“I know. You’ve all treated me better than my own flesh and blood.”
“What can I say? The guys love you.”
In a hesitant voice, I ask, “Are you included in that?”
Zeke’s lips tip up in a half grin. “Definitely. Only there’s one difference.”
“What’s that?” I murmur, holding my breath, hoping he says what I think he will.
He fucking does. “I’m also in love with you. So, I think I win.”
Zeke laughs as I slide as close to him as I can, hugging me tightly. “I love you too,” I finally tell him, after years of pining and feeling like I would never be able to tell him my true feelings. “I’ve been in love with you for years.”
Ever the smart ass, Zeke says, “I know, Counselor.”
Pulling back, I scowl at him. “You don’t have to sound so fucking smug.”
“Sure I do.”
I roll my eyes. “We probably should have figured this out years ago. So much wasted time.”
Zeke puts his arms around my back, pulling me down for a long kiss. “We figured it out now. That’s all that matters.”
He’s right. Being with him, like this and in all other ways, is all that matters.
“Come on,” Zeke says against my lips, smacking my ass soundly. I yelp, causing Zeke to laugh raucously. Again, I scowl at him. “Let me get you dried off. Your fingers are all pruny.”
I climb off his lap and get out of the tub, careful to avoid the mess I made. I grab a spare towel and put it on the floor to soak up the water.
Zeke steps out of the tub, wrapping a towel around his waist, then taking mine from my hands to dry me off. I can definitely get used to this.
After we’re dry and we have our pajamas on, we lie in bed to enjoy the last few hours of what was supposed to be our exclusive weekend. I wish we could have had the whole time uninterrupted, but it’s not like Prez and the guys asked to have some bullshit tip come in about the club. I also wish it hadn’t taken all day to get the few answers that I did from the police.
Zeke must be reading my mind. “I’ll make it up to you,” he tells me as he kisses my forehead. “We’ll at least have an uninterrupted day. We can build from there.”
“Okay,” I remark sleepily.
“Shane?” I hum in response, eyes drifting shut. “You want to join me on the charity ride? The brothers that have them bring their old ladies.”
Grinning as I crack an eye to look at him, I inquire playfully, “Am I an old lady now?”
Zeke snickers. “You belong to me. So yeah.”
I lie down on his chest so I can hear the strong and steady beat of his heart. “Yes, Enforcer. I’ll be there.” Before I drop off to sleep, a thought enters my head and I startle. “Oh, shit, I forgot to tell you.” I look up at him, his tired eyes focusing on me.
“Tell me …” his voice trails off and he waves his hand, indicating for me to continue.
“I have an interview with the senior partners from my firm on the Monday after the charity ride.”
Zeke smiles, dragging me on top of him so he can kiss me soundly. “That’s great, baby,” he mutters against my mouth. “I’m proud of you.”
My cheeks flame and I preen at the evident pride in his voice. “Thank you. I just hope I don’t make a fool of myself during the interview.”
“You won’t,” Zeke says around a yawn. “They’d be stupid to pass you over. You’re a brilliant lawyer. That position is yours.”
“Thank you,” I whisper again, giving him one more kiss before I lie back on his chest.
I fall asleep with a smile on my face, loving the faith he has in me.