Road to Victory (Dogs of Fire Book 5) (22 page)

* * *

Kim

“I thought we were going to eat,” I said when Knight opened the door to a jewelry store.

“We are, but we have something to do first.”

“Babe,” I whispered.

He grinned, kissing my temple. “I called ahead.”

“You did?”

An older woman approached and asked with a heavy accent, “May I help you?”

“I called a few hours ago... about rings,” Knight said.

“Oh, yes. Welcome. Follow me.”

I grabbed Knight’s hand and squeezed. “What did you do?”

He grinned. “Come see.”

We followed the woman to the counter and she unlocked the case and pulled out a small tray of engagements rings... there were six... each one exquisite and unique in their own way.

“Knight,” I whispered.

“Do you like any of them?” he asked.

“I love all of them.” I sighed. “But I haven’t said yes, Knight.”

“You will.”

“Aidan, don’t waste your money.”

“Kim. It’s my money and I want something to celebrate our win and to symbolize the promise of your promise.” He slid his fingers over my back. “Pick one, sugar.”

I stared at each ring for a ridiculously long time. I was sure the saleswoman was ready to kick me out, but I waffled between elation and worry that he could afford any of these choices. None of the center diamonds were less than two carats.

“First blush, which one do you gravitate towards?”

I pointed to the halo diamond band, three-carat emerald cut center diamond with over a carat of individual diamonds up each side of the band and cradling the center gem.

Knight chuckled. “Try it on.”

“I don’t know if I can.”

“Kim,” he said, his tone dipped low. “Put it on.”

I bit my lip and slid it onto my hand, gasping as it fit perfectly. “Ohmigod, honey, it’s... ” I couldn’t finish. I didn’t have the words.

“We’ll take this one,” Knight said, and I thought the saleswoman would giggle hysterically with glee. “She’ll wear it home.”

“Very good.”

Knight handed her his credit card, the woman walked away and rang up the purchase, and we left the store a few minutes later. No fanfare, no arguments, no declined credit card, just a beautiful promise ring and the love of my life walking next to me. The perfect end to a perfect vacation. Now I was ready to get home and completely melt down. I could feel something epic coming on.

“Don’t,” Knight whispered.

“Don’t what?”

“Think.”

I shook my head. “Don’t talk to me like you know me.”

“Just enjoy this, sugar. There’s no pressure.” He pulled me to a stop outside the restaurant and stroked my cheek. “Look at it this way... you won the gold at the Olympics. I wanted to buy you something that showed you how proud I am of you.”

I leaned my face into his hand. “You make everything okay, Aidan.”

He grinned. “That’s my job.”

“You do it really well.”

“Ready to eat?”

I nodded and after he kissed me, we made our way to the restaurant.

Kim

K
NIGHT AND I stepped off the plane and headed out of the gate. As we neared the security barriers, I saw Dani and Booker... then I saw the rest of the club.

Hoots and hollers echoed through the area and Knight chuckled as we approached our friends. “Looks like the welcoming committee’s here.”

“Did you know about this?”

“Nope.”

Dani handed Cash off to Booker and made a run for me, wrapping her arms around me the second I stepped out of the secure area. “Congratulations!”

I hugged her back. “Thank you.”

After hugging Knight, she grabbed my hand. “I’m so glad you’re home.”

“Me too,” I lied... sort of. I
was
happy to be home, but I kind of wanted to go back to the protective bubble Knight had created more.

“Why aren’t you wearin’ your medal,” Mack asked, pulling me into a bear hug.

I giggled. “Because that would be obnoxious.”

“You up for a party?”

No I wasn’t up for a party. I wanted to climb into bed for a week and sleep. I groaned. “Tonight?”

He chuckled. “Kiddin’, babe. Saturday.”

“Jerk,” I joked. “Saturday’s good.”

As we hugged and greeted our “crew,” I reached out for Cash, itching to snuggle my “nephew.” “I can’t believe how much he’s changed,” I said, once Booker handed him over.

