Page 4 of The Biker's Forbidden Craving

We pull into the bike shop tucked between pines at the top of the mountain. It’s a huge place with four stalls for bike repairs in the front and a house in the back. We had it custom-built a few months back to give us all a place to work and crash while we’re here.

“I hear people talking about this place,” Abby says, landing her hands on top of my shoulders to pivot off the bike. “People were confused about why you bought all the way up here.” Damn, she smells good. Like berries or flowers… something sweet.

I don’t answer her because the truth isn’t worth lying about. I’d never lie to Abby. “We need to get you inside and calm you down. You’ve had a hell of a day. I got a text back from Ghost. He’s gonna update me as soon as he hears anything about Maci.”

A raccoon scatters away from the trash bin by the garage door as I unlock the front door to the attached house in the back of the shop. Usually, I’d go right through the garage, but for some reason, I’m trying to make a good impression. I tell myself it’s because I don’t have anyone else to show the shop off too, but I know deep down it’s more about Abby liking me than I want it to be.

I need to get a fucking grip.

“I don’t know what happened.” She holds her hands around her waist, shaking. “She was right there telling me about her dreams and her goals. She wants to be a journalist, so she was trying to listen to what the guys were talking about, but then I got scared because… I’m scared of everything. I went to the truck to leave, look back, and she’s gone. How could she just disappear?”

Possibilities of why the girl could’ve disappeared rattle through my head as I push the front door open, but I’m distracted by the fucking mess of this place before I get very far.

Why do I even care that the place is a mess? This isn’t about impressing a woman I have no business impressing. It’s about finding the missing girl.

That said, I start cleaning. “Sorry. This place is a disaster. Keep talking, I’m just gonna clean up quick. Can I get you a drink or anything?”

She shakes her head and moves around the house with me, picking up beer bottles and random bags of half-eaten chips that the guys didn’t bother with before they left for the bar. Truth be told, I think she’s holdingmybeer bottle.

Fuck, I didn’t realize how messy we were.

“What are we going to do about Maci, Hank? I’m scared.” She sets the bottles by the sink and leans against the counter, her breath picking up as she talks. “I know Duke knows all kinds of bad people. What if they hurt Maci?”

I toss the bags of chips on the counter and turn toward Abby. “Is there a chance she left on her own?”

“No. Her car was still in the parking lot. They took her! Are you even listening to me?”

“I’m listening. Just trying to get all the facts.”

“I know the facts. My brother is involved with some kind of crime and the guys he worked with are after him. They took Maci as ransom or something.”

“But why would they do that? Maci has no tie to your brother. He can’t—”

She drags in a deep breath and screams deep in her chest, before burying her face in her hands. “What if that were me? What if I’d been taken? We need to treat this the same way you would if it were me… or would you default to cleaning your house then, too?”

“Abby! Stop. I called the guys. They’re looking into it. Besides, there’s still a chance she took off on her own. She is an adult.”

Her brows narrow as though I’ve said the wrong thing. “You really do have a way with words.”

“I’m just saying… it’s highly unlikely these bikers were targeting her. They’d have no reason.”

Abby turns and leans against the counter, slightly exposing the small of her back as her short T-shirt stretches with her arms.

Jesus Christ. I’ve never had my cock twitch from the sight of a back before, but here I am, mouth watering over the inch of bare skin above her waist. That, or maybe it’s the tiny skirt she’s wearing.

What the hell is wrong with me? She’s scared and grieving,and I’m getting a fucking erection.

Shaking my head at my own stupidity, I land my hand on her back and tell myself the action is for comfort, though I doubtyou’d notice how smooth someone’s skin was if comfort were on the top of your mind. Also, why did I rub beneath the shirt? I could’ve stayed above the fabric.

Fucking hell. I’m a mess.

The tiniest sigh leaves her lips. “That feels good. Thank you.”

I’m not sure if the thank you means stop, or keep going, but I keep going. “You’re stressed. I can feel the knots in your back.”

“I know.” She sighs. “My friend was out celebrating my birthday, and I left her there like a bitch.”

“You’re not a bitch. We’ll find her.” I squeeze the base of her back as I continue to rub. “And why do you hate celebrating your birthday all the sudden? You used to love it. I remember you making these huge lists, and your brother would spend all this time getting your party together. It was a thing. Remember that one party you had… I think it was your twentieth. It was a total rager, and my leather jacket disappeared. I still miss that thing.”

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