Chapter 18

18

HALO

I fly through the day, clocking off at four-thirty as I head out to my car and take the short drive over to the address Riot gave me this morning to his place.

I don't know what I was expecting, but a nice neighborhood is an understatement.

I saw the address in Lakeview this morning, but didn't take much notice of it since I was rushing out the door. What I'm met with are immaculate cottage gardens and tidy lawns, quaint cottages and neat as a pin streets.

It's not the kind of place I would ever picture Riot living. I kinda suspected he'd have the ultimate bachelor pad in the city, a parking garage for all his toys and his hot motorcycle. Not Anne of Green Gables. I laugh at my own joke, and when I pull up to the address, I look down at the paper on the passenger seat, and back up to the house.

Okay.

There's pebbled cement leading all the way up the pathway to two columns that frame the front porch. The house itself is on a corner lot, has white shiplap on the outside with a bright blue front door and hedging all around. I can't see Riot gardening, but the garden is beautiful. Two large, crepe myrtles hang out front, their beautiful pink flowers in bloom. I park in the driveway and take a couple of breaths.

I texted Riot throughout the day and he said Cookie was good and they'd been hanging out while he did some stuff on the computer. I also got regular snapshots of Cookie sleeping, sprawled out and one selfie of them both lounging back on his comfy looking couch. I like playful Riot. It's cute.

I look to the passenger seat where the Amazon package arrived today and shove it in my purse. It feels silly now, but I got Riot a present. I don't know if I'll give it to him because I'm having second thoughts, but when I heard he had night terrors and couldn't sleep very well, I wanted to try and help somehow. I heard him whimpering the other night, but he eventually calmed and then went back to sleep. I feel for anyone with PTSD, especially after what he suffered with as a child. His scars will be there forever. Every time I think of Riot as a fifteen year old boy, rifle in hand after killing his own father, I want to weep for him. You can't ever recover from something as traumatic as that, you just can't, and it makes me wonder what he's done to cope since then. His poor sister too. She was so much younger then and held on for dear life. I'd certainly like to shake hands with this Charles character. Riot spoke so highly of him, and what he did for those two children is commendable.

I step out of my car and head to the front door, my heels clicking on the pavement as I walk.

I mount the couple of steps and then I'm standing on the porch, ringing the doorbell. I hear Cookie bark and my heart melts. A few moments later, Riot opens the door and he's wearing… sweats? Woah, hold the bus. He looks hot.

"Hey."

I glance down at his body, unable to keep my eyes from wandering. "Hey yourself."

He snickers. "You good?" He leans forward and plants a quick kiss on my lips. "I missed you."

My heart squeezes just a little bit. I smile. "I should stay away for half a day more often. Then again, I would trade Mondays for just about anything else."

He stands aside to let me in, revealing Cookie behind the door. I drop my purse, hitch my skirt a little so it doesn't split and slide onto my knees. "Baby! How is my big boy, my beautiful big, fluffy, boy? Were you a good boy?" I tousle his fur on either side of his head and he groans, his tail wagging happily as he laps it up. "Were you Daddy's good boy?"

I hear Riot grunt behind me. "Keep up the Daddy shit, and we won't make it past the entryway."

I giggle. "I missed my boys." I stand and turn back to Riot. His eyes are all over my ass and I know he just got a good eye full. I was told many years ago that a woman my size shouldn't ever wear skirts, and while it isn't even short, I can see by the look in Riot's eyes that that is completely false. My heart skips another beat. "You good?" I throw back at him.

"Better now."

"Did he eat today?"

"Yes, Mommy. He had his biscuits and drank plenty of water. He's been tryin' to hobble around, but I kept it to just a couple of pee visits out on the lawn."

I smile down at him, stroking his face as he nudges my knee. "Such a good boy." I glance back at Riot. "It's like we've known him forever."

"Right? Today, I was just doin' some shit on my laptop and I glance down and he's just starin' at me. This goofy look on his face."

My heart melts. "He's adorable. He knows he's safe, that's what it must be."

"Well, he is, and when people feel safe and loved, they're responsive."

I raise a brow. "Speaking from experience?"

A smile purses his lips. "Maybe."

I glance around. "You have a lovely home, Riot." The floors are hardwood, the inside is more modern than the outside with high ceilings, white walls, antique looking furniture and a cozy fireplace in the main living room. It's open plan and really spacious. "It's beautiful."

"Glad you like it. Not quite what you expected?"

"If I'm being honest, no."

"Why not?"

I smile softly. "It's very un-bikerish, unless you have a dungeon buried under here somewhere or a few spare stripper poles."

He chuckles. "Is un-bikerish a word?

"It is now."