“I know,” Dani agreed. “It’s a daily thing.”

Cash grinned up at me. “Oh, he’s smiling now,” I exclaimed. “Hi, buddy. How’s my little man?”

As I continued to coo and devour the attention of Cash, Knight took my bag from me and we moved as a group to the elevators and then down to baggage claim. All the men (except Knight) were wearing their club cuts, jeans, and motorcycle boots, and I had a feeling we must have all looked a little intimidating as we took over the carousel area.

“Holy crap!” Dani whispered.

“What?”

“What’s that on your finger?” she demanded.

“Shhh,” I hissed.

“Did you get engaged?”

“No. It’s a promise ring.”

She grabbed my hand and pulled it closer to her face. “Promise ring, my ass. You could skate on that diamond.”

“Ohmigod,” Darien exclaimed. “You guys got engaged?”

“No,” I said.

“That looks an awful lot like an engagement ring,” Dani countered.

“I knew I should have packed it,” I ground out.

“And run the risk of it being lost or stolen?” Knight countered. “No way in hell.”

I glared up at him. “You knew this was going to happen, didn’t you?”

“What?” he asked in mock innocence. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“So, you got engaged but didn’t talk to me about it?” Mack accused. “I can’t give my blessing if you don’t ask for it, Knight.”

“Fuck you—”

“Whoa,” I warned. “Baby ears, honey. No swearing.”

Dani did a little dance as she clapped her hands. “Ohmigod, this is going to be so perfect. We’ll plan your wedding and then you’ll have babies and we’ll raise them together.”

I grabbed Knight’s arm. “You did this.”

He laughed, leaning down to kiss me. “Evil genius.”

“Nope, just evil.”

We retrieved our bags, and while I continued to hold the baby, the men carried everything to Mack’s car. I was sad to hand Cash off to Dani, but with the promise of a visit in a couple of days, I released him, and climbed in the backseat with Knight.

Mack and Darien dropped us off at my place and, after showering the plane away; we climbed into bed and slept for almost sixteen hours. It was bliss.

* * *

“Mornin’, sugar,” Knight whispered, sliding his hand between my legs.

I arched against his palm, gasping when he slid his fingers inside of me. “What time is it?”

“Almost ten.”

Knight kissed his way down my body then settled himself between my legs. I wove my fingers into his hair as he covered my core with his mouth, sucking my clit gently. He brought me to the edge, then removed his mouth and moved back up my body, focusing on my nipples as he thrust into me.

“Baby,” I rasped, and wrapped my legs around his waist, giving him deeper access.

“Love you, Kim,” he whispered.

“Love you too, baby.”

He slammed into me again and I came around him... he joined me seconds later. Rolling onto his back, pulling me with him, he settled me against his chest.

“That’s one hell of a way to wake up,” I said with a giggle, kissing his chest.

“Let’s make a habit of it.”

“Deal,” I agreed.

“Ready to get up and go see the horses?”

“Yes. More than ready.”

He grinned and slid from the bed. “Buzz is on today, so I know he’s wantin’ a break.”

We dressed quickly and headed out to the barn where we found a very excited JoEllen rushing to greet us. “Congratulations!” she crooned. “I can’t believe I have a bona-fide gold medalist at my little barn.”

I grinned, hugging her. “Thank you.”

“Do you know how busy we’ve been? I’m overbooked! I might need to build another building just to house the horses of the owners who want in. Aidan, you and I are going to need talk about you coming to train here.”

He chuckled. “I’m happy to have a conversation, JoEllen, but I’ve got some plans of my own.”

As Knight and JoEllen chatted, I hugged Buzz and let myself into Fozzie’s stall. “Hey big boy,” I whispered. “How’s my Olympic winner?”

Fozzie whinnied quietly and nuzzled me, no doubt seeking out the peppermints in my pocket.

“Smart devil, aren’t you?” I fed him his treat and took some time to brush him down.

“Your mom’s been here pretty much every day since we brought Fozzie back,” Buzz said, leaning into the stall.

