Page 92 of Until Joy

My chest swelled with an emotion too big for words. I kissed her forehead, her nose, her lips.

“And you’re my home.”

The stars were beginning to appear overhead, and a cool breeze raised goosebumps on our skin. I removed and tied off the condom, then wrapped it up in a protein bar wrapper I’d found in my saddlebag. Then I reluctantly helped Joy get dressed, stealing kisses as we pulled on clothes and tried to make ourselves presentable.

By the time we were ready to ride, full darkness had settled over the hills. Joy climbed on behind me, her arms wrapping around my waist with that same trust that never failed to humble me.

I'd come up here worried about her brothers, stressed about the stalker, uncertain about the future. I was heading home with the knowledge that the woman I loved felt the same way about me, and for the first time in years, everything felt exactly as it should be.

Seth and Randy could bring all the attitude they wanted. Let them try to intimidate me. I was a Navy SEAL in love with their sister, and there wasn't a force on earth that could make me walk away from what Joy and I had found together.

As I fired up the Harley and pulled back onto the main road, I felt Joy's chin rest against my shoulder. The simple gesture filled me with a contentment I'd never known before.

Whatever came next, we'd face it together.

Chapter 24

The shrill sound of my phone ringing dragged me from a beautiful dream. Graham's arm tightened around my waist as I fumbled across the nightstand, squinting at the screen through bleary eyes.

Randy.

My stomach dropped. My brothers calling this early never meant good news.

“Hello?” My voice came out as a croak.

“Joy, where the hell are you?” Randy's voice boomed through the speaker, loud enough that Graham stirred beside me. “We’re outside the address that Mom gave us. This yellow house. Nobody’s here.”

I sat up, running my free hand through my tangled hair. “I'm sorry, I should have called. I'm at Graham's.”

The silence stretched so long I thought the call had dropped.

“You're where?”

“I'm at Graham's house.” I could feel heat creeping up my neck.

“It’s six-thirty in the morning on a Friday, what the hell are you doing at biker-boy’s house at that hour?” Randy growled.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake, grow up! What I’m doing is talking to you. Now, do you want his address or not?”

“Depends. Are you going to be dressed when we get there?”

“I will be, I can’t speak for Graham.”

Randy groaned.

“If you get here fast, you’ll be in time for waffles,” I tempted.

“Do you have strawberries and whip cream?”

“Of course. And it’ll be fresh whip cream, not that stuff from a tub or a can.”

“Just give me the address,” Randy sighed.

I rattled it off and Randy hung up without saying good-bye.

Asshole.

“That went well.” Graham's voice carried that dry humor I'd grown to love.