Page 15 of The Biker & the Baker

“How in Odin's name did you do that?” Lawrence asked, eyes wide with disbelief. He turned to the baker. “Our mutual friend here really is a magician.”

“Night has always been like that.” Albert shrugged with a smile. “He just… knew things. I guess he paid much more attention to details than the rest of us. He still does.

Brian smiled at his friend’s interaction with the biker. “A librarian never tells the secrets of the trade,” he replied, winking.

Lawrence nodded in agreement. “No, he doesn’t, and it’s the same with us bike builders.” He looked at the librarian. “I think you should have one, too, brother. A nice chopper, to take your man for a ride and feel the breeze in your hair.” A dreamy look took over his feature when he said the last part.

“No, thank you.” Brian refused with a laugh. “I prefer to stick to cars; they are much safer and keep you warm and dry in bad weather.”

“One builds their bike as safe as they want.” Lawrence’s reply came right away. “Weather can represent a problem, butthere are many brands of waterproof equipment you can choose from. In a way, it’s like with a car: if you want extra features, you’ll have to be prepared to pay extra.” The biker stopped talking, took a few more bites of food, then continued. “I built my old lady with my own two hands, and there’s no greater satisfaction than knowing this as I ride it.” He suddenly turned to Albert. “Do you want to try?”

CHAPTER 12

Try what?” Albert gave the biker a confused look. “Sorry, for a moment I didn’t pay attention to the conversation, and…” He lowered his gaze, leaving the sentence unfinished,

“No worries.” Lawrence waved his hand, smiling reassuringly. “I was asking if you want to ride with me, listen to the girl’s engine’s purr and experience the ultimate sensation of freedom.”

“Me? On your bike?” Albert’s eyes widened with disbelief. “Sorry, but I don’t think I’m good enough for that.”

“Good enough?” It was Lawrence’s turn to be confused. “Oh, you don’t have to do anything, just hold on to me and enjoy the ride. I happen to have a spare helmet and protective gear with me, so you’ll be well cushioned.” The biker winked.

Albert swallowed hard a few times, then started in a hesitant voice. “Um… I mean, I’m worthless, and that’s why I can’t ride your bike.” He dropped his gaze again. “Rick never let me get close to his, let alone touch it or climb on it.”

“Fuck the shithead, he’s the unworthy one.” Lawrence made great efforts to keep his volcanic temper under control.“Look, let’s go outside, so you can have a good look at my old girl. If, after that, you still don’t want to go on a ride, I’ll understand, but the decision has to be based on your own thoughts and opinions, not on some prick’s poisoned words.”

“Deal.” Albert nodded in understanding and approval, then followed the biker outside the room and the house, Brianand the others hot on his heels. “Wow, what a beauty!” He exclaimed at the sight of the bike parked at the end of the driveway.

“Thank you.” A light shade of pink colored Lawrence’s cheeks at the compliment. “As I said earlier, I built her by myself, using only salvaged parts, except the engine. Back then, I didn’t know how to fix a malfunctioning one, but now, thanks to our friend the librarian…”

“She looks like she’s brand new, I bet you spend a lot of time taking care of her.” Albert said, looking in awe at the bike, like a child looked at a toy they knew their parents couldn't afford to buy for them. “Can I touch her, please?”

“Of course you can,” Lawrence answered in a soft voice, his eyes shining with pride. “And yes, I do, because it’s like being in a relationship. Just like a life partner needs to be pampered from time to time, surprised with flowers, small gifts, or romantic dinners, for a long, harmonious relationship, the chopper needs to have the tires and oil changed on time, the engine checked, and also needs to be cleaned and polished.”

Albert ran his fingers along the chromed parts of the bike, so shiny they seemed made of silver. “Um…I think I’m ready for that ride, if the offer still stands. I heard you saying something about a helmet and protective equipment, can you please…”

“Yeah, sure.” Lawrence took the small backpack hanging on the motorbike’s handlebar and rummaged through it. “Here you are, protection pads for the whole arms and legs. There,” he pointed to the other side of the handlebar, “is the helmet.”

“Oh, thank you,” Albert whispered, embarrassed that he didn’t see the backpack and helmet. Rick was right, you’reuseless, the baker scolded himself while he put the equipment on, but it only took a few seconds for his mood to brighten up again. “Everything is so comfortable.”

“Hearing this makes me happy.” Lawrence had the same shine in his eyes like when he stepped into Brian’s and Bart’s dining-room.“Welcome aboard,” he proudly smiled while helping Albert climb on the chopper.

“Have fun,” the hosts, Edward, and Julien said in sync as the motorbike took off. “I hope this won’t backfire,” Brian sighed, heading into the house. “I mean, Lawrence is a great guy, him and Albert would make a great pair together, but…”

“He'll be alright.” Julien said in a somewhat flat voice as he walked back into the house. Both of them will; you worry too much.”

“Lawrence will help Albert heal and forget about that abusive bastard, and in turn my best friend will help him get over his insecurities, I’m sure of it.” Brian grinned. “And besides, I’m not pacing the floor yet.”

“I give you five minutes.” Julien flashed a cute grin in the librarian’s direction, then turned to Bart. “Your darling husband here will wear holes in the dining-room floor in less than five minutes; I bet all my money on it.”

“It will only take two minutes for him to start,” the blond smiled knowingly. “Scratch that, he already started.”

“It’s not funny, you guys,” Brian protested, his words greeted by a choir of laughter. “I am worried, you know, I…” He stopped mid-sentenced and joined the other three. There’s more about life than constantly worrying over one thing or another,the librarian said to himself, pushing all the bad thoughts into the back of his mind.

***********

A sigh of relief escaped Lawrence’s throat as he dropped his pants and boxers, kicking out of them and ripping his socks off his feet. Albert’s gorgeous light-brown eyes heated with appreciation as the biker stalked over to the bed. He preened a little bit with pride in the baker’s blatant appreciation of his body.

I still manage to keep myself in good shape, Lawrence said to himself, smiling inwardly with satisfaction. He was well-toned and had quite a bit of muscular mass on his frame, all those around him complimenting the man on his body.The guard just smiled and thanked them with a nod, secretly wishing for someone who would spend hours and days on end just caressing him and letting himself be caressed.

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