25. Lacey
I feel his hands reach for me under the sheets. The ceiling fan whirls above our heads, stirring the early morning air. I nudge my ass against Eagle, and he rakes a hand over my bare thigh.
“Mornin’, baby.” His voice is low in my ears, and I close my eyes just to savor the sound.
He’s with me.
Everything is going to be all right.
Mom had book club last night, so we stayed in the sun-room and held hands, talking about work and the status of the construction, while Mom and her friends laughed, played music, and sang inside. I don’t even know if they actually read, but they sure have fun.
When we finally put Ruby to bed and went to my room, neither of us slept much. Today’s a big day, and even though it’s just a formality, I’m nervous. I think Eagle is too. We tossed and turned in bed, tried to make love, watch a movie. But in the end, we just held each other and talked until the wee hours. Now, my eyes are scratchy, but I know there’ll be no more sleep for me.
Working with Eagle has changed our relationship. Just like before, he’s my sun. I seem to gravitate to wherever he is, pulled toward him by a force more powerful and mysterious than anything I’ve experienced before.
What’s different is Eagle. I never realized how deferential he was to me at the Lantana. He worked for me, so it just seemed normal that he’d follow my lead, ask what I needed. Take instructions and execute them—often without even being asked.
But at Gabriel’s Closet, Eagle is a leader. He seems to love project management, and he gets along well with everyone. Our elderly volunteers especially adore him. They all have crushes on “their Eagle,” but thankfully, I am a lot more confident that Eagle has room in his heart for only one woman.
Me.
Somehow his having steady work that means something to him has changed us as a couple, too. We talk all the time now. Our conversations are fun, interesting, heated. We argue about work and the construction, and we hope and dream and plan for what comes next. It’s been a few months, and Danielle wants to promote me, give me a real paying position, but I’ve decided to look into opening a consulting firm.
Nonprofits rarely have budgets to pay people big salaries, and I’ve learned a lot about development. I’ve hosted parties and dinners, bake sales and food drives, all in the name of raising money for a good cause. It’s hard work and exhausting, but there is a need for it. I love feeling like what I do affects people’s lives. Not just their dreams, but their reality. And after all, I am really good at planning events. Who says I only need to plan splashy parties?
Maybe I will take the job at Gabriel’s eventually. Maybe something else will pan out. I’m okay with uncertainty now. Living in the gray area doesn’t mean having no plan and no direction. I prefer to think of it as being open to whatever possibilities may come.
“Lace.” Eagle nudges my rear end with an absolutely enormous erection. “Since I don’t have to be at work today…”
It’s a big day. A formality, but still. Eagle and Linda will appear at the courthouse this morning. The judge assigned to their case will review their petition for dissolution of marriage. If all goes the way the lawyers have planned, Eagle will be absolved of any financial obligation to Linda, and Linda, who’s accumulated a truly scary amount of debt in the years she’s been married to Eagle, will walk away with nothing more than the problems she created herself.
It’s been a dramatic and long road, but today, we all reach the finish line. It’s been a tiring race, and I’m ready for it to be done.
“Is it bad that I want to celebrate my divorce before it even happens?” He plants soft kisses along my ear and strokes the back of my neck.
Honestly, I want to celebrate too. A small part of me is afraid something will stop it. Like a last-second TV drama moment where Linda stands up and declares her love for Eagle. They run across the courtroom, embrace, and live happily ever after.
Even through the worries, I’ve been trying not to let my imagination run wild the way it used to. Eagle is committed to me. There will be no one to object to the divorce. It’s going to happen. We just have a few more hours to wait.
I keep my feet solidly on the ground, at least emotionally, and turn to face him.
“We’re still celebrating tonight, right?” I ask.
He nods and reaches between us. We’re lying on our sides, facing each other and holding hands.
“Hell yes, we’re celebrating tonight. But I already feel lighter, babe. I already somehow feel free. The thing that has weighed me down for two decades is over.”
I raise his tattooed hands to my lips and kiss them. Then I slip one of his fingers into my mouth and suck it, running the tip of my tongue over his strong knuckles.
Eagle lets out a low, deep groan. “I wanna wake up to this every day.”
I take his wet finger from my mouth and slip his hand under the sheets. I roll onto my back, and he tucks in close beside me. “Me too.”
“You think your mom’s awake?” he asks.
I look at the watch on my wrist. “She’s definitely asleep.”
“Then, baby, make all the noise you want.” He slides his fingers down my belly and thighs, and I open my legs wide. He lazily traces circles on my pussy, exploring every inch of the tender places he knows so well now.
I turn my face toward him, and he leans down to kiss me. The kiss is soft, gentle, and sweet.
“I could never have done this without you,” he whispers.
“This?” I tease, taking his cock in my hand. “Good. Because it’s not nearly as much fun alone.”
He groans, and I feel his erection jerk in my hand. He slides his damp fingers over my clit, and I sigh, letting him wake me up with long strokes.
His cock throbs against my fingers, and I can’t resist him anymore. Lazy touching is fun, but I’m feeling the hot pulses of arousal flood my body with every stroke of his fingers.
