by Brook Wilder
“I’m not,” I said, approaching the bed. Her eyes widened when I pushed her back, lowering myself on top of her until we were face to face. “I think you will make a damn fine chief of police. I’m laughing because your fiancée will be on parole when you do start your new job.”
“M-my fiancée?”
I nodded, brushing the hair out of her eyes. “I have no intentions of living without you by my side and since I’m not going to federal prison, I want you to marry me, Alisha. I want us to be together like we should have been all this time. I want to grow old with you, to have those kids we talked about back in the day.”
“Seth,” she started but I was already pushing myself off her, straightening.
“But I want you to think about it long and hard.”
“Seth,” she tried again as I opened the door. “Dammit don’t you walk away!”
I turned back, giving her a wink. “You know where to find me when you are ready to give me an answer.”
I heard her growl of frustration all the way down the hall before giving her mom a warm smile as she let me out.
“Well?” she asked.
“I asked for your daughter’s hand in marriage.”
She gave me a tender smile, patting my cheek lightly. “Well it’s about time, Seth Owens. I hope you know what you are getting yourself into.”
“Yes ma’am, I do.”
It wasn’t until I was on my way back to town I realized what I had done. I had asked Alisha to marry me. Hell, I had wanted to do it for a long time now. I could have waited for her answer, but the last thing I wanted to do was have sex in her parents’ house when she did accept.
That was the only thing that had made me walk away. I knew she would come searching for me and I was hoping to hell it was with the right answer.
I wouldn’t give up on her. I wasn’t going to take no for an answer. Even if it took her a year to accept it, I was willing to wait.
I had waited this long, what was another year or two?
Chapter 23
Alisha
I hated that man.
For that reason, I made him wait another day before I made my way to his house, my mind set on an answer. Whatever he had wanted me to say, he wasn’t going to let me say it in my parents’ house and it had taken me all of ten minutes to realize why he wouldn’t let me tell him then.
Now I was on the way to his house, after a shower and a change of clothes I hadn’t worn in quite some time.
If he wanted dramatic, I was about to give it to him.
I pulled the car up in the drive, taking one last look in the mirror. What a crazy turn of events this week had brought. When I had delivered not only Lopez back into police custody, but also their lost bike club and my ex-partner, Garrett hadn’t known what to say or do.
After a few quick discussions, he had charged Jon with aiding a criminal amongst other charges that would hold a hefty jail time. I didn’t feel sorry for him in the slightest. Now he and Lopez would be behind bars for years and I was free to decide what was right for my life.
Garrett had offered me the head of the Castillo office, having been ready to retire for years now, but I had instead given him my resignation. I had accomplished what I had wanted to accomplish with this career, and now my sister could rest easy knowing her killer had been brought to justice.
He hadn’t wanted to take it and somehow by the end of the day, I had accepted the position of Chief of Police.
Which meant I was staying in Castillo.I was staying home.
I did feel happy about it. This was my hometown, where my parents lived, and I was happy to be close to them again. Whatever I had been searching for, I had found it back in the one place I hadn’t thought I would.
I knew I had been searching for Seth all this time. No matter how far I ran, no matter what I got myself into, Seth had always been there, and he always would be. He was the very air I breathed, the reason I got up in the morning.
He meant the world to me and I was about to show him how much.
Opening the car door, I climbed out and walked up to Seth’s door, not even bothering to knock.
It was open anyway, as if he had been expecting someone. I imagined it was me. After all, he knew me well.
Seth sat on the couch, watching some mindless football game as I shut the door, walking over to wrap my arms around his neck. “So, you are an asshole.”
He shut off the tv, chuckling. “Why is that?”
“Because you didn’t let me accept your proposal.”
Seth tugged on my arms and I squealed as I found myself over the top of the couch and in his lap.
“What’s this?” he asked, his fingers running down the front of my sundress.
I put my arms back around his neck, giving him a catlike smile. “Doesn’t every woman dress up for her proposal?”
He grinned. “So, are you saying I need to do this again?”
“If you had stayed long enough to get an answer last time, we wouldn’t be doing this again.”
Seth flipped me over and slid his body over mine, until we were eye to eye. “I don’t mind. I’ll ask you every day for the rest of my life until you give me the right answer.”
“Ask me again,” I challenged him softly. I wanted to hear the words one more time from him before I gave him my answer.
Even if he knew what it was going to be.
He reached up and touched my cheek. “Alisha Marie Poole, will you marry me?”
Wrapping my arms around his neck, I tried not to cry. “Seth Richard Owens, yes. A thousand times yes.”
