Page 11 of Protected By the Bikers Next Door
As he pulls away to greet Pam, I allow myself to marvel at his strength for a second, my eyes lingering on his strong arms and shoulders, and remembering the perfectly hairy chest that lies under his t-shirt. Perhaps noticing this, Pam tactfully makes her excuses and leaves us alone.
“You look incredible,” Bear says, and I blush.
“I look as out of place as the cupcakes I made.”
“Now that couldn’t be further from the truth. You belong here, and cupcakes belong everywhere.” To prove his point, he picks up a cupcake and bites into it, making yummy noises as he eats it. I’m impressed at how he manages not to get any crumbs in his beard, and I tell him so.
“Years of practice. I happen to be an expert cupcake eater, muffins too,” he adds with a wink, and I can’t help but wonder if he meant it as a deliberate insinuation. My pussy certainlythinks so as she twitches in my pants at the thought of Bear going down on me.
At that moment, Wolf appears, having dealt with whatever problem there was. “Bear, quit hogging Harper. We gotta introduce her to everyone.” He tosses us both a beer, and we reluctantly follow him outside.
There’s no sign of the blonde woman that Wolf was talking to before, and as I’m introduced to all of the members and old ladies, I’m told that’s what wives and girlfriends are referred to as. Club bunnies are kind of like band groupies. Thankfully, there are none here. Apparently, Wolf and the guys only invited a smaller circle of friends and members today. There’s a clubhouse/bar that can fit everyone, but Wolf often hosts parties here to keep the eyes of the general public out, or to get some peace from the club bunnies and new prospects.
Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. It feels good to socialize again. I’ve been isolated and alone for so long, afraid to get close to anyone, especially since my divorce. I didn’t realize how much I missed being a part of a community.
I hardly realize how fast time is flying by until I notice that the party is thinning out and several people have already left. Pam, Jim, and Sammy say their goodbyes, and all the other kids have gone too, leaving the guys to amuse Jenny. Soon, she gets tired and crashes out in a hammock. Hawk fetches a blanket, gently draping it over her. I should take her home, but as the last of the guests leave for the clubhouse where the party will continue, I realize that this is my chance to talk to the guys alone.
The conversation starts as you might expect, with general chatter about our likes and dislikes, work—I’m a freelancegraphic designer, and they’re ex-forces, so technically retired, but they do odd jobs, and of course, they have the clubhouse to run. They don’t press me for too much information about the past, nor do they offer up much about themselves beyond the surface level, something I’m grateful for. I don’t talk about my past.
We get along well, making each other laugh, and the conversation flows easily, which gives me the confidence I need to broach the subject of the roses I found on my doorstep. “Someone left roses on my doorstep this week. I don’t suppose you saw who?” I say, trying to be coy.
“Did they leave a note?” Hawk asks sensibly.
“Yes, it said ‘Miss me, beautiful?’” I say, my cheeks growing hot from embarrassment.
“And you’ve no idea who left them? An ex, maybe? Jenny’s dad?”
I shake my head. “There’s no way. He’s well out of the picture and dating someone else; besides, he lives a few hours away. I don’t know anyone else, other than you. I thought maybe one of you might have left them…” My voice trails off as I realize how stupid I sound. They’re probably going to laugh at me. “Maybe as a joke…another prank,” I backtrack.
“We’re not exactly the flower-giving type…” Hawk says, running his hand through that long, straight hair.
“I’d buy you roses if you want, but this wasn’t me. A secret admirer, I guess. I’m more the obvious admirer kind,” Bear says with a grin, doing precisely that as his eyes drift to my cleavage in a way that could be lecherous from anyone other than him.As it is, I feel strangely proud of my ample breasts and his clear attraction to them.
“None of us would be that cowardly. We’d just tell you to your face what we wanted,” Wolf confirms.
“Right, yes, I thought so. It was stupid of me to even suggest you’d see me like that…” I say, jumping to my feet and wishing the ground would swallow me whole.
Wolf gets up, too, coming over and standing so close that I feel as if I could drown in him. “I didn’t say that, now, did I? Just because the flowers weren’t us, doesn’t mean—”
“Mommy, is it home time yet? My tummy aches,” Jenny moans, breaking the moment.
“Of course we can go home, sweetie.”
Bear gets up and goes to Jenny, scooping her up before I get the chance. I don’t bother to protest when all three insist on walking me home. We stop in our tracks when we see the bouquet of roses on my front porch.
I rush up to look at the note attached:You look beautiful when you sleep.
I turn the note around, and my heart stops. It’s a Polaroid photo, taken through my living room window of me sleeping on the couch. Based on the picture, I can tell it was taken on the first night we moved in. Whoever this person is, they’ve been watching me for a whole week without me noticing.
Wordlessly, with trembling hands, I pass it over to Wolf. A dark look of anger crosses his face. “This isn’t us, Harper. But I promise you, we’ll find out who it is.”
Chapter 6
Harper
The next day is hotter than hell, and Jenny and I are lethargic and sweaty. We’re rather unenthusiastically playing with Jenny’s plush toys in her room when the sound of splashing next door draws our attention, and I think how nice it would be to have a pool. Jenny rushes over to look out the window. I give in to my curiosity and join her.
I’m greeted by the sight of Wolf, Bear, and Hawk hanging out around the pool, wearing only swimming trunks. Their chiseled abs glisten with droplets of water. They look like Greek gods, and my jaw practically drops to the floor. I try to tear my eyes away, to distract Jenny with her toys, but I can’t stop looking at them.
