Chapter 18
The heated air rushed across Oz’s knuckles and into his beard, whipping it against his neck. He rolled his head stretching his neck. He was almost home. A week of rally events and shenanigans topped off with the winding roads and scenery was energizing as always. But he was ready to walk through that door and see Taylor.
Never before had he had anything to come home to. At one time he had considered adopting a pet. But with living alone and being on the road or at the clubhouse so often, he decided it would not be fair to an animal to be left alone. So he lived alone. More and more nights alone as his brothers began families of their own, until boredom set in at times. One night, he pulled a romance book from his shelves. One that had been given to him as a gag gift. He read it. Then another. And another. After that he picked up pen and paper and began writing them. Granted, his books were not the so-called normal sweetheart of a couple stories, but they had become best-sellers.
Even with his success as a writer and the times he spent with his brothers, none of that compared to the feelings that emerged when Taylor was near.
The writing he had kept to himself. Why? He wasn't sure. His growing feelings for Taylor he had also kept to himself. Or so he had thought. During the rally he had learned different. They had sensed it and he caught the normal razzing about it. The corner of his lips lifted. He would take that razzing and more. But what he would not do is intentionally influence her decisions. The past months had been a strain at times guiding her to grow her confidence while keeping a distance. But he knew she must be happy with herself before she could be happy with him or anyone else.
The night she announced that she had been looking at apartments, his heart dropped. He had hoped she would stay where she was. Correction. He wanted her to stay but not where she was. He wanted her in his room. In his bed.
The house came into view. He may learn her decision soon enough.
The lights in the windows called to him like a beacon directing him home as he pulled into the driveway. The kickstand was down and his helmet off in record time as he stood. He ran his hands through his hair and finger combed his beard back into place then unstrapped his bag from the bike.
He jogged the short distance to the side door and swung it open. A mouthwatering aroma met him along with a lively beat drifting in from the living room. He dropped his bag next to the door and eased through the house. There she was.
"You should lock the door when you're here alone."
Taylor whirled toward him with a squeal.
Laughter bubbled up from deep inside as he caught her in his arms. "Miss me?"
The squeeze of her arms and the heat of her body against his felt good. Like coming home. Really coming come. Not like walking into the space where you live after a day's work.
He loosened his hold, and she stepped back. "Sorry.” Taylor laughed. "I may have gotten carried away.”
"I could get used to coming home to that."
Pink filled her cheeks and Oz had to force his gaze from her teeth tugging at her lip. "Something smells wonderful."
"I went to the bookstore and found a cookbook that looked easy to follow. I hope you're hungry.”
"Yes, I am. And I want to hear all about your week. But I need a quick shower. We’ve been on the road for the past two days with a night at a campground.”
"I'll set the table and have it ready when you get done,” she offered.
He scooped up his bag with a side glance toward Taylor. She appeared restless. Fidgeting and watching him. Her eyes filled with a desire he felt himself. She tucked her arms behind her back. Was she holding herself back from another hug? He wouldn't mind that. Although he felt at the moment he'd hold on and never let go.
He gave her wink and walked out. A shower was needed. And he'd show his hand soon enough. He knew what he wanted, and he had been patient long enough. He rushed through the shower and dressed and joined her in the kitchen, where they ate and shared the highlights of their week.
"You've avoided telling me about the rentals you looked at,” Oz confronted her, as they settled onto what had become their usual seat next to each other on the couch each night. His feet kicked up on the coffee table and she next to him with her feet crossed underneath her.
"I looked at three. They were all nice and in my budget.”
“Do you have a favorite of them?"
"Not really. They felt empty. All of them. And I couldn't bring myself to look at any more."
"They're empty until you fill them with your belongings and make them yours." He grinned.
She punched him playfully. "That is not what I meant."
"So, enlighten me."
"Each place was nice and would be a good place to live. But in every one, I found myself wondering what you would think about it. Where would be your favorite place to sit? Then it hit me that you weren't moving there with me. And the place suddenly lost its appeal.”
Oz focused on Taylor as she paused. She was nervous. He knew it. He had been patient this long; what was a few more minutes? "And why would that be?"
"I want to stay here. With you.”
"With me?"
Her nod nearly did him in.
She twisted in the seat and locked eyes with him. "With you. Oz, I've fallen for you. I want you, not your home, not your money, only you.”
Oz’s mouth was on hers in an instant. Delving deep. No more holding back. She tasted of sweet tea and felt like Heaven. Although her fingers burned his skin like the devil. He ripped his shirt over his head, tossing it to the floor. HE couldn’t say how or when their clothes disappeared. All he was sure of was that Heaven was finally in his hands. In his home. And he was never letting go.