Page 186 of Rags's Awakening
“Rags?” Casey’s voice floated on the air.
He turned around just as she stepped onto the patio. “Come here,” he said, extending his arm.
He looped his arm around her, pulling her snug against him. She smelled like vanilla, caramel, and fresh air. He cupped her chin and tilted her head back, then dipped his head down and captured her mouth.
“Your family’s so warm and wonderful. I love them,” she said, running her nails down his forearm. “I bet it was nice growing up in this house with your parents.”
“It was, but there were ups and downs, babe.”
“Like when you joined the Insurgents?”
“That was fireworks.” He laughed. “Now, it’s cool. My parents are used to it.”
“I know that nothing is perfect. That isn’t the way life works, but when there’s love and stability, the good outweighs the hard times and makes life easier,” she said, leaning into him. “Especially when there’s someone like you.”
“Case,” he murmured, pressing his mouth against hers. “Let’s shove off.”
“Sounds like a good idea,” she said before she nipped his bottom lip.
“Fuck, babe,” he rasped.
She pulled away and straightened her sundress. “Ready whenever you are.”
Rags gripped her hand in his and they walked back into the house. The kitchen was spotless, and Megan was dealing with three tired and cranky kids.
“We’re gonna head out,” Rags said. He bent down and tousled Tyler’s and Lucas’s hair. “You listen to your mom, okay?”
“Okay,” Tyler said grudgingly.
“Okay,” Lucas replied, emulating his big brother’s tone.
“Next time, I’ll take you each for a ride around two blocks. Deal?”
“Deal!” they replied together.
Grace came over and hugged Rags’s legs. He swooped her up and kissed her on each cheek. “Did you help your mom and grandma clean up?”
“Sorta.” The little girl glanced at Casey. “I like your ice cream.”
Casey reached out and stroked her curly brown hair. “Thanks. When summer comes, I can make another one.”
“Okay,” she said, squirming in Rags’s arms.
He put her down then said his goodbyes to his family. His mom hugged Casey, and his dad followed them down the sidewalk to the curb.
Pointing at his Harley gleaming under the moonlight, his dad said, “Do you like riding on that?”
Casey smiled. “I love it. There’s nothing like it. The way the world just falls away, the adrenaline, the feel of the wind and sun on your face. It’s the best.”
Her words hit him like a physical touch. Right then, Rags wanted nothing more than to throw her across the leather seat and take her hard and fast. He forced the heat down, and slung his leg over.
“You keep talking like that,” he murmured, “and we aren’t gonna make it home for a while.”
She threw him a wicked grin.
His dad’s voice interrupted the moment. “Don’t speed, drive safely.”
Rags gave him a tight nod, hiding the smirk tugging at his mouth.
