"Show-off," I murmured against his mouth.
"You love it," he countered, pulling me back upright.
"And do." I giggled.
The reception was a time to be had with laughter, food, and music. I twirled across the dance floor with Tiya as we exchanged playful jabs with the old-timers of the club. I tried not to get misty-eyed when I caught Dutch watching me from across the room.
"Congratulations." I turned to the deep voice behind me. Saint. "You two are good for each other."
"Thank you. I'll take that as a compliment," I stated.
"Man, you hitting on my old lady, Prez?" Dutch joked, sliding an arm around my waist.
Saint smiled. "I'm glad you're here. Hey, cut the music for a minute," Saint said loudly, and the room went quiet. "Dutch, Makari, on behalf of Sons of Shadows, I wanted to present you with a gift."
Rico and Trigger entered the room and draped leather cuts over our shoulders, and Saint hung dog tags over our heads. "For a couple who's been through hell and put this club throughhell. Nah, I'm joking." He laughed. "You two are now honorary members of the Sons of Shadows and will always be family."
I was hit with emotion as I ran my fingers over the familiar skull logo on the dog tags.
"Shit, and here I thought I was finished crying today."
Dutch chuckled softly next to me. "You and me both. Wow, thank you guys so much," Dutch expressed, clapping Saint on the back.
Dutch, in a cut, again swelled my heart. It was the missing piece I knew he needed.
I leaned into his embrace, and for the first time, I truly felt like I belonged somewhere with this crazy, beautiful family we'd built.
The music came back on, and Saint and Tiya grabbed our jackets so we could dance. We moved to the dance floor, and Dutch pulled me close.
"Mrs. Makari Knight. How does it feel?"
I pretended to think about it. "Hmm, it was definitely an upgrade." I laughed.
"I second that."
I wrapped my arms around his neck. Fishing for compliments, huh? The upgrade is pretty damn amazing. Are you happy now?"
Dutch smiled. "Ecstatic."
Saint raised a beer. "Yo, lovebirds, isn't it time for you two to sneak off for a private celebration?"
"Don't you worry about us, Mr. President? We're going to get ours in." I laughed.
Saint clapped Dutch on the shoulder. "Don't let this one go."
The next morning, the scent of breakfast coaxed me awake. I stretched, feeling a sweet ache between my legs and caught a whiff of Dutch's cologne on the pillow next to me.
I headed to the ensuite bathroom, which was a small luxury I'd never thought I'd appreciate so much. I brushed my teeth and smiled at the electric razor next to the toothpaste, reminding me how far we'd come.
I slipped into one of Dutch's oversized t-shirts and made my way downstairs, suddenly ravished with hunger. I leaned against the door frame, taking in my husband with his fine ass wearing nothing but his birthday suit and an apron, flipping pancakes like a pro.
"Good morning, sunshine. I see you're already stealing my clothes." He laughed.
I shrugged. "It smells like you. I'd get in your skin if I could."
I snagged a piece of bacon. "How is the new bike project coming along?"
Dutch poured coffee. "Real good. My client wants a showstopper for his son's twentieth birthday."
"Oh, that's impressive."
Dutch pulled me in for a hug. "Baby, you're always worth impressing."
I arched an eyebrow. "Really, 'cause I was kind of hoping you'd let me impress you and ride that monster again?"
"Say less."
The End!