He brushed his lips over mine, love in each stroke. Love had never been the issue though. It was the question of if we could be together and still hold true to our careers, to our other loves.
I was willing to give it a go, but it was going to be strange being the chief of police with a biker for a husband.
Seth deepened the kiss and I closed my eyes, allowing him to wipe away any doubts I had about us being together. This was why we were together, this feeling between us that nothing, not even ten years, could diminish.
With one hand he slid up my thigh, caressing my hip. I was already pulling his shirt up over his back, letting my fingernails scrape over his skin like I knew he liked.
“I love you,” he whispered against my jawline.
“And I love you,” I whispered back. I did. Nothing could make me love him any less. I knew what type of person Seth was, both inside and out.
No label was going to change the way I felt.
He growled, pressing kisses along my collarbone, his hand flexing on my hip. My body was already primed for his touch, my heart racing in my chest. I wanted him all over me.
When his hand roamed over my pulsating center, I moaned, arching against his touch. “Please, Seth. Touch me.”
His hand delved into my skimpy underwear and I nearly jumped off the couch, his finger rubbing my hard nub that begged for his attention.
“I can’t wait,” he gasped. “I need you so fucking bad, Alisha.”
I gripped his shoulders, looking into his eyes. “Don’t wait then.” I wanted him just as badly, wanted to feel him inside me, filling me to my very core.
I wanted to feel complete.
Seth tore away my panties and shoved his shorts down, ramming into me and causing me to cry out as my body convulsed around him.
“Hell yeah,” he groaned, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me upward, until I was seated in his lap.
I arched my back, feeling his fullness as he yanked my dress down and feasted on my breasts, torturing my erect nipples with his lips. I started to move, slowly and in small circles, bringing myself to a rapid orgasm.
“Alisha,” Seth breathed, slamming into me. “God, you are so fucking wet.”
I moaned, allowing Seth to take over my movements with his forceful ones, our bodies slapping together in the quiet house. He reached between us and I screamed when he touched my clit, bringing me to an intense
orgasm that shook my entire body.
Seth made a sound, his body tensing, and I knew he was close. I locked eyes with him as he pounded into me. “Come for me, Seth.”
“With fucking pleasure,” he ground out, a faint sheen on his face.
I gasped as he rammed into me again, his groan matching mine as he let go, giving me what I wanted.
My body was suspended between elation and full on numbness as I floated back down to earth, Seth gathering me close. He was panting and I grinned against his shoulder.
“That good, huh?”
He pinched my side, causing me to squeal. “Cheeky thing, aren’t you?”
“Your cheeky thing.”
“You’re damned right you are.”
***
I ran my hand over the silky satin of my dress, wondering how on earth I had gotten to this day with Seth. After all our trials and tribulations, we were getting married.
Who would have thought this would happen?
It had been three months since I had accepted Seth’s proposal, and from there, it had been a whirlwind of craziness. Almost immediately, I moved in with him, not wanting to be apart from him any longer. Seth had gone to my parents’ house and told them we were engaged, showing off the simple diamond ring he’d picked out. It wasn’t big and glittering, but it was perfect for me.
Yes, I might have shed a tear or two when he slipped it on my finger.
My parents had taken the news in stride. My mom seemed happy I was getting married and even more excited that it was Seth. My dad hadn’t shared in her happiness, but he and Seth shook hands. It was a step in the right direction at least.
There was only one person missing today. I missed my sister more than anything, wishing she could be in here right now, helping me get ready to walk down the aisle to the man I loved who loved me in return.
But I knew she was here in spirit. I knew she was smiling down on me, blessing this union. I had given her all I could, finding her killer and putting her to rest. Now I needed for her to be with me and protect us both.
“Wow,” I whispered, touching my hair. “I’m completely sentimental today.” I felt like it had all come to a head quickly since the night Seth had placed this ring on my finger. Not wanting to waste any more time, my mom and I went into a frenzy planning the wedding, finding a perfect venue that overlooked the mountains. In less than thirty minutes I would be marrying Seth.
I was so nervous I could've thrown up.
A knock sounded on the door and I turned away from the mirror. “Come in.”
It opened and Mama Bear walked through, surprising me. “H-hey.”
“Alisha,” she said with a nod, shutting the door behind her. “I just wanted to tell you I was wrong.”
“About what?” I asked, trying desperately to remember the last time she and I had talked.
“I was wrong about you,” she answered, giving me a slight grin. “I didn’t want to see Chuckler hurt and I just knew you were going to chew him up and spit him out again. I wasn’t nice to you, but Seth, he’s the only guy who has never looked at me and my kids and run the other way. You understand?”
