Page 14 of Biker Daddy's Girl

"That means more to me than you know."

And as I carry Emma across campus, towards my bike, towards safety, all I can think about is the feeling of her lips on my skin. Then, a thought pierces the haze. "Don't you have a roommate?"

"Yeah," Emma murmurs, half asleep against my chest. "Sarah. She had to go back to her parents right before the fire. A family emergency. But at least she's safe."

When I put her on the ground, she looks hesitantly at my bike parked haphazardly on the curb—not usual for me, but I was in a hurry to get to her. Emma's expression changes from apprehension to awkwardness as the fear leaves her and everything that just happened in the last hour becomes clear.

I can only imagine what she's thinking. It's the middle of the night, almost morning really, and she's out here in slippers with a man she barely knows in her pajamas. And I just put her down in front of my bike without even consulting her about whether she wanted to come home with me or not. She looks back at the residence hall and winces—no going back inside for a few hours at least—then to my bike again.

"I'm going to hazard a guess and say you've never ridden before?" I ask, handing her the hoodie, which she immediately pulls on.

Emma shakes her head wordlessly and takes a step back. Her arms are wrapped around her middle, hugging herself. I want to gather her up again, hold her close, and tell her everything is going to be okay, but that's not what she needs right now. Not exactly.

"Well…" I try for a reassuring grin. "There's a first time for everything. Here." I grab the extra helmet and hold it out to her. "Put this on."

"Where are we going? If we wait, I'm sure I can go back up?—"

"You're coming home with me," I tell her, watching her eyes go large. "Look, it's too late for anyone else to be driving you, and it's not safe here. Your building isn't habitable, and besides, you can't just stand out here in the cold."

"What if people?—"

"The Iron Guardians have a reputation," I interrupt. "We're the good guys, Emma. No one will bat an eyelash if you're riding with me."

She bites her lip, clearly nervous, but finally reaches for the helmet. "All right."

I help her get it settled and straddle my bike. With a deep breath, Emma gets on behind me, holding my waist tightly. I can feel her heart racing against my back, and I reach down and squeeze her hand reassuringly.

"Ready?"

She nods and holds on tighter.

"Hey," I call over the engine. "You can trust me. I've got you."

"I know." She sounds a little breathless. "I do, Luke. I trust you."

Her words send a rush of possessive warmth through me as we roar off into the night. Emma's arms tighten around my waist, her body pressed close. I can feel her heartbeat against my back, matching the rhythm of mine, and I know that something has changed between us tonight.

"Hold on tight," I yell as we take a sharp turn, leaning into it. "We'll be there soon."

She gives a little squeak of surprise but doesn't let go. We weave through the streets of Stonebridge, passing the park and the campus, the old Victorian homes, and the stone buildings of the university, until we reach my house. The garage next to the house where I work is dark, but the motion lights for the home itself kick on as I pull into the driveway.

"You live here?" Emma asks, sounding surprised. "It's beautiful."

"Thanks." I can't help but smile at the awe in her voice. I didn't build the house myself, but I did a fair bit of renovation and repairs over the years. I'm proud of the results. "Wait til you see the inside."

She grins at me, helmet wobbling on her head. "Can't wait."

I help her off the bike and take her helmet, storing it safely inside the garage. Then, I lead her into the house. The space is open and airy, with a mix of rustic and modern finishes. The kitchen is my favorite—clean lines and high-end appliances. I like to cook when time allows.

“Let me show you to the guest room. Unless you wanted something to drink?”

She hesitates, glancing at the clock on the microwave. "I hate to disappear after you basically saved my life, but I really need to get some sleep for my exam tomorrow. I don't even want to think about if they're going to let me get my study supplies from my dorm or if I'm going to have to wear pajamas to school tomorrow, but my head is so fuzzy that I can't even think straight. If I could just crash on the couch?—--"

"Emma."

She breaks off, looking up at me.

"You can stay here."

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