She nodded, sighing softly as I rose, water dripping from my skin as I stepped from the tub. Grabbing a towel, I wrapped it around my waist before turning back to her. Linden watched me, her cheeks flushed softly as her gaze trailed along my bare chest. Her stare made my cock twitch again, but I forced myself to stay focused.
I reached for her hand and helped her up, steadying her carefully as she stepped from the bath. Her skin was flushed pink from the heat, her curves glistening in the low light. I quickly wrapped another towel around her, forcing myself to behave as my fingers brushed her bare shoulders.
The intimacy of the moment reinforced my absolute certainty that I’d found the woman who had carved herself permanently into my heart.
I guided her out of the bathroom, my hand lingering at the small of her back as we moved into the bedroom to get dressed. Linden found fresh clothes from the duffel she’d packed, and Igrabbed jeans and a dark tee from my closet, tugging the pants on as I watched her from the corner of my eye. She was quiet but thoughtful, the curve of her bottom lip caught softly between her teeth as if she were working up the nerve to speak. I smiled inwardly, curious to see where her questions would lead us.
Finally, she turned to me, a little hesitant but clearly intrigued. “So, Keegan…what exactly do you do for Aegis? I know you fly planes, but I’m guessing there’s more to it?”
I pulled on my shirt, letting it fall into place before facing her fully. Her green eyes sparkled with genuine curiosity, drawing the truth out of me effortlessly. “I consult on aircraft designs and test new experimental planes. You’re right, it’s a bit more involved than just flying. I’m there through each step, really.”
“When did you decide that’s what you wanted to do?”
“Started young,” I answered as I walked to the closet and grabbed one of my cuts. “Graduated high school at sixteen, earned my aerospace engineering degree before eighteen, then joined the Navy as soon as I was old enough. On some level, I think I always knew I wanted to fly.” My lips quirked. “In the air and on the road.”
Linden’s brows lifted, a quiet awe coloring her expression. “That’s impressive. You must have had a sharp mind to have such a clear sense of what you wanted as a kid.”
She padded back into the bathroom and grabbed her brush, then worked on getting the tangles out of her damp hair.
I nodded and walked over to stand in the doorway as I shrugged my cut onto my shoulders. Damn, she was gorgeous.
Mentally shaking my head, I pushed those thoughts away before they spiraled, and she ended up so sore she wouldn’t walk for a week.
“My brain always worked faster than most, but the military sharpened it into something lethal. At twenty-five, I went through the Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program—most people call it Top Gun. That’s where I met Fallon. We flew together, served together, and survived things that bonded us for life.”
A smile touched her lips as she stared back at me in the mirror, her expressive eyes conveying her captivation with the intensity of my story. “You mentioned Fallon earlier. It must be comforting, having someone who understands what you’ve been through.”
“It is,” I admitted, my mouth lifting slightly at the corners. “Flying wasn’t my only role. I was a problem solver. Contributed to the design and testing of multiple aircraft platforms, earned my master’s and PhD while I was still in service. That combination of flying and problem-solving gave me clarity nothing else could. Even now, after leaving active duty, consulting and test-flying keep me sharp.”
There was an eager sparkle in her eyes that hit me hard. “What about now? What exactly are you involved in at Aegis?”
I led her to the end of the bed and sat her down. Then I found us each a pair of socks and our shoes before sitting down beside her. “When I left the Navy, I was stationed at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland—essentially the Navy’s hub for aviation testing and acquisition. I worked with the Naval Air Systems Command, designing, testing, and integrating advanced air platforms. It’s technical and intense—systems integration, modeling, simulation, and prototyping. I provided expertise in aerodynamics, propulsion, and avionics, focusing on anything that enhances performance. And I collaborated closely with major defense contractors like Boeing and Lockheed.”
Her eyes widened, admiration flickering across her face. “You really did have your hands in every step of the process, didn’t you? From concept to flying the prototype?”
I nodded as I finished lacing up my boots. “Yeah. Cradle to grave. What I wanted in my life never changed, just how I went about doing it. So, now I work for Aegis on a per-project basis. They hire me to consult on new designs and then test the classified aircraft. It’s complicated work, but I love it, and it’s what I do best.” My eyes drifted to the twisted sheets, and I smirked. “One of the things I do best.”
Linden’s cheeks flamed, and her eyes darted to the ground for a moment, making me chuckle.
“That all sounds amazing and so interesting.” Her voice was laced with genuine interest. “I’m quite intrigued.”
My chest warmed at the excitement lighting her features, and an idea struck me. “Want to see where I work when I’m not at the clubhouse? Got an office in a secure building in downtown Riverstone. I can show you some things—nothing classified above your clearance level, obviously—but it’ll give you a better sense of what I do.”
Her expression brightened instantly, eyes shining as she nodded eagerly. “I’d love that.”
I stood, taking her hand and pulling her to her feet. “Come on, then, little dove. Let me show you.”
Outside, my Harley waited—chrome gleaming in the sunlight, black and red paint polished to perfection. Linden froze the moment she saw it, eyes wide and her lips parting softly. Nervous anticipation radiated off her, the gentle tremble in her hand giving her away.
“You’ve never been on a bike, have you?” I asked, keeping my tone casual and softly brushing my thumb over her knuckles to steady her nerves.
She shook her head slowly, her gaze darting between me and the motorcycle.
“No, never.” A hint of anxiety slipped through her voice. “And, um, isn’t it, um, a really big deal for a guy in an MC to let a woman ride with them?”
A smile tugged at the corner of my mouth as I cupped her chin, forcing her to look at me fully. “Little dove, I told you—you belong to me.” My voice lowered, the next words carrying a deeper meaning. “The spot behind me on my bike belongs to you and no one else.”
The anxiety faded from her eyes, replaced by warmth and hope. I lowered my helmet onto her head, helping her secure it before climbing onto the Harley. As she settled behind me, I felt her tense, the anxiety returning. “Relax, baby. I’ll never let anything happen to you.”
