Page 23 of Biker Daddy's Girl

The engine comes to life with a deep rumble, and Emma throws a leg over the seat, her sundress riding high on her toned thighs. I lean back into her, breathing deeply. It feels right to have her on the back of my bike, and it's only taken me forty years to figure out.

The restaurant isn't far, so it doesn't take us long to reach it. Parking my bike, we make our way into the restaurant where we're greeted warmly and shown to our seats. The table is small and intimate, perfect for a romantic meal, but we don't talk about what this all means. I want to be with her. She's here. That's enough for right now.

After a meal filled with lighthearted banter and playful flirting, the conversation takes a serious turn.

"What did you do today while I was at school?"

"Interviewed some Iron Guardian hopeful." I shake my head. "He's probably hopeless. I've been doing this for a long time. I can tell when someone just doesn't have it in them to do the work we do. Sometimes that's because they're just too scared, but sometimes they’re just bad." The food arrives and we pause as the server sets the dishes down, giving our thanks before turning our attention back to each other. "I see it more and more with these younger guys. It makes me worried about the future of the club."

"But you still want to lead the Iron Guardians? Even if the new generation isn't up to the task?"

The answer is easy. "Yeah, I do. We just need to branch out a little farther. Find those untapped areas. I think there are still good people up to the task. People just have to be willing to try."

We focus on our meals. Emma ordered a huge garden salad with grilled chicken, and I went with the seared steak dinner with baked potatoes and sauteed broccoli. I don't miss the way Emma looks at my plate, and I make sure to give her a few bites.

I've always taken care of everyone, but this is something new. The feeling I get when Emma accepts the offered bites is intoxicating, a desire to nurture and protect welling up inside me.

Our conversation meanders from the Iron Guardians and the work I do as a custom bike builder and mechanic to our lives growing up. Emma had a quiet upbringing with her mother and siblings, while mine was chaotic and unstable, but neither of us was ever really happy. I've spent the better part of forty years just surviving, and I know it's time for more.

When the light starts to change outside, I know it's time to go so I can put the second phase of my date into action. The other Guardians might laugh at me and my newfound romantic streak, but I don't care. Anything to put that look of adoration in Emma's eyes.

I pay the bill, taking a second to talk to the chef who was our ward a year ago, watching Emma head outside into the late sunshine absentmindedly. She's only away from me for a few minutes, but her absence starts to bother me immediately. I cut the conversation short, a bad feeling starting to churn in my stomach. Being the leader of the Guardians has taught me to trust my gut, and when I turn the corner to the parking lot, I see that once again my gut was right.

Emma is standing next to my motorcycle, her arms crossed and her body language anxious but annoyed. In front of her, too close for my liking, is a man. He's leaning towards her, crowding her against the bike, and even at a distance, I know he's trying to hit on her.

I'm already pissed, striding towards them, ready to kick the guy's ass if he tries to give me any shit, but I'm still in control of myself. That all changes when he reaches out to adjust the shoulder strap of Emma's dress, his fingers touching her skin, and I see red.

Emma, too preoccupied to see me approach, tries to pull away. She's uncomfortable but too polite to say anything. Her eyes are pleading, her posture stiff. She doesn't want to be touched, but she doesn't want to start anything.

I won't stand by and let him put his hands on her. I won't let him treat her that way, so I interrupt them. "Hands off." The man, a young guy closer to Emma’s age, looks at me as though I'm the one who has offended him, his expression changing from irritation to amusement when he notices Emma looking at me. He moves to place an arm around her, but I'm quicker and snatch the limb, twisting his wrist. "What did I say?"

"Listen, dude," the man snarls, trying to get his wrist free. "Emma and I know each other from class. So if you don't mind..."

I step between them, pushing Emma slightly behind me, blocking the man from reaching her. I don't miss the way Emma looks at me with awe. The look sends a thrill through me. She looks at me like I'm the best man she's ever known, and that is something I could get used to. But I want to be the only person she turns to when she needs help. A man she'll trust.

"You should learn when to stay away."

"Who do you think you are?" He looks between me and Emma. "Is he your dad?" He laughs. "Come on, Em, you don't need a chaperone." He gives me a hard look, sizing me up. He must not think much of his chances because he tries to reach around me to touch Emma's arm, to pull her back to his side, and that's not going to work. Not in my city. Not with my woman.

The moment his arm snakes past my waist to snatch at Emma's arm I lose it, turning and pushing the asshole so hard that he falls backward. It's satisfying to see his feet trip over themselves. He catches his balance, but just barely, and a moment later he's squaring up to me, but I can see the fear in his eyes.

"Do you have a death wish?" I sneer.

The man snaps, throwing a slow, clumsy punch. I don't even bother moving. I don't need to, because I'm just too fast for the man. It's pathetic to watch his arm flail around as he misses my face by a mile. He stumbles forward from the momentum, and I reach out to grab the lapel of his blazer, righting him. I make sure I get a good, tight grip before I drag him forward, pushing him in the direction of his car. It's the last chance for him to leave before I make him really hurt.

He's an idiot, though, and pivots to come at me again. I have time to sigh before he swings, and this time, I swing back, clocking him across the jaw with my free hand. I don't hit him that hard, just enough to knock him off balance, but his jaw drops open as he reaches up to clutch at it. He tries to back away but he can't, his foot caught on the uneven pavement. It's enough to keep him where I need him to be.

I drag him to his vehicle and pin him against the car with my forearm against his chest. I have the upper hand. "Get the fuck out of here, and don't say another damned word, you understand? You're lucky I'm not making you a fucking smear on the pavement."

I don't think he's going to retaliate, but I don't give him the chance, giving him one last shake before walking away, back towards Emma. She has her hands clasped in front of her, a mix of nerves and adoration written on her face.

"He's just some guy in one of my classes," she blurts out, desperate to explain who he is to me.

"Emma," I breathe her name, hoping to stop her before she explains too much. It's not her fault I got territorial over her, and it's not her fault she doesn't know why I'm so protective, either.

She quiets immediately. "Yeah?"

I motion for her to follow me. "We're done with that fucker. Come with me." I lead her to the motorcycle and grab her helmet, handing it over. I know what's coming next. "I want to take you to a special place."

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