Page 41 of Biker Daddy

Chapter Ten

Drew

Drew plucked the chords of his guitar, singing softly, watching the girl who was once his, the song he sang, once theirs. The melody flowed from the deepest parts of him—he needed to remember, needed her to remember them too.

“Remember yesterday, walking hand in hand…”

He’d sworn he’d never let anyone in his heart again, but Addi had never left and she’d taken up every inch of space inside it. He’d promised himself he’d never hurt another good girl like he’d hurt Addi. But here she was, back in his life, and it had taken every bit of strength inside him to stay away from her earlier.

He’d wanted to hold her, protect her, take her inside him where nothing could hurt her, but more than anything he wanted to bury himself in her… deep inside her soft warmth… and stroke the place within her that would make her call out his name.

God, she was so sweet and beautiful, always, but especially in the firelight among nature. He looked at the strings of the guitar again, breaking their intense stare, and finished the song. There was silence after. Just the sound of snapping firewood, crickets, and tree frogs from the marsh.

He glanced up, wondering if he’d imagined her. But there she was, her hair so dark it was almost black, shimmering in the light. And her eyes, wide, innocent and in awe of him, squeezed his chest. She trusted him. She needed him. But how could he possibly be what she both needed and deserved?

He dropped the guitar. It thrummed hauntingly as it landed. He’d have left, let the lawyer deal with everything, and protected her by being gone, but dammit! Ray had made him promise. And fuck! Ray knew—he knew everything about Drew and his past. He knew about Drew’s feelings for Addi. How the fuck could Ray ask that?

How could anyone trust him with a woman like Addi?

Drew lowered his head into his hands, leaning his elbows on his knees. Maybe this was his punishment. Maybe being everything she needed now to get her through Ray’s death was karma. He’d survived before. He’d fallen in love with her, but he’d taken care of her then, too. It had killed him to walk away, killed her, but he’d have done it all over to protect her, and he’d do it again now—only this time she needed protection from him as well.

He’d be there for her. But no way would he allow her to fall for him again. No fucking way. He’d have to show her she wanted nothing to do with Drew Fitzer as a lover. Hell. He’d have to be an asshole. He was good at that, but with her it wouldn’t be easy. God, the way she looked at him tore him up. That trust and vulnerability—those melted dark chocolate eyes.

Drew stood, his long legs holding him steady as he picked up his coat—a plaid jacket he used for working around the camp when it was chilly—and carried it to her. She held his eyes and stood so he could put it on her. They remained silent as he walked her back through the forest. Would they both wonder if this was a dream in the morning? He caught her when she tripped over a stump, and the force swung her around to face him, so he pulled her against his chest. Her breath on his skin was intoxicating.

“It was beautiful.” Her words were barely audible so he pretended he hadn’t heard them. He turned her back around and started walking again. If he spoke, she’d hear emotion in his voice. If he spoke, she’d turn to face him again. If he spoke, he’d tell her that the song was hers—theirs—he’d tell her he loved her.

The crickets still chirped and frogs still sang and it soothed him. It was the music he fell asleep to nightly. He wondered if it would lull her too. How much had she changed? Her hair shined like dark brown silk and her face, although carrying visible stress, was still a golden honey color from her mother’s indigenous heritage. Addi’s almond-shaped eyes flickered to his.

And still neither spoke.

The moon shimmered in those pensive eyes and he knew part of the shine was emotion she refused to unleash. She needed to cry again, but she’d always been so determined to show the world strength and control—she held onto it like armor. How could he show her there was just as much strength in giving in, shedding tears and sharing her vulnerability?

He opened the cabin door and she put a hand on his chest. He almost moaned at her touch. Light spilled out of the door and her eyes were pleading. “I’m sorry for what I said in the office. I should have known better.” Her eyes lowered to the deck. “I feel a connection to you because of Ray, because of this camp, and our past, but we’re nothing but strangers.” Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “I’m a good distraction. And Ray asked. And well, I needed something, too.”

“What?” His voice was sharp. “Addianna.” Her name both scolded and scalded from his tongue. “Don’t.” His jaw ticked and he pointed a long finger at her.

“Don’t what? Admit the truth?” She looked away, blowing out. “I know this isn’t real. I know you’re being nice because Uncle Ray asked you to, and because it’s easy, but I need some reality to keep me on the ground. And that reality is, outside of this situation, I’m not good enough for you. You’re gorgeous and strong and well, I’m just me.” She looked down at herself.

“Jesus!” He ran a hand roughly through his hair. “Get your ass in that cabin, little girl.” Her not good enough for him? The idea was so ass-backwards he snorted, clenching his hands tightly to keep from shaking some sense into her.

Her eyes widened with a start and she stood frozen to the spot. Couldn’t she see how he struggled not to rip her clothes off and plant himself deep inside her lush body?He needed to show her, first how she turned him to fucking lava and then why she should stay the hell away from him.

“Baby girl, you’d better move it. When Daddy tells you something, you damn well do it.”

She swallowed whatever was on the tip of her tongue and spun, pushing the door open wider. He followed swiftly, making her scramble with a sharp swat to her ass.

When she turned back, mouth agape from his swat, he reached for her, wrapping his hand around the back of her neck, and pushed her with his body against the wall. His eyes went to her mouth. God, he needed to taste her again. Her mouth closed, leaving nothing but a slit between her full lips. He bit the corner of his mouth, trying to hold back but when her tongue darted out to wet those slightly parted lips, he dove for her.

The feel of her lips, so soft and pliable, undid him. The kiss would never be enough. He needed more, but damn, he would take his time with her.

He took her hands from his chest and bound her wrists with one hand, pulling them above her head.

“Just you is exactly what I want,” he whispered, leaning down to nuzzle the base of her neck with his nose. He breathed in her scent. “You’re intoxicating.” His mouth closed over her neck and his teeth scraped her collarbone, making her arch toward him before his tongue soothed and she relaxed.

“Those clothes are coming off,” he said in a raspy whisper, pulling her off the wall and releasing her hands. “Unbutton your shirt.” She blinked at his demand, possibly weighing her options. He took a step toward her and she went for the top button. He took her hands.

“You hesitated.” He turned her and put her hands against the wall. “Don’t move unless I give you permission.” She nodded and he smiled behind her back.

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