Page 74 of His Road Dog

Priest eyed him.

"Ah, I see you thinking." Her dad laughed. "I've raked all the seeds out of the joints in that box. There's no chance of growing it yourself."

Priest slipped the joints into his pocket and palmed the back of Nicole's neck. "Thanks for the gift. We need to head out."

Nicole hugged her dad one more time and went out of the cabin. Her mom ran over and embraced her again. After several tears, she hurried to the car.

Priest slipped into the passenger seat. Nicole waved out the window at the guards as she drove away on the dirt road. There were always mixed feelings about leaving family, but she was excited to be with Priest.

She glanced over at him. "You're awful quiet."

"You introduced me as Michael."

"It's your name. You let me call you that."

He grunted, reaching over and placing his hand on her thigh, keeping it there. "We're going to need to talk."

She swallowed, taking the road slowly, making sure none of the guards were standing in the way when she took the bend. "About?"

He patted her leg. "We'll talk later. At home."

"I was going to get a motel—"

"No."

"You want me at your house?"

He turned his head and looked at her. She pressed her foot on the brake pedal, unable to drive and see what he was thinking at the same time.

"I'm not letting you out of my sight, babe."

"Then, it's still not safe for me?"

"You're safe from others." His gaze warmed. "I'm not safe for you, but I'm still not going to let you leave me again."

She stretched over the space between the seats and kissed him. Flutters filled her stomach. She cupped his whiskered jaw and moaned. God, she'd missed him.

Pulling away, she smiled at him. The pleasure of having him back in her life was overwhelming. She wanted to show him how much it meant to have him here with her.

"Hit the road, babe." He squeezed her thigh. "Let's get the hell out of here."

She laughed. To him, she suspected the commune made him uncomfortable.

Nervousness filled her, and she looked at him again, needing assurance that she was doing the right thing. His lifestyle was different than hers and would push her out of her comfort zone.

He caressed her leg with his thumb, leaving his hand on her. She inhaled deeply, put the car in Drive, and moved forward.

With Priest by her side, she would find her place in the world.

---