Page 33 of Tarzan

Teddy shook his head. “Nah, I just came up with the concept. I commissioned a friend of mine—she’s a tattoo artist—to paint it, since my art skills suck. And a member of the Reckless Order did the woodwork. He owns Titan’s Carpentry and he does all kinds of incredible work with wood.”

“I love it, Teddy. Thank you.”

Standing on tiptoe, I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and hugged him. He squeezed me back so tightly that my ribs ached and he kissed my cheek.

“I see what’s going on here,” Tarzan said lightly.

Teddy and I broke apart to look at him.

“What are you talking about?” I asked.

He gestured between us.

“You two are becoming thick as thieves. It won’t be long before you take sides and gang up on me.”

“Sounds like my brother is a little jealous,” Teddy said in a loud stage whisper.

“I think you’re right,” I whispered back, looping my arm through Teddy’s elbow. “Maybe we should go easy on him.”

Teddy snorted. “Never. Did you know that when he shaves off those luscious flowing locks, his head is shaped like a chicken nugget?”

Tarzan growled. I smothered a laugh behind my hand.

“Actually, I did know that. What other juicy secrets can you spill for me today?”

“Oh, I haveloadsof embarrassing stories to tell.” Teddy grabbed a pizza box. “I’ll fill you in while we eat.”

“Hold on for one second. I want to put my sign up first. And I have the perfect place for it.”

I broke away from Teddy and climbed onto the counter. Tarzan made a disgruntled noise and grabbed my hips, steadying me. I positioned the sign above the sink window,where the sunlight illuminated that rich red paint and those juicy cherries.

“There,” I said. “Now I can see it every morning when I make coffee.”

Tarzan lifted me off the counter and set my feet on solid ground again.

“You could break your neck climbing around on the counter like that, honey,” he said.

I patted his chest with a smile and gave him a quick peck on the lips.

“Teddy warned me that you would ramp up that over protective streak of yours as soon as you put the engagement ring on my finger. He wasn’t kidding.”

“I don’t want my future bride getting hurt,” Tarzan argued. “You can’t fault me for that.”

Teddy flipped open the pizza box and selected a slice.

“Worry wart,” he declared around a giant bite of pepperoni pizza.

Tarzan glared at him. “How many times have I told you not to talk with your mouth full?”

“I don’t know. I never really listened.”

“You little—” Tarzan started.

Teddy cackled and hurried out of the room, taking the pizza with him. A moment later, his voice rang through the house.

“Pizza is in the kitchen, boys! Get your fill before it’s gone!”

The next thing I knew, a dozen bikers swarmed into the room, descending on the pizza boxes like locusts.

This was my life now—chaotic, loud, crowded, and wonderful. And I couldn’t wait to build a home, a family, and a future with the man I loved.