Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
DREW
Iusually hated the city, but there was something special about seeing the Dallas skyline come into view.
I’d been born a small-town boy, raised a small-town rebel, and grown to be a small-town man.
I knew how to handle that life. There were elements I could control.
But the city? That was a different story.
Too many shadows, too much technology, and way too many people I couldn’t figure out.
It was a different world here. The feeling of being away from my family and my brothers was one I didn’t relish all that much anymore.
Not since Ayda had brought me back from my dark place just a short time ago.
Still, that time of recklessness had done some good to me.
I now knew about places I’d never known before, including the cute little motel just off the Northwest Highway.
Eric and I had stopped over here while riding out, the two of us taking a break on the roadside before we headed off on roads with no destination again.
Pulling the bike into the parking lot, I slipped it into place behind a truck, killing the engine and kicking the kickstand out as I looked up at the building in front of us.
It was all cream stone, two stories, and about as quaint and romantic as you could get considering it was a typical, quick and cheap city-type building.
Ayda climbed off the back of the bike, pulling her helmet off and leaving her hair wild. She glanced up at the building with wide eyes before turning back to me.
“Where the hell did you find this place?”
“I’ve been a few places recently. Discovered some new things.
This was one of them.” When I looked over at her, I softened immediately.
That look she was wearing was one I’d hoped to see.
“I wasn’t lying when I said we had business to take care of up here, but I figured I could spare one more night to romance my woman the way I should have been romancing her for the last few weeks.
Instead of, you know, doing the bad shit.
” I cocked my head to the side, gesturing to the building as I climbed off the bike, eyeing Ayda the whole time.
“What do ya say, old lady? You happy to spend the night with your ex-convict, future husband away from all the dirt and drama of Babylon?”
Smiling, Ayda stepped toward me, her arms circling my body. “I thought you’d never ask.”
I kissed her forehead, and we grabbed our bags to make our way inside.
The reception area wasn’t all that. In fact, it was a little dated with dark wood, cream and red furnishings, and brass fucking detailing in the wooden wall panels, but it was away from home, and I was pretty sure it was the last place anyone would ever come looking for me.
Once we were all checked in and the room key was in hand, I guided Ayda down the hall, feeling like a rat in one of those fancy ass cages with plastic tubes they could run through.
It felt like prison… only prettier. I found myself tugging at the neckline of my hoodie and twisting my head from side to side in an attempt to breathe clearer when we finally came to the door that said 169.
Ayda stopped and leaned against the wall by the door. She studied my face for a moment, a smile finally breaking free. “I love this little place, I really do, but a regular motel would have been fine for the night.”
I swiped the card through the door, pushed down the handle and kicked it open, wedging my foot in the doorway, keeping my eyes on her.
“I’m sick of telling you, Ayda. I do what I want, when I want, for who I want.
” I reached down and smacked her ass playfully.
“Now get inside the goddamn room, woman, and appreciate the moment.”
With a roll of her eyes, Ayda headed straight toward the large king bed in the center of the room. She twisted and dropped onto the mattress, bouncing as she grinned up at me.
“Admit it… you just wanted to get laid.”
“Always.” I grinned, dumping my bag by the set of drawers than ran along one side of the room. I took a look around for myself. It was warm. Welcoming. Especially when I looked down at the woman sitting in front of me.
“Another first for us.” She smiled. “One I’ve been waiting for. I get to be greedy with you.”
I stepped closer. “Just so you know, you have my permission to be greedy with me whenever the hell you want.”
Ayda gave me a knowing smile. “Yes, but tonight means no one running in and seeing parts of my anatomy we’d both prefer them not to see.”
I tugged her back to standing, holding our joined hands against my chest. “There’s a whole lot of stuff I can show you here in Dallas while no one else is looking.” My feet began to move slowly, leading her into a small intimate dance I’d never danced with her before.
Eyes widening, Ayda fell into step easily, her surprise worn in her smile as she glanced up at me. “You’ve been holding out on me?”
“Can’t spend a lifetime with you and let you know all my secrets within the first year.” I winked and pushed her out, spinning her under my arm before curling her back against me.
“I don’t think I’ll ever stop being surprised by the things you do.
” She sighed contentedly, allowing the silence to settle around us for a moment before glancing up at me again.
“Can I ask you why we’re here? It’s not that I’m not grateful for the night alone with you, but. ..” She trailed off. “I’m curious.”
I lifted her chin with a finger and smiled. “That shit kills, Ayda.”
“Shut up,” she said on a laugh, her hand slapping my shoulder lightly.
“We’re in Dallas together for two reasons. Reason number one: I need you and your sympathetic personality, nurturing nature, and calm voice to be by my side when we visit Clint’s family tomorrow.”
“Clint? As in…?”
I inhaled slowly, narrowing my eyes and swallowing.
“The guy who shared a cell with Harry in Huntsville. The man who took down Jon Taylor for Harry, for the club, and for anyone who’d ever been hurt by that son of a bitch.
Clint was the last best friend Harry ever had, and he’s laid up in hospital, pissing through tubes and eating soup for the next however many years because he took a beating to let Harry die the way he wanted to die. ”
Ayda reached up, her palm cupping my cheek. “I’m there. No more answers needed. What’s the second thing?”
Twisting my lips before I smiled flatly, I looked at her with sad eyes and dropped my forehead to hers. “The second reason we’re here is because I really, really wanted to get laid.”
Ayda’s laughter came easily, but it didn’t stop her from pushing to her toes and getting her lips as close to my ear as possible. The smile was in the tone of her voice as she whispered, “Fuck her like you’re Tucker.”