Epilogue
AUbrEY
Istood in the kitchen, rubbing my still-flat stomach with a soft smile. I wasn’t showing yet, but every time I thought about the tiny life growing inside me, my heart felt too full to contain.
Strong arms wrapped around me from behind as Canyon pressed his big body against my back. One of his hands immediately settled over mine on my stomach.
“You need to eat more,” he murmured against my neck, pressing a kiss there. “You’re growing my baby. Gotta keep both of you well fed.”
I laughed softly, leaning back into his warmth. “I just had breakfast, Canyon. I’m fine.”
His hand rubbed slow circles over my belly like he could already protect our little one with his touch alone.
“Still. You’re carrying precious cargo now, which is why I’m taking the new SUV to The Pit today so Gauge can go over it completely.
Top to bottom. I want to make sure it’s the safest thing on the road before you drive it anywhere. ”
I turned in his arms and looked up at him with amusement.
After a month of persuasion, I had finally agreed to retire my beloved old blue Honda.
It had been hard to say goodbye to the car that had been with me through so many important moments, but Canyon was right.
With a baby on the way, we needed something much safer.
“You’re being extra bossy, you know that?” I teased, reaching up to brush my fingers through his dark hair.
“Damn right I am. Nothing is more important than you and our baby. I’m not taking any chances.” He leaned down and kissed me slowly, his hand never leaving my stomach. “You finally let me replace that damn car. Now I’m going to make sure the SUV is perfect.”
I melted into his kiss, secretly loving how he’d shifted into full protective mode after learning I was pregnant. He’d gotten me fully moved into his house the same day and then down the aisle only a week later.
“Sure you’re not still hungry?”
“Quite sure.” I rolled my eyes at him. “And we both know you’ll bring snacks just in case.”
He flashed me a grin. “Damn straight.”
As he guided me into the garage with a palm on my lower back, I shot a longing look at his motorcycle. He hadn’t let me on the back of it since Cage announced I was pregnant. I missed riding with him, but I knew I’d be wrapped around him again one day.
The drive to the garage owned by the club wasn’t nearly as much fun as it would’ve been on his motorcycle, but I enjoyed the feel of his warm hand on my thigh the whole way there.
When we pulled into the parking lot of The Pit, one of the guys rolled up a door for Canyon to pull the SUV in.
Having mechanics who built and repaired race cars look over the vehicle I’d be driving around town seemed like overkill to me, but it was what my husband needed to alleviate some of his worry.
After parking in the bay, Canyon rounded the SUV and helped me out. I tilted my head back and smiled. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome, sunshine.”
Gauge walked toward us, cleaning his hands on a rag. “Hey, Blitz. Aubrey.”
“Good morning, Gauge. Thanks for taking a look at the SUV today.”
He shot Canyon an amused look. “Doing it as much for me as you, so this guy’ll get off my ass about it.”
“What-the fuck-ever,” Canyon muttered. “I only asked two days ago, asshole.”
“And I’ve gotten a dozen texts in those forty-eight hours, brother.”
Shaking my head at the friendly bickering, I wandered into the side office to get a little distance from all the car scents, since the pregnancy had made my sense of smell even sharper and my stomach even more sensitive. It was a killer combo sometimes.
I remembered seeing a mini fridge in there the last time Canyon brought me around, and a cold drink sounded good right about now.
When I stepped inside the sparsely furnished space, I was surprised to find a woman sitting at a newly added desk who I’d never met before. “Oh sorry. I didn’t realize someone was in here.”
“No reason you should have.” She offered me a cautious smile. “It’s my first day.”
“Ahh, gotcha.” I grinned at her and used Canyon’s road name for my introduction since that’d be the only one she would’ve heard around here. “I’m Blitz’s wife, Aubrey.”
“Nice to meet you.” Her smile widened at my greeting. “I’m Riley.”
I tilted my head at the mini fridge. “I hope you don’t mind if I grab a bottle of water.”
“Please, go ahead. I hadn’t even gotten the chance to look in there, so I certainly won’t miss anything. Not that it’s even my place to say.” Her eyes shuttered, and she gave me a tight smile.
I snagged water from the fridge and gave her another smile, hoping to draw her out from the shell she was obviously hiding in. “Thanks, I’m sure I’ll see you around. I hope you have a great first day.”
“Me too,” she mumbled as I turned to walk out. “I have a lot riding on Gau—this job.”
My curiosity about her flew out of my head when Canyon prowled over to me and pulled me in for a quick kiss. Keeping my wits about me around him was just as hard as it’d been the day we met.