Page 50 of Bedding the Biker Next Door

The next message surprised her. It was Jason, Stanley’s father. “Hello, um, Jill. This is Jason, Stanley’s dad. I just wanted to say I’m really sorry to hear about the break-in at the daycare. And Stanley misses you. He keeps asking how you’re doing and is looking forward to the daycare opening again. I miss you, too. And I hope you’ll reconsider going out to dinner with me sometime. Take care.”

Jill replayed that one several times too, hearing the nervous inflections in the man’s voice. She had to admit she was a little flabbergasted. He was persistent, she had to give him that, but she didn’t want his misguided feelings for her to get in the way of her relationship with Stanley. God forbid Jason pull Stanley out of her program altogether just because she wouldn’t give him the time of day.

No sooner did she have the thought than the front door opened and Cole entered, carrying several grocery bags.

“You took your sling off.” His tone was both surprised and worried.

Jill glanced down and shrugged. “My arm’s not hurting. I can move it, as long as I’m careful. That sling was getting really annoying.”

“I’ll bet.” Cole set the bags down on the counter and took her in his arms, giving her a sweet kiss. One hand gently caressed her arm where it’d been injured. “The security system has been installed. You can open the daycare again anytime, but I’d give it a few days. See if the police come up with any more leads about the break-in.

“Cole, I can’t thank you enough.” She peeked at the groceries and spied fresh fish and asparagus. “Maybe I can cook you dinner to start with?”

“I’m cooking tonight. You rest.”

“But that’s all I’ve been doing. Resting. Can I at least help, please?”

He shook his head. “I didn’t do a very good job of resisting you the last time you said please to me like that.”

She pouted and gave him puppy dog eyes. “I promise to use my power wisely.”

“I’d appreciate that.”

She started on a salad while he laid the fish out in a dish to bake. He explained the security code and how everything worked. He’d also written it down for her. Jill tucked it away in her purse to remember later, though she was sure he’d show her himself.

Soon, he had the seasoned fish in the oven and he did the same with the asparagus, using a different seasoning and putting that in the oven a few minutes later.

Done with the salad, Jill came up behind him and slipped her arms around his waist, leaning her face against his back. “So, is this the dinner you cook when you have a girl over?”

“Hmm?”

“Most men have one fancy dinner they can cook to impress girls,” she said in a teasing tone.

“Great idea, but…no, I haven’t cooked for a girl before.”

She flared her eyes and gaped. “Never?”

He was completely serious. “Never. Jill, I don’t think you realize this, but spending time with you is special. Having you here means a lot to me. I don’t do this with everyone—anyone, as a matter of fact.” He cupped her face in his hands and gave her a sweet, slow kiss that turned into a hotter one. He grabbed her by the waist and hoisted her up onto the counter in one fell swoop, as though she weighed fifty pounds.

Instinctively, she wrapped her legs around him and melted into another hot kiss.

After a while, he pulled away from her and tapped her nose. “Let’s leave that for later.”

Though a little disappointed, Jill was really impressed by the way Cole was taking care of her, the way he was determined to show her that he could be more than just a lover, a sex toy. He could care for her, and the thought made her heart swoon for him.

After the delicious dinner, Cole took all the dishes to the sink, grabbed his keys, and took her by the hand. “Let’s leave the dishes for when we get back.”

“Where are we going?”

“I thought if you’re feeling good, we could go for a ride to the beach?”

She immediately clapped her hands with excitement. “On the bike?”

He winked. “Is there any other way?”

* * *

After making sure Jill’s arm felt well enough that she could hold on to him once they got going, they took off. Cole felt an odd mixture of peace and excitement vibrating through him. Jill squealed and laughed in pleasure, clearly loving the way he tilted through the curves. It felt wild and free—one of those moments when everything in life was just right, when he wanted to stop and frame it. Not just because they were on the bike and open road, heading toward the sunset. But because of Jill.

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