Epilogue
“We’d better not be getting any phone calls out here today.” Dylan lifted the beer to his lips, his gaze locked on his beautiful fiancée lounging in one of the chairs on the dock several feet away. Lexi said something to her, and she smiled.
Dylan couldn’t feel happier than he did right at this moment. He had everything a man could want—a fishin’ rod and a beer in hand and an amazing woman at his side.
Ben bobbed his head in agreement at Dylan’s words. “I could use a few days of peace and quiet with no interruptions. Just good food, fishin’ and hot nights.”
Sean chuckled. “TMI, bro. But I’m with you both.”
“Hell, I didn’t even put a ring on anyone’s finger yet, and I’m still satisfied with the fishin’ and food.” Roades scrubbed a hand over his jaw, thick with beard growth. He’d been letting it go more and more, not that their captain was going to say anything. Ben looked as scruffy as Roades.
Elise came up behind Sean and rested a hand on his shoulder. “Hey, babe, I’m going inside to lie down.”
He twisted, squinting into the sun behind her. “Want some company?” Before she answered, he stood and took her by the hand.
“See ya later.” Dylan raised the beer to his lips again, a smile spreading over the rim.
Chaz took Sean’s place on the edge of the dock, his bare feet dangling near the water. “Could one of you guys give me a hand changing the brakes on my Jeep this week?”
“I’ll do it,” Roades said.
“Thanks. I need it in top shape for a road trip.”
All the brothers turned to him. “What road trip?”
“The one I’m taking along the coast.”
Dylan eyed him. “I’m assuming there’s a woman involved?”
“Could be.” He drank off half of his own beer.
Their maman got off her lounge chair, patting Athena’s shoulder as she passed. She crossed the deck in a swirl of thin cotton skirt and leaned into the center of the group of her boys.
“Who’s got an appetite? I’m going inside to heat up that gumbo.”
“Maman, I’ll take anything you put in a bowl and devour it gladly.” Dylan grinned up at her, and she patted his cheek. “You need a shave.” She looked from face to face. “All of you do.”
“Athena likes me a little unshaven,” Dylan said.
She sat up with a gasp and lowered her sunglasses to stare at him wide-eyed. He chuckled, and their maman just shook her head at their antics.
“I’ll pretend I never heard that and know nothing about it.” But the way she caught their father’s eye made Dylan think otherwise.
Lexi swung her legs over the side of her lounge chair. “When is Rocko coming?”
Ben and Dylan exchanged a look. “Rocko’s coming?” Dylan asked.
“I didn’t invite him,” Ben muttered. “Dammit, I’m going to have to break his legs, aren’t I?”
Lexi set her hands on her hips and gave them all a look that would sear the hide off lesser men. But the Knights were made of tougher stuff.
Dylan caught Athena’s eyes and she gave a smile that had his pulse thumping faster. The moment swelled until they both stood. The deck was only a few feet, but it was too much for Dylan. By the time he pulled her into his arms, he was aching.
“Let’s find a nice quiet place to take the pirogue.”
Her gaze shifted to the flat-bottom boat tied to the dock. Her smile widened, and she nodded. “I’ll grab a blanket.”
He released her and watched her hips twitch as she crossed the deck to the cabin. Having her here with him was the best thing a man like him could ask for. In his line of work, he couldn’t promise tomorrow. But with Athena waiting for him, he was determined to make the most of every minute he had on earth with her. Hopefully, someday they’d be sitting here at this very cabin surrounded by grandbabies.
Roades nudged him from his thoughts. “I’ll tell Maman to save you some gumbo.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, do that.” Athena emerged just then, her curls bouncing around her beautiful face. Dylan’s heart swelled to twice its size—as did another body part.
He took the blanket from her and laid it in the pirogue. Then he took her hand and helped her into it before climbing in behind her. Roades untied the rope and pushed them off.
As they moved through the water, Dylan could see his family getting up to go into the cabin. Athena reached over, her soft fingers stroking over his jaw. She leaned in to brush her lips across his once, twice. Burning need enveloped him, and he yanked her across his lap.
A giggle escaped her, and her eyes danced with happiness and love.
“God, I don’t deserve you. After what I did to you, barging into your life…”
She chewed her lower lip and then released it. “It was a terrifying time of my life, and I’m still not entirely recovered. I keep watching every customer who walks into my boutique, waiting for them to try to involve me in some criminal activity. But Dylan, I don’t believe things happen randomly. You were brought to me for a reason. We might not have ever met any other way.”
“This is why I love you so much.”
“That’s all?” She arched her back, bringing her breasts in contact with his chest.
He chuckled. “There’s that too and so much more.”
“Hurry up and find some dry land because I don’t think we can rip off each other’s clothes in this shaky boat.”
He waggled a brow. “We can try.”
She batted at his arm. “Get me to dry land so you can take me, Dylan.”
He wasn’t going to stall another second. He grabbed the pole and dug it into the thick swampy bottom of the bayou and pushed off, propelling the pirogue forward. He knew one small plot of ground with enough shade to keep the blazing Louisiana sun from scorching them. Since the storms had cleared, they’d been left with true Cajun weather.
When he helped her step out of the pirogue, he yanked her right into his arms. Body flush to his, he stared deeply into her eyes. A curl fluttered forward, and he brushed it back with his knuckles.
“I’m not sure if I can wait any longer to marry you.”
A joyous smile spread across her full lips. “We want your sister there. And she won’t be in boot camp much longer.”
He sighed. “I guess it just gives us more practice before the honeymoon.”
“Mmm, I like your thinking.” Easing her hand around his shoulders, she drew him down until their lips connected. Warmth gripped him, and he took control of the kiss, showing her just how hungry he was to get started on their plan.
THE END