Page 25 of Riding Free

“I’m glad you came,” she says.

Fuck. I want her to whisper when I’m inside her. I want her to whisper my name, and then whisper more, and yes, maybe even harder.

Someone’s throat clears behind me. Turning my head, I look over my shoulder to see not only Keely’s father but also her mother there. Watching us—expectantly. I’m not sure what they expect, but I guess I’ll have to play nice, at least for now.

Taking a step backward from Keely, I spin around to face her parents, but not without wrapping my arm around her waist and hauling her against my side. They stare at us, their lips parted slightly, their eyes wide.

Well, I’m either going to have to schmooze them, or they might actually pass out from shock and not breathing. I don’t want to have to administer CPR on either of them. So I guess I’ll have to figure out how to schmooze them, which seems as if it might actually be difficult.

I’ll figure it out, though.

I’ve never met a challenge I haven’t been able to conquer.

CHAPTER

NINETEEN

KEELY

The Patio.

I’ve never been here before, but that’s not shocking. I haven’t been to many places in Boulder City. I don’t have the time or money to go out to eat, and I haven’t been back in town long enough to have tried anything or been able to save up enough to try anything.

It isn’t a fancy restaurant or anything, but we still stick out like sore thumbs. Except, as people stare at us, I find I don’t mind it. I’ve never been someone who liked to be the center of any kind of attention, but when I’m with Brock, I just don’t give a shit.

I’m the center of his attention, and that’s all I care about. The world fades away around us, and there is only him and me, even on a patio full of people. Brock reaches across the table, lacing his fingers in mine. He squeezes me gently.

“Your parents are scared shitless of me, babe.”

My lips curve up into a smile, and I let out a laugh. “They are, but they’ll get over it.”

“Or shit themselves to death,” Brock mutters.

He’s funny. Shaking my head from side to side, I don’t respond because the waiter appears and asks what we’re going to order. I choose grilled salmon with a salad and rice. I also order a glass of pinot noir in an attempt to ease my nerves.

I’m not sure if it works.

I don’t know what Brock orders. I don’t pay attention, but I do notice that he doesn’t order a drink. When the waiter leaves, I open my mouth to ask him why he didn’t order a beer or something, when he speaks.

“I didn’t want to order a drink because I’m driving you.”

“Because you’re driving me?” I ask.

He smirks, his gaze searching mine. “Yeah, babe. Driving the mother of my baby around, I’m not drinking a damn thing.”

I’m not sure why that impresses me so much, but it really does. Like, it beyond impresses me. I watch him, my gaze searching his. Sinking my teeth into my bottom lip, I can’t look away from him. I might even be falling even deeper for him.

“Okay,” I say, clearing my throat. “Tell me about your family, or your club, or something.”

His smile widens, but I can also tell there is an underlying sadness behind his eyes. I don’t think he’s going to explain that, though. And when he begins to speak, he doesn’t. Instead, he starts to tell me about his club.

“My father was part of the Iron Flame MC my entire life. My mother wasn’t really involved, but she also would get very upset when he spent too much time there. I don’t have any siblings. What about you?”

Watching him, I wonder how in the hell this even happened. I know he saved me. I know that we spent a week of bliss together. I know we created a life during that week. But take all that away, and I think I would still want this man.

I have never felt so drawn to another person as I have to him my entire life. He feels comfortable. Like a warm hug, a fuzzy blanket, or your favorite hoodie. I don’t know, it just works, and I want more.

He said he wanted me to move in by the end of the week, but if he asked me to move in at this exact moment—I would say yes. I would throw caution to the wind and grab an overnight bag, because I’m drawn to him, he’s comfortable, and he’s mine. It’s like my body just knows who it’s meant to be with.