"No dungeon. No stripper poles. I bought out here because it's peaceful and quiet. I don't cause a disruption, well, only the straight pipes but everyone's used to that by now. If I wanna party, I do it at the club. When I have a family, I want a nice neighborhood for them to grow up in."

When I have a family?

I can feel heat rising in my belly at the idea of being pregnant with Riot's child. Holy crap.

I mean, I've always thought I'd have kids, because that's what you do. But these last few years, I've grown even more skeptical that it could happen. I take my hat off to women that raise children alone, sometimes through no choice of their own, but I couldn't do it.

Falling in love and starting a family has always been at the forefront of my mind, it's the main reason I left my hometown when my parents had other plans for me. Love isn't exactly high on their agenda.

"That's very grown up of you," I whisper. "Kids?"

He shrugs. "Someday." His eyes penetrate mine. "If I meet the right woman."

" If you meet her?"

"Most women might find this subject comin' on a little strong, since we've not even been on a date, yet."

"So take me on a date, then it won't feel like it's comin' on too strong."

He swallows hard. "Do you want kids someday?"

I don't hesitate. "Yes. If I met the right guy."

His eyes drop to my belly and it's as if he's imagining it. Can this even be happening? We've spent one weekend together, and we're already talking about kids? My heart leaps at the idea that maybe our souls really did connect a long time ago and we're just playing catch up.

All the shit that went down in Mississippi, and then our time apart through no fault of our own. We've been denying what we both want for some time now.

"I see."

I look away, trying to change the subject before I tear his clothes off and we start making that baby right now on the damn couch. I glance around the expansive living area taking in every detail. It's minimal, but has little touches here and there. "How long have you lived here?"

He thinks for a second. "A little over a year. I'm still tryin' to find art and shit to make it a little less borin' and feel more like home."

"I don't think it's boring at all."

"I can show you around?"

I nod as he takes my hand and I dump my purse on the couch as we pass by. We head out the French doors and onto a patio that leads out to a pool.

"Wow," I say, glancing around. "This is amazing."

"Love havin' a pool, and when Cookie gets better, I can teach him how to swim."

Tears fill my eyes as I picture the sight. "You'd do that?"

"Of course, it'll be good for him to gain strength in his leg, when the time's right of course. We can't go rushin' these things."

Cookie looks up from his bed inside, he has a clear view out to the patio from where he lies, it's so adorable.

"I hope that'll be soon. I want to take him for walks so he can get to know the neighborhood and meet other dogs. I hope he's dog friendly."

"There's a park a few blocks away," Riot says. "He's gonna love it when we go there."

I love the idea of we. The more time I spend with him, the more I feel like we've been doing this forever, not just one weekend. And now the idea that Riot wants kids and to settle down someday? It sends tingles all the way through me right down to my toes.

I've been dating for so long, and this is the first time things have felt really right with a man. Like he understands me and listens to what I say and what I want. I told myself I'd never take second best ever again, not after my ex and that idiot Ian.

Star's words about being cautious wash over me, but I find it hard not to fall even more in love with him when he's talking about his house, Cookie and the parks we'll take him to when he's better. Why does it all feel too good to be true? Is it me being skeptical? Or me wondering where the catch is and if I really deserve a man like Riot. He's all the things I've been looking for for so long, but I also know my parents would never approve.

It wouldn't matter what kind of person he is, or how he treats me, they will never accept him being part of NOLA Rebels MC. That's a bridge I'll have to cross when the time comes, but I'm far from worried about what my parents might think. I cut them off when they tried to rearrange my lie and forgot to fill me in on it. Now Ian is here to spy and I know I need to talk to my parents but I've been too mad to even call them back. I have to do it tonight.

"He will love the park. He'll be so much happier when he can get out and about like all the other dogs and make some new friends." I smile over at Cookie as he flops his head down, completely at ease in his surroundings.

He pushes one hand up into the back of my hair and tilts my head toward him. "Give me some sugar."

Prickly heat dusts my arms and up my spine as I press my hands to his chest and meet his lips. I've missed him and it's only been several hours — not days, not weeks — yet it feels like too long.

His tongue finds mine and a moan leaves my throat. When he pulls back, his eyes dance with delight. "You look fuckin' hot in that skirt suit, shouldn't be legal."

I smile, looking down at my shoes. "I was going to go home and change, but I wanted to see you guys, so I rushed right over."

"Want to stay here tonight?"

"I– I didn't bring any clothes."

"We can head out for dinner and pick some up if you want?"

I blink. This is moving fast, but I can't stop myself from nodding. "I'd like that."

"After dinner, I could run us a bath and you can tell me all about your day."

Ooh, I like the sound of that.

I stare up at him. "My day?"

