CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
At Last, My Love
Shelby—
Two months later…
“This is the life,” Jenny says from her lounge chair beside me, sipping on her wine.
We’re out on the terrace, overlooking the view and the last streaks of the late sunset turning the sky a deep purple.
Rio comes out of the house and strokes a hand over my hair, then dips to kiss the crown of my head. “It’s a beautiful night. Want to take a ride?”
“I’ll watch Bella,” Jenny offers. “You two should totally go. Enjoy the evening.”
“Are you sure?” I ask her.
“She’s sure,” Rio answers for her, already pulling me to my feet. He moved in with us shortly after he got out of the hospital, and it’s been heaven. Waking up with him next to me every morning is a dream.
“Are you feeling up to it?” I ask, concerned about his injuries.
“Babe, I’m all healed. I’ve been all healed for weeks. It’s time I finally put you on the back of my bike.”
“Okay.” I look down at my outfit. I’m in shorts and a Saint’s Outlaws t-shirt. “I guess I need to change.”
“Go throw some jeans on.”
I walk into the bedroom and find a pair already laid out on the bed, and next to it, a box.
Rio follows me into the room.
“What’s this?” I ask.
“Just something I picked up for you.”
I open the lid and see a pair of riding boots. “Oh, Rio.”
“Figured you needed some.”
“I love them. Thank you.” I turn and hug him, tilting my face up for his kiss.
He smacks my ass. “Hurry up. I’m gonna wait by the bike.”
I hurriedly dress, then check my hair and touch up my makeup in the bathroom. I peek into Bella’s room. She’s sound asleep with Esmerelda tight in her arms. I smile and hurry out to meet Rio.
He holds a helmet out to me. “Also got you this.”
“My very own?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He helps me buckle it on, then swings a leg over his seat, lifting the big bike off its kickstand. He pats the seat behind him. “Climb on, pretty girl.”
I throw a leg over, snuggle against his back, and find the foot pegs with my pretty new boots.
Rio pats my thigh. “You ready?”
“So ready.” I rest my chin on his shoulder and hang on tight.
Rio takes us down the hill and for a long ride, and the wind in my face is exhilarating. I love every minute of it. Being tight against my man’s back and letting him take us roaring down the road is pure joy.
We pass rows and rows of pecans, and he slows as he approaches a driveway. The arched sign above reads, Sanchez Family Pecans , and I immediately know where we are and assume he’s stopping to say hello.
Coming up the long drive, I see twinkling lights hanging from some of the trees.
I tap Rio’s shoulder, and he turns his head. “Rio, I think they’re having a party. Maybe we shouldn’t stop.”
“It’ll be fine.” He slows the bike to a stop, and, glancing around, I see more motorcycles in the distance, and people milling around, drinks in their hands.
We climb from the bike, and I take off my helmet. It’s then I realize I know these people. The Saint’s Outlaws are here. Dolly is here. Aunt Fannie is here, My old co-workers from the jewelry store are here. Mrs. Tinsley is even here, and I frown. What in the world? And then I spot Jenny and Bella. “What is going on?”
“Surprise, baby,” Rio says. “This party is for us.”
“How did Jenny and Bella get here?”
“That’s why I took such a long ride. Gave ‘em time to get here.”
“This party is for us? Why?”
“Come on. You’ll find out.” He takes my hand and leads me to where the crowd stands. Music is playing, and the place is decorated like a dream with twinkling lights and flowers.
Everyone circles around us, and suddenly Rio drops to a knee before me.
My hands fly to my cheeks. “Oh my God.”
The look on his face is one I’ve never seen before. He actually looks nervous— something he never seems to be.
“Shelby, since the moment I saw you, standing in line at Blitzy’s, our lives have been intertwined. I think I’ve been yours from that moment. I think my heart knew it before I did, and even when I told you to go on and live your life, that you were too young to waste it waiting for me, deep inside, I didn’t mean a word of it. Life gave us a second chance, and I’ll be forever grateful you gave me another shot, gave us another shot.
“During the lowest point of my life, you were there for me. When I saw you again, I realized I’d never meet another person I could foresee taking this ride called life with. No one else will ever hold my heart the way you do.
“In your letters, you used to talk about how all you wished for was a happy home. You deserve that, baby. You and Bella. And I’m going to make it happen. I’ll do everything in my power to make the best life for you both. I love you, Shelby. Will you marry me?”
He opens a ring box, and I’m staring at a gorgeous solitaire.
My head nods like a bobblehead, tears in my eyes. “Yes, yes, yes. I’ll marry you, Rio.”
He slips the ring on my finger, then comes to his feet, and I throw my arms around his neck. He kisses me, then lifts me off my feet and twirls me around. The twinkling lights spin past, and happiness engulfs me.
Life has not been easy—for either of us—but in this moment, I know from now on it will be, because no matter what life throws at us, we’ll have each other, and we can face anything as long as we’re together.
A cheer goes up from the crowd, glasses lift in the air, and Rio sets me on my feet.
I stare into his gorgeous face. “I love you, Rio.”
“Life’s gonna be good, babe. Life’s gonna be so good.”
And I know in my heart it will be. So good.
***
Blue—
Sipping my drink, my eyes stray over the crowd, and I spy Luisa standing on the edge. She gestures with a nod of her head toward the large storage building, then disappears around its corner.
My jaw muscles work. She’s trouble, and I need to stay the fuck away. I know better than to mess with her, especially when we’re guests at her father’s home—a man who is good friends with my club president.
I don’t want to piss Rio off, especially not at his engagement party. I’ve got a million reasons to stay away from this girl. All of this runs through my head. But the pull of her is strong, and I give in, setting my glass on a table and fading into the shadows.
She’s waiting for me just around the corner, and the moment I reach it, she grabs me and drags me into her arms, her mouth desperate for mine.
Her lips are heaven, her kiss the epitome of desire and want and every erotic thought I’ve had about her all these past weeks. Her delicate, intoxicating scent envelopes me, and like a drug, it pulls me under her spell.
I’ve stayed away, even when she texted me a million times, begging me to meet her. I ignored every damn one.
But now, seeing her tonight, I can’t fight it. My willpower crumbles with just one look in those dark brown eyes.
I’ll be damned to hell for this, but I don’t fight it. I give in to her, wondering if I’m signing my soul over, or if I even have one left to give up.
Thank you for reading Rio’s Release.