Page 40 of Biker's Babygirl

Ellie is good company,I reassure myself. Smart, capable, tough. I have no doubt they were fine alone. But I’m dismounting when I see that one of the front windows is broken. Not only that, but it looks like something has been thrown through it. I’d been unbuckling my helmet, but fear and adrenaline surge through my body in equal measure and I forget the helmet as I break into a run.

Ellie will be fine,I tell myself, but my brain as well as every tense muscle in my body is screamingGinny. Ginny! Ginny!

The second I’m over the threshold, my mouth does it too. “Ginny!”

“We’re in here.”

The fear leaves me in a whoosh as I let out my breath. Still, my eyes rove side to side, quickly assessing the damage. I flip the deadbolt before I move toward Ellie’s voice. Every hair on my body is standing on end, every muscle prepared for action since I have no idea what I will find.

Even though I have no idea what to expect, the scene that greets me stops me in my tracks. I’d thought I was prepared for anything. I’ve been trained in two separate careers to stay calm, no matter what. To act first and feel later.

But seeing Ginny leaning on Ellie, her small, delicate form curled into a ball as tears pour down her face, nearly brings me to my knees.

“What happened?” I snap, fear making my voice harsher than I intended.

Ellie’s gaze meets mine, and that’s the second shock of the day because her normal tough-girl, hard-as-nails demeanor is gone, and she looks shaken as she smooths a hand over Ginny’s hair.

But before she can answer, Ginny vaults off the chair and with a muffled sob, she launches herself at me.

As surprised as I am, and worried, and desperate to hear what happened, when I catch Ginny in my arms, for just a moment those thoughts disappear. She melts against me, her body melding against my own, and it feels so right that for a second, I forget I’m worried at all.

I close my eyes, inhaling the sweet, feminine scent of her hair and enjoying how her arms cling to my waist. I feel her hot tears soak my shirt, and I want nothing more in the world than to stop them. To reassure her and make her feel safe.

When my eyes open again, I see Ellie looking at us. Her expression has softened, and unless I’m mistaken, a soft smile curves her lips.

There’s no denying it anymore. I don’t care how old I am, or how youngsheis. I want this. I want… her.And I know now I can have her. I can be her Daddy.

I’d thought my protective instincts were in overdrive before, but admitting that—even just to myself—makes my arms tighten around her and awakens a desire so strong, I have to keep from squeezing her too hard.

But what if she doesn’t want me in the same way? What if she just comes to me because I make her feel safe? What if?—

“D-Duke.” She sniffles, looking up at me with tear-filled eyes that squeeze my heart.

I shut the nay-saying voice in my head down. I don’t care about any of that, or anything right now other than making sure I do my best to keep her from crying like this ever again. “Want to tell me what happened?”

Her lips part, and I strain my ears, but before can say a word, I hear an exclamation from behind us.

“Holy shit! What happened to the window, man?”

I spin around and find my brother, his mouth agape and his eyes flashing. For the first time I notice Elvis, slouching against the wall with his arms folded across his chest. They must have let themselves in after me.

“Ginny was just about to explain,” I inform them both.

And then we’re all looking at her. I squeeze her hand, trying to assure her that I’m here for her, on her side.

I can see the way her lips are trembling as she opens her mouth to answer.

I lower my head and murmur into her hair, “It’s okay. I’m right here.”

But she doesn’t look at me. She stiffens in my arms and draws in a deep, quivering breath.

The sound makes my heart squeeze.

“Itisbecause of you, isn’t it?” Shep presses, and though his voice is cool, there is an edge to it.

“Hey, wait a minute, that’s?—”

“All I’ve been doing is waiting, bro,” he snaps, cutting me off. “Since you can’t seem to ask the hard questions, I thought I’d help you out.”

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