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TWENTY-EIGHT

NORTH

I collapsed onto the bed, trying to catch my breath after my girl made me come so goddamn hard I almost thought the back of my head had blown clean off. I blinked the spots from my eyes and looked into the underside of the brightly colored canopy over Iris’s bed. I was really starting to love those brightly colored strips of fabric. It felt like being wrapped in a cocoon. But that was the effect Iris had on me. She was always my place of comfort.

She crawled up my body, wiping the corner of her mouth clean after waking me up with the best fucking blowjob of my life.

Her smile lit up my entire goddamn world as she propped her hands on my chest and stared at me, those warm brown eyes swimming with love. “Good morning, Chief.”

I banded my arms around her and pulled her up so I could plant a kiss on her swollen berry lips. “It sure the fuck is.”

Every morning I woke up next to Iris was a good morning.

It had been two weeks since we exchanged I love yous, and every day had been better than the one before, which I hadn’t thought possible.

In those two weeks, there hadn’t been a night we slept apart, almost all of those being at her place, because her house was better in every way. From the people who lived in it, to the colors and cozy furniture. If I had my way, I’d never leave.

Her smiled grew even brighter as she nuzzled into me. “Are you excited about your first day as Chief?”

The election had come and gone, and Tolliver Brady was officially out. The people in town were beside themselves, happy to have successfully overthrown a tyrant. I was glad I would be able to help any way I could, but excited sure as hell wasn’t the word I would use for how I was feeling.

I’d done what Iris wanted; I leaned on Archer and even spoke with Pope and his club members about what I would need once I took over. I’d gone so far as to reach out to the sheriff in Redemption, Holton Clarke. He knew all about the corruption in Ashland and didn’t hesitate to offer any help I needed, which was good, because I was going to need a lot of it. But none of that had erased the fear that was still sitting on my chest like a pile of cinderblocks.

“Hey.” Iris’s gentle voice pulled me out of my head. “It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see where your mind’s gone. I’m going to be okay. I promise.”

My arms tightened around her as the air wheezed out of her lungs. “Goddamn right you will be, because I’m going to make sure of it.”

She rolled her eyes at my overprotective dominance, letting out a giggle before rolling out of the bed. “Okay, Chief. You get ready for your big day,” she ordered as she slipped on a silky robe and secured it around her waist with the tie. “I’ll be downstairs making breakfast. Chop, chop. You don’t want to be late.”

I made quick work of showering and getting dressed for the day, slipping into a familiar uniform before pinning my brand-new badge to my chest. When I made it downstairs, Iris was in the process of wrapping up a breakfast burrito and putting it into a lunch kit.

“What’s all this?” I asked on a chuckle as I took the bag from her.

“That’s breakfast, an afternoon and mid-morning snack, and an Italian sub for lunch.” She looked up at me, her expression dead serious as she declared, “It’s important you stay fueled all day long.”

My head fell back on a laugh as I banded my arm around her waist and pulled her to me, planting a firm, meaningful kiss on her lips. Though, every kiss between us was meaningful. It was as though Iris was trying to get her obsession with food to rub off on me as well. “Thank you, Little Flower.”

She jumped in my arms like she’d been shocked by a frayed wire. “Oh! And coffee. Can’t forget the coffee.” She pulled out of my arms and skipped to the travel mug she’d already prepared for me, handing it over as a car horn honked from outside.

“That’s Archer. Better be on my way.”

She popped up on her tiptoes and brushed a kiss against my lips. “Give them hell today, honey.”

I shot her a wink. “You know it. It’ll probably be a late one, first day and all. I’ll text you when I’m on my way home.”

I didn’t miss the way her eyes widened at my use of the word home before she blinked and cleared her throat. “Uh, I could meet you at your place tonight if you want to stay there instead. I know it’s been a while since you’ve been there.”

I shook my head. That was the last place I wanted to be, honestly. Not if this house was an option. “Not necessary. I like it here.”

Her face stretched into a wide, breathtaking smile. “Okay, then. I’ll see you later tonight. Here at home.”

“You will, baby. I love you.”

“And I love you right back.”

God, I would never get tired of hearing that.

I backed out of the kitchen and started toward the door, only to be stopped by Cheryl. She extended her hand to me, revealing two raw stones. “Moonstone and amethyst,” she said, her expression awash with concern. “For protection. Always have them on you, and they’ll help keep you safe.”