Page 93 of Filthy Hot

She doesn’t reply, and then she sinks down on the edge of the bed, her eyes staying focused on mine.

“I never imagined them either. I just thought that I would forever be on the run from Xavier, and I knew I did not want them with him. So, I put that part of me out of my mind. My life had been surviving for so long that I never allowed myself to dream or imagine, not until I met you.”

“Do you want them, Kyle?” I ask.

She dips her chin slightly. “I think I do. With you.”

I walk toward her, closing the distance between us, and stand in front of her. She tips her head backward slightly, her gaze still focused on mine. I cup her jaw and slide my fingers through the side of her hair, gripping the strands at the back.

“I want everything with you, Kyle. I want a good life, happiness, and love. I’m not one to admit fear, but I have to tell you that the thought of kids does scare me, but at the same time, I want that.”

She bites the corner of her lip, then releases it. “I know. I’m terrified, Rider. Completely and totally terrified, but we aren’t our families.”

“You’re right,” I say. “We sure as fuck aren’t.”

Leaning forward, I touch my mouth to hers. The conversation is finished for the day. I’m not my father, and I’m sure as fuck not Xavier. She’s not her parents, either. I want to believe that we won’t repeat any of their mistakes.

“I want a life with you, Rider,” she breathes against my lips. “I want the ups and downs, the highs and lows. I want it all.”

“There’s nobody else I would ever give any of that to. We’re going to be okay, Kyle. It’s you and me, baby.”

“You and me,” she exhales.

EPILOGUE

KYLE

TWO MONTHS LATER

Climbingoff the back of Rider’s bike, I sink my teeth into my bottom lip as I look up at him. He’s already off the bike, facing me, his head dipped as he watches me. I move toward him and place my hand on the center of his chest.

“You having a good birthday, baby?” he asks.

I give him a smile. I can’t help but think about the day I’ve had. We had amazing sex this morning, went out for some breakfast. Then he took me on a ride through the back country roads until we ended up at a winery.

The winery was gorgeous, the food amazing, and the wine was some of the best I’ve ever tasted. I honestly didn’t know that Rider had all of this in him. Year thirty-one is going to be the best one yet if this day is any indication.

Although, I truly believe that any year with Rider is better than a year without him, no matter what. He shifts his face closerto mine, his lips brushing my own. I let out a sigh against his mouth before I answer him.

“It’s the best birthday I’ve ever had,” I say. “Hands down.”

He smiles against my lips, then takes a step backward, wrapping his fingers around mine and taking my hand before he begins walking straight for the door to the clubhouse—our home.

In the two months I’ve lived in the building, I’ve seen a lot of things, but I would have to say that the best part of it all is getting to know all the people Rider loves.

Sure, there is the not-so-glamourous side of the clubwhore situation, but even them, I don’t mind so much. I’ve actually become friendly with Vixen and Firecracker. They’re the head girls and are really nice.

Something that I never imagined possible, women who give themselves to be used for sex being nice, but maybe it’s because of my own past as a one-time stripper or my friendship with Bren that makes it possible for me to see the other side of things.

Or maybe it’s just because your job, your lifestyle, doesn’t make you nice or mean. It’s who you are as a person. They’re just nice people. Just like Bren and the girls at Sal’s. Just like Rider and his brothers. None of which are doing anything legal, and yet, they are some of the gentlest men I’ve ever come across in my life.

This is a world that I never imagined being part of, but now, I can’t imagine not being part of it all. I love it here. I love them. And most importantly, I love Rider. So, it’s needless to say that I am looking forward, with excitement, to this new year, and the next, and the next, and then the next fifty.

The door to the bar opens, and I’m not sure what I expect, but it isn’t the entire room full of faces that I recognize shouting, "Happy Birthday" to me. I stand stock-still for a moment, unsurethat this is truly happening, and to me, then I turn to look up at Rider.

He’s got the biggest smile on his face, his eyes searching mine, and then he clears his throat. “Happy Birthday, baby.”

Tears instantly stream down my face at his words. This isn’t a milestone. I didn’t think I would have anything like this. I don’t quite understand what’s happening. His arm slides around my waist before he tugs me against his chest.

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