Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 63763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 319(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 319(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
“Not mine.”
Bex studied me for another moment, then slid her fingers into my hair and held my gaze with the firm expression that had once ordered deputies toward a call the system claimed never existed. “Let’s go home, Corbin.”
I lowered her until her boots touched the floor but kept one arm locked around her waist. “It’s like you read my mind, baby.”
26
BEX
What a difference twenty-four hours could make. Many arrests had been made, and I didn’t need to worry about being the target of a criminal conspiracy anymore. Even though Corbin kept talking as though I wasn’t going anywhere, I was a little worried about how our relationship would be impacted by me not needing to stay at his house to remain safe.
But he eased some of those fears when he told me to put on jeans and a jacket, along with my boots, on Wednesday night. Then he led me out to the garage. “Ride with me.”
“Sounds perfect.”
I took my helmet from him and swung onto the motorcycle behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist as the engine growled to life. We left the house and rode down winding roads, the wind pulling at my clothes and the last of the lingering tension unraveling with every mile.
I didn’t ask where we were going because I didn’t care. I was exactly where I wanted to be.
Eventually the bike slowed. He pulled off at a dark overlook above the valley, kicked the stand down, and cut the engine.
He held the motorcycle steady. “Off, baby.”
I swung my leg over and stood on the gravel. He followed, set both helmets on the seat, and joined me as I looked out at the smattering of lights below us. “It’s beautiful up here. Thanks for bringing me.”
“Fucking stunning.” Sliding his arm around my waist, he brushed a kiss against my temple.
I tilted my head back and found him staring at me instead of the view. Even after all we’d done in bed together, I blushed at the heat in his dark eyes. “How come you know better lookout spots than me? I’m the one who grew up here.”
“Studied the terrain, baby.”
“Uh-huh.” I had no doubt he’d scoured every inch of the land his club had claimed as their own. That was how he was wired.
We stared out at the view together for a few minutes. When he turned, I assumed he was ready to leave, but he opened the saddlebag instead to take out a folded piece of black leather.
He shook it out, and my breath caught in my lungs at the words stitched on the back.
PROPERTY OF CIPHER
“You brought me here to give me your property patch?” It was more romantic than I would’ve expected from him, which only made the moment even more special.
“I am.”
He turned me so my back faced his chest, guided my arms into the vest, and settled the leather over my shoulders. His hands smoothing the material into place, then he turned me back around.
I stared up at him, hyper aware of the weight of his name sitting across my back. “Corbin—”
“You’re mine. Now everyone else can see it too.”
It was as simple as that for him, which I loved.
Corbin kept one hand on my waist while he reached into the inner pocket of his cut with the other, pulling out a small black box.
“Oh my gosh,” I gasped
He opened it, and the ring inside caught what little light reached the overlook. A big emerald-cut diamond on a gold band, absolutely perfect and unmistakably permanent.
“The vest tells everyone you belong to me. The matching bands we’ll wear when you marry me will make it clear I’m yours too.”
I stared at the ring, then up at him, not making him wait for my answer. “Yes.”
The corner of his mouth curved the smallest amount. He took the ring out, slid it onto my finger, and then laced our hands together so the metal pressed between us.
“That’s it?” I asked, a little breathless. “No big speech?”
“You already know where I stand.” His thumb brushed over the band. “You’re mine. I’m yours. The rest is just paperwork that I could insert into the right systems myself if I didn’t know you wanted a wedding like Jacqueline had.”
I laughed softly before stretching up and kissing him. “Totally fair.”
The ride back felt different with his vest on my shoulders and ring on my finger. But in the best way possible.
When Corbin finally turned onto our road and the house came into view, a familiar vehicle was already parked in front of the porch.
My dad was there.
Corbin pulled up next to the Tahoe and shut the bike off. He steadied my waist while I swung off, then climbed off himself. I unclipped the helmet, the leather of the property vest shifting as I moved. Dad’s eyes went straight to the white lettering across my back, and his jaw tightened.