I decided I was done letting you stand in your own way.”
“The night I should have done this.” She grabbed him by the collar and crushed her mouth to his, kissing him with all the passion, and all the greed, of a woman in love.
His woman in love.
The music from the bar filtered in, and “Heartbeat” was playing. Justin took Chloe’s hand and said, “They’re playing your song. May I have this dance, heartbreaker?”
She stepped into his arms and said, “You can have this dance and every future dance for the rest of my life.”
As they swayed to the music, she sighed contentedly and whispered, “We have no stars.”
“No moonlight kisses,” he whispered, holding her tighter.
“Guess those will have to come later,” she said seductively. “What do you think, biker boy?”
He nuzzled against her neck, kissing her there. She made an appreciative sound and he whispered in her ear, “I think I’ve got the woman I adore”—he kissed her cheek—“the star of all my dirty fantasies”—he slid his tongue along the shell of her ear—“and the love of my life safe and happy in my arms.” He brushed his lips overs hers, whispering, “And I can’t wait to make you my wife.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
AS THE SUN peeked over the horizon, Justin climbed off his bike in front of Preacher and Reba’s house and headed around the side to the kitchen door. The last time Justin had walked into their house with a burden this heavy had been the first day he’d met them. So much had changed since then. Hell, so much had changed in the past few months. July had been a roller coaster, providing lessons in survival, hope, and love, and he and Chloe had come through it stronger than ever. August was a month of blessings. Chloe had received warm welcomes when she’d returned to work, and she’d since settled back in nicely. The Junior/Senior Program had become permanent, and the puppetry program was well under way. More of Alan’s victims had come forward, and his attorney had convinced him to take a plea bargain, which kept his victims from having to appear in court. Alan Rogers was sentenced to twenty years behind bars, eligible for parole after sixteen. No punishment would be enough, in Justin’s eyes, but he had a feeling Rogers would get his due in the slammer. Shadow had come home a few weeks ago, and he and Sampson rarely left each other’s sides. The four of them had become the family Chloe had always dreamed of. They’d rolled happily into September with warm, full days and brisk, loving nights—and for Justin, a need to finally unburden the last of his chains to his past.
As he reached for the doorknob, it was Chloe’s love that gave him the strength to walk through the door, though she wasn’t aware of his plans or that he’d even left the house. She had been sleeping soundly with their furry boys when he’d snuck out at the crack of dawn to take care of business.
Preacher’s dogs, Buster and Milo, greeted Justin with tails wagging. Reba stood beside the counter fixing coffee in her bathrobe. Preacher was dressed in jeans and a Dark Knights T-shirt, sitting at the table sipping a cup of coffee. It was strange not seeing Mike at that table. He’d moved into LOCAL a couple of weeks ago, and he was loving life there. He and Chloe had a standing dinner date on Wednesday evenings, and according to Mike, there was already a long line of women hoping for that seat. But even with all his grandfather’s talk, Justin knew no woman would ever get close to his heart. How could they, when Hilda had taken so much of it with her?
“Morning, sweet boy,” Reba said, smiling warmly as he loved up the dogs.
The curiosity and worry in her eyes tugged at Justin’s heartstrings. He’d woken them up with his call before the sun had breached the horizon, and he’d asked if he could come over to talk. He kissed her cheek and said, “Hi, Mom. Sorry to get you up so early.”
“It’s okay, baby. You know we don’t mind.”
Preacher pushed to his feet, studying Justin’s face. “Son,” he said, embracing Justin. “I’m guessing you’re not here to tell us Chloe’s knocked up.”
Justin chuckled. “She’s not, but we’re sure having fun practicing.”
“Attaboy.” Preacher clapped him on the back, and as they sat down at the table, he looked at Reba and said, “You owe me a