Page 10 of Property of Spike

“Alright,” Spike says, his voice steady. “Then tell me what you need. Do you have diapers?”

“Yeah,” I answer, pulling the diaper bag from my back. “I need to feed him first.”

“We’ll step out and give you some privacy,” he says, standing.

I glance around nervously, my cheeks flaming. “I...uhm.”

“You’re safe here,” Spike says firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Nobody’s gonna bother you, Riley. They wouldn’t dare.”

Tank mutters something under his breath, but I can’t focus on it. Asher’s cries are growing louder, insistent, and I know I need to act quickly. Swallowing hard, I nod and lay Asher on the couch next to me so I can adjust to a more comfortable position.

Spike steps back, his imposing presence hovering nearby. He doesn’t move far, though, and something about his watchful gaze gives me the tiniest flicker of reassurance. For a moment, I dare to hope we’ll be okay. Even if only for the next few minutes.

I settle into position, grabbing the pillow and blanket someone left earlier, and place them across my lap. Asher’s cries quiet slightly as I lift him into my arms, but even as I prepare to feed him, exhaustion begins to tug at me again. My eyelids grow heavy, and I can already feel myself starting to drift off.

“Wait,” I call out, my voice faint, as I notice Spike starting to close the door. “I’m afraid I’m going to fall asleep and drop him,” I admit, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment. “Is there someone here who can maybe… sit with me?”

Spike freezes mid-step, his expression unreadable as he lets out a sharp exhale. “Fuck,” he whispers under his breath, rubbing a hand down his face.

I immediately regret asking, panic blooming in my chest. “Never mind,” I say quickly. “I’ll figure it out. I’ll stand and feed him. I won’t fall asleep that way. I’ve had to do it several times already, so I know it works.”

“I’ll stay with her,” Tank offers casually, his voice low.

Spike whirls on him, glaring with such intensity that even I flinch. “Over my dead fucking body will you watch her breastfeed,” he growls. His tone is low, menacing, and full of an unfamiliar protectiveness that seems to surprise even him. “Is your sister here?”

“She and her husband left for a few weeks,” Tank replies, his brows furrowing.

Spike curses under his breath again, his frustration palpable.

“It’s okay,” I say softly, trying to diffuse the tension. I quickly stand, ignoring the sudden onset of dizziness. “Really. I’ll stand and feed him. I can manage.”

For a moment, Spike stares at me, his jaw tight as though waging some internal war. Finally, he mutters, “No. You’re not doing that. Sit down.”

I hesitate, unsure of what he’s planning.

“I’ll sit across the room behind you so you can still have privacy,” he says, his voice softer now but still firm. “You feed your kid, Riley. I’ll stay here and make sure you don’t fall asleep.”

The softness in his tone takes me off guard, but I nod slowly, sinking back onto the couch. Asher fusses in my arms, but this time, the weight in my chest feels a little lighter.

“This will probably take thirty minutes,” I admit as the door closes, and I’m alone with a man I don’t even know. But, even still, I feel more safe than I have in years.

“That’s fine, babe,” he mutters from somewhere behind me. “Just feed your boy. I’ll keep you both safe.”

Using the blanket to shield myself, I do just that.

***Spike***

Longest twenty minutes of my fucking life.

Why the fuck did I get hard at a woman I don’t even know breastfeeding a baby that’s not mine? It’d make sense if it were my woman and my kid. But this?

This is caveman shit.

Just knowing she’s feeding a baby is enough to make me want to grab her and claim her for myself.

Fucking idiot.

It’s not like I saw anything. She’s all the way across the room and covered up. My brain knows that, but apparently, my dick didn’t get the memo.

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