Page 5 of Biker Daddy's Girl

LUKE

My mind keeps wandering back to the events of the previous evening as I pull the Harley Night Train out of the bar parking and start heading home. Emma is the only thing on my mind. A girl I talked to for less than a half hour. Sure, she's beautiful, but it's more than that. There's something about her that draws me in, a spark of intelligence and wit beneath the surface, and a vulnerability that makes me want to protect her.

As I ride through the streets of Stonebridge, memories of our encounter flash through my mind. The way she blushed when she asked for help. The way her eyes lit up when she smiled. The way she trusted me, even though we'd just met. It's been a long time since I felt a connection like this, and I'm not quite sure what to do with it.

When I arrive back at the Iron Guardians clubhouse, the others are all gathered in our bar, the Forge, drinking beer and shooting the shit. I make my way over to the bar, grabbing a cold one before joining them at the table.

"Luke, my man," Gunnar says, clapping me on the back as I sit down. "How did patrol go tonight? Did you scare the shit outta any college kids?"

"Nah, I took it easy on 'em," I joke. "Only gave one a heart attack."

"You're getting soft in your old age." Gunnar laughs. "Next thing you know, you'll be knitting blankets and helping little old ladies cross the street."

"Fuck off, man," I retort, grinning. "You're barely younger than me."

After a few more beers, the conversation shifts to something else. We talk about the latest club business, and someone mentions a recent rash of petty thefts happening in town.

"Sounds like some neighborhood kids looking for trouble," I say, shrugging. "They'll probably get bored and move on soon enough."

"Let's hope so," Gunnar replies. "The last thing we need is a bunch of thugs messing up the streets."

Later that evening, the other members start trickling out, leaving me alone at the bar. I'm still nursing a beer, lost in thought, when Gunnar sidles up next to me.

"Something on your mind, Luke?"

"Nah, just thinking about the club," I lie, not wanting to admit that I'm still preoccupied with Emma.

"You sure?" Gunnar presses, seeing right through my bullshit. "Because it seems to me like there's something else going on."

"What makes you say that?"

"I'm not blind, man." He chuckles. "I can see how distracted you've been today. Something's got your attention, and it's not club business."

I sigh. "Fine. I met someone tonight."

"Really?" Gunnar's eyebrows shoot up. "Someone from around here?"

"No, she's a student at Stonebridge University," I say, taking a swig of my beer. "She asked me to walk her home, and I don't know. There's just something about her."

Gunnar nods, understanding dawning on his face. "Ah, I see. And now you're stuck thinking about her, wondering if you'll ever see her again?"

"Basically, yeah." I shrug. "She said she lives on campus, so I'm probably never gonna run into her again. Not that it matters, anyway. She's way too young for me."

"What's the harm in trying?" Gunnar asks, unconvinced. "If you like her, you should go for it. Age doesn't matter when it comes to true love."

I elbow him, laughing. "True love? Come on, man, I barely know her. It was just a brief interaction."

"But it made an impression on you, didn't it?"

"Yeah, it did. But like I said, she's a student, and I'm a forty-year-old biker. What could we have in common?"

"You don't need to share everything to enjoy each other's company," Gunnar says.

"Maybe,” I grunt, uncomfortable. This is not how Iron Guardians talk to each other, but it’s just Gunnar and me. And he seems particularly nosy tonight, which I admit is nothing new.

"Luke, you're thinking too much." Gunnar laughs. "There's no guarantee that things will work out between you, but you'll never know unless you try. And besides, age is just a number. If you click, it doesn't matter.”

“Thanks, Dr. Love,” I grumble. I consider how much to share with Gunnar, how on a primal level I already know Emma belongs to me. How I've been trying to reason with myself that what I'm feeling is out of line, but I can't help it. I want her, and when there's something I want in life, I fucking get it. This is just the first time it's been a woman.

---