“On your back,” I tell him, shoving aside the sheet. I get on my knees and crawl over him, then lower my face to his dick.
He does as I ask, a happy grin lighting those blue eyes from deep within. “Whatever you say, boss,” he teases, using his old nickname for me. Sometimes we like to play boss-employee. Sometimes I’m in charge, and sometimes he is.
Today, it looks like I get to tell him whatever I want.
“Remember this later today,” I say, looking up at him. Then I stroke his balls with my fingertips and draw his cock into my mouth.
“Fuck,” he groans, watching as I suck him in, my eyes never leaving his.
I take my time with him, letting my saliva drench his cock, sucking the head so that when I pull my mouth away, my lips make a little pop noise.
Finally, he drops his head back on the pillows. “Babe…”
“You taste so good,” I tell him then suck him in so deep, I can feel the head of his cock at the back of my throat. I work his shaft with my hand and his head with my mouth until he fists my hair and stops me.
“Babe,” he pants, “you gotta get yours before I get off.”
I nod and give his erection a couple of featherlight kisses before I kneel above him. I straddle his lap and rub my pussy lips and clit along his length, just rocking and riding, letting the pressure build. He takes my tits in his hands, his fingers pinching my nipples until I gasp and have to cover my mouth with my hand to quiet the sounds.
Mom’s asleep, but she’s not comatose. If I scream, she’ll definitely hear me.
“Should we get our own place?” I ask, speaking the thought before my brain can stop it from coming out.
Eagle’s eyes fly open, his hands still on my breasts.
“Yes,” he says without hesitating. “Absolutely fucking yes.”
“I’ve been thinking about it for a few months now,” I say, sliding onto his erection. I suck in a huge breath, whimpering happily as he fills me. Then I continue, rocking my hips slightly in time with my words. “You know, nothing too crazy. Space for Ruby to run…”
Eagle’s hands are on my hips, and he’s gritting his teeth so hard I can see the muscles in his jaw clench. “Babe,” he puffs. “We’ll have time. Lots of time to…”
I clench my walls around him tightly and then lift myself up a bit, my hands on his shoulders for leverage. Then I slam down hard, thrusting him deep inside me.
“Jesus, baby…”
“Do you think we need one bathroom or two?” I ask, struggling to maintain my train of thought as the pleasure centers itself deep inside me.
“I’ll shit in a bucket if that’s what it takes,” he pants. “Now, Lacey, fuck me.”
I do, digging my fingers into his shoulders and leaning forward so he can suck my nipple deep into his mouth. I rock and ride, working my hips in the rhythm that has become so easy, so familiar, and yet never old.
His mouth is like fire on my breast, and I arch deeper, pressing our bodies together until we’re so close, nothing on this earth can separate us. It’s a feeling I treasure, and when we finally fall over the edge, we fall just like we’ll do everything else. Together.
We’re tangled beneath my bedsheets, our sweaty legs locked together, watching the sun illuminate my bedroom. Our breathing has slowed, and Eagle is tracing the tip of my nose with a finger.
“I got you something,” he says. “But I wanted to save it for tonight.”
I grin and lift my mouth toward the fingers that are tracing my nose. I pretend to bite him. “No fair,” I exclaim. “You tell me that, then make me wait?”
He caresses my chin with a hand. “Well, technically, I got you two things. This divorce is all for you.”
I swat his bare chest.
“Eagle. It’s as much for you as for me. So, what did you get me, really?”
I already have my own helmet, a new one in a bright cherry red that I wear when we ride. I even have one of the side compartments on the bike where I keep a blanket for impromptu picnics.
“You want it now?” he asks, a sensuous smile covering his face.
“Your call,” I say. “I can be patient and wait for tonight. As long as you come home with a divorce, I’ll be happy.”
He climbs out of bed, and I take a moment to enjoy the view. I never tire of looking at his tattoos, his tight ass, the faded navy-blue eagle. Although I have to admit, I really appreciate that he’s covered the name that once adorned his waist.
Now, he’s got a very small bike where the name Linda used to be.
He strides to the pile of clothes he threw on my easy chair and pulls a small velvet bag out of one pocket.
My heart catches in my chest. Eagle and I have said we won’t talk about the future. I’ve been so obsessed with weddings and fantasies my whole life, but I don’t want him rushing into a proposal. I certainly don’t want him rushing down the aisle before the ink is even dry on his divorce from Linda. We haven’t talked about when, but we agree someday. Someday is more than soon enough for now.
When he comes back to bed, he hands me the black velvet bag.
I look at him, this man who’s changed so much over the time I’ve known him. He’s more than he was before, and there was a time when I thought he was just a fantasy. A tattooed, sexy biker fantasy.
But now, he’s mine and I’m his.
The reality of that is better than anything I could have dreamed of.
I take the velvet bag from him and meet his eyes.
“You didn’t have to do anything,” I tell him. “You know that, right?”
He nods. “Wanted to. Open it.”
I unlace the satiny ties that hold the bag closed. Inside is a small gold chain. I pull it out and see there’s a gem hanging from the chain. It’s a beautiful red heart-shaped ruby.
“I don’t know why people want diamonds when they can have something more colorful,” he says.
