Walk the Line (Kings of Chaos 5)

He lets out a whoop and spins us around until he plops down on the couch with me in his lap. “Congratulations, B. I knew you could do it,” he whispers softly.

“Thank you, J,” I whisper as I cup his face. I love that I’m the only one who gets to see this fierce warrior so laid back and open. His lips quirk upward.

“Only you could get away with that.”

“I know. Why do you think I gave you the nickname? I like being special to you.”

He clears his throat. “Speaking of that. I want to ask you something important.”

He grips my hips, and I straddle him, adjusting to get more comfortable.

“Oh?”

“Will you be my Old Lady?”

“D-Didn’t you tell me that was like marriage to you?”

“I did.”

“Jagger.”

He covers my lips with his finger. “I’m not letting you get away. I can’t.” He shakes his head and looks over my shoulder. “You. I.” He growls in frustration, unable to articulate himself.

I toy with his goatee. “Take your time, J. I’m here.”

“I want the world to know you’re mine. I want you to wear my mark. This. What we’re doing isn’t enough for me. I need more, and you deserve more.”

“I want that with you, some day, but I—” I take a deep breath as my brain starts to race. My body heats and my heart begins to race. “It’s so soon.”

“It’s right, B. We can both feel that.”

“I’m not saying no., Just that I need. I need more time. I’m sorry. I know it’s not what you wanted to hear, but after everything, I went through. I can’t. Not yet.”

His shoulders slump. “You’re worth waiting for, Blanche, but sooner rather than later, I’m going to get a yes about this.”

“Maybe, but not tonight.”

“We’re still celebrating tonight. Pack a bag for the bike.”

Just like that, the cloud lifts, and, we’re back to being happy. I’m not used to a man who doesn’t hold my disappointments over my head. In many ways, this relationship is showing me how much my marriage lacked. It hadn’t always been that way. We had a good run. Then the past five years happened. I place the memories in a box and slam it shut. He won’t intrude on my night.

“Okay.” I scramble off his lap and commence to scour the closet for the right outfit. “Take the garlic bread out when the timer beeps please,” I call.

He never failed to amaze me with his willingness to pitch in and help wherever I needed. He’d be a good father. The thought zipped in from left field and caught me off guard. Whoa. I shake my head to clear it and return to packing. Tonight things get real.

***

My stomach clenches as we pull into the parking lot and he shuts off the engine. I hop off and try not to let my nervousness show. I ended up wearing a pair of skinny black jeans I paired with a black lace and mesh bodysuit that shows pops of skin without revealing too much. I wore my boots for the ride, but the killer pair of stilettos in his saddle bag should elevate the outfit to the next level. I don’t want to be overdressed, but I need to represent my man well tonight. He’s going to be in the spotlight, and I want to shine beside him. The desire to make him proud of me is as fierce as a fire-breathing dragon.

We come from different worlds. He’s gone above and beyond, pushing boundaries, and stretching himself to fit with me. Tonight, I return the favor. He removes his saddle bags, slings them over his shoulders, and we head for the club. I’m used to the detachment he tends to display when we’re with the club. He’s more reserved and dominant. In some ways, it’s a turn on. My man may be patient, but I know he likes to be in control. After all the work we’ve put in, I don’t mind following his lead. It’s a relief to let go, and exist.

I stay a few steps behind, allowing him to lead the way through the crowd as I take it all in. Rock blares from speakers, and the smell of smoke permeates the air inside. Scantily clad women hang off tough men. I smile and wave at the familiar faces of the women I’ve met. It ta

kes away some of the apprehension built up in my chest. The club is his life. If I’m not accepted, it’s a death sentence and a start down the road of resentment.

“It’s the man we’ve been waiting for!” Stone yells. He sweeps Freeze toward him and clamps his back. “You ready to get your patches?”

“Hell yeah, Prez.”