The Biker's Fate Chapter 214

Kim

WE TOUCHED DOWN ten days before the Opening Ceremonies, after a smooth and uneventful flight. The horses had gone a week before in order to go through quarantine, and I was nervous as we loaded Fozzie onto the plane, since he'd never flown before (and memories of watching International Velvet thousands of times had me worrying throughout the flight) but they were safe and being looked after.

We stayed in the Athletes' Village, which reminded me of a behind-the-scenes look at the set for the Walking Dead. It was a fully self-contained village with a dining hall, coffee shop, barber, and salon. There was even a spa complete with massage therapists, and a place for mani-pedis which I fully intended to take advantage of while I was there.

One of the event volunteers took us on a quick tour, explaining that the buildings which housed the sleeping quarters would eventually be turned into apartments and condos, after we left, as part of the gentrification of the area. He gave us each maps and schedules before showing us to our rooms.

Along with our team, we traveled with Morgan's mother and our vet, Dr. Walters (we called him "Doc"). Morgan and Marcus were the alternates, however, they'd both ride the cross-country portion of the event. We were booked two people per room and since Knight and Doc had private rooms, and Morgan would bunk with her mother, I was sharing with Courtney Lewis, leaving Jack and Marcus together.

Keeping my relationship with Knight secret was the hardest thing I'd ever done. And as I bonded with the team and grew closer to Courtney and Morgan, I wanted to share more. Lord knows, they shared, but I had to keep my mouth shut on the relationship details.

Not being able to express my excitement (and nervousness) to Knight in public sucked... particularly while we were flying. I hated to fly. Avoided it as much as possible, and would have loved to have been able to climb in his lap at least five times during turbulence.

"Doc and I are going to check on the horses," Knight said once everyone checked in. "Everyone get some rest and we'll meet up for dinner."

"I'd like to come," I said.

"Me too," Jack said.

"Anyone else?" Knight asked.

The others shook their heads, so the four of us headed over to the stables. I walked with Jack in an effort to keep my distance from Knight, but it was hard not to skip ahead and catch up with my man.

As we approached the stables, I saw a familiar face and took off toward him with a squeak. Flea caught me in a hug just as Fozzie poked his nose out of the stall. "What are you doing here?"

Flea chuckled and gave me a squeeze, setting me down so I could snuggle my horse. "Buck is here as well. We came with the horses last week. We're here to act as security."

I smiled at Knight, but refrained from showing him any affection. "Thanks for that, Aidan," I said.

Knight grinned. "No problem."

"You know these men?" Jack asked, his nose slightly in the air.

"I do," I said, and smiled. "They're friends of mine from Portland."

Jack frowned, but his etiquette training kicked in and he didn't make any snide comments. I had a feeling I'd hear about it later, however.

"They're highly trained," Knight said. "And are comfortable with horses, Jack. Trust me."

He didn't look totally convinced, but nodded and headed off to see his horse. Doc stepped into Fozzie's stall, spent less than five minutes with him, then stepped next door to Courtney's horse.

"Let's have a look at him," Knight said, and led me into the stall. Before I could respond, however, he pushed me up against the wall and kissed me. "Hi," he whispered.

"Hi," I whispered back. "I miss you. I just want to crawl in bed with you and snuggle right now. I hate the idea of sleeping alone."

"I know, sugar." He kissed me again. "We can't do this much while we're here, but I swear I'll find time."

I smiled, rising on my tiptoes to kiss him again. "I'm going to hold you to that."

"He looks good, Kim," he said, raising his voice enough to be heard.

"I agree," I said.

Knight stepped out of the stall and I spent some time with Fozzie before I was forced back to the room to rest. I let myself in as quietly as I could.

"I'm awake," Courtney said, and I walked around the corner. Courtney sat on her bed, wearing a robe with her laptop open in front of her. It appeared as though she showered, which is what I planned to do pronto.

"Hey."

"How are the horses?"

"They're amazing," I said. "Kni—ah, Aidan has hired two guys to watch them. They're nice guys, so I feel good about that."

Courtney smiled. "You gonna shower or sleep?"

"Shower then sleep."

She sighed. "I'll wait for you. If I get woken up, I won't be able to fall back to sleep."

"That's a bummer. I can sleep pretty much anywhere."

"Bitch," she joked.

I laughed. "That's me."

She yawned and I sighed. "I'll be really quick," I promised.

"Thanks."

I took a quick shower and then we closed all the drapes in the large room and went to bed. We slept until it was time to get up for dinner, and surprisingly, I was wide awake. Dinner in the big hall was a blast. All the athletes' ate there, so we got to mingle with our competitors, along with a few other folks on the US swimming and dive teams. I was glad that by the time I dragged my butt to bed, it didn't take long to crash.