Chapter Twenty-Six

S prite was excited to ride behind Roam. She hadn't even gone home because Roam had wanted to buy her motorcycle boots at the diner's shop. His brother had dropped off his bike when he picked up Matthew and Roam's vehicle. War said he and Remi were hanging out with Baron, Regina and the kids.

She and Roam had burgers and onion rings at the diner for supper. She loved the small town because people said hi and chatted with them when they walked in. She'd never lived in a place like this. From the first moments, it had felt like home.

Roam had gotten on the bike and was telling her how to get on and where to put her feet. Deputy Kerwin was walking by as they were getting on.

"Aren't you going to wear a helmet?" he questioned.

Roam had asked her if she wanted to wear one. He was planning on taking them on some back roads and around the town. He didn't plan on going on the highway and she wanted to feel the wind on her face. He'd told her on club rides or if they were going to be on the highway any length of time that they'd both be wearing them. The highway was well-traveled, and Roam had said there had been multiple wrecks on the stretch by Bluff Creek.

"Not for today's ride," Roam answered.

The deputy frowned, then walked closer.

"It's the law," he grumbled.

Roam shook his head. "You might want to brush up on your Kansas laws. Riders eighteen and older aren't required to. Where did you say you came from?"

Sprite sat quietly, watching the deputy closely. After Regina and Roam had both mentioned their reservations, she was keeping a closer eye on him.

"Y'all have a nice ride," he said and walked over to the diner, going in the door.

Roam started the motorcycle and turned his head. "You ready?"

"Yes," she yelled over the engine.

He backed it up and then went faster. Sprite felt herself move back with the momentum. She braced her legs on the pegs a little and held onto Roam as he accelerated. She'd been by the WWII memorial and park before but hadn't gone farther out of town that way. The paved street continued by some other buildings and then turned to go over a small bridge.

The sign by the bridge read Bluff Creek. She knew the creek ran by the compound and near the town. It was flowing some and a man was down along the bank fishing. Roam raised his hand and waved, so she did too.

The blue sky set against the backdrop of the fields and animals they passed had most of her stress melting away. But she vowed to not focus on the worry. She wouldn't change anything by worrying more before her brother's friends got back to her. She'd just make herself feel worse. Roam passed the road where they'd turn toward the compound and the bail bonds continuing farther west. At least she thought it was west, but she was still learning her way around. Roam continued on a little farther, then turned left. She'd gotten the leaning with him pretty quickly, she thought, but he still wasn't going very fast. She'd guessed he was keeping it slower until she was comfortable.

Roam was the type of man she'd always envisioned sweeping her away when she was reading books. Strong, protective but ready to support his woman the best way he could. She'd always considered that no man could live up to her book boyfriends but he did. He was a fantastic father to his kids, always putting them first in every decision he made. She could see how he'd be a wonderful father to hers too.

She already loved his kids. Grant was a hoot and when he was in high school, she looked forward to teasing him about his girls comment when he realized Blake wasn't a boy. Six kids between the two of them was a dream come true for her. She'd always wanted a husband and a big family. She'd loved reading Little House on the Prairie . She'd wanted to live on a big farm with her husband. The compound certainly fit the bill of a farm with the orchard and the large houses in the middle.

Blake wanted a puppy, but Sprite was thinking maybe it would be fun to raise her own chickens for eggs or maybe have some cute cows or goats. She'd have to talk with Roam and get his thoughts on it.

Roam slowed the bike and pulled into a small driveway with a gate that was open. He pulled through, then parked the bike and shut it off. She loved the rumbling of the bike but the quiet now that it was off was nice too.

"Let's go sit by that tree."

Roam twined his fingers between hers and led her around a large dirt racing track toward a big tree on the other side. When he stopped underneath the tree, he turned to her, tilting her head up with his finger under her chin. He really was a gorgeous man with his chocolate brown eyes and his neatly trimmed beard. She looked forward to the time she could explore every inch of him again without being under a time constraint. It seemed forever since he'd held her and kissed every inch of her.

"I love you, Sprite, with every fiber of my being. I want us together in our house forever. I want the whole shebang, but I figure you might want to wait for a wedding until your brother is home. I don't have a ring yet but when I do, I plan on sweeping you off your feet and getting you to say yes. All before you realize how crazy our life is going to be with six kids and maybe seven if you want to add to our brood later."

His hand slid across her cheek, and she closed her eyes at the feel of him. His warm breath heralded his lips claiming hers. Each time he kissed her, it was like fireworks. Her brain was awash with pleasure, and all she could concentrate on was how his lips felt against hers. She trembled as tingles ran down her spine, centering between her legs.

This man, with his caring touch, had her wondering how they'd found each other. She gave herself over to just enjoying him and his kisses. His other arm left her face and slid down, caressing her neck, drifting across her chest and circling a nipple. Before she could lean into it, his fingers were gone, tracing across her stomach, then sliding down her hips until his hand grasped her rear.

His lips broke away as he grasped her waist with his other hand and lifted her, carrying her to the tree. He leaned back against the tree, settling her crotch against his as he held her. She stared in his eyes and realized she hadn't said anything about his statement.

"I want you, the kids and our life together too. I'm on board with another baby someday, but maybe we could wait until the youngest is at least two years old."

Roam chuckled and grinned. "You're not running across the red dirt for the hills, so I think I can agree to wait until Matthew's two years old before we think about another baby."

Roam turned a little, leaning his ear away from the track. "Do you hear that?"

Sprite strained to hear what Roam was asking about. "Is that a motor?"

Whatever the sound was, it was coming closer. Roam slid her down his body, rubbing her core against his hardness on the way down. She really hoped they got to finish what he started. He had her aching inside and she'd really appreciate it if he'd assuage it and not leave her wanting.

One of the side-by-side's came over the hill with Cannon driving and Clara riding along. Cannon drove right up to the tree, then shut off the vehicle.

"I hate to interrupt date night, but Sprite's house has a problem. We need your opinion on what you want done."

"What happened?" Sprite asked.

"Oh, honey, it looks like a couple of the pipes burst. The house has water in a lot of places. We need to know where you want us to move you. They had to turn all the water off to the house because of the different leaks. Most of your stuff looks okay," Clara said.

Roam's arm tightened around her in reassurance. Well, she guessed she didn't have to figure out how to convince Blake to move to the new house.

"We'll meet you there," Roam directed, sliding his fingers through hers and pulling her close. A quick kiss on her forehead and then they were walking over to his bike.

She waited while Roam got on the bike, then swung her leg over and snuggled up behind him.

"So are you ready for us to move in permanently?" she asked.

"You, under our roof, tonight? Yes, you are making every one of my dreams come true. Let's go start the rest of our life, woman."

Sprite held tight to Roam and worked not to smile. She was so excited, but she also didn't need bugs in her teeth. They were going to live together as a family. The only thing that would make it perfect was if her brother was with them.