Page 158 of Knight

“Sign me up,” I said. “I can’t wait.”

“That’s the Knight I know and love,” Matteo said, a smile in his voice. “I’m excited to see what we can do together.”

“Me too.”

“I’ll get back to you with more details. Let’s plan on next Sunday, yeah?”

It was only Tuesday. Plenty of time to prepare.

“Sounds good.”

The call disconnected just as I was turning onto the dirt road that cut between two fields and led me back toward Larry’s somewhat isolated house. He insisted on staying out in the middle of nowhere, but Aiden was trying to convince him to move closer to town.

I found a spare patch of gravel and parked. I threw open the door, and happy barks cut through the quiet evening air. Biscuit raced toward me, going as fast as his little legs could take him, but Waffles overtook him, reaching me first.

I crouched down, catching both dogs as they crashed into me with happy yips and eager tongues.

“Okay, I feel loved,” I said, laughing. “Are you guys having a fun play date?”

I stroked each of their ears, paying them both plenty of attention, until Aiden’s shoes came into my peripheral vision. He cleared his throat. “I know I’ve only got two legs, but how about some love for me too?”

I gave the dogs one last pat, then stood and leaned in to give my man his due. “Hey, Angel.”

He dodged my kiss and laughed. “Not until you wash out your mouth, you dog lover.”

“Oh-ho! I see how it is.” I grabbed him and held him close while he struggled and laughed, slobbering all over his cheek.

“Stop horsing around!” Larry called. “Come cook this meat for me, Knight. I’m starving.”

“Oh, I’m grilling?”

Aiden met my gaze, his smile slipping a little. “He’s a little shaky today. Probably best he doesn’t work the grill.”

“You’re talking to him again, right?”

“Already did. We had a good visit when I stopped in for his follow-up appointment. I think he’s ready to sell and move to town.”

“Good.” I swatted Aiden’s ass. “Now, go get me a beer if I have to stand over that hot grill.”

“Only if you promise to do that again later,” he said cheekily.

“Anything you want, Angel,” I said in a low voice. “You know that.”

He sauntered off, looking smug. My boyfriend was the biggest sweetheart I’d ever met, but in the bedroom he was decidedly naughty, and I loved it.

He also had me wrapped around his little finger, but I couldn’t bring myself to care. I’d never been so damn happy.

While I grilled chicken, Larry told funny stories about Waffles, Biscuit rolled over to show his speckled belly for rubs, and Aiden sent me contented smiles.

I counted my blessings.

Because there was nothing that could compare to moments like these, where I knew my place in the world—and it wasn’t with a bunch of hotheaded bikers. That life was full of danger and adrenaline-fueled thrills. But it’d never compare to the quiet love in Aiden’s eyes, the way he fit into my arms, or the quiet way he trusted and leaned on me when he’d had a hard day.

I’d had to fight like hell to escape my past, but I couldn’t entirely regret it. It had brought me here.

To the man I loved with everything in me.

To cookouts and cute dogs and sloppy kisses full of laughter.

And really, was there anything better than that?