Page 49 of Ash (Dragon Riders MC 3)
Because I knew I wouldn’t feel safe until he got back.
“All right. I’m gonna go pack,” he murmured against my lips.
I nodded. “Go on, big boy. Don't keep them waiting.”
And as he captured my lips one last time, I dreaded the sleepless nights to come.
Knowing damn good and well I wouldn't sleep a full night’s wink until he came back to me.19AshI stuffed a couple of outfits into the saddlebags of my bike before I looked up. And when I saw Hannah standing on my porch with her arms crossed tightly against her chest, all I wanted to do was charge her. I wanted to pick her up, kiss her senseless, and carry her back inside to make crazy, disgusting love to her. I didn’t want to leave her. Not like this. Not with that split lip and those bruises and the aches and pains she’d have to live with in my absence. It killed me inside, not to be here to take care of her. Not to see her off to her first day of work. Not to have lunch with her, or dinner with her, or wake up to her in the morning.
But I knew this was for her own good.
I knew we had to take down Skeleton in order to preserve her future.
“I love you!” I called out.
She smiled. “Love you, too, big boy!”
I chuckled. “I’ll be back soon.”
She waved at me. “You better. Otherwise I’ll resurrect you just to kill you myself!”
I shook my head and forced myself onto my bike. I knew if I continued to look at her any longer, I’d lose my nerve. And my men needed me right now. If I wanted to hold down a relationship while leading this kind of a life, I had to get used to this shit. I had to get used to leaving her behind at the drop of a dime and trusting that she could take care of herself until I got back.
Though, I had someone close to me that would be dropping in on her just to make sure she had everything she needed.
Someone I trusted with my life.
Don’t let me down, Scottie.
I cranked the engine and set off for the Iron Horse, ready to gather with the guys. But I kept stealing glances in my mirrors as I watched Hannah fade into the horizon. My heart ached with pain. My body begged me to turn around. I kept a strong head, though. I resisted all of those urges as I tore through town, speeding my way toward the bar as quickly as I could.
And when I slid into formation beside Sly, Link’s hand rose into the air.
Before he twirled his finger around, signaling for us to take off.
“You good?” Sly asked.
His voice came over the Bluetooth headset in my helmet that automatically linked up whenever we were in formation.
“Yeah, I’m good,” I said.
He pushed off. “You don’t sound good.”
I pushed off beside him. “Just hate leaving Hannah when she still has to take pain meds. That shit knocks her out cold at night.”
“Scottie agreed to check in on her though, right?”
I nodded. “Yep.”
“Well, then she’s in good hands.”
I really hope so. “You know Scottie finally graduated from medical school this year, right?”
He snickered. “About damn time that boy finally finished up. What took him so long?”
“Ah, well. Getting married and having a kid with cancer will put a damper on things sometimes.”
“Shit, that’s right. How’s Little Brady, anyway?”
I smiled. “In remission as of a few months ago. Hence why he got to finish up his medical residency.”
“Well, good for him. I’m glad things are falling into place in his life.”
“Me, too.”
“But I want to talk about you.”
I eased onto the highway. “What about me?”
Sly chuckled in my ear. “What gives with you and Hannah? I’ve never seen you fall over yourself like this for a chick.”
“I mean, what can I say? She’s a good woman.”
“Do you love her?”
I didn’t hesitate. “With everything I am.”
“I never thought I’d see the day.”
“What?”
He scoffed. “The day that you assholes got soft on me and decided to bunk up with women. You know, lead that traditional life.”
I barked with laughter. “This is far from traditional.”
“Hey, Link’s got his woman living with him and I hear him talking about kids sometimes with Bowser.”
“Well, fuck that nonsense. I don’t want kids. I just want me and Hannah living in that meadow for the rest of our days.”
“You gonna marry her?”
I considered the question. “One day, yes.”
“That’s about as traditional as it gets, then, bud.”
My smile fell to a grin. “I want to make her a permanent part of my life. She’s important to me, Sly. And if that means marrying her? I’d gladly do it to make her happy.”
“So, you don’t want to get married.”
“I don’t hate the idea. But it’s not like I dreamt about it as a kid or anything. I’m not that much of a bitch.”
