Chapter 20
CHAPTER TWENTY
Miles
I lean against the cool metal of the gym’s equipment, the faint smell of fresh rubber mats filling the air.
Song stands across from me, her red hair catching the overhead lights, framing her face like a fiery halo.
“Hey,” I say, catching her gaze. “I don’t know if I told you, but there’s an apartment over the gym.”
Her brow arches, curiosity lighting up those hazel-green eyes. “An apartment?”
“Yeah.” I push off the machine, stepping closer. “We could use it as our place if you want. Just you and me.”
She tilts her head, contemplating. The way she bites her lip drives me wild. “Sounds nice. But... what’s wrong with the clubhouse?”
“Nothing. Just thought it could be nice to have our own space.” I shrug, trying to keep it casual, but my heart races. “A little privacy.”
“Privacy, huh?” A smirk dances on her lips. “You mean your idea of romance is a place above the gym?”
“Better than a place cramped with bikers everywhere you turn,” I can’t help but laugh. “And trust me, we’ll have much more privacy here. Imagine all the things we could get away with doing.”
She steps closer, her interest piqued. “What’s it look like?”
“Not much right now. A couple of rooms, a decent kitchen. Just like the gym it needs some work.” I run a hand over my head, imagining how it could be. “But we could make it ours.”
“Ah, so you want to do some renovations?” Her excitement is infectious. “What kind?”
“Taking out the fourth bedroom. Turning it into a master bath and closet for us.”I lock eyes with her. “Update the flooring, paint it—make it feel like home.”
“Home...” she whispers, and I see that spark in her gaze again. “I love the idea of it.”
“Yeah?” I grab her hand, squeezing it tight. “I can’t wait for us to start our life together. To really build something. That’s why I want to have this place for us too.”
“I’m so happy we found our way back to each other.” she says softly, and my chest swells.
“Yeah, me too. I want marriage, kids, all of it with you,” I add, my voice thick with hope. “I mean that.”
“God, Miles.” She beams, and my stomach flips. “I can’t believe I’m hearing this. I love you,”
“I love you too, girl,” I lean in closer, feeling the heat radiate between us. “I know in your lifestyle you usually claim people. Well, you’re my woman and that’s that.”
“Miles, I don’t belong to anyone else,” she nods, biting back a smile. “You’re the man of my dreams.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear it. Next week, my old man is coming down.” I release her hand reluctantly. “He’ll help get the gym going. Set up the website and all that.”
“Your mom would be proud, you know,” she says, her tone shifting slightly serious. “If she was still around.”
I look away, pushing back the weight of that loss. “Yeah, she would have.”
But then I catch her gaze again, and somehow, I feel lighter.
“Not many people live away from the clubhouse,” she changes the subject likely sensing my grief. Her hazel-green eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Only Poison, but that’s when Asher’s in town. Even their place isn’t too far—maybe three miles down the road.”
I nod, mulling it over. “Right.”
It’s a tight-knit crew.
Always has been.
But we could carve our own path.
I give her another option, one that won’t be such a big change. “So, what do you want to do? Split time between here and the apartment?”
Her gaze flickers away, deep in thought. “Yeah... but do you think Zane would be okay with that?”
I stop pacing, looking directly at her. “Of course he would. The club is your family, and your family will understand wanting to have a semblance of normalcy.”
“Okay.” Her smile returns, brightening the dim room. “I really like the idea of having our own space.”
“Then let’s do it.” I squeeze her hand tighter, adrenaline coursing through me. “Let’s talk to him about it. Make it happen.”
I lean against the wall, arms crossed.
Stiletto’s eyes are sparkling like sunlight on water. “Yeah. I’m excited. We can really make this place our own. God, we can go pick out paint, look at tiles, the whole shabang!”
“Yeah, but…” I push off from the wall, pacing again. “The apartment needs some work. So we’ll probably be at the clubhouse until mid-summer.”
“Mid-summer?” she repeats, her brow furrowing. “That’s a little longer than I expected.”
“Yeah, I know. Things just take time.” I consider, the plans rolling in my mind like an engine revving up. “We’ll start with sorting out everything for the gym and then we can start tackling it upstairs.”
“I can’t wait to see it.” Her enthusiasm is contagious. “And even a master bathroom and closet? You really thought of everything.”
“Had to.” I smirk, feeling the weight of responsibility but also the thrill of what’s ahead. “Didn’t wanna disappoint my lady.”
Her laughter rings out, echoing off the gym walls. “You haven’t disappointed me yet, Miles, and I highly doubt you will.” She steps closer, wrapping her arms around my waist. “I’m just happy to be doing this with you.”
“Yeah?” I wrap my arm around her, pulling her in close. “I’m glad to hear that.”
We walk out of the gym hand in hand, the twilight painting the sky in hues of red and violet.
Our silhouettes merge into one as we walk towards the pathway leading to the clubhouse.
I feel her thumb tracing circles on my hand, a familiar sensation that calms my stormy soul.
The clubhouse’s lights flicker in the distance, but our future seems even brighter.
A mix of jovial laughter and loud engines echo from the building, but it fades into the background when she rests her head against my arm.
Her voice is soft, a mere whisper against the night air, “Miles...” The way my name danced on her lips, it sounds like music.
“Yeah?” I glance at her, her hazel-green eyes reflecting the remnants of a setting sun.
“I love you—you know that, right?” Her words are almost drowned by an engine revving nearby, but I don’t miss them.
My heart pounds against my chest, loving hearing her say this.
“I do,” I capture her lips in a soul sucking kiss.
Her lips are soft and she tastes like the sweet promise of forever.
I can feel my heartbeat matching rhythm with hers, a symphony playing a song of love.
She laughs against my lips, the sound sending sparks of electricity down my spine.
Why the fuck didn’t I fight for her years ago?
Why did I do everything I could to push her away?
Who the hell knows, but we found our way back to each other and that’s all that matters.
“I can’t get enough of you,” I mumble against her lips, wrapping her in my arms tighter.
“You better not ever get enough,” she whispers back, her hazel eyes flashing with a mixture of mischief and desire.
I plant another peck on her lips, grinning like an idiot in love—which I am. “Not a chance, Song.”
Our laughter rings through the empty street as we head toward the car.
I’ve been making a lot of changes lately, but I can say I’ve never been more sure of any decision.