“Ohmigod, seriously?” I sighed. “I’m sorry.”

He chuckled. “Just a heads up she’ll probably be here today.”

“This is what I get for not returning her calls,” I grumbled.

“More like, this is what I get.”

I giggled. “True. Sorry, buddy.”

“No worries, babe.”

“Get Fozzie tacked up,” Knight said with a smile. “We’ll head out on the trail.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice,” I said.

He chuckled and headed over to Apollo’s stall.

“I’m gonna head out,” Buzz said. “Flea’ll be here later tonight.”

“Thanks for everything, buddy.”

“No problem.” He grinned and I heard him call, “See ya brother,” to Knight as I finished brushing Fozzie down.

We finished saddling our horses and led them out of the barn in order to mount up... and ran smack dab into my mother.

“Shit,” I hissed in Knight’s general direction.

“Oh my word!” she squealed. “My daughter’s a gold medal Olympian.”

What I’d failed to notice was she’d brought someone with her... someone I recognized immediately.

“Miss Church, I’m Candace Walker with Portland Seven News.”

“Ah, hi,” I stammered.

“Congratulations on your gold medal.”

“Thanks.”

“Can you tell me how long it took for you to train?” She shoved a microphone in front of me and I gave Knight a grimace as I hemmed and hawed for a few seconds.

“Oh, my daughter is
such
a hard worker,” my mother crooned, forcing the reporter to focus back on her. “She’s trained her whole life for this.”

Knight turned to me and smiled. “Jump up, sugar.”

“Huh?”

“Mount up. I’m gonna handle this, but you need to be on Fozzie when I do.”

I nodded and mounted him from the ground (something I rarely did, because it was safer for both rider and horse to use a mounting block), but desperate times as they say.

“Ms. Walker,” Knight said, oozing with charm. “I’m afraid you’ve caught us unprepared. We have an important task that needs to get done and now is not a good time for an interview.”

“But I set all of this up!” Mom cried.

“I understand. However, you set it up without checking with your daughter first, and it’s not a good time.” He turned back to the reporter. “If you’d like to contact Kim directly at another time, I’m sure she’ll fit you in as soon as she can.”

“But—”

Mom didn’t get another word out as Knight jumped onto Apollo and we took off toward the trail. Once far enough away from the prying eyes of cameras, we pulled the horses to a walk and I turned to Knight. “Ohmigod, she’s insane.”

He chuckled. “I don’t disagree, sugar. Shit, she really thinks this is all about her.”

“Do you still think she’s twirly?”

“Yep. But I think she’s delusional and twirly.”

I smiled. “Twirlusional.”

Knight laughed. “Nice.”

“I just hope we can ward this off,” I said. “I’m all for celebrating our win and being all Portland proud and stuff, but if we lose our anonymity, I might lose my mind.”

“We’ll figure it out, Kim.”

“I’m holding you to that mister armor.”

He grinned. “Ready to keep up?”

“Bring it, baby.”

Knight took off and Fozzie and I followed with gusto.

* * *

A few days later, my mother called and I figured if I didn’t answer, she’d just show up again. Knight was at the clubhouse, so I was on my own for the afternoon. “Hi, Mom.”

“I don’t appreciate being dismissed so rudely.”

I bit back a retort and took a deep breath. “Mom, you hijacked my ride time with Aidan. If you’d let me know you were coming—”

“You wouldn’t have shown up.”

Well, she wasn’t wrong.

“What can I do for you?” I asked, willing the conversation to end faster.

“I was wondering what you were planning on doing with my house.”

“What house?” I asked, although I knew exactly what she meant.

“You know exactly which house, Kimberly.”

“I’m not planning on doing anything differently than what I’m currently doing. Why?”

“Because I want to buy you out,” she said.

I rubbed my forehead. “Mom, I haven’t changed my mind. I don’t want to sell because I eventually want to live in it.”

“It’s not your house!” she snapped.

“Mom, Gran left it to me and I’m sorry that upsets you, but I’m not going to sell it to you.”