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I t’s not until the police questioned Lennon about the missing money that he remembered the details of his attack. And to think I believed he just had an accident.

My father, that bastard, put his hands on him to score a quick buck.

I never believed he was reformed, but I damn sure didn’t think he’d get violent.

Thank God the police found him before I did, because I’d probably have killed the fucker.

Between the felony theft and assault charges, he’ll be going away for quite a while, and I’ll be at all his parole hearings to argue he should do every last bit of time they give him for what he did to Lennon.

The image of him slumped on the ground, lifeless, haunts me when we’re apart, and that happened more than I would’ve liked in those first few weeks.

My events are too loud and chaotic for someone recovering from a concussion, yet he insisted I go so I didn’t forfeit my chance to keep my title.

At least I got to hear his voice before and after each run, which calmed me enough to focus on what I was doing.

No more falls for me, which means Jace has backed off my case a bit, and with his help I’ve managed to get back to Lennon in between all the stops on the tour.

It's torture each time I have to leave him, especially since he’s still technically recovering. But the damn stubborn man threatened to lock me out of the house if I didn’t promise to catch my flights. That argument is about to lose its muster though.

“I feel like I should report you to the doctor,” he whines from the seat beside me. “Nowhere in the instructions they gave us does it say it's recommended for concussion sufferers to be driven around blindfolded.”

“Actually, since I’ve had several concussions myself, I know firsthand the blindfold prevents you from feeling any light sensitivity. Besides, you were cleared to work, and travel, starting yesterday.”

“I don’t think traveling blindfolded is what they had in mind.” I have to literally bite my tongue to stop myself from laughing when his plump bottom lip sticks out in a frustrated pout.

“Good thing we’re done with the travel part of this surprise then.” I put the truck in park and walk around to the passenger door, giving him my hand so he can step out of the cab. Then I aim him in the direction of the house and make my big reveal. “Ta da.”

Lennon blinks as his eyes adjust, his cute little mouth falling open when he sees the house. “I know this place. It’s been for sale for ages. Are you…? Did you buy a house?”

“A house—and a barn.” I spin him so he can see it in the distance.

He turns his head to peek at me over his shoulder, eyebrows raised.

“Remember when I told you I had a plan for the next stage of my career? This is it.” I point to the barn.

“It’s big enough to make a practice track for anyone that wants to compete on the circuit.

There’s even space for people to stay there, like camp.

” I catch myself bouncing on the balls of my feet like a little kid and plant my heels on the ground half a second before he spins to face me, a cautious smirk on his face .

“And the house?”

Although I’ve been staying with Lennon each time I’ve been back over the last several weeks, we haven’t had any conversations about our long-term living arrangements, so this could either go really well or…

“Well, they were a package deal.” I shrug. “If you don’t want to live there, we can stay in your house, and if you do, we can fix this one up however you like and make it ours.” My fucking palms are sweaty. Why are my palms sweaty?

“Are you saying you want to move in together?” He’s still wearing that shy little smirk, but there’s a spark in his eyes he didn’t have a few seconds ago.

“Seems kind of silly to live in separate places when I want to spend all my time with you.” I shove my hands in my pockets before I start talking with them like an idiot. Why hasn’t he said yes yet?

“You know a different address won’t stop me from locking you out, right? You’re still not allowed to stop riding because of me.”

“I won’t.” I make an ‘X’ over my chest. “Besides, I’m counting on the construction being so messy and loud you have to travel with me at least part of the time to get away from it. As long as Randy has things under control of course.”

He turns back to the house, and I see his chest lift as he takes a deep breath. “It’s sort of big.”

“For now,” I agree. “But I’m thinking one day when the time is right maybe we fill it with some kids if you’re into that. Or a dog. I’ve always wanted a dog.” I hold my breath, waiting to see how he’ll react.

Wide brown eyes lock onto mine as his jaw falls open. “That’s like… you’re talking about you and me forever .”

“That’s the idea.” I reach for his hand and pull him to me, wrapping my other arm around his waist so his body is flush with mine.

The friction between us makes my cock spring to life—I haven’ t touched him during his recovery—but I ignore it since now isn’t the time.

“What do you say? Can we make this our place?”

The little devil doesn’t miss a thing, clasping his arms around my neck and rocking his hips into me as he chews mischievously on his lip. “I suppose if we live together, I don’t have to show up at work wearing yesterday’s clothes. Or yours.”

“I like you in my clothes.” I nip at that plump little lip.

“Maybe I’ll keep wearing them then. Just around the house.” His fingertips tease the back of my neck, sending a shiver along my spine that I feel all the way in my balls. It’s been way too long.

I pull him closer, so my dick is rubbing against his. “Is that a yes? You’ll move in with me?”

“Yes.” I swear the way he says that, all husky and full of need, damn near makes me come in my pants. Fuck, I love this man.

All I want to do is crush my lips against his, but the memory of him in a hospital bed is still too fresh. Instead, I lean in slowly, brushing our mouths together as gently as possible. A growly little whimper greets me as I make contact, and I tilt my head to deepen the kiss.

A groan rumbles from deep in my stomach as our tongues meet, and my eyes roll back in my head.

I’ve gotten lost in his body so many times, consumed by pleasure I couldn’t contain.

And while this kiss makes my head spin the same way it does when I’m inside him, it somehow anchors me, too.

It's as if this man, this place, are part of my soul.

My chest vibrates with energy, and I gasp for air, torn between wanting to ravish him and cradle him to me.

Panting just as hard as I am, he presses against me. “Isn’t there some sort of requirement to christen the rooms of a new house?”

“If there isn't, there should be.” I try to fill my lungs with air, mesmerized by the way his tongue slicks over his bottom lip.

“We better get started then. It’s a big house.”

I grip his ass and lift him up, guiding his legs around my waist to carry him inside. Home .