Page 12 of Holly's Christmas Biker

“Well, you’re in luck because I haven’t eaten yet,” I tease, walking toward my kitchen. “What would you like to drink? I have milk, juice, soda, and lemonade.”

“Soda is fine. I hope you like roast beef and Swiss cheese subs,” he says, sitting at the table.

I quickly grab a regular soda for him and a diet one for me, then fill two glasses with ice. After carrying them to the table, I head to the pantry and pull out a bag of chips plus some napkins since the holder on the table is empty. “Here you go,” I tell him as I hand him some napkins before I place the bag of chips in the middle of the table.

“Thanks,” he replies, handing me one of the sandwiches.

After I unwrap mine, I pick up half and take a bite, unable to help the moan I emit when the flavors hit my taste buds. “Goodness, they make the best subs, don’t they?” I ask once I’ve chewed and swallowed.

“Yeah, they do, but I’m gonna need you to stop moaning like that,” he states, his eyes half lidded.

“What? What do you mean?” I question.

“When you moan like that, I wanna fast track things with you, Holly.” His response has my heart palpitating and butterflies taking flight in my belly.

“I still don’t understand, Rebel.” I do, I’m not dumb, and I remember what it’s like when a man’s interested in you, but I need a minute to collect myself. That, and I need him to spell it out for me. I’m wary of being a notch in somebody's bedpost.

“Holly, I told you yesterday I was interested in you. To break it down further, I want a future with you and your girls.”

“We barely know each other, though!” I exclaim, my nerves getting the best of me, and in reaction my tone is a bit snippy.

“That’s why you have to stop the moaning because it gets me thinking about things I don’t need to think about quite yet. Don’t wanna scare you off, babe.”

I can feel my face heat up as I lower my gaze to avoid his penetrating stare. “Oh. Um, I don’t know what to say to that, to be honest.” I’m stalling. I know I am, but I need the time to gather my thoughts based around this man.

“Nothing to say, Holly. I’m just the type of man not to sugarcoat anything is all. What you see is what you get.”

“Are you trying to sell yourself to me?” I tease. “What’s next? A list of your attributes?” I can’t help the tiny giggle that escapes because in my wildest dreams Ineverexpected that someone like Rebel would be interested in me.

I mean, I’m a single mom of two kids, have only had one prior relationship, and my self-worth definitely took a beating being with Devin. I’ve grown since our relationship ended due to forces that weren’t under my control, but I haven’t had the gumption nor time to contemplate adding another man to our lives.

“Do you need them?” he questions, tilting his head. His tone is serious which has me glancing at him. “Because I can give them to you, and while we’re getting to know each other, show that what I’m telling you is the truth.”

“You can tell me if you want,” I reply, now curious about how he sees himself. “I think you might be putting the cart before the horse since I’ve definitely got some heavy baggage.”

“I can help you unpack all of that, Holly. Okay, let’s see, I was a police officer for twenty years then decided to retire. I’ve always ridden bikes, so some buddies and I decided to start the MC. A few of the brothers still work as cops, paramedics, and firefighters, but those of us who retired run the club businesses.”

“What businesses do you guys own?” I ask.

“The bar, a junkyard, and an auto and bike repair shop,” he says. “I mostly oversee the junkyard, but I’ve been known to turn a wrench at the auto shop as well.”

“A man of many talents, huh?” I taunt.

“You could say that,” he replies, huffing with amusement. “I’ve never been married, and have only been in one serious relationship, but that was about fifteen years ago. I don’t lie because I found during the course of my law enforcement career that honesty is always the best policy. That way, I never have to worry about what lie I’ve said and been told. I’m like a dog with a bone when something doesn’t sound right, I’ll investigate it until there’s no trace of further information to be found.”

I can’t help laughing because I feel the same way, and I’m teaching the girls that always telling the truth is a good quality for a person to have. “The punishment for lying and getting caught is always worse than if you just confess up front. That’s what I’m working on with Mina and Ruby. They get credit for telling me the truth but corrected for the lie because actions have consequences. I know that they’re young, but I’m not one who thinks that little ones can’t learn early.”

Something comes to mind that he said, and I ask, “So you haven’t dated in fifteen years?”

He chuckles which has me blushing because it’s a knowing one and I suspect his response may be one I’m not crazy about hearing. “Well… you know I’m a biker in a club, and while we’re not one percenters, wedohave club girls available to us.”

“You mean for sex?” I know I probably sound naive as hell as well as a bit horrified, but my curiosity is winning out. I mean, I love to read and have read a few motorcycle club romances over the years, so while it’s fiction, I figured it had to have some basis in truth.

“Yes.” His answer is short and sweet, but he’s being honest, which is refreshing. “The brothers are always safe and use condoms, while the women who want to be part of the club in that way have implants for birth control purposes. Everyone gets tested regularly as well,” he adds.

Devin always lied even if I saw him with my own two eyes. I could tell him the sky was blue and he’d tell me it wasn’t. Or, he’d say they accidentally took too much from his paycheck, when he worked. But my absolute favorite one was when he took the cash I had been hoarding and then tried to tell me I was mistaken. Truly, if I hadn’t gotten pregnant with Mina, he’d have been out of my life long ago. But I had stars in my eyes and thought I was in love, so I kept on trying. Because I wanted what Grammy and Pappy had; a love so strong that it was palpable. I know they probably had their disagreements from time to time, but whenever that happened, they’d go for a walk around the farm, arm in arm, and talk it out. I never saw him raise his hand to her or treat her disrespectfully in any way, shape, or form.

Taking a deep breath, I look at him even though I know I’m blushing. “Well, while it’s not something I would consider for a lifestyle, I can’t judge them because I don’t walk in their shoes. As long as it’s consensual, what’s the big deal, right?”

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