Page 64 of Just Heartbeats
She picked up the flannel shirt and slipped her arms into the sleeves. "What can I do? Does he need to see a doctor?"
He returned to her and kissed her hard. "He's fine."
"You're sure?"
She'd seen many men come in after hitting the asphalt. She'd also seen some men never return. It was the risk they all took to live the lifestyle they desired.
He slapped her ass. "I'm beat."
She slipped her hand into his and led him to the bedroom, where they could shut out the outside world and focus on each other. "I'll take care of you."
"Yeah?"
She smiled over her shoulder. "It might have to do with lots of touching, but I think you'll like it."
"Do what you wish." He flopped down on the bed.
She bit her bottom lip and joined him. This was their time. No one, not even Royalla, could take this away from her.
Epilogue
Kodiak leaned against the doorframe of the clubhouse, arms crossed loosely, watching Roma scrub the top of the picnic table in the setting sun. Her laugh carried across the distance as the young pup tangled its leash around her feet.
He inhaled deeply, content and happy. Right now, everything felt right.
Years ago, he wouldn't have believed such peace existed. Hell, he'd never seen someone settle down. His dad never settled. Most of the Royalla men never settled. Love was fleeting, and loss played a massive part in his life. Roma had shown him what family and home meant.
He thought about Chopper more often these days. Chopper's ghost rode shotgun some mornings, especially when he rode alone. He could still hear Chopper's thunder-laced voice—always a little amused.
"Take care of her, brother. She's worth more than either of us combined."
He'd promised on the patch, on his life, on everything he had left to take care of Roma. At the time, he thought he was giving protection.
He hadn't meant to love her. But he did. Fiercely. Endlessly. And not because she needed saving, but because she was a part of him. He'd even go as far as to say she was born to love him.
She lit a fire in him that no one had been able to do before. She'd done that, whether she was trying to get to him or it happened naturally, he could never figure it out. He only knew that day after day, he found himself loving her more.
He crossed the compound and wrapped his arms around Roma from behind, burying his face in the crook of her neck.
"You ever wonder if he'd approve of us?" Kodiak asked softly.
Roma leaned into him, her fingers finding his without hesitation. It was always like that with her. Long explanations weren't required. She could understand what he was talking about before he finished his sentence.
"Of course, he'd approve. You were his best friend," she said more confidently than he'd expected, leaving no room for him to doubt it.
"Didn't set out to fall for you," he murmured. "But now I can't breathe right without you."
She turned in his arms, smiling like sin and salvation all rolled into one. "Kiss me."
He growled, claiming her mouth. That's what he was talking about. Fucking oxygen.
"Everyone should be arriving any minute." Rubbing her hip, he pulled back. "I'll take the pup inside and hand her to Hunter."
She leaned over and picked up the puppy. "Make sure you tell him not to let her out of his sight. I don't want her getting lost in the crowd, running away, or getting run over."
"She'll be fine." He scooped up Alanis, named after Roma's favorite singer.
He'd found the dog, a mutt with short hair and big paws, one night when he and Cruz were out riding. He had no idea what made him catch the puppy and zip her into his jacket. Roma had never asked for a pet before. He had no idea if she even liked dogs. But the moment she spotted the puppy, it was love at first sight.