"Yeah, you know, who annoyed you the most and what you could've said if you weren't an adorable, cute person who has to be nice to everyone."

I laugh. "I don't know about adorable and cute, but you do get some douchebags in customer service."

"How's Star and Tilly?"

"They're good. Tilly has been talking about joining the Stiletto Riders."

The Stilettos are the all-female MC in Texas who housed Tilly when she had amnesia and had no idea who she was. Tilly grew close to them, and I think we all had a feeling this would happen because it's all she talks about.

"Oh shit, how does Star feel about that?"

Halo sighs. "She's got mixed feelings. Of course she's overprotective because the last time Tilly went out without her, she got drugged, kidnapped and was sold to a sex trafficking ring. I can understand her concern, but the Stilettos might be good for her. All the women in the club have suffered some kind of abuse, even Diamond herself." Diamond is the club Prez and a mighty fine, kick-ass woman, if I do say so.

"I get that, but Star might not cope with Tilly bein' all the way over in Texas."

"I know, but she's got to let her go sometime. I think Tilly is worried about upsetting Star, but I can't think of anyone she'd be more at home with than the Stilettos; they really care about her."

It'll be interesting to see how all of that unfolds, but I know it'll be a struggle for my best friend to let her sister out of her sight ever again. If I'm being honest, Tilly hasn't really settled. She's doing well in therapy, and she's been helping Bella out at her studio downtown. It's an organization Bella set up to help women who are down on their luck, and they often have workshops and a little hub where they can meet and have coffee to point them in the right direction. Once a month, a team comes in and helps women put resumes together and apply for jobs and housing. It's really fantastic what they do, and I know that Tilly has been enjoying it and it gives her a sense of purpose.

"I know, but I think Star will have a hard time lettin' go," Riot echoes what I already know.He cups my face, planting his lips on mine again. "Tell me somethin' new."

I swing my arms around his neck. "I wanted to call in sick today and spend all day in bed with you."

His eyebrows shoot up. "I like the sounds of that." He presses a hand to my forehead. "In fact, I feel like you might be burnin' up already."

I smile. "If only I didn't have so much to do tomorrow."

He kisses me again. "I should feed you."

I glance over at Cookie. "Will he be okay by himself?"

"I've got a doggie cam all set up."

I lift a brow. "What?"

"Here, I'll show you." He drags me by the hand and then pulls his phone out, opening up the app. "There's the camera." He points across the room. "I've got a couple more around the living room so we can see him from all angles."

I laugh. "Wow, you've really thought of everything."

"Well, I knew you'd be worried. So we can see him and if he looks or sounds like he's in distress, we can come right home."

I feel a little shaky leaving him alone since he's only been here today, but so far, he seems like a pretty placid dog. "Well, we could try it, maybe we could eat fast."

Riot smirks. "Eat fast? Fine, I'll eat fast at the restaurant, but I can't promise I'll do the same when I get you home."

I blush, feeling the weight of his stare as I fidget awkwardly. His compliments come out of nowhere, and his dirty mouth sends me to heaven and back.

"Promises, promises," I muse. "But I do need to change at my place first, and then I can get my stuff."

I go to grab my purse off the couch and the paper bag falls out. I grab it quickly, stuffing it back in my purse. It's the present I got Riot, but I'm not going to give it to him now. It's dumb.

"What's that?" he asks.

"Uh, nothing."

He piques an eyebrow. "A suspicious package in a brown paper bag? Nothin' concernin'."

"It's not suspicious." I laugh. Since I can't hide anything from him, I add, "It was for you, but I changed my mind on giving it to you."

His smile drops. "Why?"

I shrug. "It seemed like a good idea at the time, but now I'm not so sure."

"Will you let me be the judge of that?"

"If you promise you won't laugh."

He tilts my chin up to meet his gaze. "I would never laugh at you. Ever."

"Okay, but it's just something stupid?—"

He leans down, capturing my mouth with his. "Don't say stupid."

I fumble with the bag, but also not wanting to let him go. I never expected to finish work and be basically making out all afternoon, now the idea that we're going out for dinner for an hour or two and I won't get to have him, is making me even wetter.

"Okay, but I did try to warn you." I shove the package at him and he looks down at it. "Aside from my birthday gifts, nobody's ever given me anythin' before just because."

"Well, I'm a mother hen, what can I say?" I try to laugh off my nervousness, but he's a biker. He's not going to want this. He rips the paper bag off, revealing the otter. Yes, I got him one of those breathing otters that mimic a heartbeat and help with anxiety, PTSD and sleep.

Mainly, they're for kids, but it did say on the website that adults use them too.

He stares down at it. "What is it?"

My mouth goes dry. "Uh, it's a breathing otter."

He glances up at me, and I've no idea what he's going to say next…