KAT
My first real date with Rowdy was both stressful and romantic. He shared his feelings and dared me to do the same. His story about his parents made me wonder if magic was real. I’d never witnessed such romance in any of my families. They all started happy before growing bored and breaking up.
Pax didn’t seem like a particularly romantic man, but he was clearly crazy about Bebe. They shared a casual heat after decades together. I wanted to believe I could defy my past and be more like the Reed family.
By the time Rowdy left for the evening and Maria returned, I was convinced Rowdy and I could work. After we talked at dinner, his life no longer seemed as scary and overwhelming.
Before leaving, Rowdy tucked me into bed and kissed me. I imagined myself taking care of him in the same way after he had one of his many “risky” meals. I was curious about how whiny Rowdy might get when his stomach was upset.
“I found myself checking apartments in Little Memphis,” Maria admitted later as she held Colson and I snuggled with Cavan. “It’ll be so strange not living with you.”
“I don’t like that part,” I said, unable to hide how the move was a done deal. “I know it’s selfish, but I want to have you and Rowdy. I want to keep our life here and start a new one in Little Memphis. I want a big family like Rowdy has, but I also want to keep our quiet twin lifestyle.”
“You’ve always been the softer twin,” Maria teased. “You avoid conflict. You’d rather dream than face something painful.”
“Do you think I’m too weak to be with Rowdy?”
Maria smiled softly. “I don’t think Rowdy needs a tough woman. He’s plenty tough himself. I think he requires a patient woman who finds him charming rather than scary.”
“Do you find him charming?”
“No,” Maria said instantly. “I find him scary, but I am impressed by how sweet he is toward you and the boys. I also noticed how he calmed Bebe when she got rattled. Rowdy seems, well, rowdy. He has a chaotic energy, but he’s also very aware of the mood of other people.”
Admiring my sons, I rested my head against Maria’s shoulder. “I want to be fearless and let Rowdy get his way. But I’m afraid to have my heart broken.”
“You’ve broken your heart at least twice with Rowdy already. You didn’t trust him in high school, which was smart since teenage boys are the worst. However, after you got pregnant, you cut him off rather than tell him the truth.”
“Self-sabotage is my biggest flaw.”
“Well, you also over-season meat. I think that might be worse.”
Snickering, I nuzzled her shoulder. “Will you help me be brave by giving up your life in Little Rock and following me to my biker baby daddy’s hometown?”
Maria humored me by offering the same promise she had given me since Rowdy showed up at the hospital.
My sister was as patient the next night when Rowdy was on his way back to Little Memphis. I knew he needed to pack up clothes and supplies before returning tomorrow morning. There was no reason to be sad, but I still cried when I thought of him leaving.
Returning just like he promised, Rowdy strutted into the hospital room after I was dressed and ready to be discharged. I had my belly wrap on, making me feel slimmer than I had in six months. My hair was up in a ponytail. Despite looking better, I moved like an old lady with back problems.
“I’m not sleeping on the couch,” Rowdy announced after the twins were strapped into their seats in my minivan. Maria sat behind the wheel. Before I shut my door, Rowdy kissed me and repeated, “I’m not sleeping on the couch, please?”
“There’s space in our arts and crafts room,” Maria offered and laughed.
I patted Rowdy’s handsome face. “You can sleep in my room with your sons.”
Rowdy smirked. “I’ve never shared a bed with a hot chick who wasn’t also related to me. This should be fun.”
His good mood stuck around for the ride to the townhome. He carried the boys’ seats inside and rested them in the family room.
“What’s the plan?”
“We have bassinets for when we keep the babies in the family room,” Maria explained on her way to the kitchen, where she worked on the fussy boys’ bottles.
“Can we take these bassinets to Little Memphis or do I need to get new ones for the condo?”
“They should be able to travel.”
Rowdy looked at the boys before shaking his head. “I’ll get ones for the condo. Once the boys move up there permanently, we can give the extras to my friends for their Chihuahuas.”
I laughed at the idea of his tough biker friends owning such little dogs.
Maria asked, “Do you think your dog will be okay with the babies around?”
“No, Goblin will most definitely bark a lot. Might nibble on the boys, too. I’ll need to have him stay with my cousin until the boys are big enough to stop looking like chew toys.”
“I’m sorry,” I said as he typed on his phone.
Rowdy surprised me by suddenly dropping on the couch next to me and kissing my throat. “You’re so beautiful when you pity me.”
Maria laughed in the kitchen. “Who wants to feed who?”
“I want Colson,” I said as Rowdy nuzzled my throat. “I snuggled with Cavan earlier.”
“Got to keep it even, so one doesn’t grow up bitter and crazy,” Rowdy murmured. “That’s good mothering.”
“I do feel bad about your dog.”
“Don’t let his size fool you. Goblin’s a tough beast. He can handle a little upheaval. Besides, one day, he’ll have two little buddies to play with.”
As I took Colson into my arms, I asked Rowdy, “How do you stay so positive?”
“I can remain positive because I’m getting what I want,” he replied while nuzzling the bottle’s tip against Cavan’s lips.
“If I made you sleep on the couch, how would you behave?”
“I’d still be staying at your place, so I’d remain in a good mood,” Rowdy said, smirking as he added, “I’d need to get clever about how to sneak into your bed.”
“Well, I’ve welcomed you into my bed. Just don’t expect me to fool around. Once I find a position, I don’t want to move.”
“I’ll take care of you tonight,” Rowdy promised.
The sexy biker kept his word. After an evening watching “Top Secret,” we gave the boys their final feeding before bed. Cavan and Colson were soon in their crib. I admired my sons’ little faces, still in awe of how they were finally out of my body.
Too tired for a shower, I wiped my body with a cloth and crawled into bed. Rowdy stripped down to his black boxers and strutted toward me.
Rowdy was such a gorgeous man. His eyes shined like icy jewels against his tanned skin. His sexy smirk sent my heart racing.
I soaked in the sight of his athletic build. Without his shirt on, I was able to admire the colorful, intricate tattoos covering his arms and shoulders. A Tasmanian devil tattoo on his left ribcage was a humorous little surprise.
I rested on my side facing him as he joined me in bed. His lips covered mine, stirring a shock of heat in my belly. Rowdy tucked us into bed and whispered how he would never let me go again.
Kissing me softly, he encouraged me to close my eyes. As I drifted off to sleep, I heard him promise to spend his life ensuring the boys, Maria, and I were always safe and happy.