Tears fill my eyes as I hold up my hair and let him fasten the clasp. The heart falls perfectly in the hollow of my throat.
“Thank you,” I say. “I wish I had something to give you. I was just planning on a divorce-night blow job.”
Eagle laughs, and I lace my fingers through his. “Babe, that’s all I ever want. Do that, please.”
We kiss again, and before I know it, it’s time for us to get out of bed. Eagle showers and changes, then puts on the suit that he brought over last night.
“Not as hot as your tux,” I tell him, smoothing the lapels after he’s dressed and tied a simple red necktie. He cleans up so nicely, the charcoal-gray suit and black dress shirt he used to wear to the Lantana looking dangerously sexy on his muscled form. “But it’ll make Linda regret what she’s missing.”
“As long as the judge stamps the forms, I’ll be happy.”
He gives me one last kiss and a playful swat on my ass, then we head to the front door. Mom is making breakfast, and she’s got a plate ready for Eagle.
“Your favorite,” she says, pouring him a cup of coffee. “PM cinnamon raisin bread.”
He takes the plate and mug she’s offered and thanks her.
“You nervous?” Mom asks.
“Me or him?” I pour myself a cup of coffee.
Mom throws me a concerned look. “Both of you.”
Eagle shakes his head and holds up his hands like he’s in cuffs. Then he breaks them apart dramatically and grins. “Almost free,” he says. “It’s so close I can taste it.”
“And you, baby?” she asks, the question directed at me.
I shake my head. “I’m happy. We’re both almost free.”
Mom comes over to the fridge, where I’m digging around for the milk. She touches the necklace Eagle gave me. “This is beautiful. Just like you.”
“And you.” She gives Eagle a big hug, then Mom and I stand together at the front door, waving as he drives away. “This will be my first divorce,” Mom says. “First in the family, I mean.”
“Hopefully the last as well,” I tell her.
Mom wraps her arms around me, squeezes me hard, and then turns on the music. She sings as she cleans up the breakfast dishes, and I can’t help but join in. If I ever had reason to sing, dance, and celebrate, this is it.
Around four in the afternoon, I hear the familiar sound of a bike engine. I’m out back with Ruby, reading in the sun-room while Ruby snoozes on the outdoor couch, her head on my lap.
Once I hear the sound, my stomach lurches, and I can hardly control my nerves. This is it. The moment of truth.
I run through the house, leaving Ruby to sleep outside. Mom looks up from the kitchen table where she’s tapping into her iPad.
“Go get him, baby,” she says. “Your dream man is waiting.”
I rush out the front door, but then I slow my steps when I see him. Eagle is standing next to his bike, sunglasses over his eyes. He looks as gorgeous as ever. He must have gone home after court. His suit from this morning is gone, and he’s wearing my favorite gray T-shirt, frayed blue jeans, and his leather vest.
I feel every thump of my pulse in my throat, my heart in my chest as I walk down the sidewalk. In a weird way, it’s like I’m walking down the aisle. What waits for me at the end of the broken concrete path isn’t marble and fountains, gilded mirrors and bespoke monkey suits.
What waits for me is the man I love. The real, flawed man. Not a dream, not a fantasy. My reality. And I couldn’t love him any more.
I watch as he lifts the sunglasses from his face and shoves them on top of his head.
My expression must say everything that’s in my heart because Eagle holds up his index finger, then reaches behind him and pulls a document from his back pocket. It’s rolled up like a scroll, and he offers it to me. I stop and just look at him.
“It’s official,” he calls out. “It’s over, Lacey. This copy is for you.”
It’s real. It’s finally happened.
He’s divorced.
He’s free.
I run the last few steps from the sidewalk to the curb and launch myself into his arms. I don’t care if I crush the divorce papers. I don’t care if I knock him over. I wrap my legs around his waist, making a fool of myself in front of Mom—who I know is watching from the window. And in front of all my neighbors, too, who probably are getting an eyeful as Eagle holds my ass to support my weight.
I touch my nose to his, and he claims my mouth, kissing me hard, his tongue tasting every inch of me. He tastes sweet, and I kiss him back, tightening my legs and arms around him, claiming him with every ounce of my strength.
We make out like teenagers on the street until, finally, he sets me on my feet. He opens the side compartment—my side compartment—and puts a copy of the paperwork inside.
“Let’s ride,” he says, grabbing my cherry-red helmet and pulling it over my hair. He adjusts the fit and secures it, even though nothing’s changed since the last time I wore it. It’s a habit now. A thing he does every time we ride. It’s his way of protecting me. Of keeping me safe and showing me that no matter how wild the ride, he’ll make sure I reach our destination safely.
I climb behind him and feel almost giddy with excitement. I wrap my arms around his chest, kiss his back, and murmur against his heat. “Where we going?” I ask.
“Sunset,” he says.
I know exactly what he means. The afternoon sun is bright as the rays make their way across the sky. We’ll go to our favorite park to watch the sun set over the banyan tree. The thing that was so scary, so invasive, is beautiful and perfect in its own way. Just like life.
As he fires up the engine, I touch the heart at my throat. Then, together, Eagle and I ride the open road that leads to our happily ever after.