Chapter 25 Lacey #2
“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.