Page 26 of Biker's Babygirl

Leave?Suddenly my brain seizes on the word, even as it does, I’m dimly aware that I heard him say it before. All the warm, gooey feelings he’s created inside me vanish,poof, disintegrate into dust. Because the truth is, I have nowhere else to go.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Duke

“What are you feeling like?” I’m peering inside the fridge, making a mental note that someone needs to go to the grocery store while I think about what I can make for two people with one egg, a hunk of cheese, and some almost-wilted sprouts.

“Um… how about pancakes?”

She has the most adorable voice.My cock is on full alert and there’s no denying I’m attracted to her, even if it’s the last thing I want to be.Down, boy,I tell myself firmly, turning to her with a regretful grin. “Fresh outta pancakes.”

“That’s okay.” She returns my smile as she takes a seat on the barstool, and hers is soft, lighting up her elfin face.

I have to turn away. I’ll never get my cock to settle down if I keep looking at her.She’s too young for you. This can’t happen. You’re old enough to be her father!

But knowing it and caring enough to not have a hard-on around her are two different things.

“Um, I guess I could whip up?—”

Right at that moment, the front door bursts open with much commotion. Raucous conversation and laughter immediatelyfollow, but my eyes are on Ginny and there’s no missing the way her face has paled. Her eyes look huge in her drawn face.

I come across the corner, trying to be quiet and as quick as I can. When she looks up at me, my heart squeezes in my chest. She looks so much like a little girl lost that it awakens every protective instinct in my body. My mind flashes back to how she looked when we found her—so tiny and covered with dirt and leaves.What’s she hiding from? Or better yet, who?

“I’m fine,” she tries to assure me, her voice a strained whisper. She tries to smile, but her lips merely quiver.

“Shhh.” I clasp her shoulder and give it a squeeze. Next thing I know, she’s leaning into me, seeking comfort.

“Hey!” Eliana rounds the corner and sees us. She’s carrying a large white box. “Anybody hungry? We got doughnuts.”

If she finds it strange to find us like this, with me cradling our house guest like a baby, she gives no indication. It’s just one of the many things I love about Ellie. Unless it’s a matter of life and death, she keeps her opinions to herself.

Not that Ginny knows this. There’s no mistaking the color in her cheeks as she tries to act nonchalant and slip out of my embrace. “Um, yeah. I mean, of course. I never turn down doughnuts.”

“My kinda girl.” Ellie grins at her, and I can tell it puts her at ease.

See?My pesky inner realist whispers, to get my attention.She’s not interested. She might need a hug in a tense moment, sure, but when it comes down to it, she’d never have any real interest in a guy like you.

Following Ginny’s lead, I move away. “We’ve got to get to the grocery store.”

“We?” Ellie repeats acidly. “I hope you don’t meanme. Just because I have a vagina doesn’t make me the most qualified to get the groceries.”

“What about Ginny?” Shep asks, coming around the corner, a drink carrier full of large, hot coffees in each hand.

“Who?” Ellie lifts a brow.

“It’s a long story,” I grouse, more annoyed than usual by what is a pretty familiar exchange. “Jessica likes to be called Ginny, okay?”

Ellie’s brow climbs higher, but she nods.

“Take her with you,” Shep urges, his stomach once more dominating the conversation. “By your powers combined?—”

“What about Shep?” Ellie returns, looking directly at him “He acts like a cunt, so stands to reason.”

My brother only laughs and sets the drinks on the counter. Removing one, he hands it to Ellie. “Here. Drink deep, El. You’re cranky before caffeine.”

“True,” she agrees, taking a sip. “But before coffee or after, you’re still a cunt.”

Unperturbed, as he is by most things she says to get under his skin, Shep hands me a coffee, which I accept gratefully. Then he puts one in front of Ginny. “I didn’t know what you liked, so I got it with cream and sugar. I hope that’s okay.”

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