Page 24 of In Death, Love Survives

THIRTEEN

Wolfe

“Do you want to take a break?” I shout.

“Sure,” Nova answers.

With her arms wrapped around my waist and her head resting on my shoulder, I’ve never felt more alive than I do in this moment, heading home.

Up ahead, I see a familiar passing spot.

Nova tightens her hold as I head toward an upcoming overpass where there’s a large spot that allows tourists to pull to the side to take photographs.

It’s a resting place where I used to take a breather for entirely different reasons, usually after some of the club’s activities.

I can’t help but keep glancing in my mirrors, looking for the police—an old habit that’s coming back now, even with my newfound freedom.

As we’ve been driving back to my home, I’ve been thinking about all the ways that Nova will have to acclimate to this lifestyle.

She’s taking a chance on me, knowing that there’s more darkness than light to come. I just don’t want my angel to turn out like me.

All I know is that there has to be a way to make it work. That I can keep her heart and soul filled with goodness while I’m working with the club in the background.

“You okay, hunny?” she asks.

Hunny. I don’t think she’s given me a nickname before. I like it.

“Yeah, doll. I’m okay.”

I come to a slow stop at the pass.

I’ve never been one to really appreciate the beauty around me until this trip. It’s normally all business and making sure the brotherhood is intact.

The motorcycle comes to a stop, and Nova unwraps her arms from around my waist and starts to get off the bike.

As I turn it off, I glance back to see my Nova looking like a wet dream I never thought I’d be lucky enough to get.

The helmet is coming off, and her long blonde hair is flowing around. The ponytail she had is long gone, and now it’s only a vixen I see.

Blonde hair sweeping, glistening tan skin showing, and a tight little ass now in my view as she looks out at the mountains.

She puts the helmet underneath her arm as if she’s been riding for years and didn’t just take her very first ride.

“It’s breathtaking,” she says.

“Best view I’ve ever fucking seen.”

She looks over her shoulder, and a wide smile flashes my way. Nova looks like the happiest woman alive.

“You happy, angel?”

“More than happy.”

“Oh yeah?”

I give her a lopsided grin and sweep a hand through my own hair.

“Yeah, that’s right.”

I come around the other side of the bike and take the helmet out of her arms, placing it on the back.

“What’s more than happy?”

She uses her hand to cover her eyes as she looks up. I pull at her hips to bring her closer.

“More than happy?”

“Come on. Tell me.”

“I feel like I’m finally heading to my forever.”

That confession melts my cold heart. Anytime she gives me a piece of her, I know it’s a gift.

More seriously, I take her chin in my hand so she’s focused on what I’m about to say.

“I don’t take you giving everything up for me lightly. I promise to give you the life you deserve. We’ll find a way to always make it work.”

She smiles sweetly.

“Wolfe. I’m not actually a doll. I won’t break.”

I exhale loudly.

“I know that. I just want to make sure you know how seriously I take all this. When we get back to the ranch, you’ll see. You can make a life with me worth your while.”

Nova wraps her arms around my neck and leans up on her tiptoes.

“We’ll figure it out. One day at a time.”

Before I have a chance to answer, she presses her lips to mine. It’s soft and gentle, exactly what I needed to calm down this sudden anxious feeling.

She pulls away and leans her head against mine. With heavy breaths, we finally break apart. I loop my hand in hers, and we face toward the mountain pass.

“This is some spot to stop at,” she says after a few moments.

“It’s usually more popular than this.”

“I’m not going to complain.”

I squeeze her hand at the double meaning.

“Me either.”

Nova keeps ahold of my hand as she arranges our positioning, having me wrap my arms around her waist from behind. I rest my head on one of her shoulders.

“Hey, can I take you somewhere?” I whisper.

“I’ve got time,” she says with a giggle.

I place a quick kiss on her cheek before bringing her back to my bike.

“It’s down a trail nearby here.”

Nova smiles as she puts her helmet back on and then resumes her position on the back of the bike.

I rev the engine to life and head back on the highway for just a few minutes.There’s a secret spot that only locals really know about. It’s near a field of wildflowers that reminds me of my girl.

I take the cutoff and slow to a near stop as I navigate down this man-made trail.

“Where are we going?”

“Somewhere I think you’ll like. Have you been out this way before?”

“No, I didn’t really explore. I should have.”

I come to a complete stop close to the wildflowers.

“You’re from Montana, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Ever think about leaving?”

“No, I’ve always wanted to stay close to home.”

Nova throws one leg over the bike and hops off. She’s getting so used to the routine already, setting the helmet on the back before I have a chance to take it off her hands.

