by Dawn Doyle
“I don’t want to see him,” I said, eerily calm after I’d just given him a beating I never knew I was capable of, but what he’d done to me wasn’t what had fueled me, it was the reason why.
“Let’s get out of here then, retweet. We’ve got the whole day together with no interruptions.”
Blaine and I walked away, our job done, and the rest of the day to be spent together. So as we walked to Blaine’s car, there was only one place I had in mind.
“I hear there’s a little place nearby that’s great for making out.”
“Oh yeah?” A devilish smile graced his sexy lips, his eyes darkening with heat. “And where’s that, my warrior woman?”
“Not far.” I sucked my lower lip into my mouth. “And maybe some other things that could involve a back seat.”
“Fuck, baby, you know how to woo me, don’t you?” Blaine gripped my hips and marched me to the car and we got in, in record time. “Come on, racer girl, show me your moves.”
“Oh, baby, you have no idea what I can do.”
“Then show me.”
And I did. I raced through the city like our lives depended on it, and when we reached the viaduct under Cedar Bridge, Blaine wasted no time in taking me in the back seat like a couple of teenagers and showed me the moves I craved, taking me to highs I never wanted to come down from.
It was then I knew, more than anything, that I was right where I wanted to be, in his arms, in his life, and I would be for as long as I lived.
I’d always regretted the mistakes in my past, but with Blaine, those regrets disappeared, because if those things hadn’t happened, if my world hadn’t been torn apart, I wouldn’t have met Blaine.
My life, my world, my heart, and I would spend every day showing him just how much he was loved in return, because I did.
I loved him, body and soul, and there was nothing or no-one, that could change that.
Blaine
Seven Months Later
The keys were burning a hole in my pocket, and I couldn’t keep still as I waited for Robyn. Eight months had gone by since I’d walked out of that hospital, and seven months since my mom had stopped fussing over me. I knew she didn’t buy the story of me falling down Robyn’s stairs, but that’s all she was going to get out of any of us.
“Come on, Blaine, you’re gonna be late!” Luca said, grabbing my hand and dragging me forward through the busy crowds gathered around the fencing. “She’s gonna start any minute.”
I checked my watch. I had about a minute before I’d start freaking out, but seeing my girl with a huge smile on her face was worth having a mini heart attack over.
God, she was fucking beautiful, and I couldn’t wait until I could pull her close, press my nose into her hair while telling her, in sexy detail, all the naughty and filthy things I was going to do to her. Call me a romantic.
“There you are,” Lucian said, taking Luca’s hand and holding her to his side. “Blaine, get your ass over here.”
I stepped in front, my pulse practically beating at the back of my throat as I took in the car at the starting line. “Fuck, retweet, I know you got this, baby.”
One-minute-seven. That’s what she had to beat today, and the best time ever achieved on this track.
John had come through and then some. His case had been a success, Preston was locked up as were the other guys, and Eddie… He was transferred for his own safety. Apparently, Larry didn’t like his little brother trying to take over, and Eddie had gotten in a little…scuffle. My ass kicking was nothing compared to what he got. He’d been in a coma for six months, and I slept like a fucking baby knowing he was right where he belonged.
And so was I. Standing with my friends, ready to watch my girlfriend finish what she started years ago.
“There she is!” I rushed out, pointing like an excited kid. “Fuck me, she looks hot in that.”
Brady laughed beside me. “Dude, anybody would think you had it bad for her.”
“What gave it away?” I asked sarcastically, my eyes following Robyn as she walked toward my car, the only one she wanted to drive this day. The suit she wore hugged her ass, the navy-blue doing fuck all to disguise her narrow waist and ample chest.
“Uh, the drool,” Charlie said, pointing to my mouth.
Nate chuckled. “Cut him some slack—he’s nervous.”
I stared at him. “Aw, Nate, you said something nice about me!”
“Don’t get used to it, ass,” he said, but his lip twitch contradicted his scowl.
Robyn opened the door and turned to where we stood, her beaming smile lighting up her face when she saw me. She blew me a kiss, and I caught it, pressing it to my mouth, and she placed her hand over her heart.
I shifted on my feet as she lifted the matching helmet and put it on, then got into the car. The engine started, and she rolled toward the starting line.
“Oh, God, I think I’m gonna throw up,” Luca said, holding her stomach.
“Wait till you see her go,” I said, not taking my eyes off of Robyn. “Luca, she’s something else behind the wheel.”
The beeps counted down, and Robyn revved the engine, giving it gas until the last high-pitched note signaled to stamp down and tear the ass out of the ride, and she did.
I know it’s usually the woman that’s proud of her guy, watching him as he fulfills his dreams and whatnot. But fuck that shit. I was that guy. The one who stood by watching his woman doing what made her happy, standing on the sidelines with his chest on the verge of exploding with pride, and I was.
She was fucking amazing, and I would never stop telling her how lucky I was to have her in my life. I loved her so much it fucking hurt. Mainly in my pants, because she was also the hottest woman I’d ever seen in my entire life and she made me stand to attention if she so much as smiled at me.
I cheered her on, screaming my support as she sped around that track like a fucking pro, taking corners as though they were nothing but a mild inconvenience that slowed her down for a split-second.
