by Nicole James
“Baby,” I sigh, feeling the sting of tears.
“Don’t you go crying, Tess. Not till I’m finished.”
I nod, laughing.
“Never met anybody like you, girl. You’re smart, brave as hell, and more determined than any woman I know. You set your mind to something, nothing stops you. So, what I want to know is, are you willing to take me on? I can’t promise it's gonna be an easy life, can’t promise you there won’t be bumps in the road, but I can promise you a hell of a ride, one filled with love and laughter and adventure. You ready to sign up for that, girl?”
I nod, grinning ear to ear. “Sign me up.” I throw my arms around him and hug him hard. Finally he pushes me back.
“I haven’t had time to get you a ring. Figured I’d let you pick one out.”
I raise my brows. “If it’s okay with you, I’d like to use my grandmother’s ring.”
“If you’re sure you don’t want to pick your own out.”
“I’m sure.” I stare in his eyes. “I love you, Gypsy. From the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew I was falling for you. And I did, hard. We do this, it’s forever. You and me, babe.”
“Sounds good to me, woman. I love you, Tess. You’re stuck with me till the day I die.”
My eyes get big. “Oh, we have got to go tell my father we’re engaged. Won’t he just die?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Gypsy—
I roll my Harley down the long drive that leads to the prison, Tess’s arms tight around me. I coast into a spot and park. Climbing off, I stuff my cut in one of my saddlebags, then pull my rings off and drop them in the bag as well. I’m rolling down the sleeves of my denim shirt, covering my ink, when Tess looks over at me curiously.
“What the hell are you doing?”
“Goin’ in with you.” I lift my chin toward the prison. “Got approved for Growler’s visitors list.”
Her brows rise. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
I wink at her. “Gotta have some surprises in this relationship.”
She chuckles and rubs her still flat stomach. “I think we’ve had plenty of those, but I’m glad you’re going in with me. I didn’t want to do it alone.”
I grab her hand and pull it to my mouth, planting a kiss on the back. “You won’t have to do anything alone again, babe. Promise. Come on.” I lead her toward the entrance.
We go through all the security steps, and I feel more claustrophobic with each minute I’m in the place. I don’t know how Tess has stood coming in here, and I understand better the dark moods she would emerge with coming out of each visit. I admire her strength all over again.
Soon we’re sitting at a table in the visitor’s room waiting for my ex-president to be brought in. I take a deep breath and blow it slowly out of my mouth, reminding myself he’s got no power over me any longer. Tables are turned. Still it’s nerve-wracking as hell in this place.
I rub my jaw, and my knee bounces a mile a minute. There are no windows in this room, and I try to chill by visualizing walking out of here, hand-in-hand with Tess, and crossing the parking lot under the bright sunshine to my bike. Then I visualize blasting down the interstate on my Harley headed toward Sturgis, the wind rolling over me, the roar of the bikes of my brothers beside me, and the freedom of the road—something I know Growler will never again experience.
The prisoners are finally brought in several at a time. Growler is one of the last. I spot him from across the room, surprised at how much he’s already changed. He looks more like a washed up janitor than the man who held the gavel at the head of one of the baddest MCs around.
His eyes meet mine as he moves to our table. Before he even sits, he asks his daughter, “Where are my snacks?”
I wouldn’t let Tess spend another dime on this piece of shit who has never been a father to her, much less let her get him treats from a fucking vending machine. I, on the other hand, slowly unwrap some beef jerky, then take a big bite and chew it in front of him. “Hey, Prez.”
Finally, he acknowledges me. His eyes on the food, he licks his lips. “Gypsy. How’s my club?”
“Ain’t your club anymore. Rusty’s got the gavel now, and everything’s changed. I suppose you know Rat’s dead. As for your buddy Reload and his pals, I wouldn’t count on seein’ them anymore. Oh, and you might want to find yourself a new girlfriend. Maybe one of those prison pen pals, ‘cause Sylvia won’t be coming round again. I hear she went home to take care of her sick mama in Jersey.” I chew another bite while he flexes his fist. I know he wants to drive it into my face. I smile and twist the knife some more. “And that sleazy ass lawyer you hired? You might want to find a new one. I hear he’s laid up with a couple of broken legs.”
“What the fuck are you taking about?” he snaps.
“Oh, and one more thing. I married your daughter, old man.”
His eyes flare. “Did you now?”
“That evidence your attorney had? It’s all gone. Get used to this place. You ain’t never leaving.”
He huffs a laugh. “That right?” His eyes cut to Tess. “You’ll never get that key now.”
“Yeah, about that…” She holds her hand up, the diamond ring sparkling in the fluorescent lighting. “Like my engagement ring, Daddy? It’s a family heirloom.”
Realization hits his eyes, and his face mottles red with his rage. “You bitch!” He lunges for Tess’s throat.
I surge to my feet and push her behind me, defending her from Growler. But I know better than to lay a hand on him. Not in here. Ain’t no fucking way I’m getting brought up on charges over this piece of shit.
Several guards rush over and drag Growler away screaming.
“You son-of-a-bitch. I’ll get you for this. If it’s the last thing I do, I’ll get you.”
