Page 76 of May 11

"Babe."

She put her finger against his lips. "I'm not sure I had a good grasp on my life and where I was going when I met you. In fact, I know I didn't. I was driving around in a panic because I had to find my brother because in my head—I felt like if I found him, I would put my family back together that I'd lost." She swallowed, having never admitted that to herself before, much less spoke it out loud. "Looking back, I was ignorant. I'd never dealt with someone dying, much less both my parents leaving me at the same time. I fell apart."

"Babe."

"I don't know if I handled anything right, but I can tell you, I did it on my own, and deep down, I'm proud of myself." Tears filled her eyes. "I think my parents would be proud of me, too."

"Babe."

"And that brings me to you. I can't imagine my life if I hadn't stopped in Seaglass Cove, and no disrespect toward Rush, but if he hadn't gotten shot, I never would've met you." She inhaled swiftly. "I never would've fallen in love with you."

"Babe."

"I love you." She cupped his face. "I know I can live without you because death has shown me that I can do things I never thought possible, but the truth is I don't want to live without you. I can't imagine going to bed without you by my side or hearing a motorcycle and not getting filled with excitement because I know you're coming home."

"Babe." He took her hands off his face. "Are you fucking done?"

She nodded.

"I heard you." A slow grin lifted the corner of his mouth underneath the whiskers. "You don't want to leave me."

It hit her that he was laughing at her. He'd let her blabber on and on, and he already knew how she felt about him.

"How long have you known?" she asked.

"When you started bringing me a coffee and cinnamon roll at Whale's Tail while you worked and I didn't have to ask you."

"That was before you asked me to move in with you." She gasped. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"We've had a lot going on this summer." He kissed the tip of her nose. "Rest your worries. You're not going anywhere. You're with me. I love you."

Warmth flooded her. It was her time to smile.

"Yeah?" she whispered.

He chuckled. "You're home."

"Mm." She kissed him. "I like the sound of that."

He palmed her ass. "You know, we could always go back inside and—"

"You promised me a ride."

He smacked her butt. "Then let me finish."

"Yes, sir." She grinned, backing up.

Her heart was full. He wanted her here with him. She wanted to stay. To him, it was a done deal.

Someday, she'd need to return to California. Once she figured out what to do with her parents' house and belongings. But for now, she would let herself live the life she wanted. And that was a life with Wire.

If her brother could turn his back on his past, so could she.

Chapter Thirty Five

WIRE PUSHED OUT OF the clubhouse door after attending the early morning meeting. Scanning the area, his gut tightened. Jagger was right. Ruger had returned.

Cora's brother bullshitted with Brett near the club's truck.

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