Keeper (Exiled Guardians MC Book 5) Read online

  With his palm on the desk, he pushes himself up. “So, she gets here yesterday, and now you love her?”

  “No, no, it’s not like that.” I shake my head. “When she was here two years ago, we spent time together. Nothing happened! Well, we kissed, but that was it. I haven’t talked to her since, but I’ve thought about her. Hell, Sniper, you’ve seen everything at my shop, you know I’ve thought about her. Well, she’s here now, and I know you don’t think I’m good enough for her, but I promise you that I will spend the rest of my life loving her.”

  We’re staring at one another and I’m waiting on him to start yelling at me or throwing his fist around. But none of that comes. He walks around his desk and stands next to me before sitting on the edge of it.

  “Keeper, have you ever wondered how I came up with your road name?”

  I’m taken aback a little. “Well, sure, but I figured it’s because I was a barkeep when you found me.”

  He chuckles. “No, I gave you that name because when you first started here you were always looking after every one of us. You’ve been a guardian, a defender, a protector to all of us at one point. I get why you think I would be upset about you with my sister. But think about it: of everyone, I always had you watch her and take care of her. It’s because I know you… and you would never let anything happen to her.”

  My mouth falls open and I can’t hide my surprise.

  He just smiles at me with a smirk. “So you say she loves you too?”

  I nod my head, trying my best to reel in my emotion.

  Sniper sticks his hand out for me to shake. “Well, bring it in, brother.”

  I grasp his hand and he pulls me into him, putting his arm around me.

  Right then, the door bursts open, and Lilly runs in. “Okay, it’s killing me. Are you guys going to…”

  She stops when she sees us in our embrace.

  We both step back from each other and laugh.

  I open my arm for Lilly and she steps to my side. I hold her to me and look down at her. She’s happy, and her face is shining. “We’re good, honey.”

  Epilogue

  Lilly

  One Year Later

  I walk into the shop with an invoice in my hand. “Keeper, the Lawsons are wanting to know where their order is.”

  He comes out of the back room and is wiping his hands off on a rag. “I just finished it. They can pick it up tomorrow.”

  I smile at him as he walks over to me. The last year has been the best of my life. I have my brother close by and all of the Exiled Guardians too. He thought he was protecting me, but I have found out that Keeper, Sniper and their club are exactly what men should be made of. They’re honorable, hard working and willing to help those in need. They all treat me like family.

  Keeper kisses me lightly and then kisses the bundle that is pressed against my chest.

  KP, our son, was born a little over six weeks ago. He’s sitting in the sling that keeps him held against me. Keeper lightly brushes his fingers across his son’s head. “You could have called me. I thought we weren’t going to bring him out here until he was older. It’s a little dangerous.”

  I just laugh. I thought I would be the overprotective one. It’s obvious that he’s got me beat.

  “I was missing you,” I tell him honestly. KP and I just got back from town and I haven’t seen him all morning. For the past year, I’ve been used to spending all our time together.

  “Well, let’s go in. I’m due a break.” We walk hand in hand toward the house. I’m trying to get up the nerve to mention my doctor’s appointment. Once we’re in the house, I lay the baby down in the cradle we have set up in the living room.

  As I’m adjusting him to get comfortable, Keeper stands over me, his hands on my hips, watching me.

  When I straighten, I turn in his arms. “I went to the doctor this morning.”

  Instantly, he’s worried. “I didn’t know you had an appointment. Is everything okay?”

  I lay my head against his chest. “Yep, everything is perfect. She gave me the go ahead.”

  Keeper pulls an arm’s length away and forces me to look up at him. “The go ahead? Like, we can, well, go ahead?” he asks excitedly.

  I start laughing. “Yes. I’m good to go, she said.”

  He wastes no time in picking me up and running with me down the hallway. “What’s the hurry, mister?”

  He tosses me onto the bed and starts stripping his clothes off. “We’ve got six weeks to make up for. Plus a baby that will only nap for an hour. We need to get started. Undress, woman!”

  If I wasn’t so caught up in seeing his naked body, I would be laughing at his antics. I never thought it would be possible, but I’m more in love with him today than a year ago. He’s the best father and the best husband. He has made me feel more loved than I’ve ever felt before.

  I lay back giggling when he starts tugging off my pants.

  He lies on top of me. “I’ve missed you, Lilly. I’ve missed being inside you. I’m home when I’m with you.”

  I kiss him then, deeply, showing him how much he means to me. “You’re my home, too, Keep.”

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  #1 bestselling short romance author Hope Ford writes short, steamy, sweet romances. She loves tattooed, alpha men, instant love stories, and ALWAYS happily ever afters. She has over 60 books and they are all available on Amazon.

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