Page 27 of Cocky Secrets

Glancing to my dad, my brothers, I pause before smiling, “Not at all,” voice steady despite the flutter in my stomach. “I could use some good company. I was about to eat alone.”

Actually I sat down here hoping you’d come over and say hello, if I were alone. Since we bought the Harley from you, it wouldn’t be too weird.

Would it?

I don’t care.

I’m feeling reckless.

I couldn’t sleep last night. Bear was haunting my thoughts. Plans of riding through the mountains with him. Secret adventures on the horizon that no one knew about. How fuckinghot he is. The way he looks at me like I’m intriguing. How he sold me his Harley just so we could go riding together. How crazy a decision that was.

Or does he simply have the means to buy another one, so it wasn’t much of a loss to him? Was he just being kind?

Kind…or devilish.

Am I being careless inviting him to sit? It would be weirder if I said no, when he asked, wouldn’t it?

He slides into the booth across from me, filling the space with a mix of authority and charisma. “Nice to see you again, Sage.”

“Bear,” I nod in greeting, glance darting to where Mom has just appeared outside the bathroom door. She raises her eyebrows and I shake my head,it’s alright.

Dad looks over, waves his hand and says in a loud voice, “That’s who we bought the hog from. All good.”

Bear glances back, gives Dad a nod, and secures curious looks from Luke and Atlas. And Mom. She can’t stop watching us, even as she takes her seat.

Bear asks me, volume lowered to a private level, “Are your brothers treating you like a child?”

“Of course,” I answer, my volume lowered as well. “They’re always messing with me. One more than the other, but…yeah.” My heart races as I hold Bear’s gaze. “What about you? Just here to keep the peace?”

Bear laughs softly, and it’s music to my ears. “Something like that. Even though I’m off duty, I like to keep an eye on the locals. You never know what kind of trouble a certain redhead might get into.” His eyes twinkle with interest.

I feign innocence, “Trouble? Me?” biting my lip, and adding more creamer to my coffee. “I’m just here for the pancakes.”

The waitress pauses by my table. “Pancakes?”

“Short stack with bacon, please.”

She hurries away, writing it on her order-pad and tearing off the slip to give it to their cook, comfortable shoes hurrying through the maze.

“Just here for the pancakes, huh,” Bear replies, raising an eyebrow. “You sat here so I’d come over.”

“Sure I did,” I scoff.

“Don’t act like you didn’t. You’ve got a spark in your eye like you’re planning something.”

I keep my expression a cool facade, voice quiet. “Maybe I am, Officer. But you’ll have to stick around to find out.”

He leans back, arms crossing, a playful challenge in his expression. “Is that a dare?”

“Perhaps.” I lean forward, very quiet, lips barely moving, “What if I told you I like a little trouble?”

Bear’s expression shifts, attraction lighting up his features. “Is that so?”

“Sage, are you flirting with that guy?” Atlas calls out, laughter bubbling in his voice. “You know we’re watching you, right?”

I shoot him a glare. Bear shifts in his seat, and I feel heat rising to my cheeks.

“Looks like your brothers are wondering if I’m a threat,” he says, caution in his tone.

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