Page 3

Chapter 3

Goose

I found her.

That’s all I could focus on as I tracked the raven-haired beauty being escorted across the open room into an office with a closed door.

Breathing fire, flushed and losing her shit over something so trivial that I couldn’t help but laugh, was the girl I’d been waiting for.

When I told the guys last month that I was ready for the one to fall into my lap, I never imagined it happening quite so quickly. But I wasn’t mad. I was done wasting time and ready to jump into this next phase of my life.

I almost didn’t even come down here today, but Maddox had mentioned he had a contact at this particular DMV branch who could get me in and out quickly, so I didn’t have to spend my whole day in a waiting room.

And God bless that surly man because he’d put me on a collision course with the girl I fully intended to spend the rest of my life with.

She was perfect.

Everyone in the room was utterly horrified by her tantrum, but not me. I was amused and more than a little turned on. She didn’t take shit from anyone, and I found that sexy as hell. She stood up for herself and, oh boy, when she punched that guy? Even if it was an accident, it got my blood pumping. She was feisty, and I could only imagine how that would translate to the bedroom. Her claws could come out to scratch me any fucking time, and I would welcome it.

I’d only managed to keep my mouth shut during her rant because I was too busy drinking her in.

She was tall, dark, and stunningly beautiful.

Shiny black hair, pulled back into a sleek ponytail, was the perfect complement to her olive skin and hazel eyes. Easily close to six feet, she would look perfect beside my six-six frame. An added bonus would be not having to contort myself to reach everything I wanted during sex. Her body had the kind of curves I wanted to sink my fingers into, watching the indents they made on her flesh. Big tits, wide hips, a soft waist. Was there anything better?

And goddamn, was she expressive—the fire flashing in her eyes, the indignation written clearly across her face, and don’t get me started on how her hands flailed about as she spoke. I loved it all.

I was practically giddy, knowing I would get to watch her react like that forever from the best seat in the house—by her side.

A throat cleared behind me, drawing my attention away from the perfect memory of our initial encounter. “Goose? So sorry for the disruption, but we’re ready for you now.”

My smile grew wider. If it hadn’t been for the change in address, I would have been able to renew my license by mail. How could you not believe in fate at a moment like this?

Turning on my heel, I tilted my head toward the closed door blocking my view of my girl. “What are your plans for her?”

The man rolled his eyes, letting out a huff. “Should call the cops. She assaulted my coworker.”

I leaned my elbows on the counter. “Might I caution against it?”

His brows drew down. “Why? You saw her. She clocked him right in the nose. A night behind bars might be enough to scare the crazy out of that one.”

Well, we can’t have that, can we?

“You guys got security cameras?”

“Yeah.” He drew the word out, unsure of where I was headed with this line of questioning.

“Then you might want to rethink pressing charges. The way I remember it going down, your buddy put his hands on her first.”

His mouth dropped open. “You’re defending her?”

I shrugged. “She had a point. I came in here and cut the line.” When he didn’t agree with me, I decided to try a new tactic. “How about this? I hook you and your coworkers up with some signed merch, and we forget the whole thing ever happened. Deal?”

“I want tickets,” he countered.

Hell, I’d get him locker room access if that meant he’d let my girl off the hook.

“Done.” I nodded. “Oh, and one more thing?”

“I’m almost afraid to ask.”

Tapping on the counter, unable to stop from expelling some of my pent-up excitement, I grinned. “I get to be the first one to go in there with her. And then you hook her up with whatever she came for today.”

Shaking his head in disbelief, he looked skyward. “You got a death wish or something?”

“Quite the opposite,” I shot back.

I was particularly looking forward to stoking that fire within her for years to come. God help anyone who ever tried to snuff it out.

Knocking on the door, I could hear the annoyance in her voice on the other side.

“Not sure why you’re bothering, not like I can deny you entry.”

Turning the knob, I pushed inside.

My girl was sulking in a metal chair in the corner, arms crossed, eyes shooting daggers when they rose to meet my gaze.

“You,” she seethed.

Folding my arms, I leaned against the open door. “Hi, Kitten.”

For a second, she dropped the angry-girl act and blinked at me. “What?”

“Hell of a show you put on out there. What’s a guy gotta do to get a private encore?”

