Page 72 of Rebel

Hell, I needed it. I got to my feet and deepened the kiss, laying my body over hers until she sank into the mattress. She moaned and then I moaned, pressing my hips so that she feltwhat she did to me. I knew I had to stop when she wrapped her legs around my waist and pushed her heels down into my ass muscles. With a grunt and more willpower than I knew I possessed, I pulled back. “I’ll be back. I promise.”

“I’ll hold you to that. See you soon… Rebel.” She tossed herself back on the mattress and let out a sigh.

“Try to get some sleep. Please.” Tonight was the night I finished this, once and for all.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Nikki

Being back at the radio station felt surreal, as if a year had passed instead of just a few days. Everything looked the same, yet different. Maybe it was me who was different, who felt different as I sat in the same seat I’ve occupied for years and spoke into the microphone I had Mia buy especially for me in the low, dulcet tone my listeners knew well. This is what I needed, I told myself, as the last strains of AC/DC’s ‘Back in Black’ faded.

I knew I needed to get back to work, not just for the salary but because I loved my job. It was my passion, the one place where I was just myself, where nobody needed anything from me.

Mia knocked on the window to get my attention, motioning to me to start talking.

“I just love to get lost in the rock and roll, don’t you?” I smiled, only jumping slightly when the door opened. “Tonight I have a special guest. If you’re a loyal listener, you might remember Oracle.” Oracle, whose throwaway line had kickstarted the chaos that my life had become recently. “Welcome Oracle.” I motioned for him to sit down.

“Thanks Nikki, for having me. I know that your life has been a little complicated lately and I apologize if I had anything to do with that.” He smiled easily but he rubbed his palms over his thighs nervously.

“Water under the bridge. So, tell me what brings you toHighway Pulse?”

“As you know I’ve been listening to your show for years, even when they had you on really early or really late,” he laughed. “When those threats started, I knew I couldn’t just sit back and do nothing, say nothing. You don’t deserve it, but Councilman Joe Cameron does. He’s mixed up with that biker gang, the Blood Fangs, and I have proof.”

My eyes widened and I shook my head, mouthing the words, “Don’t do it,” to him.

He smiled and shook his head. “I’ve put all the evidence online for any journalist or oversight committee to look into.” Oracle gave a website address with a satisfied smile. “See what he’s been up to for yourself.”

“Well it looks like thanks to Oracle I might be able to sleep a little easier. And I’d say the councilman better watch out, it’s probably not smart to piss off your business partners.”

Yeah, I knew that, seeing as the Steel Demons had all but wiped out the Blood Fangs there was no danger of those assholes coming after him. But he didn’t know that yet. In fact, I’d guess he thinks they disappeared and left him holding the bag.

“Like my grandma used to say, if you lay with dogs you wake up with fleas.” Oracle chuckled.

“Thank you for spending time with us, Oracle. Good luck and stay safe.” I stood and wrapped him in a hug. “Seriously, thank you.”

“I’m glad you’re safe.”

“Me too,” I whispered and watched as Mia’s PA led him to the elevator. She knocked on the window again to get my attention, using a ‘wrap it up’ motion as a reminder.

“Okay travelers, we’ve reached the end of the road tonight but before we head out into the endless stretch of highway, I want to do a dedication.” I laughed, feeling emotional. “I don’t share as much as I should, but tonight I want to, after the next song.”

I got myself together and tried to plan what I wanted to say as Dobie Gray sang his heart out. Once the track finished, I was ready—or at least as ready as I’d ever be. “It’s easy getting lost in rock and roll, ain’t it? This dedication goes out to someone special, a fellow journeyman, a biker called Logan who saved my life and stole my heart. He gave me the greatest gift of my life, and then he handed over his heart. To me, if you can believe it.” I sighed as the door to the studio opened and Logan stood there, my one night stand. My baby daddy. The love of my life. “This song. This night. It all goes to you because you are my light through the pouring rain. You are the music that soothes me. You reminded me that there’s more to life than being a mom and radio host. Thank you hardly seems adequate, but I’m grateful to you for more than I can say. So, thank you, Logan. For everything.”

He stalked towards me and pulled me out of my seat before wrapping his arms around my waist.

“And that’s our show for tonight. See you on the other side.” I tossed my headset on the table and turned to Logan. “You’re here.”

“I am. Just in time, too.”

“For?”

“For the mushy shit, of course.” I laughed and he chuckled along with me. “I love you, Nikki. I know it’s soon and that we have a lot to figure out, but as long as we figure it out together, nothing else fuckin’ matters. Nothing. You and Livvy are exactly where I want to be—always and forever. Your lives. Your hearts. Your home. Tell me you want that too.” His voice was low and gravelly, full of emotion and a desperation that I’d never heard before.

“You’re right, it is soon which is kind of crazy, but it also feels right. There is no timeline for love. I should be dead right now, and I’m not, because of you. All I want for me and for our daughter is to have you in our lives. Whatever that looks like, that’s what I want.”

“Thank fuck,” he murmured before capturing my mouth in a kiss so hot and steamy, filled so much raw hunger that I vibrated with need. I kissed him like it was the first time, but it wasn’t the first time. It was something even better than that.

It was the first kiss of the rest of our lives.

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