Page 46 of My Ex-Military Biker

"What'd you tell him?"

"That you're handling it."

"I am."

"I know."

We lie there. Quiet. Comfortable.

"Natalie?"

"Yeah?"

"You happy?"

The question surprises me. He doesn't usually ask things he can already see the answer to.

"Why are you asking?"

"Because three years ago you didn't know what you wanted and I want to make sure you still want this."

I shift so I can see his face. "I want this."

"You sure?"

"I run my own business. Make my own hours. Take clients I choose. Live in a house I picked. Sleep next to someone who asks me what I want instead of telling me what I should want. Yeah, I'm sure."

"Good."

"Are you happy?" I ask.

He's quiet for a moment. "Danny died doing what he was told. I spent eight years making sure I never did that. Built a whole life around not needing anything so I wouldn't have to want something and risk it not being enough."

I wait.

"Then you showed up in a wedding dress and I wanted you anyway. Wanted you enough to risk it. Still want you. Still risk it every day."

"That didn't answer my question."

"Yeah. I'm happy."

I put my head back on his chest. His arm comes around me.

Outside, Bloomfield is quiet. The club is three miles away. Tomorrow I have client meetings and he has Ray's shop and we'll both come home to this.

"Tate?"

"Yeah?"

"Next time Sully runs his mouth about Ray, break his jaw."

"Thought you'd be pissed."

"I changed my mind about that too."

His chest moves with silent laughter. "Noted."

I close my eyes.