Page 87 of Complete Me
Reid lets go of his handlebars with one hand and slides up the back of my thigh, giving it a firm squeeze. Feeling confident and a little reckless, I sit up straight and hold my arms out at my sides, feeling more alive and free than I ever have in my life. As the wind whips around us, the trees blur past us, and the engine hums under us, I understand Reid’s need for riding hismotorcycle and his attachment to it. It’s this weightless feeling where nothing else exists.
His confident handle on his bike and my unwavering belief that he’ll keep us safe allow me to lean into it and just feel. I close my eyes and let the world wash away—the pain, the worry, the anxiety—I just exist with Reid and nothing but the open road and freedom in front of us. He was right, being on the motorcycle with him helps, and it’s not something I plan on giving up.
An hour later, as we’re reaching the very outskirts of Aspen Ridge, Reid slows his bike down and pulls off to the side of the road, cutting the engine and tapping my leg to hop off as concern washes over me. He steadies the motorcycle before climbing off after me, looking at me with an expression I can’t decipher.
“Is everything okay?”
“I just needed to remind you.”
“Of what?”
He takes a single step into my space, his massive body blocking out the sun. Half of his hair is pulled back in a bun, the bottom half hanging loose around his shoulders in straggly waves. His face is deadly serious, his eyes dark and almostconcerned, as if he’s pleading. It makes my heart trip over itself behind my ribs, beating wildly and out of control.
“That I love you. That this is real. That I’m not going anywhere, and I’ll be damned if I let you leave.”
“Reid . . .” I gasp on a rushed breath.
“I love you, little fighter. I’ll do anything to be yours.”
“I love you, Reid. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you.”
Reid and I pull up in front of my family’s distillery in Aspen Ridge. Not long later, the sun beats down on our backs, the light breeze from the coast kissing our skin. My brothers jog out of the large barn building as we come to a complete stop, all four of their big bodies rushing out like a pack of feral hyenas.
“Thank fuck, Kinsey,” Sawyer yells as he pulls me into a massive hug, his strong arms bounding around me, followed by Dallas, Liam, and Carter. Ivy, Blaire, Hannah, and Finn all wait on the wraparound porch, and out of my peripheral, Reid lifts off the bike and steps aside. The last thing I want him to do.
“You’re never leaving our sight again,” Dallas mumbles against my hair.
“Never,” Liam adds.
“I’m fine, I promise, you big oofs. Let me breathe!” I yell as I try to squirm out of their tight collective hold.
“Alright, alright, give her some space. She’s been through a lot,” Ivy demands as she starts to pull my brothers off me one by one. As they step aside, I’m left looking at my sister-in-law, her long black hair flowing off to the side in the wind, looking every bit the gorgeous, radiant girl I used to follow around when I was little and she was dating Sawyer. “Hey, you. Better?” she asks as she grabs my hand and pulls me up the steps to join the others and give my brothers a minute to talk to Reid.
“Thanks. They have one mode, and it’s suffocation.”
“You’re not wrong about that. But it’s because they love us so hard, they don’t know how to control their barbaric behavior. Just want to smother us in love and obsessive protection,” she says with a playful eye roll. “Come inside, Hannah and I brought food. Did Drogo feed you?” she asks, pointing to Reid.
“I know you can do it yourself, sweetheart, it’s not about what you’re capable of. I want to do it for you.”
I feel the blush spread across my face as I remember just how well Reid fed me the last few days. “He did,” I answer.Ivy’s head cocks to the side as she looks at me, Hannah’s eyes squinting into slits before the two of them look at each other.
Fuck.
I lasted an entire two minutes before they figured it out. At least having them know ahead of time will allow them to help with the fallout of my brothers finding out. The ten of us shuffle into the huge, open tasting area that Blaire has created. She’s dating my brother, Dallas, and is also the event coordinator at the distillery. Even though dating seems like an insufficient word for what they have.
“How long?” Ivy whispers as she loops her arm with mine.
“Feelings started before everything went to shit. Everything else happened after.”
“You look happy, Kins.”
“I am, Iv. He’s endgame.”
Ivy sniffles, and I give her a gentle hip bump to tell her to pull it together.
“You’re perfect for him, Kinsey. He’s one of my closest friends, and his trauma goes deep. I don’t know much, but he needs someone like you to help him heal,” she whispers. “I’m just happy for you two.”
“Why is my wife crying?” Sawyer demands as he pulls Ivy into his arms. He’s so openly affectionate with her, and I can’t wait to have that. I so badly want to curl up on Reid’s lap right now for this little reunion.