A soft smile crossed my face. “Of course, I understand. Seth would never turn his back on anyone and I’m glad you are friends.” I had no ill will against the woman now. “Besides, we would love to watch your kids still. I hope you will let us.”
She arched a brow. “Let you? Let you? Honey, you can have them for a month if you want.”
We shared a grin. “I do love him, and I will take care of him the rest of my life.”
Mama Bear nodded. “I know. I can see it in your eyes. I love him, too, and if you ever do anything to hurt him...”
“I know,” I said, rolling my eyes. “And you will be welcomed to cut out my heart if I do.”
“Good girl,” she laughed, opening the door. “You look beautiful by the way.”
“Thanks,” I said as Mama Bear left the room.
Well, that was weird, but I was glad to get her stamp of approval. I knew Seth thought the world of her and her kids, and if it mattered to him, then it mattered to me.
This entire town mattered to me, including the Jesters. I hadn’t realized how different my life had been as an agent and how much I had missed the Jester family.
In fact, I had reconnected with all the Jesters still left in the club, sharing a few beers with them and keeping it under wraps that I was going to be the chief of police in less than a month. If this was what Seth was going to stick with, then I wanted them to know I had no ill feelings toward them.
I wouldn’t be out to hunt them down unless they stepped over a line I couldn’t even cross.
Then it would be extremely difficult for me to do my job.
Turning back to the mirror, I took one last look at my reflection, seeing the excitement in my eyes, a blush that was hard to get rid of.
I was getting married today. I still couldn’t believe it.
The knock on the door this time around was the wedding planner. “It’s time!”
I nodded and walked out to where my father waited, taking the bouquet of flowers that were handed to me.
“You look beautiful, Peanut,” my father said as I tucked my arm in his.
“Thanks, Dad.”
“You sure you still want to do this?”
I grinned. “I think so. What’s my options just in case?”
“Five grand and a long vacation?”
Laughing, I looked up at him. “I think I will marry him, but thanks for the offer.”
His eyes twinkled with laughter. “I figured as much. He’s not that bad of a guy.”
I smiled. “No, he’s not.”
“Alright! It’s time!”
Clearing my throat, we moved into place, right behind the doors between me and Seth and all our guests. We had been separated for over twenty-four hours and I was dying to see him.
The doors opened and we stepped out, my eyes seeking out my soon-to-be husband. Our eyes locked and his grew misty before he wiped a stray tear away in the process.
Gah, he was tugging on my heart strings so badly!
We started to walk toward Seth, and I took in his simple jeans and dress shirt, glad to see Rex standing behind him. I hadn’t wanted any bridesmaids; I wasn’t really close to anyone in Castillo anymore, but I had asked Rex to stand with Seth, knowing they had a close relationship.
They had taken care of him when I hadn’t been around, and for that, I could never repay them.
Finally, we reached the officiant and my dad pressed a kiss to my cheek before handing my hand over to Seth, giving him a firm pat on the back.
“She’s all yours.”
“Thank you, Sir,” he said, giving my dad a nod. “I’ll take real good care of her. I promise.”
“See that you do,” my dad replied before moving to his seat.
I looked up at the man who was soon to be my husband and gave him a grin. “You ready to do this?”
“I’ve been ready for ten years, Alisha.”
Chapter 24
Seth
We partied until the wee hours of the morning, accepting congratulations from anyone and everyone at our reception, held at the Jester’s clubhouse. I had worried about what Rex would say regarding Alisha’s new position as chief of police, but he had taken it in stride, reminding me that at any time my wife could arrest me.
It was quite hilarious once I thought about it.
And now, I held my wife in my arms as we swayed to the music, our happiness hard to hide. “So, wife,” I murmured by her ear, “you want your wedding present?”
She laughed. “I don’t think this is an appropriate place to have sex, husband.”
“I’m not talking about that,” I answered. “I’ve got something else for you.”
She leaned back and her gaze softened. “You don’t owe me anything, Seth. You’ve already given me so much.”
I stared at Alisha, the woman who had occupied my mind and my he
art for the last ten plus years. I had been put on this earth to marry her, to have kids with her. “I quit the Jesters.”
Her mouth dropped open. “What?”
“You heard me,” I grinned, my hands gripping her waist. “I quit. I’m just a grimy machinist who’s gonna need a job come tomorrow.” It hadn’t been as hard as I thought it would be and Rex had acted like he’d seen it coming. I had to choose, just like Alisha had, and she meant more than any club.