Page 95 of Riot

“So take me on a date, then it won’t feel like it’s comin’ on too strong.”

He swallows hard. “Do you want kids someday?”

I don’t hesitate. “Yes.IfI met the right guy.”

His eyes drop to my belly and it’s as if he’s imagining it. Can this even be happening? We’ve spent one weekend together, and we’re already talking about kids? My heart leaps at the idea that maybe our souls really did connect a long time ago and we’re just playing catch up.

All the shit that went down in Mississippi, and then our time apart through no fault of our own. We’ve been denying what we both want for some time now.

“I see.”

I look away, trying to change the subject before I tear his clothes off and we start making that baby right now on the damn couch. I glance around the expansive living area taking in every detail. It’s minimal, but has little touches here and there. “How long have you lived here?”

He thinks for a second. “A little over a year. I’m still tryin’ to find art and shit to make it a little less borin’ and feel more like home.”

“I don’t think it’s boring at all.”

“I can show you around?”

I nod as he takes my hand and I dump my purse on the couch as we pass by. We head out the French doors and onto a patio that leads out to a pool.

“Wow,” I say, glancing around. “This is amazing.”

“Love havin’ a pool, and when Cookie gets better, I can teach him how to swim.”

Tears fill my eyes as I picture the sight. “You’d do that?”

“Of course, it’ll be good for him to gain strength in his leg, when the time's right of course. We can’t go rushin’ these things.”

Cookie looks up from his bed inside, he has a clear view out to the patio from where he lies, it’s so adorable.

“I hope that’ll be soon. I want to take him for walks so he can get to know the neighborhood and meet other dogs. I hope he’s dog friendly.”

“There’s a park a few blocks away,” Riot says. “He’s gonna love it when we go there.”

I love the idea ofwe.The more time I spend with him, the more I feel like we’ve been doing this forever, not just one weekend. And now the idea that Riot wants kids and to settle down someday? It sends tingles all the way through me right down to my toes.

I’ve been dating for so long, and this is the first time things have felt really right with a man. Like he understands me and listens to what I say and what I want. I told myself I’d never take second best ever again, not after my ex and that idiot Ian.

Star’s words about being cautious wash over me, but I find it hard not to fall even more in love with him when he’s talking about his house, Cookie and the parks we’ll take him to when he’s better. Why does it all feel too good to be true? Is it me being skeptical? Or me wondering where the catch is and if I really deserve a man like Riot. He’s all the things I’ve been looking for for so long, but I also know my parents would never approve.

It wouldn’t matter what kind of person he is, or how he treats me, they will never accept him being part of NOLA Rebels MC. That’s a bridge I’ll have to cross when the time comes, but I’m far from worried about what my parents might think. I cut them off when they tried to rearrange my lie and forgot to fill me in on it. Now Ian is here to spy and I know I need to talk to my parents but I’ve been too mad to even call them back. I have to do it tonight.

“He will love the park. He’ll be so much happier when he can get out and about like all the other dogs and make some new friends.” I smile over at Cookie as he flops his head down, completely at ease in his surroundings.

He pushes one hand up into the back of my hair and tilts my head toward him. “Give me some sugar.”

Prickly heat dusts my arms and up my spine as I press my hands to his chest and meet his lips. I’ve missed him and it’s only been several hours — not days, not weeks — yet it feels like too long.

His tongue finds mine and a moan leaves my throat. When he pulls back, his eyes dance with delight. “You look fuckin’ hot in that skirt suit, shouldn’t be legal.”

I smile, looking down at my shoes. “I was going to go home and change, but I wanted to see you guys, so I rushed right over.”

“Want to stay here tonight?”

“I– I didn’t bring any clothes.”

“We can head out for dinner and pick some up if you want?”

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