Page 124 of Riot's Thorn
“Outside. It was difficult to make something I knew they couldn’t chew through, but it’s been a couple of days, and they haven’t gotten out, so I think it’s okay.”
“They’re gonna love that, and my god, this”—I turn in a circle—“was so much work. I can’t believe how incredible it all looks.” My entire body is warm, electrified. It’s happiness, but it’s something else too. Even if he hasn’t directly said it, I know he did all this for me, and I can’t seem to wrap my head around that. His first inclination isn’t usually to think of other people, but not because he’s selfish. It just doesn’t cross his mind unless he happens to notice someone’s discomfort.
“You like it then?” he asks.
“Iloveit.” I lift onto my toes and kiss his lips.
“I did some work in the bedroom and bathroom too.”
I squeal and run down the hallway, getting confused because instead of two doors, there are now three. The first one I open is new from the previous footprint of the house. I can’t see a thing inside, so I flip on the light, only to realize it’s so dark because all four walls are painted black and the one window is dressed with a black curtain.
There’s a bed in here, so it would work for a guest bedroom—not that either of us has anyone who would visit. Riot brushes past me and opens the closet. My eyes sting at the new safe place he’s created for himself. What he had before worked, but it was bare minimum effort and left a lot to be desired.
Gone are the worn blankets and stained pillows that looked to be decades old. In their place are soft and comfortable fabrics and textures. It looks like there’s a cushy pad for him to siton and even a built-in bookshelf for all his nonfiction special interest books. His noise-canceling headphones have a hook to hang them from, and there’s a sound machine that displays soothing LED lighting effects. It looks so inviting, I wonder if he’ll let me hang out in there sometimes.
“It’s perfect for you,” I say. “But why did you move it out of the living room?”
“Just hiding it.”
“Why?”
“Other people don’t have corners in their house where they can hide. It’s weird.”
“But if you come in here, I can’t be with you.”
“Why do you want to be with me when I’m like that?” he asks.
“If you haven’t guessed, I kind of enjoy hanging out with you. Plus, I like the reminder that you’re human.”
“That shouldn’t be the only clue,” he says as if I’m an idiot.
“No, that’s not what I mean. You’re just so big and confident. You go after what you want and don’t care what other people think of you. It makes you some kind of superhero in my eyes, but then you sit in your corner and you’re vulnerable and. . . human.”
“You like to see me when I’m weak,” he deadpans.
“No. You’re never weak. Showing your vulnerable side makes you an even sexier badass biker.” I give him a quick peck. “Maybe I could put a chair in the corner over there and have my own little space? I could get a bookshelf, or maybe I’ll take up crocheting or something. Would that be okay?”
“I’d like that very much.”
“Good.” I push past him, taking his hand. “Let’s see the rest.”
The bedroom is gorgeous and comfortable. He upgraded to a bigger bed, which I complain about because I don’t want space between us while we sleep. He insists it’s only because Navy and Tinleigh ordered it. Something about the two women helpinghim make design choices makes me smile. He’s finding a place in his club, and even the ol’ ladies are coming around. It’s way overdue.
“There’s an ensuite now, right through there.” He points to a door next to the closet that wasn’t there before.
“How did you get this done so quickly?”
“My brothers did a lot of the work, so I didn’t have to wait for contractors, and the housing inspector frequents the Honey Pot, so I leveraged that to get him out here sooner.”
“That’s handy.” I walk into a beautiful bathroom with lots of room and an even bigger shower than what’s in my cabin. “Wow. It’s amazing.”
“I made sure there was plenty of room for me to fuck you in the shower,” he says.
“Oh yeah?” I wrap my arms around his neck, and his hands go right to my ass.
“If I’m making you move in, I want you to be comfortable.”
“Are you sure you want me here permanently?”
