The Biker's Fate Chapter 306

"Are we going to eat together?"

"I should be home by six, so yeah, that'd be great. Want me to pick something up?"

"You stocked the fridge, Mav, so I thought I'd cook."

"Sounds good," he said. "I've gotta get back to work, but I'll see you in a few hours."

"Okay. See you then."

We hung up, and I worked up my menu for the evening and then jumped in the shower. Two more shifts and I'd be off for four days. I liked the "idea" of my schedule. Time would tell if my body would be able to handle the strange timeclock, but three days on then four days off was a good deal in my opinion.

A quiet knock came on my new "front" door, and I pulled it open to find Dad leaning against the stairway wall and Rex standing beside him, his tail wagging. "You're up."

"I am." I grinned, leaning down to scratch Rex's ears. "Come in... then give me a hug because you're the best dad in the whole world."

He chuckled, pulling me in for a hug and kissing my head.

"Thank you for getting this place done," I said. "It's better than I could have imagined."

"Glad you like it."

"Can I offer you a beer?" I asked, opening the fridge. "We're stocked."

Dad shook his head. "Nah, I'm good, baby girl. Just heading out to the club, so thought I'd check on you and leave Rex down here. How was your first night?"

I closed the fridge and raised an eyebrow. "Before or after you and a hundred of your closest friends descended on the ER?"

"Four, Lily. There were four of us. You forgettin' how to count?" He crossed his arms. "Mom and I spent a shit ton of money on your education... hate to think you forgot how to do basic math."

I rolled my eyes. "I love you. I appreciate everything you've done, do, and will more than likely do in the future, but my job needs to be off-limits."

"The Spiders are—"

"I know, Daddy. I get it. I really do. But they can't get to me at the hospital. They would be stupid to try. You've got me covered with Flea... or whoever you choose on the days I work... Mav has me covered on the off days, and I promise I will always be careful. I'm your daughter, Hawk. Trust that you've taught me well."

"You done?"

"Depends on if you argue."

Dad laughed. "I hear you, baby girl."

"But...?"

"No buts."

"Mmm-hmm," I mumbled. I could stop Dad's protection detail about as well as I could stop a hurricane.

"You good?" he asked.

"Yeah, Dad, I'm good."

He smiled, reaching out to stroke my cheek. "Proud of you, Lil."

I leaned into his hand. "Thanks, Daddy."

"Buzz is on watch. He's out front."

I sighed. "Okay."

Dad gave me a chin lift and then walked out the door. I closed and locked it behind him and tried to forget the fact I wasn't fully out from under my parents' control. "Come on, Rex, let's watch a movie."

My dog wagged his tail as we curled up on the sofa, and I put on The Notebook.

Maverick walked through the door just as the water for the pasta came to a rolling boil.

"Honey, I'm home," he called.

I giggled as I ran to him and threw my arms around his neck. "How's my hard-working man?"

"Covered in all manner of dog and cat grossness... oh, and gerbil poop... but good."

"Ew, gross." I tried to get some distance from the gerbil poop, but he held me strong.

"I'm sharing my day with you, baby doll," he retorted as he attempted to rub up against me like a frisky dog.

I squeaked with a combination of horror and laughter. "I just showered, Möosh."

"Which is what I'm going to do, unless you want to join me... you know, now that you have gerbil poop on you." He held me tight and patted Rex's head.

I grinned. "I have to be at work in an hour. Can you satisfy me, eat, and get me there in time?"

He frowned. "Probably not. You need about fifteen minutes."

I smacked his chest. "I need a whole lot longer than fifteen minutes."

Maverick chuckled. "True. I should probably shower then we'll eat, huh?"

"Not optimal but probably a good idea."

He kissed me quickly and then headed to our bedroom.

I bit my lip and smiled. Our bedroom. That was awesome. I made my way back to the kitchen, dropped the pasta into the water, and then finished the sauce, setting the lid on it just as Maverick wrapped his arms around me from behind and kissed my neck. "Smells amazing."

"Prego and I aim to please," I retorted and turned to face him. "How was your first day as an official vet, Dr. Quinn?"

"Busy. Uncle Aidan understated the amount of work."

I giggled, sliding my hands around his waist. "I bet he did."

"It's good, though. Ultimately, he wants me to run the clinic so he can focus on the horses."

Squeezing him gently, I whispered, "I'm really proud of you, Möosh."

"Back atcha, Lil." He smiled. "You up for a drive down to my grandparents' this weekend?"

"I work Sunday night."

"I know. We can drive down Friday and come back before your shift."

"Sounds good." I leaned back so I could meet his eyes. "You know our life is going to be perfect."

"Yeah?"

"Yep."

"I'm looking forward to it."

"Me too." I grinned. "Let's eat."

"I'll grab the beer."

We sat down at our modest kitchen table and enjoyed our domestic bliss.