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“Riding has its dangers, Emily. I could always get hurt.”
“Don’t be cute.” My stomach twists at the thought of losing him or someone shooting him.
“Yes. If we were stupid about it.” He taps his leather vest. “Wore our colors in another club’s territory without clearing it with them first, yes. But Rock would kick our asses if we did something that dumb.”
I turn his words over, unsure of how to respond. Dex isn’t a stupid man, nor do I think he’d start a fight for no reason. “That’s still not right to cancel your club’s memorial service, just because an entirely different club caused problems a couple of states away.” In fact, the longer I think about it, the angrier I’m getting. “That’s not fair at all.”
He cups my face and rubs his thumb over my cheek. “Love how fired up you’re getting over a slight against my club.”
“Well, it’s wrong.” I cross my arms over my chest.
“Our national prez has been riding us hard the last few years to present a good public image. Settle our disputes quietly and build alliances with other clubs.”
The way he says that sounds a lot like bury the bodies where they’ll never be found.
“He sounds like a smart man.”
“He is.” Dex nods. “I don’t agree with everything he does but I respect him and don’t want to end up on his bad side. Overall he’s been a good leader.” He works his jaw from side to side again. “The shitshow part of the trip was a brother from another charter openly challenging him.”
The weight of what he’s sharing with me lands with startling clarity. “Are you supposed to tell me something so…club business-y?” I whisper.
He stares into my eyes. “I trust you not to talk about it with anyone else.”
“I’d never do anything to hurt you.”
“I know.”
My heart thumps wildly. Letting me in, sharing a little more about his club with me, feels like another level of commitment.
“Do you want something to drink? Eat?” I ask, moving toward the kitchen. “You must be starving. And thirsty.”
He curls his hand around mine and pulls me back. “Give me another kiss, first.”
More than happy to oblige, I wrap my arms around his neck. He leans down, touching his forehead to mine. My heart races as our lips meet. A soft kiss at first. He runs his hands over my sides, my back, shoulders. His fingers spear into my hair, tipping my head back for a deeper kiss. I open for him immediately and he flicks his tongue against mine. He presses his body closer and slides his hands down to my ass, squeezing and pulling me into him.
Breathing hard, I whisper against his lips, “I missed you so much.”
“Thought about my little firecracker nonstop.” He takes my mouth again. Hard and demanding. He groans against my lips and lifts me high enough that I hug my knees to his hips. “I couldn’t wait another second to see you,” he says between kisses. “Even though I knew we wouldn’t be alone.”
The reminder that my sister’s awake and not that far away cools me off a little. I keep peppering him with kisses, but I stop trying to grind myself against him. He slowly lowers me to the floor.
He groans again and pulls away. “I have something for you.”
“Yes, you do.” I shamelessly rub myself against him. “I feel every inch.”
He laughs and shakes his head. “You can have that later. I want to give you this now.” He slides his hand under his leather vest and pulls a box from the inner pocket.
Stunned, I step back and stare at the small, black square box with gold lettering on top. “What is it?”
“Open it.”
It’s too flat to be a ring box but still, my hands shake as I pry the lid off. Inside, nestled under a layer of black tissue paper, rests a delicate but detailed gold compass suspended from a fine gold chain.
“Oh, it’s so pretty.” I carefully pull it out of the box, letting it dangle from my fingers so it catches the light.
He gently takes it from me and opens the clasp. “This is my promise to you that when you’re ready, we’re going to wander with purpose everywhere your heart desires.”
Love for him explodes in my chest. He not only listens to me, he understands me.
“Dex, that’s so sweet,” I whisper, turning around and lifting my hair. “Thank you.”
It takes him a few tries to get the delicate clasp to catch but when he finally does, he leans down and brushes a kiss against my neck.
I clutch the pendant to my chest. “I’m never taking it off.”
“Good,” he whispers against my ear. “I’m looking forward to seeing you wear it with nothing else.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Emily
“I want to learn how to drive,” Libby whines. “But Emily’s a mean teacher.”
