Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 76082 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76082 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
"I love everything about you," adds Quickshot, leaning in close. "And I love making you feel loved, in every fucking position imaginable."
Then he kisses me, hooking his hand behind my neck to hold me close.
"We'll keep you safe forever, baby girl," whispers Animal right into my ear. "If you'll have us."
I pull away from Quickshot long enough to ask, "Are you guys proposing to me?"
"Will you be our old lady?" asks Badass directly.
"And depending on your answer," says Animal, his hand back on my breast, "we'll either spend the next couple of hours celebrating it, or proving to you that you're wrong before we ask you again."
Quickshot's right. It's not what I should do, it's what I want to do. For once in my life, I should be allowed to be a little selfish. Sandra's okay, and just because I'm shacking up with the amazing bikers who showed me what it's like to live my life, not just go through the motions, doesn't mean I can't keep an eye out for her. And help her where I can.
So yeah, I will choose what I want.
"If I make you convince me, can we still celebrate my answer then?"
"Fuck, honey," says Badass. "We're going to celebrate until you can't fucking walk."
By the end of it, I have no idea if they're convincing or we're celebrating, but what I do know is that I'm theirs, fully and completely.
And they're mine.
38
NATALIE
Eagle-eye looks over the crowd gathered in Books & Crannies—Faith's bookstore. For the occasion, the store's closed, but it's packed by so many bikers that for once the new book smell is completely overpowered by the scents of leather and motor oil.
I can't remember the last time I had so many butterflies in my stomach. It's a whole swarm, and it's a day that I never imagined could possibly be real, for several reasons. But here I am, and behind me are Quickshot, Badass and Animal, holding me close between them, both for comfort and to make sure I don't run screaming out of the bookstore in total panic.
Not against my will, mind, but I asked them to, just in case. Because this is huge. Like bigger than huge.
I'm both declaring my independence to the world and at the same time locking it down completely.
Sandra smiles at me encouragingly and gives me a little thumbs up, while I'm standing here trying not to hyperventilate. The guys thought I'd look amazing in a corset today, and of course I gave in to them, but I'm regretting it a little now, no matter how much it emphasizes my curves. Just a little more room to breathe would've been nice. Well, if I pass out, at least there's three big guys here to catch me.
Eagle-eye clears his throat.
It took a little renovation of the bookstore, and I feel a little bad about stealing away some of Faith's space, but the new area looks amazing. Several small, round tables with chairs around them, and a couple of leather benches in the corners. Bookshelves as separators to give customers some privacy, reading lamps, and in the back, a counter. And behind that, you've got everything necessary to run a little café. And in their unfinished basement, we've put a freaking bakery. It’s tiny, but it’s mine.
A big sign over the cash register reads "Grand Opening", with balloons and everything. I made so many freaking cupcakes that all of the little tables are covered with trays. On opening day, they're free for as long as they last. That said, who knew bikers liked cupcakes so much?
"Okay, fuckers, listen up!" starts Eagle-eye. He's standing on the stepping stool I use to reach the high shelves behind the counter, looking out over the crowd imperiously. Off to his side sits Faith, smiling broadly, and next to her is Miriam with a supporting hand on Faith's shoulder. "I know most of you are here for the free cupcakes, but we've got an important order of business to deal with first."
Animal gives me a nudge to start walking forwards, and as I start, the guys follow together. Who would've thought that opening my own café in a cozy bookstore would not even be the most important thing that happens to me today?
We stop right in front of Eagle-eye, me in front and Quickshot, Badass and Animal in a little half-circle behind me. My mouth is dry. I always imagined I would get married one day, and it would be a sweet wedding with a cake I baked myself, lots of flowers, pretty gowns and sleek tuxedos, and I don't know, a priest or something.
Not a barrel-chested old biker with a massive mustache wearing a black T-shirt, an MC cut, jeans and leather motorcycle boots.
But hey, you only get married once, right, so might as well make it special.