Page 51 of Trusting Skulls (Rebel Skull MC #8)
Chapter Forty-Nine
Ash
J ackson and I just finished connecting the last of the plumbing in my little house. I should be able to start moving my stuff over any day. I’ll miss living at the warehouse, but I can’t wait to be closer to my sister.
It’s been a relief knowing Lexie has been with family all day.
I’ve gotten so much done since her return to the club.
When she was at her parent’s house, I almost lost my mind.
I had to reach out for help because there was no way I was going to let the situation steal my sobriety.
I’ve worked too hard. I had to trust that Lexie would return to me.
Deep in my heart, I knew she wouldn’t let me down.
“Thanks for all the help, brother.”
“No worries. We’re family.” He slaps his gloves on his legs before reaching into a cooler and cracking a beer open. He hands it to me.
“No thanks.”
He smacks himself in the forehead. “Shit, dude. I’m so fucking sorry.”
I laugh. “Don’t worry. I’m sure it’s not the last time someone hands me a beer. I’m cool. I’ve got this.”
His gaze roams over his farm. Willow is sitting on a little stool in the middle of her garden, planting seeds.
“This is the good life, man.” He sighs contentedly.
“I’m going to go in and see if Lexie is ready to go.”
He gives me a thumbs up, already standing to walk over and help his wife.
I find Lexie sitting on the floor in the middle of the baby’s room, writing. She doesn’t notice me; she’s absorbed in whatever she’s working on. I take in the room. It looks like she’s knocked out two of the walls. I’m surprised how much she got done today.
There’s no way I’m going to interrupt her, so I slide to the floor and rest against the door frame.
It’s fucking adorable the way she nibbles at her bottom lip. She pauses and taps her forehead as if she’s knocking on the creative door of her mind. Her face lights up the minute it answers, and she continues weaving whatever tale she’s transcribing.
Suddenly she freezes, her eyes slowly raising to mine.
“Hi,” I say quietly.
The book snaps shut, and she smiles shyly, dipping her head.
“Whatcha doin’?”
She shakes her head and begins to gather her things, shoving them back in her bag. “It’s a surprise. I didn’t even hear you come in.”
“You were in the zone.” I stand up, hurrying toward her to help her to her feet. “How’s your ankle? You weren’t on it too much today, were you? My sister can be quite the slave driver.”
Lexie laughs, and it’s music to my ears.
“I’m fine. This is the best I’ve felt in a long time. I feel like I’ve actually done something productive today.”
She hobbles over and begins to pick up her paint brushes. “I just need to wash these out, and then I’ll be ready.”
“The room looks good.”
Her gaze roams over her work. “I hope it’s okay. I tried my hardest because I want it to look nice for the baby.”
“It’s perfect,” I tell her, taking the brushes from her hand. She has a smudge of pink paint on her cheek, and I think it might be the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. I brush my thumb over it, but it’s already dry.
Instantly she starts patting her hair, worried I’m scrutinizing her appearance. In reality, I’m basking in it.
“Stop. You’re beautiful.”
“I must be a mess.”
“Do you want me to be honest?”
Her big golden orbs blink up at me. “Uh, sure,” she says, but she’s anything but sure.
“The nights you were headed out on the town, perfectly put together, makeup on point, hair styled, and the clothes that cost more than a week’s pay …
” I pause, taking a deep breath, hoping she has ears to hear what I’m about to say.
“That was when you were a mess. Here, relaxed, in nothing but shorts and a t-shirt, with no makeup on other than a smudge of paint on your cheek, you’re the most put together I’ve ever seen. ”
Her fingers dance lightly over her cheek, but she doesn’t say anything. I begin to worry I’ve offended her. I march her across the hall to my sister’s room.
“Look at us. We’re both dirty, tired, and happy. Or at least I am.”
Her head falls back against my chest, and she sighs. “I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, Ash.”
“I know it’s not going to happen overnight, but you’re doing so good, baby. I hope someday you’ll look at yourself in the mirror and realize just how beautiful you are, inside and out.”
A small smile begins to tug up the corner of her mouth, and she giggles. “You know, you do look good dirty.”
I growl in her ear, pulling her close against me.
“Willow said you had a surprise for me,” she continues to tease, wiggling her fine little ass against me.
“I do, but it’s not quite finished. I’ll make you a deal. You show me your surprise, and I’ll show you mine.”
She giggles again. “That sounded naughty.”
I laugh with her.
This … this is what I’ve been dreaming of.
Lexie is finally loosening up around me and letting her guard down.
“Do we have a deal or no?”
She turns around and holds her hand out. “Deal.”
I grab her hand and gently jerk her toward me, sealing it with a kiss.