Page 15 of Bedding the Biker Next Door

“Some of the parents we cater to have special needs. They work on weekends. Or need odd times off because they’re going through a difficult time.”

“What kind of difficult time?”

“Um…we cater to families who are going through an illness of some sort.”

“Like with cancer?” The words came out of his mouth before he could think. Why had he gone there?

A slight wince formed around her mouth, but she said softly, “Sometimes. Illness doesn’t maintain a nine-to-five schedule. We aren’t open seven days a week, obviously, but we try to be as flexible as we can.”

“That’s really great. I’m sure it helps,” he said, wondering what he’d said to make her uncomfortable. “Is that how you met my mom? Did she know someone who was sick and in need of childcare?”

She hesitated a moment. “She didn’t introduce me to anyone. I just needed a place to run the daycare, and it can be difficult to rent and do all that, especially in a residential area. Insurance and county restrictions, things like that. But Stella was open to helping. She was wonderful.” In mentioning his mom’s name, her expression had lightened. She hadn’t exactly answered his question, but he saw no reason to give her the third degree about it. “Well, I’m glad you had a chance to know her.”

“Me, too. It was great seeing you again, Cole.”

He stifled the urge to ask her stay or to come back later. That wouldn’t be fair to her. What he’d told her last night had been the truth. He had too much going on, too many problems to offer anything to a woman. Besides, he was a protector; it was more than his job…it was his persona. She was attracted to the guy in the bar who’d stepped up when she needed help, not a simpering wuss who missed his mother and wanted to cry every time he thought about never seeing her again.

“Anyway,” Jill said, getting up from the stool.

“Anyway.” He followed her back to the front door, then opened it for her. “Thanks for coming in.” He tensed when Jill placed her hand on his arm. He stared at her hand for a moment.

Then into her pale green eyes.

Before he knew what was happening, Jill stepped closer and threw her arms around him. Instinctively, he returned the hug, pulling her against him. In that simple embrace, his worries ebbed away, his pulse rose, and his breathing sped up to keep up the pace. He smelled the sweet shampoo in her hair and remembered being wrapped in her scent while he explored every part of her body. His body hardened, and his stomach jolted in that way only Jill seemed to provoke lately.

And then just like that, Jill pulled away.

“Your mom talked about you all the time, Cole. She couldn’t have been prouder of you.”

He nodded, the sudden arousal leaching from his body, replaced by the now familiar heavy weight of sadness. And yet, he realized, the weight wasn’t as heavy as it had felt before. “Yeah?” He was glad to hear his mom had spoken well of him. He really was. But right now, his mother wasn’t on his mind. The breeze outside shifted, and Jill’s scent once again filled his nostrils. “Do you want to come by later? Tell me all the awesome things she told you about me?” he blurted out, teasing. What happened to not getting involved, Cole? He knew he should’ve just let her walk away, but his body burned with desire, and his brain was completely overruled.

“I—I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” Jill said, looking down at her fidgety hands then up at him again. “Last night, the woman you met? She wasn’t me. Not the true me. You and I made a pact that we’d only have one night, so we should keep it that way. You’re great, Cole. You really are, and I’m sorry for your loss, but this thing between us wasn’t supposed to be more than a blip in time. Besides, I assume you’re not moving here for good…”

“I’m only here for a few days to pack up my mom’s things. Then I’m moving to northern California.”

Relief and sadness flickered across her face. “Right. So given our…er…chemistry…it’s probably best if we stay away from each other. Don’t you think?” She gave him a hopeful smile.

He hesitated briefly before nodding. “Sure.” He forced himself to smile broadly. “It’s great chemistry, though.”

“Yes, well…take care of yourself, Cole.” She gave him one last, lingering look.

“You too, Jill,” he said softly, as she turned and walked out of his life.

* * *

Jill forced herself to stay focused.

Look forward…even after he closes the door. She made her way across the lawn between the two houses. She looked down the quiet street and thought about how much she liked it here. This place…a comfortable neighborhood in suburbia, was the kind of place that people like Jill were made for. She couldn’t imagine Cole watering the lawn or riding his bike around the neighborhood. Yet oddly enough, once the shock of seeing him had worn off, it seemed strangely natural to watch him moving around inside Stella’s house. Natural, though by no means insignificant.

She realized she was shaking inside.

Last night, he’d warned her he had stuff going on his life, and he’d obviously told her the truth. Just like he was obviously still grieving for his mother. Now that Stella was gone, even though the rent checks were collected by a property management company, was Cole her new landlord? Would their rental agreement change? It would suck if she had to move, but she could manage if she needed to. The last thing she wanted was for him to feel any guilt about kicking her out if that’s what he’d been planning to do.

When Jill got back to the daycare, Liz and the kids were sitting on the carpet having story time. Monica was getting ready to leave, and Jill took the opportunity to remind her she needed to keep a closer eye on the kids, especially Stanley. Monica apologized and promised she would.

“Thanks again for coming in on a Sunday,” Jill said as she walked Monica to the door. “Enjoy the next week off. Are you and Trevor still taking that trip to San Diego?”

Trevor was Monica’s boyfriend, and although Monica had talked of him constantly when they’d first begun dating, she seemed more reluctant to do so now. Jill suspected it was because they were having problems. She wasn’t surprised. Monica was a dedicated student with a perpetually chipper attitude. Jill had only met Trevor once, but he’d been sullen to the point of being rude, and as far as she knew, he didn’t have a job or any plans to continue his education.

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