“Some dude who had a wicked Sportster. It looked like the Indian Scout was gonna take it, but right at the end, the Sportster blasted through. It fuckin’ ruled,” Rock said.
Hawk, Banger, Steel, Paco, Axe, Chas, and Throttle joined Rock, Goldie, and Diablo as they chatted about the race. Goldie saw several of the Insurgents dart their eyes back and forth at Hailey. Putting his arm around her, he broke into one of the conversations. “This is Hailey. She’s my woman,” he said.
The Insurgents nodded at her, but Wheelie, who’d just joined the group, said, “You got yourself a woman? Damn, what’s happening to all of you? It seems like most of my brothers are hitched and now the Night Rebels?”
Paco laughed. “I’m still on the market. And since you are too, I gotta tell you. I hooked up with this chick, and she and her friend really like to party.”
“Count me in,” Wheelie replied as he went over to Paco.
“I don’t know ’bout anyone else, but I’m craving a rack of ribs,” Banger said.
For the rest of the afternoon, Goldie hung out with Hailey, showing her all the bikes, introducing her to his friends, and buying her tons of biker purses, scarves, sunglasses, and T-shirts. He even bought her a pair of short Daisy dukes for her to wear just for him. The rally was the best one he’d ever attended; it even beat out Sturgis. And he knew why—Hailey. She just made everything in his life seem better. It was like they were meant for each other, but they had to grow up and become the people they were before they could come together. In the past few months, she’d become his everything, and he was fine with it.
Love had never entered the equation of his life, but after spending time with and getting to know Hailey, he guessed the strong feelings were love. They had a shared past, and when they reminisced, it made him feel like he was Garth again. They laughed at silly stuff, and he loved that they didn’t have to fill the gaps with words all the time. What blew him away was the way she sensed his moods. Like when he was pissed at everything, she’d sit and listen to his rants without offering advice or any opinion. Or when sadness about his grandma overwhelmed him, she’d place his head in her lap and run her fingers through his hair over and over. Haileyknewhim; she was the only woman who did. And he loved getting to know the adult Hailey.
Long after the sun had dipped behind the San Juan Mountains and the heat of the day had melted into the cool night air, Goldie wrapped his arms around Hailey. The glow from the flames sparking in the fire pit danced across her face, and he never thought she looked more beautiful.
Snuggled in the crook of his arm, she rested her head against his shoulder. “This was a perfect day,” she said softly. Lacing her fingers with his, she stared into the fire. “I loved getting to see you among your friends, your brothers, and in such a relaxed situation. It was a nice glimpse into your world.”
“Not like the club party?” he teased.
She giggled. “That was an eye-opener, but today provided the balance to that craziness. And I loved meeting Breanna, Raven, and Fallon. I was beginning to wonder if there were any normal women associated with this club. I’m surprised I didn’t meet them before.”
“I meant to have you meet them, but you’re so busy at the shop and with your aunt, and with me—” He tilted her chin up and kissed her quickly. “—that there never seemed to be any time.”
“I know. I’ve been so greedy and wanted to spend any spare moment I had with you, especially since I’ve been working so much at the flower shop.”
“That’s okay. I like it when you’re greedy, especially with my cock.”
“Is your mind always on sex and your dick?” She chortled.
“Only with you. I’m like a goddamn addict and you’re my sweet, sexy fix.” His mouth swallowed her next words. When he released her lips, he ran his finger over her face. “Do you want to head back?”
“I want to be with you. Are you sure you don’t want to stay in the tent? I think it could be romantic.”
Goldie guffawed. “With a bunch of guys belching and farting all night? If you want romance in a tent, we’ll go camping at the national park in September. Come on.” He stood and held out his hand to help her up.
Under the full moon, Goldie rode back to Alina, loving the way Hailey circled her arms around him and rested her head against his back. If he had it his way, he’d keep riding into the darkness under the carpet of sparkling stars until they were too tired. He’d love nothing better than to head to California with Hailey tucked behind him. Riding up the coastline with the Pacific Ocean as a perpetual backdrop was something he’d always wanted to do, and having Hailey with him would be the dream vacation.
The cluster of lights ahead let him know they were close to Alina, so he slowed to make the sharp turn that would take him behind the downtown area and into Hailey’s neighborhood. When he pulled up to the curb, Hailey kissed the back of his neck.
“That was such a beautiful ride. It felt like we were the only two people in the world. The stars were humungous. When we moved to Albuquerque, I missed the star-filled sky. In the city, the lights from office buildings and streets make the stars and the Milky Way invisible.” She tipped her head back.
Goldie planted gentle kisses down her throat, feathering up and down until his mouth captured hers. “You’re gorgeous in the moonlight,” he murmured against her lips, then looped his arm around her waist and led her up the sidewalk to the porch.
Once inside, they climbed the stairs and went into the bedroom. She opened the window, and a light breeze blew in.
“Let’s leave the curtains open. I want to see the stars and moonlight,” she said softly as she ran her fingers over his broad shoulders.
“Whatever you say.” He watched her slender hands tug and yank off his boots and clothing. His erection stood stiff and waiting as she skimmed her tongue over his legs, slowly inching her way up. When she got dangerously close, he pulled her up. “My turn,” he rasped. With gentle, soft hands, he unwrapped her, kissing each part he revealed and relishing the silkiness of her skin.
He eased her onto the bed, the desire beating fiercely in his veins fueled by her nakedness encased in moonlight. Hovering over her, their noses only a whisper apart, he gazed deeply into her eyes. “You’re everything to me,” he said in a low voice. “You’re my heart. You’re the air.”
He grazed his fingers over her breasts and a low moan slipped through her parted lips. They held each other’s gaze, and every movement, every ounce of longing was reflected between their eyes. Goldie’s hands caressed her skin and pulled her hips tightly to his. Hailey met his passion with her own as she kissed him deeply. He slid deep into her and she moaned, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck.
Goldie began to move within her, and she moved with him. Nuzzling her neck with his nose, he whispered, “I love you,” then increased his pace.
“I love you too,” she panted.