“Where is home?”

“Closer to Roper State.”

“That’s why you took the job?”

“One of the reasons, yeah.”

I take her hands and lead her to the waiting view.

“How long have you been there?”

“Not long. I had to pick things up quickly when the original head of psychiatry left.”

“You’re what? Twenty-eight?”

“Yeah,” she says with a squeeze of my hand.

I can tell she’s used to being closed off when anyone wants to talk about her. The layers I still need to peel back are vast, but the more I learn, the more I find out just how strong my Nova girl is.

I’ll give her some time.

“We’re almost there. Just a little bit further.”

We walk in comfortable silence for the remaining distance until Nova gasps.

Her other hand clings to her chest as her mouth gapes open.

“What do you think?” I ask.

She faces me completely, with bright eyes and a beautiful smile.

“It’s beautiful.”

“Just like you.”

Her smile grows.

“I’m glad you like it here. I thought you would.”

“Was there a chance I wouldn’t like flowers?” she teases.

“It’s just good to get confirmation.”

Nova focuses back on the wildflowers.

“What kind are these?” she asks.

“I’m not sure, actually. Some lavender is in there.”

She hums as she soaks in the view.

“Tell me your favorite.”

“Peonies.”

“What else?”

“Sunflowers. White roses…”

Nova laughs.

“What is it?”

“I don’t think I realized how much I love flowers until this conversation.”

“Then I’m really glad I brought you here.”

Looking around, I see a wooden bench.

“Come here,” I say with an outstretched hand. She takes it, and I lead us both to sit down.

“What else do you like?”

Nova shrugs as she stays facing the flowers. I already know that it’s hard for her to open up, so I’ll take every opportunity I’m given to try and pry some information out.

“You’ve been alone for a long time.”

“Yes.”

Much longer than I had put together.

Nova leans into my side, so I wrap my arm around her to let her sink in further.

“Thank you,” she whispers.

“Let’s get home, yeah?”

“Yeah.”

Nova gets up first, and I follow. We take the short walk back up to my motorcycle.

“Hey, Wolfe?”

“Yeah, angel?”

“I think there are a lot of new beginnings I’ll get with you.”

“Me too.”

Nova pushes a loose strand of hair behind her ear and looks down bashfully. She nods, almost as if she’s gathering the courage to ask me for something she wants.

I won’t press her for anything further. When she gets to the house, it’ll already be a lot to take in.

Nova looks around us, and I do, too, unsure if she’s heard or seen something. With heat in her expression, she bites down on her lower lip.

She quirks her eyebrow just for a second before reaching down and pulling up her shirt. I’m a little shocked at where this is going.

“Looking to play a little?” I ask.

“Yeah. I think I’d like that.”

“What are you thinking?” I try and coax out.

“Wolfe.”

“Come on, baby. You gotta tell me what you want.”

“I think I’d like for you to fuck me.”

I laugh and shake my head right as she tosses the tank top on top of my bike. Seeing her like this, I suck in a deep breath of air at her in this dainty bra, wanting and needy.

“I wanted to fuck you in a bed, finally,” I say.

“Where’s the fun in that?”

“We’ve got time.”

“Exactly.”

“What do you mean?”

“We have time. We have the freedom to do what we want without being in my office. I’m taking what I want.”

“For me to fuck you on my bike?”

“Yeah, hunny.”

Nova stalks forward and runs a hand down my shirt. Her fingers tease the hem as she grins knowingly.

“What do you say? Me bending over this bike sounds like a pretty good time.”

“We don’t need to just have sex.”

“Oh… you don’t want to?” she asks as she trails her nails against the skin near my waistband.

“Believe me, I want to.”

I’ll have to unravel everything that Nova means, but I do want to fuck her bent over my bike.

Fuck. I want to fuck her every which way forever. What I don’t want is for her to think that’s all this is. But if this is what she wants, then who am I to deny her?

The twinkle in Nova’s eye has returned as she starts to pull off her cowboy boots. With them tossed to the side, she wiggles her ass to pull off her jeans until they’re on the ground, leaving my girl in just her underwear.

I kick off my boots and quickly discard my cut, shirt, and jeans.

“Come here, baby.”

She steps forward, and I wrap one hand around her, jerking her into me.

“You’re talking a big game about getting bent over my bike,” I start.

I grip her neck with the other hand and see the same excitedness from earlier reappear. My girl likes to be played with a bit.

She moans under my hold.

“Tell me, baby,” I say, leaning forward and inhaling her scent.

She writhes, wanting more contact.