Page 153 of Fly's Path

“You ready for phase two of our date?”

“Only if phase two involves a shower and a change of clothes.”

“It does. I hope you don’t mind, but I didn’t want to waste a second today, so I got you a set of leathers to wear. If you don’t like them, we can stop at a store and get you something different.”

“You got me a set of leathers?” She stares at me like I have three heads.

Which, to be fair, I probably look like it, the way I’m shaking as I pant for breath. “A pair of leather pants and a nice warm leather coat. They’ll not only keep you warm on the ride, but if something should happen, they’ll protect your skin.”

“Um…that’s good.”

“Don’t worry. I wouldn’t do anything to put you at risk.”

“I know. Where should I shower?” She hefts her bag onto her shoulder.

“The outfit is laid out in the master bedroom. It’s through that door there.” The double-door entry is made of hand-carved cherry and is absolutely stunning, which I don’t care one bit about. But I really hope she likes the space, because more than anything, I can’t wait to see her hair spread out on my pillow and her asleep in my arms there.

“Thanks.” She turns and walks through the doors.

I let my body flop over and drag as much oxygen as I can get through my lungs. Training to keep up with her is going to kill me.

The master bedroom door opens, and I pop my head up.

“What’s this?” She holds up the jacket I got her.

“As I explained—”

Sheri turns it around so that the back faces me. “No, what is this?” She shakes it at me.

I can’t help the grin that spreads across my face. “That’s the mechanical symbol for chaos.”

“Not that—though cool fact—why does it say ‘Property of Children of Chaos’?”

The joy those five little words bring me. It’s like shouting ‘mine’ to the world. “That’s your jacket.”

“But what does it mean?”

It means you’re my old lady. You’re the woman on the back of my bike. You’re mine. “It means whatever you want it to mean.”

“No, it doesn’t.” She walks forward, shaking it at me. “This means a whole lot more than that, doesn’t it?”

“Yes.” I can’t lie about what I want desperately.

“What if something changes? What if you no longer want me to wear it? What if I no longer want to wear it? That’s big. It’s something we should discuss.”

She’s right, it is. Also, it’s never going to change. “It’s just a jacket. Wear it as long as you want to wear it. It isn’t a tattoo or a wedding band. If something changes in the future and you don’t want it to mean anything, simply take it off. But if what it means scares you, I have some plain leather jackets you could wear.” I hold out a hand for her to give me the offensive item.

“That’s not what I said.” She clutches it to her body. “I just thought we should talk about it, and we did. I’m going to go shower.”

Sheri walks away like she didn’t just leave my mind reeling in the best way possible.

Groveling Again

Vandal

The grin on my face threatens to split it in two. Everything is perfect. I have a stunning bouquet of roses and orchids. Lola’s coffee is in the same hand as the jeweler’s bag. The diamond and sapphire tennis bracelet might be a little over the top, but I wanted to give her something she’ll wear forever.

There’s a skip in my proverbial step as I walk over to her dorm room for the last time as the evil man who broke her trust.