Extended Epilogue

EXTENDED EPILOGUE

Sixteen Years Later

L uke Morgan is a monument of stoicism—tough and unshakable. He's fearless, always ready to dive into danger when necessary for the greater good. The leader of the ever-expanding Iron Guardians.

I've seen fear in him twice. The first time was when I gave birth to Deke, and then the second was when I had our twins five years later, Lila and Lily.

Now is the first time I've ever seen it outside the delivery room, and despite my own trepidation, I can't help but laugh. It's Deke's 16th birthday, and the Harley Sportster he and Luke picked out last week has finally been delivered.

Deke worked all summer last year to save up for it, and Luke surprised everyone by paying for the bike himself and letting his son keep his money, saying it was a reward for earning it all himself. Luke still wants our boy to be humble, though, so it's a used model being dropped off.

I can tell from Deke's face, though, that it's the most beautiful thing he's ever seen.

Now our son is sitting on his bike, and Luke is going over the basics so he can begin to learn how to ride. Of course, there had been lessons on Luke's bike, but having his own was a different animal altogether.

I've never seen Luke so stressed. The worry on his face is a completely new look for him. He's just standing in front of Deke as he shows him how to handle the bike and use the clutch and throttle, and he's telling him what it takes to stay balanced on it. I don't really know a whole lot about riding, but I know he's teaching him right. I'd picked up the basics over the years.

"Once around the parking lot now," Luke says, stepping back to join me, wiping sweat off his brow. We're in the huge parking lot of the Iron Guardians clubhouse, and there are more than a few members scattered about pretending to work on their own bikes or have conversations while they watch Deke. The Iron Guardian baby, all grown up.

"He's fine," I whisper, leaning against my husband. He instinctively loops his arm around me and pulls me close. It's been sixteen years, and still, when we touch, a warm thrill rushes through me. His hands still send shivers through my body when he caresses my bare skin. "You worry too much."

"He's too young," Luke insists. Deke gets the bike rolling and Luke watches, worried. "It's a big responsibility. Maybe he should wait another year."

"Luke, it's time." I don't like telling my husband what to do, but I've got a lot of years of experience. "Also, it's a parking lot." I can't hide the humor in my voice. It's a big, fenced-off, flat expanse of cement, not a cliff face to be conquered. Deke's already shown that he's ready, that he understands how to ride. He just needs some room to try on his own for a bit. "It'll be fine."

The motorcycle rumbles through the parking lot as Luke and I stand and watch our son on the bike, riding through the afternoon sun. Our daughters are already with my mother for the week—Luke and I are taking our first couple vacation in a long time—and tonight when we board the plane, Luke will be house-sitting for the first time, too.

With a group of Iron Guardians watching the house at all times, of course.

He wanted one ride before we left, and our son knows he isn't allowed on the motorcycle until we get back. Luke is going to be a wreck when road lessons start, I can already feel it.

"Just think about our trip," I murmur to him. "Cancun. The white sand beaches. The sun..."

I let the words trail off as he wraps his arm tighter around my shoulder and smiles down at me. It's working.

"I know it'll be good, honey." Then a note of teasing enters his voice. "But you forgot the best part. You in a bikini. I saw that new little red number you bought."

I flush, looking down at the ground, my good mood taking a hit. Ugh. I did buy a new suit, excited to show it off to my husband, but when I tried it on at home for the first time yesterday, I was struck with how much my body has changed since we first met. Three kids and sixteen years have made me thicker, and somehow, Luke is just as muscled and fit as ever.

He's also perceptive. One look down at me, and he's asking, "What's wrong, baby girl?"

"Just feeling a bit … I don't know. Don't get your hopes up about that suit. I guess I still thought I was in my twenties when I bought it." I say, not able to meet his eyes. I don't like feeling insecure or upset with how I look, but here we are.

He shakes his head, and then Luke pulls me into his arms in one motion, and his mouth is on mine, kissing me with all the passion that has never faded. When he pulls back, my toes are tingling and I feel breathless.

Across the lot, the motorcycle has stopped, and Deke is yelling at us to get a room.

"You're taking that suit, and you're wearing it," Luke demands, putting a finger under my chin to make me look up at him. His voice is quiet, only for me. "Listen to me, Emma. You're more beautiful now than you've ever been. And your body is even hotter. Now I don't have to be as careful with you. Don't pretend you don't like it rough."

My body flushes hot, remembering all the ways we've explored that desire. He's not wrong.

I bite my lip and nod. "Okay. I believe you."

His grin is infectious, and I smile back up at him, feeling more confident already. I'm excited for him to see me in the suit, to see his desire, the fire that always burns for me.

Deke has killed the engine on the bike and is waiting a bit impatiently for Luke to finish his talk. He's sixteen, so his patience is always a bit short. Luke sees and nods. "He's waiting."

"All right. Go give our boy some more lessons," I tease. He gives me one last squeeze before letting me go.

As Luke walks off towards our son, I watch, thinking how lucky I am to have him in my life, how grateful I am. We've been together for sixteen years, and we have a beautiful family together.

"Come on, Dad," I hear Deke whine, and Luke laughs. "You guys can be gross later on your trip."

Luke throws me a look over his shoulder and winks, Deke makes a disgusted noise, and I laugh until my stomach hurts.

Around us, the Iron Guardians do the same, and the sound of them feels like coming home. This place, these people, are home to me now. Luke has given me this gift, and the gift of his love.

My big, bad biker, my rough, tattooed lover, the man I'm about to fly across the country with.

He's everything.

The End.

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