Page 23 of Biker Under My Tree

The moment I stepped through the doorway, I froze. My eyes went wide as I took in the soft glow of Christmas lights woven through the tree next to the fireplace. All of the decorations I had in the boxes were placed and hung, and two stockings were hung on the mantel. The room felt like something out of a holiday movie.

“Oh my god,” I gasped and turned to him. “You did all of this?”

Bones nodded, and his lips curved into a small smile. “I’m no baker, Sugar. Figured I needed to find my own way to help you out.”

“This is… this is so nice,” I murmured, hardly able to take it all in. I’d told Bones I hadn’t had time to decorate, but I hadn’t even thought about him doing it for me. It just hadn’t crossed my mind.

I walked over to the tree and touched one of the branches to make sure it was real. “Is this where you disappeared to earlier?”

Bones moved beside me and nodded. “Yep. Took Wick along, but that was a mistake. The guy’s a tool.”

I let out a laugh, unable to help myself. “He can be, but he’s a nice tool.”

He chuckled, and I felt him watching me with his eyes lingering in a way that made me feel warm all over. I was standing there next to Bones, with a tree that he’d picked out and decorations he’d hung just to make my day a little easier.

“Bones,” I started and looked up at him, feeling a dozen different things I couldn’t quite name. “Thank you. This… it really means a lot.”

When he reached over and tucked that stray strand of hair behind my ear, my heart fluttered. “Glad you like it,” he murmured, his voice soft but sure. “Only wanted to make you smile.”

He’d done so much more than that.

“I love it,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

He nodded toward the coffee table. “There’s also a pizza waiting over there, but right now? I don’t want to move.” His eyes held mine, steady and warm. “I like being right here with you.”

I felt my cheeks warm. “I like it, too,” I admitted, my voice matching the softness of his.

His gaze dropped to my lips. “I need to kiss you, Snow.” His words made my breath hitch. “I don’t know if that’s moving too fast for you, but I’ve been wondering for a year now what you taste like.”

A thrill shot through me, and his words sank in and set my pulse racing. Bones had been thinking about me—for a year? My heart leaped at the thought. My stomach flipped, and anticipation buzzed under my skin.

“I…” I stammered, struggling to find words. “I’ve been wondering the same thing.” I could feel my face flush as I caught myself. “Well, about you. Not me,” I mumbled, immediately mortified. Only I could make such a perfect, romantic moment awkward.

Bones chuckled, and the sound was deep and warm, which melted away my embarrassment. “Sugar,” he said softly, “I know what you mean.”

He leaned in, and I rose up on my tiptoes to help close the space between us. The world narrowed down to just him, with his face coming closer and his breath mixing with mine. And then our lips met.

Heaven. It was the only way to describe the feeling. His lips were soft but sure and fit against mine with a warmth that seemed to spread through my whole body. The kiss felt perfect, like two puzzle pieces slotting seamlessly together—a connection I hadn’t known I’d been waiting for but now never wanted to let go.

Time slowed as we kissed. His hand moved gently to cradle the side of my face, and his thumb brushed my cheek. The tenderness in his touch made me melt, and I leaned into him. I enjoyed feeling the strength in his arms as he held me close. I could feel the steady beat of his heart against my chest.

When we finally pulled back just enough to catch our breath, I opened my eyes and found him watching me. His gaze was soft but intense, as if he was seeing right into me.

“Worth the wait,” he murmured, and his voice was thick with desire.

I nodded, my heart still racing. “Definitely worth the wait.”

Chapter Seventeen

Bones

Being with Snow like this felt unreal. For a year, I had watched her from the garage. Now I was here in her house with her in my arms. She looked at me like she wanted me just as much as I wanted her. And finally, finally, I got to taste her.

I couldn’t believe how damn perfect she felt pressed against me. She was soft where I was hard. Everything about her made me want to hold her closer, sink into this moment, and never let go. I didn’t go for soft stuff, never had, but this—her in my arms, trusting me, letting me kiss her—made me feel something solid and real.

Her lips had moved against mine, a little hesitant at first, like she couldn’t believe she was here either. But then she leaned in, her hand rested on my chest, and her fingers curled into the leather of my jacket. My stomach tightened, and every damn nerve in my body lit up, roaring at me to keep her close. I slid my hand to the back of her neck and felt the soft strands of her hair between my fingers.

“God, Snow,” I murmured as my voice was rough and barely recognizable. Her name felt like a confession or a prayer I’d held inside for too long.

---