Page 13 of Protected By the Bikers Next Door
Bear demonstrates how to float in the water, and Jenny eagerly declares she wants to learn. When the time comes to take off her floaties to learn, though, she’s a little less sure, and it takes us both coaxing her to convince her to do it. However, with all the bravery and fast adaptation of a small child, she’s soon not only floating, but doggy paddling around the pool without her floaties. The impromptu swimming lesson soon descends into general horseplay with us all splashing around.
Bear scoops me into his strong arms, and I laugh and play fight with him. Somehow, we end up with my legs wrapped around his waist, and I’m pressed against his strong chest. For the second time, I find myself getting aroused. There’s an awkward, charged moment between us before Jenny breaks the ice, demanding that we watch her jump into the pool. Wolf and Hawk jump in too, expertly demonstrating to Jenny how to dive.
Everything is fine. I keep my distance from the guys, content to watch them teach Jenny and enjoy seeing her having so much fun. But then she says she needs to use the bathroom,confidently refusing my offer to accompany her. When the guys assure me she’ll be fine to head to the bathroom alone, I reluctantly allow her to. However, without Jenny’s presence to buffer and neutralize the sexual tension, the air soon becomes heavy, and I’m all too aware of the guys’ presence as they circle me like sharks, teasing and flirting. Again, I become overwhelmed, and I run from them.
“I’m getting all pruney,” I say, showing my wrinkled fingers before climbing out of the pool and immediately covering myself with a towel. I throw a towel around Jenny’s shoulders the moment she gets back to prevent her from going in the pool again. “Thanks for letting us come over and use the pool. We should probably get going. I’ve got to cook dinner, and Jenny has some homework to finish before school tomorrow.”
“What homework does a kindergarten student have?” Wolf asks.
“Aw, Mommy, can’t we stay just a little bit longer?”
“Not this time, it’s time to go,” I say firmly. “Say thank you for having us.”
The guys all climb out of the pool to say goodbye, and I try not to look at their bodies. I can feel my cheeks burning, and I pray they don’t notice. How mortifying if they realized their chubby single-mom neighbor has an unrequited crush on them when they’re just being friendly.
“You’re welcome to come over anytime, both of you,” Wolf reiterates.
I nod, grabbing Jenny’s hand. “Thanks,” I squeak before rushing back to the safety of our house.
I throw myself into my mom duties, hoping to remind myself of all the reasons why I need to get over this attraction to the neighbors. I’m a mom. Not some horny college girl or club bunny. I’m sure that if I threw myself at any of them, they might reciprocate; they’re single guys after all. I don’t know many men who turn down sex when it’s handed on a plate. But that doesn’t mean I could have any sort of relationship with any of them. Every single one of them is out of my league, and if I were to have sex with one of them, it would only make things awkward.
I need to face facts—not one of those men would want a relationship with a woman like me.
Chapter 7
Harper
Iwake early Monday morning, abruptly, wide awake despite the fact that the sun is only just peeking above the horizon. Wrapping my robe tight around me and shivering in the cool morning air, I make my way downstairs as quietly as I can. Jenny is still asleep, and she doesn’t need to be up for at least an hour. All the swimming she did yesterday tired her out, and she went straight to bed on time without her usual protests.
When I reach the bottom of the stairs, I notice the culprit for my early rising. Slipped under the door is a blank envelope. I must have heard whoever it was dropping it off. My heart hammers in my chest as I realize that it could be another sinister delivery from my secret admirer. Steeling myself, I pick up the envelope. Before checking its contents, I fling the door open, but unsurprisingly, whoever delivered it is long gone, and the street is deserted.
Shutting it behind me, I head into the kitchen to make myself a coffee, deliberately putting off opening the envelope so that I can pretend that it’s something innocent for just a bit longer. When I’ve finished making my coffee, I can’t put it off any longer. I take a deep breath to gather my courage and face whatever is inside, then open it.
I tip out the contents onto the table, and all of the blood drains from my face. Inside the envelope are photos, dozens of pictures of me and Jenny. Me dropping her off at school, Jenny playing outside during recess, Jenny and I having dinner, metaking a shower, and even photos of me sleeping. All the images were taken from a distance, outside the house, through the windows. I immediately get up to close the blinds, feeling like an animal in a zoo. What if they’re watching me right now?
I feel sick to think of this weirdo watching us constantly from a distance, hiding in the shadows. The fact that he’s also watching Jenny makes me want to vomit. I need to protect my little girl, no matter what the cost. I briefly wonder if it’s somehow my ex, if he’s watching her, ready to take his chance if he spots the slightest sign that Jenny isn’t being cared for properly. But I don’t think even he would stoop so low and there’s no way he could find me.
Who is this person, and what do they want from me? This time, there isn’t a note, which somehow makes the photos even more sinister. Do they simply want me to know that they’re always watching us?
My heart plummets as I realize I haven’t checked in on Jenny this morning. I jump up, knocking my almost empty coffee cup over in the process, the mug shattering as it hits the floor. I don’t bother to clean it up. I race up the stairs, taking them two at a time, until I reach Jenny’s room. I open the door, picturing the worst, and that I’ll find an empty bed. To my relief, Jenny is there, sleeping soundly.
I watch her for a moment, my heart rate slowing as the fact that she is safe sinks in, calming my nerves. However, the threat is real, and whoever is leaving me these notes is escalating their behavior. I know it’s too early, that I’ll be waking him up, but I just can’t wait. I call Wolf.
He answers after only a few rings, his voice hoarse from just waking up, giving him a gravelly tone that suits him. Anyother time I’d find it sexy, but I’m too freaked out for that. I apologize for waking him and explain as calmly as I can what has happened.
“I’ll be right over,” he says, hanging up before I can respond.
While I’m waiting, I clean up the broken mug, put on another pot of coffee, and start mixing up some pancake batter, wanting something to do to distract me from obsessing over the photos. A short while later, there’s a knock at the door, and to my surprise, all three men are standing there.
“Thank you for coming, all of you. I’m sorry I woke you up. Please, come on in.”
“We’ve already secured the perimeter outside. There’s no one here,” Wolf tells me, easing my worries that the stalker is still close by watching us.
“Thank you,” I reply, my voice barely more than a whisper as I try to hold back the tears that sting at the corner of my eyes.
“Are you okay, Harper?” Bear asks. There’s so much concern in his eyes that when he gently places his hand on my shoulder, I find myself falling into his arms and hugging him. If he’s surprised, he doesn’t show it; he simply holds me and gives me the comfort I need while the other two quickly and efficiently search the house.
“All clear,” Hawk confirms when they return.
