My brother was pissed when I put on Schrader’s helmet and climbed onto his bike behind him, but that is too damn bad. I understand his concern, I really do, but it is misplaced. I would never do something that I feel is putting myself, or the baby, at unnecessary risk. I trust Schrader with my life, why wouldn’t I place the same trust in him when it comes to the baby?

Decoda is being over-protective and unrealistic when it comes to how our lives are. Growing up like we did, it was typical to see women riding, even pregnant. Some even riding up until their due dates and no one questioned it. We get as much enjoyment out of the ride as the guys. It is one of the main reasons why I knew I would end up an Ol’ Lady. Even as a little girl, it was clear to me that I could never give that piece of my life up. I have always felt more alive on a bike than anywhere else in the world. The wind in my hair and the air rushing over my skin is the closest thing to being completely and totally free anyone will ever feel. The speed, the vibrations, two bodies leaning and shifting with each curve, every single second providing a rush that is both exhilarating and relaxing at the same time.

Never in my life have I needed anything as fucking much as I need to feel that tonight.

Schrader is overly cautious on the ride back, taking the backroads much slower than usual, but I don’t mind. If anything, it makes the ride back to the clubhouse that much longer. I would draw it out more if I could. With my arms wrapped around him, I press my cheek to his shoulder and close my eyes, not needing to see the road illuminated by the street lights. The bike, he and I, move as one. Every curve, each shift in the road, I feel them all through him and the bike and roll with each movement he makes. There is sense of intimacy in it, a closeness that has made it difficult for me to ride with just anyone.

When we pull through the gates, everyone is waiting outside, surrounding the picnic tables and lit fire pits. Schrader pulls up in front of the clubhouse where Stone, Colt, and Huck are waiting with Ro, Nita, and Henley. Seeing Henley here surprises me. Even more so when Jet starts walking our way. Almost instantly, Colt’s arm comes around Henley’s shoulders, the look on his face telling any of the other guys here know that she is off limits.

Interesting.

Climbing off the bike, I take off the helmet and hand it to Schrader. “You’re gonna give me a heart attack one of these days,” Nita huffs, wrapping her arms around me tight. “Every one of you drivin’ me right into the goddamn ground.”

“Don’t buy the plot yet,” I tell her, hugging her to me. “I’m okay.”

“No.” Pulling back, she shakes her head. Clicking her tongue, she runs the tips of her fingers over my cheek, taking her time to look me over. “Don’t you dare play this off, little girl. You look like you went a few rounds with a heavyweight.”

“It’s all over now,” Schrader assures her, stepping up beside me. “We made damn sure of that.”

“Plenty of good things to be thankful for,” Nita nods, her eyes dropping to my stomach. “And a baby to plan for,” she says, sounding damn near giddy. “Anything you need, sweetheart. The club is here and cannot wait to welcome this sweet baby into the family,” she adds, pressing a hand to my belly.

“Absolutely,” Stone agrees with a nod. “I know you feel guilt from what D.A. did, but that’s not on you, Shy. Or the baby you’re carryin’. The club won’t hold it against either of you. Ever. I promise you that.”

“Right,” Nita says, taking a step back. “Time to put the guilt down. A baby is a reason to celebrate.”

“Okay,” I nod, pushing back tears of relief. It feels like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Even if I know deep down that I had nothing to do with any of the shit Troy caused, it feels good hearing Stone and some of the others reassuring me.

“Grandpa Doc,” Colt chuckles, shaking his head. “Sippin’ ‘shine and readin’ Dr. Seuss. Should be entertainin’ as fuck. Green Eggs and Ham will be more like Copper Pots and Mash.”

“Stop it,” Nita scolds, slapping him on the arm. “We’ve got so much to do.”

“Planning can wait until tomorrow,” I yawn. “Or, you know, any of the other days of the thirty weeks I have left.”

Ro and Henley sandwich me into a hug of their own. “Nice to see you, too,” I grunt when they squeeze the air from me.

“I’m sorry I outted you like I did,” Henley says once they finally release their grip. “I couldn’t stand the thought of everyone focusing on playin’ who’s the daddy while you were being held hostage and your dad was on an operating table. It was like soap opera drama in that waiting room.”

“It’s okay. Sometimes the guys need a boot in the ass to get refocused. You gave ‘em that.” My eyes move to Stone and I swallow hard, mustering up my courage to overstep. “I know you don’t have to tell me shit, but—”

“Everyone’s whole,” he says, reading my mind. “And everything’s handled. Ashmead’s made sure no one sees any blowback.” Wrapping an arm around Roanne, he smiles. “It’s. Over.”

“Good,” I sigh, feeling relieved. “Enjoy the fire, I’m going to bed. Tomorrow, I’ll make a big breakfast for everyone.”

Colt rubs one of his big hands over his stomach. “Don’t tease a hungry man.”

“You’re always hungry, Colt.” Passing him, I pat his stomach. “Don’t know where you put it,” I add, knowing that beneath the leather and red t-shirt he is wearing are abs you could probably bounce a quarter off of.

Once inside the clubhouse, I head straight for my room; wanting nothing more than a hot shower and to sleep in my own bed. Switching on the light, I begin stripping out of my clothes on the way into the bathroom. After adjusting the water and getting it as hot as I can stand, I step into the spray, desperate to scrub away the last few days.

Pressing my forehead to the cool tile, I close my eyes, breathing in and out slowly as the water pours down over me. It feels like Heaven. The hot water hits my shoulders and back, soothing the muscles that have begun to ache now that the adrenaline has worn off.

The curtain shifts behind me, the fabric brushing the backs of my calves. Schrader’s hands grip my hips as he steps in behind me. “Shit,” he hisses through his teeth. “Why does the water from your pipes come straight outta the pits of hell, Woman?” he asks, reaching around me to adjust the water.

