—even more so than I’d thought. When the party was over, Noah and I left, and I thought we were just going home until he took an unexpected turn. It didn’t take me long to figure out that we were headed up to Lover’s Loop. I thought he just wanted to take a moment to look out over the city when he pulled into a driveway and parked. I looked up at the enormous log cabin-style home in front of us and asked, “What are we doing here?”
“I thought you might like to see the house I just bought us.”
“What?” I pulled off my helmet and stared back at the house in shock. “You bought it?”
“Yeah,” he answered nonchalantly. “My place is too small, and you said you liked it up here. Found out this place was on the market and bought it.”
“Without even mentioning it to me?”
He shrugged, flashing his baby blues at me. “I wanted it to be a surprise.”
“Well, it’s certainly that.” I looked back at the house again, and I had to admit, it was beautiful. There were huge trees in the front yard with flowers everywhere, and the front entry couldn’t have been more perfect. Old lanterns lit up the walkway that led to inviting double front doors with ornate scrolling down the center. It was two stories, more than likely a four-bedroom cabin, and a full garage to the left. Noah had done an amazing job finding this house. It was everything I’d always wanted and more. “It’s incredible, Noah.”
“I don’t have the keys yet, so I can’t show you inside. But I’ll warn you now, it’s like my place. It’s going to need some work.”
“I’m okay with that.” I stepped over to him and wrapped my arms around his waist. “I’ve seen your handy work. I’m sure you’ll make it look amazing.”
“I’ll do my best.”
As I glanced back at the house, I told him, “I can’t believe you did this.”
“Figured you knew this by now, but I’ll spend the rest of my life doing everything in my power to make you happy. A house. A car. Kids. No kids. Whatever you want, as long as you’re mine.”
“As long as I have you, I already have everything I want or need.” I leaned up and kissed him long and hard. When we finally came up for air, I giggled as I told him, “Well, I am going to want kids. Two. Maybe three. And I want them to have your eyes.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“I love you, Noah. I really, really do.”
“That’s good, ’cause you’re stuck with me.” He motioned his head behind us. “And the house.”
“I’m good with that.”
He kissed me once more, showing me in the best way he knew how much he loved me, and I knew without a doubt in my mind he would stay true to his word. He’d do everything in his power to make me happy, and I’d do the same for him.
Epilogue
Five Years Later
Shotgun
After spending most of the morning preparing for the guys to come over for a cookout, I went inside to help Remington finish things up in the kitchen. We’d just finished a second remodel of the place, adding in new countertops and a different paint color, and Remington was putting it all to good use. She’d cooked up quite the spread. Hell, she’d baked three kinds of pies, made potato salad, homemade dips, and her mom’s famous baked beans, and she’d done it all while keeping an eye on our two boys—Colt and Tyler. That was no small feat. Our four-year-old twins were a handful and always getting into something—just like they had earlier today. While Remington was trying to get the potatoes peeled, the boys started fussing over some game they were playing.