Kitt

“I still don’t understand where they all came from,” I whispered to Switch. I leaned against one of the sedans. Its driver sat in the front seat, punching data into his dashboard computer.

He was still totally keyed up. He stood in front of his Harley, his fists clenched. Sly and Scarlett stood a distance away from us. They were still giving their statements to the federal agents. It took a minute for me to sort everything out. But we were surrounded by A.T.F. agents on all sides.

Manny Torre and his men sat in the back of the largest van in shackles.

“You sure you’re okay?” Switch asked me for the millionth time. I know he wanted to say so much more. We couldn’t though. He was cautious. Though the agents seemed only interested in the Hellz Rebels, my father still didn’t know what was going on.

My father.

Less than an hour ago, he’d put himself in harm’s way to keep me safe right next to Switch. I knew when the adrenaline finally wore off, I might fall apart. For now, I wasn’t scared.

“All right.” Kinney, the lead agent, a middle-aged man with close-cropped silver hair, made a circular gesture with his hand.

Sly and Scarlett walked over to us. Sly shot a look to Switch. Switch nodded and put a hand on my lower back.

“I’m fine,” I said, giving him the answer I knew he was asking.

Agent Kinney walked over to us. “You’re free to go,” he said. “For now. Nobody’s leaving town though. And if I catch even a hint on the wind of any retaliation, I’ve got room in that van for the rest of you.”

Sly shot him a hard look. “You do your job, Kinney. I’ll do mine.”

“Yeah,” Kinney muttered. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

Agent Kinney rounded up his men. They got in their vehicles and drove off the bluff in the same cloud of smoke as they came in with.

As soon as they were out of sight, Switch exhaled. He pulled me to his chest. “Jesus,” he said. “What the fuck were you thinking?”

“She was thinking about how to save your ass,” Scarlett said, smiling. Sly looked about to ignite.

“Next time, warn me,” Switch said.

“There won’t be a next time,” Sly said, his tone deep and hard.

It felt like an ominous warning. Again, he passed a look to Switch. I wasn’t having it for a second.

“It’s over,” I said. “It’s beautiful up here, but if it’s all the same to the rest of you, I’ve had my fill of Green Bluff for a while.”

“Can you ride?” Sly said to Scarlett.

“Can I ... yes, my love.” She cupped his face in her hands and planted a wet, sloppy kiss on my father’s face.

Switch took me aside. He handed me my helmet. “Come on,” he said. “I want to get you the hell out of here.”

His words sounded like heaven. His body felt even better as he slid into the seat in front of me. I wrapped my arms around him, loving the comforting feel of his engine between my legs. It was raw, primal power as Switch kicked into high gear and we tore down the hill.

He took me back to Sly’s. I knew he was itching to go home. With all the club drama, I’d only ever been to his place once. He had a small farmhouse just outside of town. It sat on part of an old cattle ranch. He was working on restoring it. For now though, Sly wanted everyone close. Especially me. As he and Scarlett went up to the main house, Switch and I escaped to the little hideaway.

Switch sat on the edge of the bed, his face buried in his hands. “I’m so sorry,” he said.

“For what?”

When he looked up at me, the fear in his eyes broke my heart.

“I keep breaking my promises to you. I said I could keep you safe. Now you know I can’t. I almost lost you today, Kitt. I can’t ... I won’t go through that again.”

My heart stopped. I knew what he was trying to say. He thought to save me he’d have to break my heart.

“No,” I said. I went to him. “You didn’t lose me.”

His body was rigid when I tried to take his hands in mine. “They’re going to keep coming. Sly had to figure out what our next move is but ... it’s not over. I don’t know what the hell they’re charging Manny with but it won’t stick. I’m sure of it.”

“You don’t know that. And if you hadn’t noticed, I can take care of myself.”

“No!” He shot to his feet. “Goddammit. That’s twice I’ve watched Manny Torre put a gun to your head. He’s not going to stop. He knows too much.”

“I’m not afraid of Manny anymore.”

Switch shook his head. “That’s the shock talking. Kitt ... God ... it’s tearing me up to say this. But you shouldn’t have come to Green Bluff. You’re not safe here.”

His words echoed through my soul. I took a step back, staggering. No. Not Switch. I would not accept it.

“Is this you talking, or my father?” I asked.

A beat. A lifetime. I stood by the door. The urge to run thundered in my bones. This was too hard. Switch would hurt me if I stayed. He was hurting me now.

