“You’re a biker,” she said. “And you’ve traveled so much, experienced so many things. Especially when we were visiting the Reckless Order, I felt out of place. I realized that I didn’t fit into your world and this…” She gestured to the binder. “This made it even more obvious.”

“But your eyes light up when you talk about it,” I said. “This is something you care about. Don’t hide that from me, dove.”

Katie’s breath hitched and she looked away.

“Maverick, we should really talk about this…thing between us—”

“You’re right,” I cut in, removing my phone from the pocket of my cut. I tapped the screen and placed it on the table in front of her. “Tell me what you think about those.”

She glanced at the screen, swiping through the pictures.

“Why am I looking at houses?”

“I’m going to buy one. For us.”

Katie’s gaze snapped up to my face, bewildered.

“What?”

“I’ll admit, I don’t know what I’m doing. And I only started researching the housing market while I was in line at the café. So, the options probably aren’t that great. But I figured it’s a start.”

“But Maverick, you're a nomad."

“It’s about time I parked my bike somewhere long-term,” I replied. “So, I’m staying.”

Katie’s eyes turned misty. She swallowed hard.

“If you're lying…"

“I’m dead serious, sweetheart,” I said.

She rubbed her forehead, blowing out a shaky breath.

“Now I’m just confused,” she whispered. “Why would you do that?”

I reached over and grabbed the leg of her chair, sliding her closer.

“Because I didn’t know what home felt like until I met you. I told myself I was fine on my own. I didn’t need anyone. I was always thinking about the next road, the next town. But with you, my mind was quiet. And it made me realize that I didn’t want to be anywhere else.”

Katie searched my face, gauging whether she believed me or not. I turned my hand palm up. She interlaced our fingers together—her pink nail polish against my tattooed knuckles.

“Does this mean you’re going to join the Reckless Order?”

I scrubbed the back of my neck with a vague gesture.

“I’d rather not, to be honest. As much as I like hanging out with the boys, I can’t stand the thought of earning my patch as a Prospect and working my way up the ranks.

So, I was thinking about starting my own club here, for hobby riders. I’ve met a few ex-military men who would probably like to join. But ultimately, I figured that decision would be in your hands.”

“Mine?” Katie repeated, surprised. “Why do you say that?”

I lifted one shoulder in a half shrug.

“I’d be your boyfriend—husband, eventually. Maybe. Hopefully. You might not want me to ride anymore, for safety reasons.”

“Felix Maverick Hurst,” Katie said with a mock stern look. “If you get rid of that bike, I’m never speaking to you again. In fact, I might even sleep with Pretty Boy for revenge.”

I threw my head back and laughed. Then I hauled Katie into my lap, kissing her. She lowered her lashes with a bashful, pleased smile, sliding her arms around my neck. Gliding my hands down her back, I cupped her ass with a squeeze.