Her eyes narrowed as her jaw clenched before gritting out, “Look, buddy. I don’t know what kind of kinky shit you’re into, but I’m sure if you search hard enough, there’s a site on the internet that can help you scratch that itch.”

I hummed. “I’d rather have you help me scratch it, Kitten. Your claws seem sharp enough.”

“Not interested, but thanks for the offer.”

Cocking my head, I couldn’t help but smirk at her. “You don’t know who I am, do you?”

She rolled those pretty eyes and huffed. “Yeah, you’re the guy who got me thrown in DMV jail.”

I bit back a response that I was the only reason she wasn’t headed for real jail today. Given her rant about the special treatment I’d received, I was certain it wouldn’t go over well that I had pulled strings to help her out.

“You’re free to go, but I was hoping I might be able to convince you to grab a cup of coffee or maybe a late lunch if you haven’t eaten yet. From the sounds of it, you’ve been here a while.”

“Unreal,” she muttered under her breath as she stood, scowling.

When she stepped closer, I noticed the green flecks nestled in her brown irises, glittering as she shot me an irritated glance. God, I couldn’t wait to see what they looked like when she was aroused, burning with passion. Thankfully, I had all the time in the world to find out.

“Some of us aren’t the chosen ones who have the world bend to their will.” Disdain dripped from every word, but I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face. She was adorable when she was riled up. “Sorry to disappoint you, but the peasants have places to be.”

“Tomorrow, then?”

A disbelieving laugh fell from her plush pink lips. It took everything in my power not to groan at the image of how perfect they’d look wrapped around my cock.

“How about never? That sound good?”

Aw, she thinks she can fight this. My Kitten is so cute.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

She tried to step through the doorway, but I barred her exit by throwing an arm out to block her path.

Bringing my lips to her ear, I promised, “This isn’t over.”

Her next words were clipped. “Let. Me. Pass.”

Dropping my arm, I turned sideways, creating more room for her to leave. She could say whatever she wanted; I already knew how this was going to end. She might be the cat, but I was a dog with a bone. Nothing was going to get in the way of making her mine.

I propped my hip against the wall as I watched her walk up to my new DMV buddy at the counter, Vince. She pulled paperwork from her purse and handed it over. Stepping to the screen in the corner, she allowed her picture to be taken, tapping her foot. Her impatience could be felt from across the room as she waited for their business to conclude.

Suddenly, her body jolted, and she reached into the back pocket of her tight jeans to grab her phone. The color drained from her face as she read whatever message she must have received. Without a word, she rushed out the door like her ass was on fire.

And damn, if I didn’t enjoy the view of that lush ass swaying as I tracked her movements through the glass and into the parking lot.

There she goes—the mother of my future children.

“Ma’am?” Vince called out, brow furrowing as he returned to the counter.

Curious, I stepped forward. “Problem?”

Vince startled, placing a hand to his chest. Eyes flitting around the room, he swallowed. “The woman from earlier. Did you happen see where she went? I have her license.”

There was fate again, stepping in and making it so I didn’t have to waste any time in tracking down my girl.

“She had urgent business to attend to.” I held out my hand. “I can make sure she gets it.”

Vince frowned, uncertainty filtering into his voice. “I don’t know . . .”

“I would hate to see those tickets disappear.” I kept my tone casual, but the threat was there all the same.

Eyes squeezing shut, Vince sighed, relinquishing the license. “Fine.”

“Good man.” I rapped my knuckles on the counter before walking away.

I didn’t let myself peek at the laminated card until I was alone inside the tight confines of my sports car.

When I did, my eyebrows rose nearly to my hairline.

Well, fuck me. Miss Gemma Bellini wasn’t a girl. She was a woman.

At thirty-seven, that made her nine years older than me. I wasn’t bothered by this discovery—age was just a number—but I was surprised because she didn’t look a day over thirty.

Gemma. I said her name aloud a few times, loving the sound of it rolling off my tongue.

It suited her. Diamonds were known to be the hardest material on earth, but damn, were they brilliantly beautiful and highly valued. Just like my girl—no, my woman.

My excitement grew as I scanned her address. I knew exactly where she lived—a quaint little section of townhouses in the next town over from my new house.

And what kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn’t make sure she got her fresh off-the-press driver’s license?