Page 55 of Blaze
I take a sip of my beer just as the chair beside me scrapes against the wooden floor as it’s moved. The scent of wood smoke and motor oil wrap around me like an embrace a moment before Blaze’s heavy arm wraps around my shoulders. I lean back into his side, tilting my head towards him for a kiss.
Our lips meet in a slow, sensual exploration. I pull back before it becomes too heated, albeit reluctantly.
“Everything okay at the garage?” I ask, sliding him the fresh beer I have waiting. Blaze had to answer an emergency call from one of the employees at Hades Garage.
Blaze uses the edge of the table to pop the cap off and takes a drink. “Yeah. They couldn’t get the POS system back online, and we’ve got two cars being picked up today. Idiots didn’t even think to try restarting the system and the modem.”
I snort, shaking my head. First rule: if technology isn’t working, turn it off and then back on.
Blaze presses a kiss to the side of my head, and I sigh happily, tangling my fingers with his free hand as I watch the happy couple dance, now with Cinder cradling his tiny son against his chest with one arm and Lacy with the other.
Their binding ceremony was beautiful, and, as we agreed that night, Blaze and I kept our accidental binding quiet. Though from the looks Reaper and the other demons have given us occasionally, I think they suspect. Fortunately, no one said anything, letting Lacy have all of the spotlight. I’ve been more than happy to step into the background since that fateful night.
My eyes drift over the reception, the more understated and intimate reception Lacy had wanted. The Knights of Hades are all in attendance, even the prospects. As the music moves to something upbeat, Chainz, Heathen, Brute, and even Stubs find dance partners from the town. Tonight won’t be as rowdy as parties at the clubhouse, though Chainz has already declared an open invite to a spur of the moment after-party. It’s rather endearing, actually, to see these males—huge men in their human forms—dance with the older residents of Devil’s Haven. Brute is unexpectedly graceful despite his size as he swing dances with a woman who has to be in her early seventies.
The only original member who isn’t dancing is Bones. I find him in the corner booth that the Knights claim as their usual seats. It’s hard to gauge his expression, considering the skull tattooed onto his face. But I’m pretty sure he’s trying not to stare at the blonde woman sitting across the table from him, her chair angled so she can watch the dancing. Sloan had been one of the three Light Justicars who’d confronted the Knights alongside Enzo and his men. She claims to have been an unwilling participant, and Bones believes her.
Understandably, Reaper is taking precautions.
From the shadows in her eyes and how jumpy she is, I believe her, too. I know all too well what it’s like to live in fear.
The Pastori were never family, no matter what they claimed. This motorcycle club, made up of demons and shifters, are a family whose bonds can’t be broken. And they’ve welcomed me into their family without hesitation.
I bring the hand holding Blaze’s up and press a kiss to the back of his hand, my eyes stinging.
“What’s that all about, kitten?” Blaze asks and, before I can answer, hauls me into his lap.
I meet his eyes, so beautiful and expressive, even without flames. “I think my parents would be happy for me,” I tell him and have to swallow down a lump. “I haven’t felt this settled, this happy since the night they died.”
Blaze doesn’t say anything, but he squeezes me and I settle into him. Together, we watch our family enjoy themselves. I don’t need anything more than what I have, right around me.
“Do you want to dance?” he murmurs after a few minutes, and I shake my head. An idea strikes me and I look up at him, mischievous.
“Can we go for a ride?”
He cocks an eyebrow, his smile full of delightful wickedness. “You ready to get out of here?”
I bite my lip, nodding.
He stands and sets me on my feet. He raises a hand and waves at Reaper. I’d say bye to Lacy and Cinder, but they’re caught up in their own world and I don’t want to interrupt them. We head towards the back hall, leaving through the door that leads out back.
I tilt my head up towards the sky, closing my eyes and soaking in the warm afternoon sunlight. The roar of an engine reverberates through me, sending my heart racing, and I open my eyes.
I don’t think seeing Blaze sitting on a beast of a motorcycle, wearing his Knights of Hades vest and looking like sin personified will ever not take my breath away.
This man, this demon, is mine—for eternity. And I’m his.
He’s holding out the black street helmet towards me, and the side of his mouth lifts in a smirk. “You comin’ or not, kitten?”
I hurry across the gravel to him, taking the helmet and tugging it on while rolling my eyes. I climb on behind him, tucking my dress under so I don’t flash everyone, and find the passenger pegs Blaze had added.
“Where to?” Blaze asks as I press up against him, wrapping my arms around him and holding tight.
“How about we decide as we go?” I suggest, and Blaze reaches down and squeezes my thigh with affection.
“Sounds perfect.”
As Blaze pulls out of The Styx’s parking lot, I toss my head back and laugh. Blaze drops his hand back to my thigh before gunning it, sending us racing out of the town. I let go of him, throwing my hands out and reveling in the freedom I’ve found in this town. I’m not worried about falling, because I know Blaze has me.
He always will.
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