Seeing my name in black ink on his body solidified what I was feeling. On the left side and right below his heart to boot. It was the sexiest tattoo I’d ever seen, and made me want to shout the surprise I had for him on the spot. But I didn’t. We made love like it was the last time we were going to see each other and it made me taking out my suitcase and telling him I was going with him that much sweeter.
“I can’t wait to experience this with you,” I told him when we stopped kissing. We continued our night as planned, but instead of him getting up the next morning to tell me good-bye, we loaded up his truck with my luggage next to his and set out for Texas. Together.
The press conference and photo ops that he had to do for work were just as much fun as I’d thought they’d be. Exhausting yes, but seeing Reid in the spotlight was amazing. He’d earned his success and the way he humbly carried himself when he met fans and the press made me love him that much more.
I’d made good on my time, taking my camera with me and snapping pictures of him at work whenever I got the chance. He showed me what his life had been like over the past few years, including a tour of his practice track and the apartment he’d called home. The place we’d call home together when we came back here for his training that winter.
By the time the press tour had wrapped up and we were headed back to Halstead, both of us were eager to get the ball rolling on our new house and setting up the businesses that Reid had decided he wanted to own. On top of that, he was flying his parents in for their surprise. It had been so hard to keep the secret of their new house when we visited them in Texas.
When we picked them up at the airport and drove them out to the place they once called home, the smile on Reid’s face was priceless, only matched by their tears of joy and gratitude when we pulled up in front of the newly built house.
“They loved it,” I’d told him when we left them for their first night in their new home. Thanks to internet shopping and Georgia and Brett’s help, we’d had the entire thing furnished and decorated by the time we’d arrived back in Halstead.
“They did, didn’t they?” He smiled. If the whirlwind of the last few weeks were any indication of what my life was going to be like, I was going to be a happy girl. That night when we crawled into bed together back at my house in our hometown, I knew that choosing to be with him was the best decision I’d ever made.
Reid’s plans to open an official racetrack in Halstead were underway, along with his plans to open a shop in conjunction with the track. Vendors were already canceling their deals with Gregurich Motor Sports to go into business with Reid. Ricochet Racing would be opening soon and who better to be in business with than a professional rider.
Word on the street was that Beau was changing careers. Reid and his team might not have been able to formally charge him for tampering with the bike, but they’d made damn sure to put him on a blacklist with anyone involved with racing in any aspect. I’m sure the countless phone calls that Brett had been making while he was stuck indoors recovering had a lot to do with it. His vendetta was even more justified than Reid’s. Beau Gregurich had pissed off the wrong people this time. I had a feeling that our conflict with Beau was far from over, but at least in that moment I was content with knowing that he was on his way out.
“As excited as I am to have a front row seat to seeing his business crash and burn, I’m more excited to get this fucking knee back in shape so I can give him the beating he fully deserves,” Brett had told us. He still had a few weeks left in the cast so for the time being Reid wasn’t too concerned with him doing something he might regret. One thing was for sure, I didn’t want to be around if and when Brett Sallinger ever got a hold of Beau.
Reid and I spent the next few days at his parents’, helping them move their things in that arrived on a truck from Texas. My family came out for a dinner and it was like no time had passed at all—our mothers gushing about how happy they were for us. Our dads talking about hunting and racing seasons.
Georgia and Brett stopped by, but I could tell they wanted to be alone. The heated looks the two of them were exchanging either meant they wanted to kill or kiss each other. I didn’t ask. My sister’s life was her own and I knew that she was smart when it came to her heart. I’d have plenty of time to catch up with her later. We had a few weeks in Halstead before we had to return to Texas for Reid’s winter training. I hadn’t officially resigned from my job at Hillcrest Realty, but I had a feeling that if I wanted to, Reid would support my decision.
After seeing the pictures I’d taken of Reid while he was on the track, Throttled Energy had offered me a job as the publicity photographer. Maybe I could have a career as a sports photographer after all. Though he was kind of a special subject. One I loved and planned to spend the rest of my life with. Made taking flattering photographs of him pretty easy.
As I waved goodbye to my sister and Brett from the driveway, I felt Reid’s arms wrap around my waist as the sun set on another day together.
“My new bike came in today,” he said resting his chin on my shoulder.
“That was fast,” I replied, letting myself melt in his arms.
“It’s all in who you know,” he laughed. “I’m kind of a big deal.”
“Really?” I teased. “Never heard of you.”
“Mm-hmm.” He said, turning me in his arms and grinning down at me like he was fully prepared to show me who he was. “Keep telling yourself that.” He pressed his lips against mine quickly. “You want to see the new bike?”
“Of course.” I knew how excited he got over two wheels and a motor. Far be it from me to deny him the chance to show off his new toy. “Got a name picked out for this one?” I asked as I followed him to the bike trailer. His hand squeezed mine and I thought I felt him shaking. He must have been over excited about this new bike. The trailer was all shut up like he was scared someone was going to steal her. He had good reason, I guess.
“I’m still thinking on it,” he said, stopping us in front of the trailer door. He turned to me and quickly pressed another kiss to my lips. “Close your eyes.”
“Not this again,” I said with chuckle. When I saw that he was being serious, I closed my eyes with a sigh. “Fine.”
“Good girl.” He murmured, kissing my forehead as he released my hand. “Now wait here.”
“I’ve seen a dirt bike before, Reid,” I said, my eyes still squeezed shut. “What’s the big deal about this one?”
“Would you just give me a second?” I heard him say over the sound of the trailer door lowering. “Haven’t you ever heard that patience is a virtue?” He laughed. “Or something like that.”
“Yeah, yeah.” I sighed. “Can I open my eyes yet?” I asked.
“Yep.”
I fully expected to see a dirt bike made out of twenty-four karat gold and drenched in precious jewels from the way he had been going on about it, but what I found when I opened my eyes was a single solitary diamond set in a platinum band being held up to me by Reid Travers. Down on one knee. Looking more amazing than I’d ever seen him.
“Omigod,” I managed to choke out, before covering my mouth with my hands, tears already threatening their escape. The back of his trailer lit by candles and full to the brim of red roses. Not a dirt bike in sight. I looked down into his eyes and saw him nervously smiling up at me. “Yes!” I blurted out before he even had a chance to officially ask.
“Really?” He laughed. “Not even going to let me get a word in?” I bit my tongue and gave him quick head nod to continue as I placed my shaking hands in his. “Marry me, Nora Bennett. Marry me and make me the happiest, luckiest, most grateful man on the planet. Will you?”
“Absolutely,” I said, dropping down to my knees to kiss him. I wrapped my arms around his neck and held on to him like this was all a dream that was going to slip away from me. When I felt him hold onto me I knew it was real.