Page 27 of Biker's Babygirl

She nods, ducking her head. “Thanks,” she mumbles.

For some reason, the tiny exchange makes my gut twist, but I don’t want to dwell on it. I turn away, taking a long swallow, welcoming the hot liquid as it burns a course down my throat.

“I’ll go,” I volunteer, the words out of my mouth before I even realize I’m going to speak.

Suddenly, the light ribbing dissipates and I feel everyone’s eyes on me.

“You?” my brother asks, the word dripping with disbelief.

“The last time you went grocery shopping you forgot half the list and somehow picked up those mystery peppers that you refused to throw out for months,” Ellie objects. Before I canform an answer, she says, “Never mind, Iwillgo.” She pins my brother with a hard look, as if daring him to comment.

Wisely, he keeps his mouth shut.

“Come with,Ginny. It’ll give me some time to get to know you and for us to gossip about the boys.”

“Um… okay.” Her eyes flash to me, looking for reassurance.

Does she realize it? Does she know that she needs a protector?

“Now, wait a minute.” Despite wanting to get some distance from Ginny to give my head time to clear where she’s concerned, I can’t in good conscious have her go out without making sure she’s okay first. “Come to the exam room and let me take a look at that arm first.”

She looks nervously between Ellie and me before she nods. “Okay.”

Damn it, even her teeny-tiny, unsure voice stirs my arousal.Fuck.

“C’mon.” Ellie slings a companionable arm around Ginny’s shoulders. “I’ll take you.” They’re walking before Ginny has a chance to agree or disagree. “I’ll let you know when she’s ready,” Ellie adds over her shoulder to me.

I try to look away, but my eyes keep finding their way back to Ginny. She’s petite and slender, with an unmistakable strength to her shoulders and the cutest bubble butt I’ve ever seen. Ellie is distinctly feminine and tough, and although I’ve never harbored any romantic notions for her, she’s the kind of woman I’d always considered myself attracted to. Someone who was my “match”.

But now… with sweet, sassy, puppy-dog-eyed Ginny… there is no denying I’ve never felt physical attraction so acute. Sopainful.

Suddenly aware of eyes on me, I turn around and see that Shep is grinning for all he’s worth. Never a good sign. Even Elvis has a brow raised.

“What?” I demand, wincing at how loud and defensive the word comes out.

“Someone’s got a crush,” Shep asserts, his grin only growing. “Duke and Ginny, sitting in a tree, K-I?—”

“Knock it off,” I snap, giving them both my most intimidating glare.

Shep shrugs. “Whatever you say, bro.”

“I thought you didn’t like her,” I comment.

Shep narrows his eyes and tilts his head to the side, the way he always does when he’s in deep thought. “I don’t dislike her; I just don’t know if we can trust her.”

“Same thing where you’re concerned,” I grumble. “I think you’re just doing all this to give me a hard time.”

My brother holds out his hands palm up, grinning. “Guilty.”

I grunt again and try to stop thinking about it, but I just can’t. That stupid, smug smile is still on his face and the sight of it is rankling me. “Ginny isn’t interested in me.”

Elvis chortles, and I realize my mistake.

“What I mean is, I’m not interested in her.We’renot interested in each other.” But it’s too late. They’re both wearing smug looks now, and I could kick myself. It’s my own fault. Taking a deep breath, I try again. “She’s way too young for me.”

Shep and Elvis exchange a look. When my brother faces me once more, I feel sure I’ve convinced them. Until he opens his mouth and asks, “Why don’t you let her decide?”

His statement is so ludicrous, so absurd, I take a step back. “What? You said you wanted her gone, you said she needed to leave, that you didn’t want to see me get hurt. Now you’re encouraging me to make a move on her? You’re giving me whiplash.” I scowl at him, but he just smirks and shrugs.

---