Page 34 of The Girlfriend's Guide to Dating a Biker
“There’s a spare toothbrush under the sink,” I said. “It’s, um, pink.”
He laughed as he stood. “I think my reputation can handle a pink toothbrush.”
While he was in the bathroom, I sat on my bed, trying not to freak out about the fact that Jake—Savage—was about to sleep in it. With me. The same man who terrified half of Brisbane had now seen my collection of throw pillows and the soft toy koala I’d had since I was twelve.
When he came back, his eyes found mine immediately. He must have seen something in my expression because he stopped and said, “We’re just sleeping, darlin’. Nothing else has to happen.”
“I know. It’s not that. It’s just . . .”
“Just what?”
“It’s been a while since I’ve let anyone this close.” I gestured vaguely at my bedroom, at the organised chaos of my life, the little pieces of who I really was when I wasn’t out in the world. “The last guy I dated . . . let’s just say he was more interested in stealing my code than getting to know me.”
A menacing gleam flickered in his eyes. “His loss. Though I’m adding him to the list with Johnson.”
I laughed softly, the tension easing from my shoulders. “My very own avenging biker?”
“Anyone who hurts you answers to me now, Eden.”
The possessive note in his voice should have been a red flag. Instead, it was the opposite. A green flag waving all over the place.
When he drew back to strip off his jeans, leaving him in boxer briefs and his black T-shirt, all I could do was stare at his powerful muscles and the effortless, untamed way he moved. And I couldn’t help but wonder how I, a nerdy coder who was awkward around men, had drawn the attention of someone like Jake. A man who wasn’t just the hottest guy I’d ever seen, but also thoughtful, fiercely protective, and quietly caring in a way that completely undid me.
He slid into bed next to me, positioning us so he could spoon me. His arm wrapped around my waist with a sureness that made me feel anchored and safe. The solid warmth of him pressed against my back felt right in a way I wasn’t ready to think about just yet.
“Okay?” he murmured into my hair.
I tangled my fingers with his where they rested on my stomach. “More than okay.”
Current status: Lying in bed while Jake sleeps, still spooning me. Sneaking glances at him every now and then, wondering how someone so dangerous can look so peaceful.
UPDATE (4:29 a.m.): This man talks in his sleep and even that somehow makes me want to climb him like a tree. What is wrong with me? Do not answer that.
UPDATE (4:43 a.m.): Just moved while trying to adjust my pillow. Jake tightened his arm around me and made a sound that I think was a possessive-in-his-sleep growl. Send help. For my ovaries.
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THINGS I NEED TO GOOGLE BEFORE DATE #2 (LIKE: DO BIKERS COUNT HEAVY MAKEOUTS AS FOREPLAY OR AS PATIENCE)
Posted by Anonymous at 4:01 p.m.
March 28
Today can be neatly divided into two categories:
Times I thought I was keeping it together.
Times I very much was not.
Spoiler alert: Category Two won.
Case in point: waking up in my bed with Jake underneath me. Literally. I was on top of him. Limbs everywhere like I’d tried to win gold in the human octopus event.
At some point in the night, I’d spread myself across his chest, my cheek pressed against warm muscle, an arm and leg hooked over him like I had ownership rights. My oversized sleep shirt had ridden up to reveal way more skin than I’d ever intended, and my very traitorous boobs and ass had clearly decided modesty was optional.
I was mid-dream when I felt him shift beneath me, a low grunt vibrating through his chest. My eyes blinked open, confused, only to find his face an inch from mine. His jaw was tight, his gaze burning the ceiling.