“What’s going on?” one of the guards asks after they take him away.
“Guess he didn’t like my new husband,” Tess replies.
“Well, he’ll be going into solitary confinement for awhile for this little stunt, and he won’t be having visitors any time soon, so I’d call before you bother driving down here again.”
“Oh, that’s no problem, officer. I don’t think there’s anyone left to visit him.”
We walk out to my bike, and I take Tess’s hand in mine. “You okay?”
She smiles up at me. “More than okay. The look on his face. Priceless.”
We stop at the bike, and I look back at the prison. “You were right about that place. I don’t ever want to go back.”
“We don’t have to now,” she replies. “But what if he gets out?”
“Hey, listen to me.” I take her face in my hands and smooth the worry lines between her brows. “I don’t want you to worry about that anymore. That’ll never happen. I promise you.”
“You sure?”
“I’m sure.”
I know this is fact, because the club took a vote and made arrangements with connections we have on the inside for Growler to meet with an unfortunate accident in the near future. They can’t keep him in solitary forever. Growler should have known better. No one steals from the MC and gets away with it.
“You ready to ride?”
She smiles up at me, pressing against my chest. “So ready. Take me home, baby.”
Epilogue
Tess—
I slip back in bed, facing the window and the view of the pond. It’s dawn and a mist floats up from it. Soon the sun will rise above the trees and reflect off the water, but right now it’s still just that pink orange glow on the edge of the horizon. Gypsy cuddles against my back in his sleep, and his arm settles around me, his palm on the mattress near my face.
On his right hand he wears a ring proclaiming he belongs to the Devil Kings, but on this hand he wears a ring proclaiming he belongs to me. It’s silver with an onyx stone. In the center is the design of a medieval sword. He’s my Lancelot, my knight, my savior. He says the sword is a T for Tess because he’s mine now.
I slip my hand in hi
s, lacing our fingers together.
Yesterday we got married. It was also the day after I got the all clear from the doctor, as it’s been six weeks since I gave birth. Last night, our wedding night, we made love for the first time since the baby. Gypsy had been sweet and tender, taking his time and going slow, so worried about hurting me, and it made me love him all the more.
Just thinking about how gentle he was has me arching my back and rubbing my ass against him slightly. A moment later, I feel his morning wood, and I smile.
His hand tightens over mine and he nuzzles against my head, his mouth finding my ear. “Morning, baby.”
“Good morning, husband.” I can’t help the smile on my face.
“How’s my bride?” he whispers, nipping at my ear lobe.
“So happy.”
His hand releases mine to move down my body and slip between my legs, cupping me. “You sore?”
I shake my head. “Nope.”
His fingers toy with me until he has me wet and eager, then he presses me to the mattress and moves over me, slipping inside.
“I love you, Tess.”
I get lost in his stormy gray eyes. They hold mine while he moves inside me, and I know I could drown in those eyes every day for the rest of my life.
“I love you more.”
We make love slow and easy. I love how he’s taking such care, and I give him that because I know he needs to give me that, but a part of me wants him to ease up on the reins he’s put on himself and go wild with me, taking me the way he likes to, the way I love him to—a little rough, a little controlling, and a whole lot of hot.
When we’re through, he dips his head to kiss me softly. “You want breakfast in bed?”
I smile up at him. “What I really want is for you to build me a fire.”
He grins and twists his head. “It is kind of nippy this morning.”
“Perfect day for riding,” he muses.
“It’s supposed to storm later.”
“Then it’s a good day to stay in bed.” He glances toward the crib set up across the room. “How much time do you think we’ve got before you need to feed him?”
“He should be good for a few hours.”
“All right, make you a deal. I’ll build a fire, and you get to help with breakfast.”
“Deal.”
Twenty minutes later, my butt is on the kitchen counter, wearing nothing but Gypsy’s flannel shirt. A fact I know has been driving him crazy. I watch him flip the last pancake from the pan to the plate. He drops the spatula with a clatter, turns the burner off, and then steps between my legs.
“Come here, woman,” he growls, taking my mouth in a kiss.
I wrap my legs around his waist and press my bare pussy against his washboard abs.
It’s not long before his big hands close over my ass, and he drops to his knees, scooting my hips forward until I’m hanging on the edge of the counter, and my pussy meets his mouth. I lean back, clutching at the cabinets behind my head as his mouth moves over me.
He sucks and torments my clit with his tongue until I’m panting with need, then he slips two fingers inside me and finds that sweet spot that drives me wild and has me moaning. He watches me with heated eyes as his thumb strums over my clit until the orgasm hits me strong and hard and my head bangs against the cabinet.
He scoops me into his arms to carry me into the living room. A second later, I’m flat on my back on the rug in front of the fire and he’s pulling his dick out of his undone jeans to slip inside me.
And it’s heaven.
“Goddamn, baby. I’ve missed sinking into this hot wet pussy all these weeks.”
“I’ve missed that, too, husband.”
He brackets me in with his arms. “Like your fire?”
