After the meal, they played Call of Duty with Dustin for a couple of hours, then decided to visit the clubhouse for dessert.
“You’ll come back tomorrow for brunch?” Tina’s mother asked as she hugged Vincent goodbye. “It’s a Bethel family tradition.”
“Only if you’ll let me make the mimosas,” he whispered near her ear. “I like to add rum sometimes.”
She smiled and squeezed him again. “I’ve never thought about adding rum—what a novel idea.”
Tina embraced her father and brother, then kissed her mom. “Eleven sharp,” she said as they stepped outside.
“Your mother bakes a mean turkey.”
“Turducken,” Tina corrected, her eyes twinkling in the fading sunlight. “Thank you for coming. I know family gatherings can be uncomfortable.”
“Not with you.”
Her smile rivaled the sunset. “So am I following you, or do you want to leave your bike here until tomorrow?”
“Actually…” He gripped her hand and walked her to his Harley.
She spotted the black leather jacket and half helmet sitting on his seat right away. “What’s that?”
“For you.”
He always felt an incredible sense of achievement whenever he surprised her. She lifted the jacket, finding the Property of Vincent patch on the back. “Is this a joke?”
That one hurt, but he deserved it after the tongue lashing he gave her at the café weeks ago. “Remember what I told you, Tina? My bike is sacred territory. The honor of sitting on the back is reserved for the next woman I fall in love with.”
“Yes.”
“That’s you, baby. What do you say, want to go for a ride?”
The jacket fit like a glove, hugging her slim waist and arms. “There’s one condition,” she said, as she zipped up.
He’d seen her negotiating skills at James and Bronte; the girl had game. “What?”
“I’ve decided to open my own practice with some of the money. And since I’m the new girl, I desperately need a first client.”
“Me?”
She nodded enthusiastically. “Time to request a new custody hearing, Vincent. Those boys need you. I need you. The whole fucking world needs you.”
He chuckled, unable to deny the woman he loved anything. “Okay. But what’s your retainer fee?”
“Two hundred and fifty an hour.”
He picked her up and spun her around. “For that kind of money, you better do something special.”
“Oh I will, once we get back to the clubhouse.”
He buckled the helmet chin strap for her, then straddled his bike. “Wrap those legs and arms around me.”
She slid behind him, resting her feet on the foot pegs. As soon as her arms locked around him, and he felt her perfect tits against his back, he started the bike. It rumbled to life underneath them. He snapped the throttle, loving the sound of that engine almost as much as he did Tina.
Fucking perfect night, he thought as he pulled into traffic. Actually, a perfect life. For the first time, Vincent had everything he wanted. He’d hoped and dreamed for years to find the right woman. And now he had a real shot at getting his sons back.
They arrived at the clubhouse a half hour later, the party well under way. Kids were running around outside, the industrial-sized grill pumping the air full of mesquite-scented smoke. Vincent guided Tina through the crowd, several Brothers eyeing her jacket. Silent, congratulatory nods were answered by Vincent’s pride-filled smile. He knew how blessed he was. Tina actually added prestige to the old ladies. He shook hands with Arni and kissed his wife on the cheek before they went inside to grab a couple of drinks.
“So this is what a celebration looks like at the clubhouse,” Tina observed.
“Like it?”
“I like you.”
Call him pathetic, but every time she expressed her adoration, it made his heart swell…and something else. He kissed the top of her head, laughter from a few kids hanging out by the big screen prompting feelings of regret for not having his sons around. “I wish the boys were here.”
Tina squeezed his hand. “Soon. Just say the word and I’ll file that motion.”
Nothing stood in his way now, except himself. And since she’d so generously offered to legally represent him, there was really no reason to put it off. His ex-wife had taken advantage of his silence for too long. Sons needed their fathers. And the meal with Tina’s family reminded him of that. Her adopted brother, Dustin, was happy and well adjusted. He wanted the same for his boys. An equal chance to raise them. Unlike his ex, he’d share the responsibility willingly. They deserved to know both of their parents.