Page 71 of Jingle Belle's Biker

I sigh. “It’s a no. It’ll always be a no, but how about I say I’ll think about it?”

“You will?”

“It’ll be a no, Lance.”

He smiles like I handed him cold, hard cash and the keys to prime real estate to build another Hank’s on. Or a resort.

“No can always become yes.” He goes to embrace me but I sidestep it and go to the door, opening it.

“Goodbye, Lance.”

“Isabelle—”

“I’ll see you.”

I do something bold and rude of me. I shut the door in his face.

It takes a while to stop shaking. Even longer to get my blood pressure and heartbeat down. Longer still to let go of the lingering tendrils of anger.

When I’m somewhat calm, after mixing up and baking some cookies, and I finish marking the homework, which is pretty much all positive comments, I smooth down my dress. I’ve made a decision. I pack half the cookies into a container and head to the ground floor. There, I knock on Saint’s door.

He takes ages to open it.

My mistake. It’s not Saint.

It’s Sin. In small lacy boy short underwear and a tank top.

If I didn’t already know she was perfect, this confirms it. I’m not into women, but if I were, she’d be at the top of my list.

“Sorry, I was sleeping.” She pushes her hair over her shoulder. “Alone. Saint’s doing something called work.”

“Just . . .” Then I shake my head. “Never mind.”

“You can come in. I’m up now,” she says, wandering off, giving me a view of her perfect ass. “Drink?”

“Ah sure?”

I follow her, and she pours two drinks, handing me one. I take a swallow and almost choke. “Whiskey?”

“It’s after five.”

“I’m not judging.”

“So, you’re the little librarian, huh?”

I shake my head. I’m still holding the cookies so I hold them out. “I’m a teacher.”

She opens them and eats one. “A teacher who bakes cookies for bikers. And you’ve got innocent all over you.”

“I’m not innocent.” I take a step back. “I should go.”

“Hey, Belle?”

I stop and turn. Stunned she remembers my name. “Yes?”

“We’re not doing anything. I just needed a place to crash, and Saint’s actually nice. Even to me, his ex.”

“Look, I just brought cookies.”

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