I turn my head to look. “I love my fire. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Then he rolls us until he’s on his back and I’m straddling him. The fingers of one hand thread into my hair while his other hand moves to the buttons of the flannel shirt. A second later he’s pushing it off my shoulders to bare my breasts. He cups their heavy weight. “I know we don’t have much time before the boy wakes, but you’re all mine right now, and I think you should show your husband how grateful you are for that nice fire he built you.”
I begin to rock against him. “You just lie there, husband and let me do all the work.”
He grins and cocks a brow. “I do love to watch you move.”
I splay my hands on his chest and rock against him, my breasts swaying just above his face. I undulate and arch my back and feel his palms stroke over my hips and waist.
“You set the pace, Tess. As fast or as slow as you want.”
I grin and soon I’m bucking against him until he’s driven to roll me to my back and take the control I know he longs for. I willingly give it over, and my man takes me hard and fast like I want him to, like I’ve missed all these weeks.
He stares down at me, and I can see by the tension in his face that he’s getting close.
“You want it?” he asks between clenched teeth.
I nod, eager for it, and he thrusts one more time and comes long and hard inside me until his body collapses on top of me. I wrap my arms around him, stroking his back, my fingers spearing up into the hair at the nape of his neck.
His moan vibrates through his chest to mine, and I smile. I’m so in love with this man my heart is near to bursting.
I grin and press my mouth to his ear to whisper, “I smell bacon.”
“Shit, I forgot to take it out of the oven.”
I squeeze him harder. “That’s okay. I like it extra crispy.”
He lifts up and stares down at me, pushing a strand of hair off my face. “You okay?”
“Wonderful.”
“Was the small ceremony yesterday enough for you?” His brow creases with a frown and I wish I could convince him the simple wedding out by the pond with just our friends and family was all I wanted.
I lift a brow and say, “Tell me again how pretty I was.”
He grins. “You were gorgeous, baby.” He plays with a long curl of my hair. “I loved the way you wove flowers into your hair, and I loved your dress.”
I’d worn a simple strapless lace dress that flared out into a small train.
After the short ceremony, we’d had food and music and we’d partied into the evening. When darkness fell, Gypsy surprised me with a fireworks display he’d arranged for across the pond.
“The fireworks were magical.”
“Glad you liked them.” He presses a kiss to my forehead, then pulls me to my feet. “Let’s eat, then I’m taking you to the shower and soaping your gorgeous body head to toe.”
Three months later—
“I’m proud of you, babe. You worked hard and really pulled it off.” Gypsy stares down at me as I cuddle to his side with our baby in my arms.
I look around at all the work we’ve done bringing my grandparents property back to life. “It’s good, isn’t it?”
“It is.” He presses a kiss to my forehead. “You want apple cider or that pumpkin spice shit?”
“That’s blasphemy. All hail the pumpkin spice latte.” I grin up at him.
He rolls his eyes but moves off to order me one.
“Tess, can you believe the crowd?” Hayley dashes over excitement glowing on her face.
I burst into a giggle. “I know!”
It’s October first, and the place is packed with families, including my MC family. Jammer is standing over by the ring toss with one of his kids, eating cotton candy. Reno and Kara have their one-year-old over by the pumpkins, picking one out that’s almost as big as he is.
Rusty and Ashlyn approach, his arm around his pretty wife.
Hayley holds her hands out for my son. “Here, let me have him. I want to show him to my mom. She takes him and walks off.
“So, how’s the happy little family?” Rusty asks, watching her go.
“Fantastic,” I reply. “When
are you two going to start one?”
He gives Ashlyn a squeeze. “Give us another year. I like having this one all to myself.”
“I guess Ryder can wait a year for another playmate.”
He lifts his chin to his surroundings. “You did a great job. Really, I’m impressed.”
“Thank you.”
Ashlynn squeezes my hand. “It’s fabulous, Tess. The town needed something like this.”
“Well, I hope as word spreads it takes off.”
“Everyone is loving this place, are you kidding? It’s going to be a huge hit.”
“Thanks. I’ve got dreams to maybe add a mini-golf to that back section next year.”
“And Gypsy was telling me you’ll be open at Christmas with trees and hot chocolate and decorations?”
“Yes, November first we’ll flip it over. I’ve got this whole European style Christmas Market planned. We’ve already rented out three-dozen spots to local artists and crafters. And we’ll do a decorated walk of lights that will be stroller friendly.”
“Oh, that sounds fabulous.” She looks around, then back at me. “How’s your mother doing?”
“Really well.” I point across the way. “She’s in charge of the Cider and Coffee stand. Since she’s found flavored coffees, she’s hooked. She’s become a pumpkin spice addict now.”
“She looks good.”
“She’s like a different person with Ryder. Being a grandmother has really helped her. She adores that boy.”
“That’s fantastic. Really.”
I nod, watching my mother. Being welcomed back into the MC fold after we’d heard of Growler’s unfortunate accident in prison has been good for her. She’s finally been able to put everything behind her and look to the future. When she first held little Ryder, she looked up at me with tears in her eyes and said, “I didn’t get this right the first time around. I’m so sorry, baby. I hope you’ll give me a chance to make up for it with my grandson.”
