Page 27 of Biker Daddy's Girl

I've never felt this connected to anyone in my entire life, and the emotion is almost overwhelming, even in the heat of the moment. I cling to him as he kisses me long and hard, like he never wants to let me go. And I know, in this moment, I never want him to. I never want to be without him, without this feeling of absolute connection and rightness.

We stay like that for a while, wrapped up in each other's arms, just breathing in the quiet darkness. I'm lost in my thoughts, in the warmth of Luke's arms, and I could almost drift off to sleep like this. But the cold of the evening and the reality of where we are starts to set in as I feel the goosebumps forming on my bare skin. Luke must notice the shiver that goes through my body because he moves and gently slips out of me, holding me against him, not wanting to let go of our closeness.

"You're shivering, baby girl," Luke murmurs. "Let's get you home."

Home. His home, he means, but he says it like it belongs to both of us.

He moves back, letting me get to my feet. It takes a few moments for me to adjust, to feel steady. But then, once I get my balance back, it's like a switch flips inside me and my eyes go wide. The realization of what just happened, what I've just done, sinks in. I can feel my cheeks burning in embarrassment.

"We really did all of that out here!" I breathe, and Luke's laugh fills the air, warm and deep.

"Yes, we did. Now get dressed, and if you're lucky, we'll do it again when we get home."

9

EMMA

Two Weeks Later

Iwalk out of my last class before fall break and let out a long exhale. Finally, some time to relax.

There has been an uptick in work with the Iron Guardians for Luke, but he promised me he’d take a few days just for us. I've been staying with him since the fire, making a million excuses to Sarah before finally admitting the truth. A week ago, I received the news that the residence hall was ready to move back into, but I quietly deleted the email and pretended it never arrived. I'll have to face the music and make a decision eventually, but life is just too blissful right now.

It's a Friday evening, and Luke has promised to take me with him for the group ride through the city tonight. I've met a few of the Iron Guardians here and there, but riding with Luke with all the other motorcycles roaring around us sounds exhilarating. I'm excited.

The sky is cloudless, a deep blue, with the sun setting and the evening just starting to grow colder. It's perfect, the kind of autumn day I've always dreamed of, and it's mine, shared with the man who means more to me than anything. I have no idea how we ended up here, but it feels right. It feels good.

I find said man waiting for me parked on the street, a jacket and helmet for me balanced on the seat of the bike.

"You ready for this, baby girl?" Luke asks. He's been working on his motorcycle, getting it ready for the group ride.

I can't help but smile. I've never really considered myself a "motorcycle girl", but there's something about being with Luke that makes it impossible not to feel exhilarated about the ride. "Absolutely."

Luke chuckles and helps me put the jacket and helmet on. He makes sure I'm properly secured and then climbs on the motorcycle. I climb on behind him, my arms wrapping around his waist instinctively.

I feel so content sitting pressed up against his back like this, my body flush against his, the motorcycle rumbling to life beneath us. I feel safe and protected with Luke. And as we start moving, I realize this feeling is more than just protection.

It's freedom.

With the wind blowing through my hair and the sky wide open above us, it's hard to remember anything else in the world exists. The roar of the motorcycle fills my ears, and all I can see is Luke in front of me, the world rushing by as we speed along the road.

The sun goes down right as we join the rest of the club at the Iron Guardians clubhouse, an array of bikes rumbling as the riders wait for their leader to arrive. They rev their machines louder as Luke pulls in, greeting him wordlessly. The whole thing gives me chills.

They know what to do without speaking, this ritual is something they've done so many times it's almost instinctual. Luke pulls to the front of the crowd, and then as one well-oiled machine, the entirety of the Iron Guardians pulls out onto the road together. The sound of so many engines roaring to life at once is almost deafening, but also strangely beautiful in its way.

We're not the only ones on the road. Stonebridge is a small town, but there are still other cars and pedestrians even at this hour. The bikers know how to maneuver around them, weaving in and out of traffic with ease. They're careful not to get too close to other cars, keeping a respectable distance. The respect for others and the safety of others on the road is something I've come to realize is ingrained in the culture of the club. It's another way in which they are more than just the stereotype, something I hope the town realizes.

I don't know how long we ride for, the cool autumn air biting at my face, but we end up on the outskirts of town at an overlook. It's the perfect view, the whole city stretched out beneath us in all its twinkling glory. We're on top of the world, and I'm wrapped in the warmth of Luke's arms, with my head resting on his shoulder as we take in the scene below.

It's the perfect evening, the other Guardians and some of their wives enjoying the view as well, until Luke's right-hand man, Gunnar, comes pushing through the crowd. He's trying to be inconspicuous, but I feel Luke tense next to me at once.

"Hey, boss." Gunnar keeps his voice low. "That asshole kid joined the ride somewhere in the last five or so miles. Slid into the group like he belonged. I was hoping he wouldn't stop with us, but he did, and everyone took notice. What should we?—"

Before Gunnar can finish or Luke can make a call, there's a commotion coming from somewhere to our right, a different figure elbowing and pushing through the group of Guardians. The energy around us changes as the bikers get pissed at the intrusion, but Luke, always calm in the face of chaos, turns and crosses his arms. Waiting for the intruder to reach him.

In the same movement, he makes sure I'm behind him, well away from any possible danger. My chest is tight, my heart so full. Luke shows me constantly how much he treasures me, and the word love ghosts through my thoughts. Does Luke love me?

Do I love him?

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