Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Tess
After signing all the books the judge had brought in from home, she hands me the spiral-bound book, based on my relationship with Case, that I’d let her read to prove everything was consensual between us. I tuck the book into my bag.
“I won’t breathe a word of what I read, but I’d really like a copy when it comes out,” she says, returning to her desk.
“It won’t be coming out. It’s too personal,” I reply, moving toward the door where I know Case is waiting for me just across the hall.
“I’ve read all your books, Tess, and they’re great, but that one—it’s your best work. I think you should reconsider. And if you’re worried about people judging you for the sex, don’t. I’m a stuffy old judge and it didn’t offend me.”
She smirks. “In fact, I read it twice.” She looks at the door and lowers her voice to a whisper. “And between you and me, I had to recharge my silicone boyfriend after the first time, so I could read it the second time. Consider it a public service for deprived women everywhere.”
I roll my lips to hold back my smile, then shrug. “Well, when you put it that way, we’ll see.” I pull the book back out of my bag, return to her desk, grab and pen and sign the front page that says nothing but the title. “Between us, here. Keep it. I’ve got the real thing waiting right outside.”
When I walk out of Ellen Hortense’s office, Case is leaning on the wall in the hallway. His muscled arms are loosely crossed, and he looks more relaxed than I’ve ever seen him, and considering what a chill guy he is, that’s saying something.
“I’m so sorry,” I say and curl myself around him, not caring if I seem needy, because I am. I’m needy for his touch, his forgiveness, and his love.
“You really wrote a book about me?”
I peek up and him, press my lips and shake my head. “Work of fiction based loosely on my personal experience.”
He chuckles. “I’m reading it, Sunshine.”
“No, you are not.”
“I totally am.” Tucking me under his arm, he leads us out of the courthouse. “Would you like to meet Reece officially now?”
“Please.” As we walk, he removes his arm from my shoulder, folding my hand in his instead. We leave the court and people stare, maybe they’re staring at me, but I think they’re more likely staring at the big, tattooed man whose face looks as lovesick as I feel.
“Where is Reece?”
“With Lulah, Jeff, and Jamie. She’s obsessed with her new cousin.”
“She’s at that age when little girls so often become baby crazy.”
“Have you told her yet?”
His brows rise. “About winning custody? Or about us?”
I swallow. “Both.”
“No, neither. But I think I’d like to take her to lunch and tell her everything. And then, I’d like us to have dinner together—the three of us.”
“Think she’ll handle all of this okay?”
“She’s resilient, and a tough cookie.” He pauses to look thoughtfully at me. “A lot like you.”
I give him a soft smile. “Hopefully not too much like me or her teen years are going to age you drastically.”
His lips hitch up on one side. “You both have me wrapped around your fingers.”
“She’s beautiful, sweet, and so smart. You should be very proud.”
“I am. She’s an amazing kid, but I didn’t have much to do with that. Her maternal grandparents, her uncle, and this last year, Lulah, they’re the ones who’re responsible for how she’s turned out.”
“I’ve seen you with her, you’re a great dad.”
“She makes it easy.”
We stop in the courthouse parking lot and I search his eyes. Giving his hand a squeeze, I say, “You’re a great dad.”
He nods, finally accepting my words. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about her sooner. Things between us moved quickly.”
I grin. “From, you’re nothing but a pain in my ass, to, oh my god, that ass .”
He chuckles. “Something like that.”
“Gary and I didn’t have kids for a reason. It was me. I kept pushing him off when he talked about having them.”
I watch disappointment shadow Case’s face, then quickly continue.
“But not because I didn’t want them. I was afraid that I’d be horrible like my parents were. Too caught up in their own life to even notice me. But also, on some level, I knew Gary wasn’t it. He wasn’t my one great love.” I look to the parking lot pavement, kicking a rock to the side.
“I kept telling myself there was no such thing as real romantic love but deep inside I knew that was just a lie I told myself to keep my heart safe.” I look up and he’s holding a helmet in his hands. Behind him is a motorcycle. Not the one he rode past the cottage every day to annoy the hell out of me, but a different one.
“I can call us an uber if you’re uncomfortable.”
In answer I take the helmet and pop it on my head. He grins, putting on his own skull-cap helmet, swings his leg over and holds the bike steady for me to get on.
“So, there’s room in your big fancy sunshiney life for a biker and his genius daughter?”
“Do you want more kids?” I ask before climbing on.
He doesn’t hesitate, he doesn’t try to read what I’m thinking, or what I want his answer to be. “Hell, yes. How else am I going to turn that house into a biker club?”
I laugh. “You better mean bicycle club.”
“Do you?”
I climb on his bike.
And since that as an answer might be too cryptic, I add, “I would love to start a bicycle club with you, Case Callen.”