Page 21 of Love’s Decree

I watched as Rory took the jacket out of the garment bag with a look of skepticism on her face. This was my first time gifting her anything, but it wouldn’t be the last. Last night solidified everything I felt about Rory from the first time we met. She was something special, and I wanted her in my world.

She looked over the jacket, which had the Sons of Destruction logo in white outlined in red, just like mine. The front of her jacket had her new nickname, “Brick’s Lady” written on the patch.

“Aww, Aasim, this is so cute. Are you trying to tell me something?” she asked.

“I think it’s pretty clear, but if you need me to, I’ll ask. Rory, will you be my lady?” I asked, taking her hand in mine and closing the space between us.

She hesitated for a minute, which made me second guess what I’d been feeling.

“Nah. I don’t think I can. Sike! I’m just messing with you.”

“That wasn’t funny, ya dig? I see you got jokes though. Let’s see how much laughing you do on the back of this bike.” I kissed her lips and palmed her fat ass. After a quick smack, we headed out the door.

“I’m not sure what you have planned, but can we head to this address? I want to show you something,” Rory said. She passed me her phone as I locked the address to my memory. The place was on the west side of town. I didn’t have any specific plans for us. I just wanted to ride around with my lady. If she wanted to show me something more, then this was where we’d go.

“Anything for you, sweetheart.” I passed Rory a helmet then grabbed mine. Once I felt her small hands wrap around my torso, I started the bike. This ride went a lot smoother for Rory. During our first ride, I could tell she was terrified. Now, she didn’t hold me as tight. It felt good to know that she felt safe with me.

We pulled up to the address, and I parked the bike. I took off my helmet, then turned around as Rory did the same. She shook her hair and fluffed it once it was off. The sun shined brightly, illuminating her beauty under its glow. Rory’s beauty was undeniable, and seeing her with that jacket with my patch made me smile. Pride filled my chest as I looked at the woman who wanted me just as much as I wanted her.

“What’s this place?” I asked.

“Somewhere I love to come when I need to relax,” she replied with a smile.

I followed behind Rory as she led the way into the place. The sign read “Colors,” which told little about the establishment. She walked in and immediately sparked a conversation with the woman standing inside. They conversed like two old friends. Rory wasn’t kidding when she said she came here often.

“Lucy, this is my boyfriend, Aasim. Aasim, this is Lucy, the owner of Colors,” Ava said.

“Nice to meet you,” I said.

Rory walked over and placed two easels next to each other. Lucy allowed her to have free rein of the space. When Rory motioned for me to take a seat, I did. She moved around the space, gathering palettes of paint, along with a cup filled with brushes of various sizes.

“I started coming here a few years ago. Lucy and I met at Bottoms Up. Early on in my career, I learned I couldn’t drown my bad days in alcohol. Instead, I’ve learned to leave it all on the canvas—the good, bad, and ugly. I can’t draw, but Lucy is nice enough to leave sketches for me when I grow tired of drawing sticks.”

“And you wanted to share your little piece of peace with me. That’s dope. Thank you, sweetheart,” I said as I placed a kiss on her lips.

Lucy walked over with sketches for us to paint. There were some birds on the ledge of a bridge. This wasn’t really my thing. Rory wanted to share this with me, so I painted. I couldn’t remember the last time I colored or painted anything. Rory grabbed a brush, and I did the same.

There was music playing that reminded me of the kind I would hear in an elevator of a fancy building. I couldn’t front; the atmosphere in here was relaxed. A comfortable silence found us as we got lost in our artwork. Rory and I would take turns peeking over at each other’s paintings. My painting was nothing as bright or colorful as Rory’s.

“Sim, can you try to stay in the lines? Your painting looks like a kindergarten kid colored it,” she teased.

“Aye, you mind your painting, and I’ll handle mine.”

“Just know we won’t be hanging that thing up anywhere,” she said then chuckled.

My phone went off, interrupting our moment. The energy shifted as I read the text from Gavin. I groaned because he needed me at the club.

“Sweetheart, I hate to do this, but I have to take you home. The fellas need me at the spot.” I looked over at Rory as she smiled at me. I could sense her disappointment, but she didn’t show it.

“Don’t worry. I get it. You owe me a raincheck. Maybe next time we paint, you’ll stay in the lines,” she teased as she kissed my lips.

Rory got up to let Lucy know we were leaving. I shot a text to Dobbs and Curry to meet me at Rory’s place, then thanked Lucy for her time. Rory and I hopped on the bike and headed to her spot. Twenty minutes later, we spotted Dobbs’ truck as I pulled up to her place. I pulled up beside them.

“Aye, y’all take care of my lady,” I said to Dobbs and Curry.

“Fam, you know she’s in good hands,” Dobbs said.

I turned around to see Rory taking off her helmet. A hint of sadness was in her eyes, which made me feel terrible. She put the helmet away, then walked over to me.