Page 12 of RiffRaff's Reward

Me: Constant emergencies today. First one was a little dog who was attacked by another dog that was not on a leash.

RiffRaff: The dog okay?

Me: Well, he’s got a lot less fur than he had yesterday, that’s for sure, but he’s all stitched up, has a cone of shame, plus a cast for his broken leg.

RiffRaff: What are you doing for dinner?

Me: Lol. I just ordered pizza from Roanoke Pizzeria. Will pick it up once I grab Kimber.

RiffRaff: How about I go pick it up and head in that direction?

Me: I haven’t paid for it yet.

RiffRaff: Babe.

I snicker because any time he wants to get his point across that something I’ve said is somewhat ludicrous he just says, ‘babe’. So, if he wants to pay, I won’t object because he has some old-fashioned values despite the fact he’s admitted that he was all but raised up in a male dominated environment. Yet, he’s always a gentleman where I’m concerned.

Me: Okay, RiffRaff. I understand.

RiffRaff: See you two ladies shortly. Stay safe.

Me: You do the same.

I’m disappointed that he won’t be on his bike since he has to get pizza, but it’s probably for the best since the weather is so mercurial these days. I think snow is on the forecast and I want him safe. He’s come to mean a lot to me, even though I’m not quite ready to examine my feelings too closely.

“I wish you could stay tonight,” I murmur as he ends our kiss. “I need you so much.” At his look I hurriedly continue. “Not just forthat, but because it’s been a rough day and I need to be held by my man.”

“Maybe that’s something you should talk to Kimber about, sweetheart,” he suggests.

“Really? You don’t think it’s too soon? She only just met you a month or so ago,” I reply.

“She’s almost a teenager, Jilly. She knows what adults get up to when they’re a couple,” he rebuts.

Well, when he puts it like that, he makes a lot of sense. “Okay, I’ll talk to her and see how she feels if her mom has sleepovers with her boyfriend.”

“Ol’ man. If you’re my ol’ lady, then I’m your ol’ man. Explain to her it’s more than just being boyfriend-girlfriend. In my world, it’s more sacred than marriage.”

I’ve read that in my romance books, of course, but hearing the conviction in his tone lets me know that at least that part of the club culture is accurate. I always take what I’ve read with a grain of salt because it’s fiction. However, there’s usually a little bit of truth behind that so I’ll discuss it with my girl in the morning since she’s already gone to bed and once she’s asleep you don’t want to wake her if you can help it. She gets growly and temperamental, it’s like approaching a grizzly bear in hibernation, you do so at your own risk. I still can’t believe she’s already a teenager and wonder how it is that time passes so quickly. Soon, she’ll be headed off to either college or a trade school, leaving me rambling around my farmhouse.

“I’ll talk to her, RiffRaff, I promise. Now, can we maybe take a little time for some adult talking?” I tease, moving toward the hall to my bedroom. “She sleeps like the dead, so she won’t hearanything. It’ll partially soothe me even though you won’t be able to stay all night.”

“I’ll set my alarm and slip out before she wakes up, sweetheart. Why don’t you go and take a bath and I’ll lock up then meet you in bed.”

“You sure do spoil me, handsome,” I whisper, kissing the underside of his jaw.

“As long as I have breath in my body, I’ll keep on doing so,” he vows.

CHAPTER SEVEN

RiffRaff

We hadchurch with both chapters a little bit ago, then most of us left except for Brick, Dragon, Wrecker, Butcher and Cuda. As I sit at the bar nursing a beer, I remember the dream I had where Wrecker told me I was going to be needed soon. Figuring that this must be why the others stayed behind, I decide to check it out to confirm my suspicions. So, I burst back into church and see the five of them sitting there, staring at me in utter disbelief. Church is sacred and I’m being somewhat disrespectful. However, I have a suspicion about what they’re talking about and feel I need to be involved.

“Keep your britches on, boys.” Looking over at Wrecker I say, “I’m ready. Let’s put these guys out of their misery before they pop a blood vessel.”

When the door flies open again, Selah comes rushing in with her laptop in hand, declaring, “I’m here.” Then she narrows her eyes at Wrecker. “The next time you’re going to talk to me in mydamn head, give me some warning. I had just taken a sip of my coffee and nearly choked on it.”

“Since when can you do that?” Butcher asks Wrecker.

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