Throttled (Wild Riders #1)(71)

Reid and I spent the next few days at his parents’, helping them move their things in that arrived on a truck from Texas. My family came out for a dinner and it was like no time had passed at all—our mothers gushing about how happy they were for us. Our dads talking about hunting and racing seasons.

Georgia and Brett stopped by, but I could tell they wanted to be alone. The heated looks the two of them were exchanging either meant they wanted to kill or kiss each other. I didn’t ask. My sister’s life was her own and I knew that she was smart when it came to her heart. I’d have plenty of time to catch up with her later. We had a few weeks in Halstead before we had to return to Texas for Reid’s winter training. I hadn’t officially resigned from my job at Hillcrest Realty, but I had a feeling that if I wanted to, Reid would support my decision.

After seeing the pictures I’d taken of Reid while he was on the track, Throttled Energy had offered me a job as the publicity photographer. Maybe I could have a career as a sports photographer after all. Though he was kind of a special subject. One I loved and planned to spend the rest of my life with. Made taking flattering photographs of him pretty easy.

As I waved goodbye to my sister and Brett from the driveway, I felt Reid’s arms wrap around my waist as the sun set on another day together.

“My new bike came in today,” he said resting his chin on my shoulder.

“That was fast,” I replied, letting myself melt in his arms.

“It’s all in who you know,” he laughed. “I’m kind of a big deal.”

“Really?” I teased. “Never heard of you.”

“Mm-hmm.” He said, turning me in his arms and grinning down at me like he was fully prepared to show me who he was. “Keep telling yourself that.” He pressed his lips against mine quickly. “You want to see the new bike?”

“Of course.” I knew how excited he got over two wheels and a motor. Far be it from me to deny him the chance to show off his new toy. “Got a name picked out for this one?” I asked as I followed him to the bike trailer. His hand squeezed mine and I thought I felt him shaking. He must have been over excited about this new bike. The trailer was all shut up like he was scared someone was going to steal her. He had good reason, I guess.

“I’m still thinking on it,” he said, stopping us in front of the trailer door. He turned to me and quickly pressed another kiss to my lips. “Close your eyes.”

“Not this again,” I said with chuckle. When I saw that he was being serious, I closed my eyes with a sigh. “Fine.”

“Good girl.” He murmured, kissing my forehead as he released my hand. “Now wait here.”

“I’ve seen a dirt bike before, Reid,” I said, my eyes still squeezed shut. “What’s the big deal about this one?”

“Would you just give me a second?” I heard him say over the sound of the trailer door lowering. “Haven’t you ever heard that patience is a virtue?” He laughed. “Or something like that.”

“Yeah, yeah.” I sighed. “Can I open my eyes yet?” I asked.

“Yep.”

I fully expected to see a dirt bike made out of twenty-four karat gold and drenched in precious jewels from the way he had been going on about it, but what I found when I opened my eyes was a single solitary diamond set in a platinum band being held up to me by Reid Travers. Down on one knee. Looking more amazing than I’d ever seen him.

“Omigod,” I managed to choke out, before covering my mouth with my hands, tears already threatening their escape. The back of his trailer lit by candles and full to the brim of red roses. Not a dirt bike in sight. I looked down into his eyes and saw him nervously smiling up at me. “Yes!” I blurted out before he even had a chance to officially ask.

“Really?” He laughed. “Not even going to let me get a word in?” I bit my tongue and gave him quick head nod to continue as I placed my shaking hands in his. “Marry me, Nora Bennett. Marry me and make me the happiest, luckiest, most grateful man on the planet. Will you?”

“Absolutely,” I said, dropping down to my knees to kiss him. I wrapped my arms around his neck and held on to him like this was all a dream that was going to slip away from me. When I felt him hold onto me I knew it was real.

“I love you, Shutterbug,” he whispered in my ear before breaking our hold on one another.

“I love you too,” I replied, watching him slip the most beautiful ring I’d ever seen on my finger. I admired it as he placed his arms back around me and pulled me against him. “I really thought you were going to show me a new bike,” I confessed, overjoyed in a moment that I was certainly not expecting. We’d talked a lot about our future, but I didn’t think we were close to this yet.

“You’re more important than any bike. Always have been, always will be.”

After all these years of watching him ride, I finally got it. The exhilaration. The adrenaline. The rush of victory. I understood exactly what it felt like to come in first. I was taking home the trophy and I couldn’t have been happier.




Want more of the Wild Riders?

Then don’t miss Brett & Georgia’s story WHIPPED coming soon from Elizabeth Lee!

He’s a guy who’s never been in love. She’s a girl that’s not sure she can love again.