Reaper's Legacy(134)

“Christ, Ruger, tone back the caveman for once,” she muttered. “You know I’ve wanted to try it for a while now, and it’s not like it’s my first time. It’s not going to change anything between you and me, babe. But I need this. You want me to be happy, you always say you want me to be happy. Sometimes that means giving up a little, taking the next step. Let me be in charge for once.”

Ruger closed his eyes for a second, taking in a deep breath. Then he opened them again and gazed at the woman he loved more than anything. She grinned at him, and holy crap, he loved that grin.

“Sorry, babe,” he said, leaning forward to give her a quick peck on those soft, perfect lips of hers. He had to trust her. Ruger forced himself to pull away, taking two steps back, gravel crunching under his heels.

“Ready?” she asked. He nodded tightly.

“Okay, then I’m gonna stick it in. Promise you won’t panic?”

Ruger rolled his eyes.

“I wouldn’t panic. I’m not a f*ckin’ baby, Soph. Jesus.”

She didn’t reply, but her eyes said it all, and Ruger felt a smile creep across his face.

“All right,” he admitted, holding his hands up in surrender. “You win. I’m a big whiny baby and I just can’t handle the thought of you doing anything fun without me. I never want you to have fun, I just want you barefoot and pregnant in the kitch—”

“Oh, shut up,” she said, laughing. “Now I’m really doing it, and you’re just going to have to deal with it. Stand back. I wouldn’t want my big, bad biker man getting hit by gravel or something.”

With that she slid the key into the ignition, and the red-and-black Harley softail roared to life. The look on her face was pure delight, and Ruger had to admit that the sight of her on the bike was f*cking hot. He couldn’t decide if he wanted her wearing more leather for protection on the road or less, because damn, she looked good when— He cut off that thought. He needed to focus on his woman’s safety, not her boobs.

“Be careful!” he yelled. Sophie laughed as she rolled down the driveway, then gave a shriek of delight when she hit the road and tore off.

Goddamnit.

“I’m gonna f*ckin’ kill Horse,” Ruger muttered. He hated this. Hated it. “Kill him and that f*ckin’ bitch of his … always full of great ideas. She doesn’t need her own goddamn bike.”

“You shouldn’t talk like that around Faith,” Noah said, standing next to him. “She starts dropping F-bombs at preschool, Mom’ll shit bricks.”

The kid was twelve going on thirty, and in the past year he’d started shooting up into lanky adolescence. He was already getting phone calls from girls, which gave Sophie fits. Ruger was just happy Noah took after his mom in both looks and brains. Faith sat perched on Noah’s shoulders, watching Ruger with big eyes, same as her mother’s. She gave him a heart-wrenchingly beautiful smile, then opened her mouth and spoke solemnly.

“Fuckin’ kiw Howse,” she said.

Ruger sighed, then reached for his daughter, who climbed up him like a little spider monkey. He stuck his nose into her neck, smelling her sweet, not-quite-still-a-baby scent.

“You can’t win this one,” Noah said. “You know sooner or later Faith’s gonna say something where Mom can hear.”

“I’ll just say she’s copying you,” Ruger said, narrowing his eyes. Noah laughed.

“You taught me in the first place.”

“You’re a little shit sometimes.”

“Yeah, but I’m a little shit who’s willing to throw you a lifeline,” Noah replied thoughtfully. “If she says it in front of Mom, I’ll say it’s my fault if you pay me.”

“How much?”

“Twenty bucks a pop.”

“You got a deal.”

SOPHIE

The bike roared under me and the wind danced across my face.

I loved it. I’d been practicing for a while, mostly out at Marie’s place. She’d gotten her own bike a year ago. I’d never get tired of riding behind Ruger, but I loved being on my own, too. In fact, I’d spent six months trying to convince Ruger I should get my own ride.

Stupid man was positive I’d kill myself.

Problem was, deep down inside, Ruger was sexist as shit. Actually, it wasn’t that deep—he’d always been pretty up front about it. But when he’d decided it was time for Noah to start learning on a little dirt bike, I’d had enough.