“The heat relaxes me.”

“That’s my job.” His hands move up my body, the rough callouses on his hands sending sparks throughout my body. “Brought you something to eat from the kitchen,” he says softly, his fingers running over my abdomen. “Nita insisted.”

“I’m not hungry,” I reply, bracing my hands on the tile beside my head.

“That’s fine.” Moving my hair from my shoulder, he leans in so his lips brush my ear. “I’m happy where we’re at.”

“Me too.” Sighing, I lean back into his body, his thumbs brushing the undersides of my breasts. “Schrader?”

“Mmm,” he hums, kissing his way down my neck. His hands cover my breasts, kneading my tender flesh. “You gonna tell me to stop?”

“God,” I groan, rocking my ass back into his erection. “Don’t you dare.”

Tugging on my nipple, Schrader smiles against my skin. “Tell me what you want, Shy.”

“You,” I answer, pushing back into him again.

His hand slides down between my thighs, his fingers finding my clit. I moan, every cell of my body aching for his touch. He circles slowly, causing my hips to rock in time with his fingers as he applies enough pressure to make me crazy with need, but not enough to give me release. “Now.” His teeth graze my ear. “Turn around and show me.”

“Don’t stop,” I plead, covering his hand with my own. All the pent-up tension and frustration I have been holding back and trying to pretend isn’t there, is boiling beneath the surface, begging for somewhere to go. Reaching back, I fist his cock in my hand, lining him up with my entrance.

“Goddamn,” he growls, rolling his hips into my ass. “Babe, you’re killin’ me.”

“I want all of you,” I tell him, glancing at him over my shoulder. “Every inch. Hard and fast. Now.”

“Sorry, Babe.” Yanking his hands from my body, Schrader shuts off the water and flings open the curtain. Spinning me around, he meets my eyes, the deep whiskey browns burning with unquenchable fire. “I’ll take you however the fuck you need my cock. Whenever you need it. Tonight, though, it happens at my pace.”

Fisting my hair, he yanks me into him, slamming his lips to mine. Our mingled pants echo off the walls, teeth and lips clashing as we both fight for control of the kiss. Gripping my ass with his other hand, Schrader hoists me from the ground and charges from the bathroom. Moving through the room, everything is a blur, but I couldn’t give a shit about anything else.

Turning, Schrader falls back onto the bed, the hand on my ass urging me to move my hips. When I do, he groans into my mouth, his fingers flexing so hard I know I will have marks tomorrow. I love it. I want his hands on me, his mouth, his marks. I need to know, without a doubt, that I am his and that this is real.

Rolling me to my back, Schrader’s hand finds its way between my thighs again. “I can’t wait to be inside this fuckin’ pussy,” he growls into my mouth, his fingers sliding in and out of me slowly.

“Please,” I whisper, wanting that as much as he does.

“First time I slid into you, I knew your cunt was ruinin’ me for anyone else.” His palm presses into my clit. My body burns, desperate for more.

“Schrader,” I moan, his filthy mouth and fingers too much for me to take. His lips wrap around my nipple, sucking and biting greedily. “I’m coming!” I cry, my hips bucking into his hand.

Having barely come down from my climax, I feel Schrader settling between my legs, the head of his cock brushing over my still-sensitive clit. I whimper, my entire body trembling. “You want every inch, Baby?” he asks, rubbing my clit again. Dragging my bottom lip between my teeth, I manage to nod as I moan. “Hard?” He pushes only the tip inside me, the look in his eyes says it is torturing him as much as it is me. I nod again, my fingers fisting in the sheets, wishing like hell he would move. Leaning down, he runs his nose along mine. When he pulls back, a wicked grin spreads across his face and he thrusts into me hard.

Each pump of Schrader’s hips rattles my entire body. The pain and pleasure mix, giving way to an entirely new, more intense, sensation that has me hanging on by a thread. It’s incredible. Fisting my hands in his shaggy blonde hair, I take his mouth with mine. He tastes like tobacco, whiskey, and everything that is simply Schrader. Hungrily, I devour him, unable to help myself, incapable of holding back, and not caring one bit that I don’t even want to try.

Our bodies slap and slide against each other, my hips moving in sync with each thrust of his own. “You feel so fuckin’ good,” he grunts, grabbing my hips and hosting my ass off the mattress. “Fuckin’ love the way your cunt grips my cock. Like you never wanna let me go.”

“Ah!” I cry out. “Yes!” Throwing my head back, I am lost to my climax. My release slams into me so hard it rips the air from my lungs.

Dropping my ass to the mattress, Schrader buries his face in my neck, kissing and sucking at my skin. His thrusts become frenzied, each panting breath that leaves his lips rushes over my skin like a wave. “Love you,” he says on a rush of air, his body stilling. “Every time I’ve ever said those words to you, I’ve meant it, Babe. Even if I didn’t know how much.”

“I love you, too,” I reply, the words rushing out of me without hesitation.

Rolling us to our sides, he kisses me softly. “Thank fuck, because I’ve made it pretty fuckin’ clear I’m not givin’ you up without a fight, Babe.”

“I’m fighting for us,” I murmur against his lips, my fingers running over the coarse hair lining his jaw. “Not against us.” Pulling back, his lips twist into a satisfied smile, his brows disappearing beneath the damp strands of hair hanging in his face. I stare up at him, taking in the face of the man who has always been such a vital part of my life, the man who owns me body and soul in ways that no one else ever could. Schrader has saved my life and guarded my heart, even when it belonged to another man. He has always had my back. Without me having to ask. Without judgment.

If that isn’t love I don’t know what the fuck is.