Chapter 9
Kristie
I’d walked the entire grounds since he left, and the entire house.
Bit seemed curious about the ranch, but I couldn’t sit still, so I poked around with her.
As time went on, I only became more confused.
Going to the biker bar, I always imagined running into him, but I never thought I would.
At least not for a long time. When he’d first left, I’d gone to places I thought they could be looking for him, but never had any luck.
Over time, instead of sad, I grew bitter.
Eventually, I stopped actively looking and didn’t go back for years.
Only after my life seemed settled and moving in the right direction did I start idealizing finding him and telling him off.
Letting him know just how stupid he was for letting me go.
I pictured it as a slap and a few choice words with me promptly flipping my hair and walking away, satisfied that I had the last word.
But now, standing outside a barn while Bit poked around, I was lost. How the hell did I go from a strong independent single woman creating life-saving medicine in a lab to standing around in a dirty field wondering when Rooster would be back?
“Wow. This place is incredible. Like something out of a science fiction novel,” Bit said as she came out of the barn.
“It’s nice, I guess. But the vacation is almost over.
” It had been a couple of days and I promised to wait for Rooster–Rick–to get back before going home, just in case those guys had tracked us down.
But once we got there and he was satisfied nothing was out of place, it would be time to rejoin the real world and get on the job hunt.
Bit shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“You can’t be serious. We need to get back.”
“Hell, I have no reason to rush back. I don’t even have my own place yet. And hey, you’re the one that got all flustered by your long-lost love.”
“Yeah and you’re the one who yelled at me to get on the bike and said let’s go,” I said as I crossed my arms.
“At least now you’re admitting he was your long-lost love.”
My arms fell. “I–what–that’s not–”
“Look Cuz, I’m not judging. I just want what’s best for you. You’re smart, so I know you’ll make the right decision for you. And I’m asking for the same. No judging. No matter what I decide,” Bit said as she leaned on the wooden fence.
I grabbed her hand. “Never.”
We both sighed, leaning on the fence and taking in the sounds of country.
No horns honking, no loud buses, no chatter from people walking on the busy streets.
Just animals, a few bangs and clanks as someone worked in one of the barns, and the occasional swish from the swaying trees, thanks to the breeze.
My heart and my mind were still at odds. My heart couldn’t forget that kiss and all the things he said, but my head still told me to be cautious; be safe. He hurt me before, what’s to say he wouldn’t do it again?
But even though my head was trying to keep me steady, a terrible thought snuck in.
“Is it silly that I’m worried?” I asked.
“Not at all. Obviously something’s up. I’m worried, too,” Bit said.
Just then, in the distance, the unmistakable growl of a group of bikes echoed, then grew louder as it came closer.
My heart raced and Bit and I both leaned off the fence, heading back toward the house where the driveway ended.
We made it over there before they did, and Bit grabbed my hand, our grips tight as we stared toward the only way in and out.
When some Harleys finally came into view, my breath stayed trapped in my chest. I didn’t see him. The truck followed. I took a mental inventory. How many had ridden with them? Where was he?
Then finally, as the truck cleared the turn to head toward the garage, my breath expelled in a huge gasp. There he was. He was in one piece.
Bit pulled me in for a hug. “I’m going over there,” she said. “Go get your biker.”
We squeezed tightly before she made her way to the truck. Some of the bikes followed, but Rooster stopped just feet away from me. I wanted to fling myself at him, but my mind told me to stay put. Partly because I was still confused, and partly because I didn’t want to seem needy and desperate.
He hurriedly took off his helmet, then dropped the kickstand, practically flying from his seat. The helmet hit the ground as he took three long strides, grabbed my face in both hands, and crushed his lips to mine.
My squeal was silenced in his mouth. Everything I had grappled with since I first saw him again slipped from my mind.
My body melted into his and my hands clasped the soft leather of his cut.
There were voices and sounds around us, but I didn’t care.
All that mattered was he was there, kissing me the way I secretly longed for— the way my mind refused to admit, but so desperately wished for all those years.
He started to pull away, but I tugged him back, pressing up on my toes so he couldn’t pull away. He obliged, kissing me deeper, his tongue seeking mine. Tears squeezed from my eyes as I let my heart take over and my mind quieted.
Nearly out of breath, when he tried to pull away again, I gasped, but let him move. But he didn’t go far. He rested his forehead to mine, still gripping my face. “I can’t let you go again, Sparrow. I don’t deserve you, but I won’t let you go.”
“Rooster, I–”
“You may as well say yes, Sparrow. Because as hard as I fought to stay away all this time, I’ll fight a hundred times harder to make you mine again.”
Opening my eyes, leaning back enough to focus on his, I bit my lip before I said, “I never stopped being yours, Rooster.”