Page 56 of Taken By the Biker Daddies

“So, now, you don’t have to worry about it anymore. Shouldn’t you just be glad she’s fine?”

“I would have been if she told me about it, but she kept making me believe I’d done something terrible.”

“Did she? Or was that your own guilt?”

I didn’t answer. Maybe Wade didn’t speak much, but when he did, he usually made sense.

“Everything you did for Lauren, you chose to do because of your own guilt,” Wade pointed out. “At least, at first. Then it became something else. I know because I’ve seen the way you look at her. Girlfriend or not, I’ve never seen you look at any woman that way before.”

Damn it. Why did he have to be so observant?

He stood up, his hands in his pockets. “I’m not telling you to forgive Lauren. That’s your decision alone. What I’m telling you is to think things over carefully, and think about what you really want, or you might end up losing it.”

Wade headed toward the door, leaving me to mull over his parting words.

And I couldn’t help but do just that. The more his words sunk in, the more I knew that he was right. Why was I acting like some kid who was throwing a tantrum after falling from the monkey bars? I was a grown man. I was responsible for my own actions and their consequences.

And I wanted Lauren. Regardless of what I knew about her now, and the danger she was in, I still wanted her. I didn’t want to lose her.

But how was I supposed to tell her that after pushing her away and after all the hurtful things I said to her?

I slapped my forehead. I’d never been in this position before. I’d never had to ask for something or had to work hard for something I wanted.

How exactly was I supposed to make things right with Lauren again?

I was still trying to come up with a solid plan when I went to my bedroom that evening. To my surprise, Lauren was waiting for me, sitting in the chair by the window in a silk robe, her face glowing in the lamplight.

When she saw me, she stood up and faced me. I almost ran to her and put my arms around her, but I remained where I stood.

“You have the wrong room,” I told her.

She shook her head as she walked towards me. “I was told this is your room. I’ve been waiting for you because I want to talk to you.”

I, too, shook my head. “You don’t have to say anything more, Lauren. I…”

“But I do. You don’t have to talk if you don’t want to. Just listen.”

I gazed into her eyes, listening.

Lauren drew a deep breath. “First, I want to thank you for bringing me here, even if it was just because of Jake’s request. Second, I understand now, after coming here, why you were so upset with me. Growing up rich, you must have been surrounded by people who tried to use you, people who told you lies just to get your favor. I promise I never intended to make you feel used. I only lied because I really felt so lost and terrified.”

And I offered her a safe haven. Yes, I was the one who offered it to her even though it was Jake who ultimately invited her into his home. How could I get mad at her for accepting it?

She looked away, fidgeting with her fingers. “And I understand if you don’t want to have anything to do with me anymore. I mean, I’m a nobody. An orphan college dropout on the run. You’re aShelton. You have an image to uphold. You have companies to run. You have people relying on you.” She shook her head slowly as she rubbed her elbow. “I’ll only bring you trouble.”

“You’re wrong,” I told Lauren as I pulled her into my arms, unable to hold back any longer. “I don’t care about being a Shelton. And I didn’t mean to push you away. I was just hurt and…”

“You have a right to feel hurt.” Lauren touched my cheek, her gaze soft as she met mine. “After all, you were supposed to be my boyfriend.”

I shook my head. “I told you I don’t care about labels.”

“Still, you treated me like a real girlfriend, and I failed to trust you and tell you everything. I’m so sorry, Max.”

She buried her head in my chest. I held her tight and stroked her hair.

“It’s fine.”

For a while, we stayed like that, Lauren in my embrace. She fit right into my arms, convincing me that she was meant to be with me. As I relished the sensation of her soft body against mine, of the scent of her hair and her skin that I’d missed, I felt at home. When she pulled away and looked into my eyes, I knew that I belonged in them as well. They gleamed with tenderness, acceptance, longing. Love?

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