Then a thousand other things flooded my mind. Words he’d said. The beat of my heart. Family. Home. Belonging.

“Baby?” he said.

I had one hand on the doorknob behind me. My legs burned. My head screamed go! But in the end, I let my heart do the talking.

As I went to Switch, he dropped to his knees. My breath left me as he curled himself around me. I laced my fingers through his hair.

“No,” I whispered. “I’m done running, Switch. Don’t you see? Can’t you tell? How many times do I have to tell you? I choose you.”

He looked up at me, his eyes searching my face.

“My love ... I’m already home.”

Switch slowly got to his feet. He towered over me. His arms came up, circling my waist.

“Are you sure?” he asked me.

The air rushed out of me. Was I sure?

“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life,” I said. “I love you. I want to be with you. I want to make a family with you.”

The instant I said it, heat blossomed through me. Switch’s hands made their way over my rib cage, my arms. He pressed against me so close I could feel his heart beating right through his chest.

“I don’t understand you,” he whispered. “I don’t know why you aren’t running for the hills.”

I smiled. “I told you. I’m done running. The only running I’ll be doing from here on out is straight into your arms.”

He kissed me. The rough stubble of his chin scraped me in all the right ways. My nipples peaked as he skimmed them with his fingers. This. Now. I hungered for him. Desire more powerful than anything I’d ever felt flooded my senses. Raw need took over. Switch felt it too.

He carried me to the bed, laying me down gently. I reached up, caressing his face. His eyes flicked over me, searching for the truth. But the truth was in my heart, my touch, my kiss.

“Baby,” he whispered.

“No more doubts,” I said. “Not for me or for you.”

“This life …”

“Is the life I choose,” I finished for him. “It’s the life we both choose. And it’s the life we were both born into. I thank God for that. Without it, I never would have found you.”

Switch hovered above me. I curved myself toward him, my body stretched taut like a bow. “I don’t believe that,” he said. “I think I would have found you no matter what.”

I smiled. “Maybe you’re right. Now kiss me. Make me yours.”

He did.

Switch was gentle, taking his time as we both wriggled out of our clothes. I marveled at the brutal beauty of his body as if I was seeing it for the very first time. The hard-cut muscles, the dark, swirling ink in stark contrast to his tanned skin. I wanted to memorize every line, every scar. Because he was mine as much as I was his.

I opened for him. Switch was skillful, touching me in all the right places. He knew how to bring me just to the edge with gentle fingers, sliding along my folds. He had me wet, ready, aching for him. He laid me bare.

Switch worshipped me with his lips and tongue, languishing over my every curve and secret parts. Because we had no more secrets between us. I gave my heart to him. I gave him my soul.

He gave his right back to me. I was on my knees for him, taking him into my mouth. I looked up, savoring the way he threw his head back and swayed with my rhythm. He threaded his hands through my hair. His buttocks clenched as he came to his own edge. I didn’t want him to hold back. He didn’t.

I drank in every drop.

Later, it was my turn. Switch hooked my arms above my head, making me grab the brass headboard with both hands as he worked his way down my body. I arched my back and gasped as he worked my sensitive little bud, giving as good as he got.

I came for him. I cried out for him. And he was there.

As the moon came out, we made love a second time. A third. Then I lost count.

Finally, we both curled against each other, exhausted and sated. Switch held me, his steady breaths making me feel so safe and warm.

“I love you,” he whispered. “I don’t deserve you. But I’m going to take you anyway, baby.”

I turned so I faced him. Switch’s hand slid down to my hip. I threw one leg over his. Unbelievably, his heat called to mine again. I wasn’t sure how I’d walk in the full light of the morning, but when he was ready for me, I knew my body would respond. We were born into this life, but we were also born for each other. I believed it in my heart.

“And I’m going to take you too,” I said.

“Marry me,” he whispered in the dark.

My pulse flared. At that moment, I felt like I could fly.

“I know it’s quick,” he said. “And I know today’s been ... a lot … And I also know I should probably fight harder to make you go.”

“Shhh,” I said. “I know all of those things too. And none of it will change my answer.”

Switch held his breath. This fierce, amazing man. He was actually afraid of what I might say.

“Yes,” I said squeezing his hand. “Yes. Yes. Yes!”

Then there were no more words we needed to say. There was just this. Us. And the sense I finally belonged.