My stomach lurched, and my throat tightened when the back end swung out, mud flying high as her wheels spun. That was nothing for my girl. Hell, she made that skid her bitch and turned it into a sweet-assed drift that was more graceful than a figure skater, coating the bystanders with enough mud for a lifetime’s supply of that facial shit people did.
“Jesus, Blaine,” Charlie hissed, “she’s fucking fast.”
“That’s my woman right there,” I sighed.
Robyn cleared the finish line, her time highlighted in red, and I threw my fists into the air. “Fifty-eight seconds!” I yelled “Yes! That’s how it’s fucking done!”
I cut through the bodies, my eyes not moving from where I needed to be, sprinting as fast as I could toward the car. Robyn got out and took off the helmet in time for me to reach her. I threw my arms around her, lifting her high and spinning her around. “You did it!”
“I did!” she squealed, excited that she’d crushed the previous best time by nine seconds.
I let her feet touch the floor, lifted her hand and twirled her around before dipping her over my arm. I pressed my mouth to hers, taking what I needed, and running my tongue over her lips. “Miss me?” I asked when I pulled back. I saw all the gooeyness in her eyes, and I fucking loved it.
“You know I did,” she replied, kissing me gently before we rushed off the track and away from the screaming crowds.
“You were…” I swallowed hard, my words getting trapped in my throat. “Wow, babe, you were fucking phenomenal. I’m so proud of you.”
Robyn beamed and took my hands in hers. “Blaine, I couldn’t have done this without you,” she said, her eyes filling. “I never thought I’d ever get back in that seat since…” I lifted our hands and wiped her cheeks with my thumbs without letting go of her. “And what happened to you, I—”
“Hey,” I said, stopping those thoughts before they could take hold. “That’s behind us, okay? We’ve got the future to look forward to now, a
nd nothing is gonna stand in the way of you getting your name up there as the best fucking rally driver the world has ever seen.”
Robyn laughed. “I love that you think I can achieve that.”
I yanked her to me, banding my arms around her. “Baby, stick with me, and I’ll make all your dreams come true.”
“You already do,” she said, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. “I love you, Blaine, and I’m sticking with you for good.”
That was all I needed to hear. “Well, how about sticking with me forever?”
She narrowed her eyes, her lips still curled up. “Isn’t that the same thing?”
I released one hand as I shook my head. “No, but this is,” I said, pulling the keys out of my pocket. “This means you’re mine forever.”
Robyn’s eyes bugged, and her mouth dropped open as she saw what I was holding up. “Are you serious right now?”
I nodded. “Babe, I’m rarely serious, but when it comes to you, I don’t fuck around.” We pulled apart while I slipped the diamond ring from the fob. “What do you say, retweet? Will you marry me?”
Robyn blinked rapidly, tears falling down her face, drips coming off her chin when she nodded quickly. “God, yes!”
I lifted her hand and slipped the ring on her finger, the diamonds sparkling in the light. “I love you, retweet. From that very first phone call, you were mine. I don’t know how, but I knew that sexy porn voice was meant for me.”
Robyn giggled. “I love you too, Blaine, and you’ve got quite the hot voice yourself.”
I pulled her flush to me and spoke into her ear, letting my lips graze the shell as I did. “Yeah, I knew you loved it, you naughty girl.”
“Oh my God, don’t keep us in suspense!” Luca complained from the stairs leading to the spectators' area. “I’m dying here!”
Robyn turned and held her hand up, flashing her engagement ring. “I said yes!”
Cheers erupted around us, and congratulatory hugs were given. I looked up to see Nate in front of me. “Robyn was always family, but I’m glad you pulled your head out of your ass to make it official.”
“Me too. I don’t know what I’d do without her.”
I hoped that she wasn’t the only one joining the family. If I got my way, we’d be adding more ourselves. At least two, possibly three, hell as many as she wanted, but there was one thing I was sure of, and that was how much I loved the woman that had made me be a better man. For her, for us, for our family—current, and future additions.
As much as I’d like to say I regretted my thieving past, I didn’t—no fucking way—because I wouldn’t be where I was right now.
I was right where I belonged, surrounded by the people I loved the most, and with the woman I would die for.
I just had to take one hell of a joyride to get here.
The End.
Acknowledgments
I’d like to say a huge thank you to the ladies in my reading group as well as:-
Grace Risata: At times when my day isn’t going so well, I know I can count on you to make me crack a smile. Your crazy sense of humor is my kind of laughter medicine.
Lisa Seleska: You are freaking amazing and do so much for me without expecting anything in return. I love your face, woman!
Sarah ‘Loopy’ Green: You make me laugh so hard. Seriously, though, when I get messages from you, I’m actually afraid of what I might be subjected to. Keep that shit up! But, ew, not like that video that we shall never speak of again.
Kelly Cain for your excitement to read the next book in the West Norton Boys series. It makes my day and gives me extra motivation to carry on.
And Janelle Franklin, my fellow B.A.N.G.er sister (Sarah too) thank you for your kind words; it means a lot.
So many other people that are always there for me, giving me encouragement and endless support:
My long-suffering husband, Daniel, my beautiful kids, Kim Villemaire, Nikki Merchant, Heidi Ali, Pavan Kaur, and all my readers who make writing worthwhile.
Thank you from the deepest recesses of my heart,
Dawn.