Page 13 of Her Nosey Biker
Lyingin bed knowing that for the first time I’ve let someone completely in, all my walls down, no holds barred, I feel free in a way. Light as a feather. The minute he held me close and made sure I was comfortable above all else, that was the moment I knew. I could trust him with anything, maybe even my heart…
“I love you, my Star,” he says, looking down at me and completely catching me off guard. I suck in a lungful of air and stare at him wide-eyed.
I can’t open my mouth; I’m frozen in complete silence, not knowing what is wrong with me, but all I can do is stare deep into his eyes. It’s like I’m waiting for him to take it back, or the universe to reach down and snatch the words right back out of the air. I see the moments of hesitation in his eyes, and it kills me. Opening my mouth to utter the words I know I feel but don’t know how to put into words, I’m stopped at the sound of his cell phone ringing out like an alarm in the room's silence.
“Sorry, Star. Better get that,” he says, pulling away and leaving me feeling nothing but empty and alone. I pull the blankets over my naked body as he walks freely naked as the day he was born. In his defense, though, if I had a body like his, I’d show it off too.
“Loot,” he clips into the receiver. He’s silent for a few seconds before replying with a simple, “On my way.” And hanging up.
Oh no, maybe I took too long to reply and hurt his feelings. Maybe he’s running out of here and…
“Baby, what did I say about running away with those thoughts? I just got a call from my prez. I need to run by the bar real fast. I’ll be back before you know it,” he says, giving me a slow kiss. That kiss and his words alone reassure me we will be fine.
I’m going to plan something special just for him and then tell him exactly how I feel. That I love him too, more than I’ve ever loved anyone before in my life. He taught me what the wordmeans, what love looks like. I want to tell him everything, just not as he’s rushing out the door.
Instead, I work on something big, not knowing I might never get the chance to tell him.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
LOOT
Itake one last look back at Grace lying there in my bed like the angel she is. I’d never admit that I’m hoping and praying she’ll mutter those three big fucker words that I just threw at her like a damn hand grenade. But, fuck if I won't admit, at least to myself, that it didn’t sting a bit. Still, I knew she wasn’t ready. Over the last few weeks, she has really opened up to me about her past. Her mom — actually, fuck that — her egg donor only cared about herself and did less than the bare minimum. Fuck, the piece of shit left her on the side of the road when she was a sixteen-year-old kid. I can’t think of how much worse it really could get.
It doesn’t matter now, I think, as I give her one last smile and wink, before turning and heading toward the door. She’s mine now, and I won't let anyone else hurt her. I think I can be patient. I pass by the kitchen, almost out the door, when I look down and realize old faithful ain’t nowhere to be seen.
“Finick,” I holler, not used to having to call her. Usually, she’s attached to me at the hip, but since Grace came along, I couldn’t tell you for sure who’s more in love, me or my damn dog. I roll my eyes when I have to call out again and get a snuffle before the telltale sound of her collar jingling as she prances out of thebedroom and over to me. I can’t help but smile, rolling my eyes as I catch her outfit. Bright yellow with tiny pink flowers all over, and I swear on my glorious bike she’s smiling.
“You gonna let me put your vest on?” I ask only for her to bark and growl. “I’m never gonna live this down, you know that, right?”
“Blimey, you don't expect me to go out in rubbish do you? Men do not know style Papaaa.” Grace says from the bedroom in that damn accent.
Sighing, I give in and walk out the door and to the barn; I turn back when I hear Finick growl and look around.
“Come on, girl. Prez called us down. Let’s get there quick so we can get back quicker,” I tell her and wait another minute. She’s still reluctant to leave, and I know, it's killing me too. I can’t believe the impact such a small woman has had on my life in such a short amount of time. And obviously, on my dog's life, as well as once again, I hail her.
This time, luckily, she listens; but it feels like I’m having to keep reeling her back in. Something has her anxious, but it must just be leaving Grace, since this is the first time we’ve had to do it. I’ve been lucky enough until this point to handle all my business in my office at the house. Something about Rocks' tone, though, told me this couldn’t wait. Finally getting Finick hooked up and seated, I crank the bike and head toward the Black Crown.
Something is nagging at me the entire drive. I don’t know what it is. Hell, it might be Finick’s mood getting to me. She has me more on edge than I already am about leaving. Still, I push past those feelings and lean harder on the throttle. Once I take care of business, I can get back to my woman. Hopefully, add a round two and spend the entire night wearing her out.
A smile replaces the worry as I pull into the parking lot and hop off the bike. Once Finick’s unfastened, she starts off towardthe front door. I pay her no attention, knowing she’s here to be spoiled by my brothers, so instead I head straight for Rock. The minute he gets a look at my face, he doesn’t waste time on pretenses.
“I take it you remember Drake?” At my nod, he continues, “Got word he’s been sniffing around lately. Asking specifically about you.”
I show no emotion outwardly, but on the inside, I’m fucking livid. How could I have let this shit slip my mind? With Grace coming into my life, I’ve ignored the other sordid details of what's been going on. I just didn't realize he was this close to home. Fuck. Gracie’s at my house.
“Thanks for the heads up, Prez. I’ll keep a lookout and do my own investigating,” I reply.
“Need some brothers to camp out for a few nights? Keep watch?” he asks, and I know any of my brothers would take the job. We each would lay down our own lives if it meant protecting each other.
“Nah, I've got some precautions set up around the area. I should be all right. I am gonna head back and make sure everything is okay, unless you've got anything else for me?” I ask, already itching to get back. Something about tonight has felt off since I left, but I can’t tell if I’m letting my emotions get the better of me or if I’m paranoid.
“That was it. Play it safe, you need us, we’re there,” Rock tells me, and I give him a chin lift before turning and heading out. I don’t even have to call Finick this time; she’s right there at my side the minute I walk toward the door. I can feel the panic inching up my throat, but I won't let it distract me. Not right now.
I get Finick geared back up and hop on, having my bike running and ready to kick the kickstand up faster than ever before. Just as I’m about to lift my foot, though, I get an alert onmy phone, and my heart sinks. Pulling it out, I notice one of the sensors I have around my property has tripped. I set up a few as decoys, hiding others more intensely to throw someone off. It worked, and now someone is encroaching on my land, near my girl. This can't be happening. I’m racing home before I know it, but the panic is really setting in.
“No!” I shake my head and then give myself a few good slaps on the cheek. “Not now.” I hear Finck whine over the roar of the wind, and she turns to nuzzle my cheek. I can do this, just have to hold on. Somehow, even though it feels like hours later and a hundred miles away, I see my road coming into view. Another thing I see, though, has my heart plummeting. Fire.
Pressing harder, I spread gravel and nearly lay down my bike as I turn into my driveway. Speeding down the lane and pulling up just short as I pass the trees, I see the barn completely up in flames.
