Page 48 of Silver Spoon MC Collection: Loni's Crew

We end up sitting at the bar for an hour discussing our out-of-left-field women problems. Hacker promises to do a full investigation on my little love and keep an eye on her while I rearrange my schedule to allow time to woo my woman.

CHAPTERFORTY-FIVE

OAKLEY

“Wow. That guy has the hots for you,” Scarlett whispers across the counter, and I glance over my shoulder to get a glimpse of the drop-dead gorgeous biker who’s been staring at me since I walked in the door a few moments ago. I feel my blood heat as his dark brown eyes move over my body and quickly look away before he catches me staring back.

This entire freaking town is filled with the hottest men I’ve ever seen. “He does not,” I argue with my new friend. “Not like the other guy has for you.” It’s true. The tall, handsome biker has been in here watching Scarlett every time I’ve come in to see her over the last week or so.

Scarlett is the only person I know in Silver Spoon Falls except for my Aunt Tilly. I met her on my first trip to the local bookstore, and we’ve become fast friends. When I moved here two months ago to take a position teaching ninth-grade English at Silver Spoon Falls High School, I had no idea what was in store for a quiet, shy virgin like me. Everywhere you look, there’s male hotness. It’s not fair to have all these stunning men around and I’m on a male diet.

Tired of living under my controlling parents’ thumbs, I worked my rear off and graduated from college in three years. It wasn’t easy, but I managed. The round-the-clock studying didn’t leave me any time for dating, and I’ve pretty much avoided the opposite sex like the plague my entire life. Being a shy, overweight, awkward teenager didn’t help the situation.

“They’re leaving,” Scarlett hisses under her breath, and I look up from the book I’m pretending to read and watch the two hot bikers walk out the door. The air suddenly shifts as they disappear from sight. That was freaking intense. Disappointment cuts through me as I turn back to the real reason I came into the bookstore today.

“I’ll take this book.” I hand Scarlett the historical romance I’ve been eyeing for a while.

After finishing up my purchase, I head home. Moose will be mad at me if I don’t take him for a walk soon.

Walking up our front sidewalk, I hear Moose growling. “Stop whining. I’m making your dinner now. It’s not like you’re going to waste away,” Aunt Tilly grumbles to my impatient dog.

“Hi.” I walk in and drop my bag on the table in the hallway. Moose runs over and dances at my feet, and I pick up my little chihuahua and give him a hug. “Were you a good boy today?”

“It depends on your definition of a good boy.” Aunt Tilly laughs. “If you consider eating one of my pink house slippers and peeing on the rug by the door good, then he was a very good boy.” She shakes her head.

“Moose.” I hold the small dog up to my face and give him my best disappointed glare. “You’ve been a bad boy. No puppy ice cream for you this week.” Even as I say the words, I know they’re a lie. I can’t deny my little furry friend anything. I let him down, and my little traitor runs right to the door and dances.

“He’s pulling a fast one on you.” Aunt Tilly laughs. “I just took him out five minutes ago.” Little stinker. We ignore him, and he finally gives up and pouts. “How was school today?” Aunt Tilly asks as I reach for a banana to snack on.

“It’s getting better.” I shrug. “Slowly.” Very slowly. My teenage students are having a hard time taking orders from a new teacher just a few years older than them. I turn to my mother’s younger sister and smile. “How was your day? Did you get a bunch of orders out?”

My aunt makes homemade organic candles and soaps. Her small online business has grown over the years, and she’s gotten to the point that she might need to hire a couple of employees to keep up with all the orders.

“I’m all caught up.” She smiles. “For a day or two.” It’s never-ending. She spends part of the week making the items, then the rest of the week filling hundreds of orders.

“Can I help you with dinner?” I ask, but Aunt Tilly shakes her head.

“I got it covered. The roast is in the oven and everything else is ready. We have about an hour before dinner. Why don’t you take Mr. I Lead a Hard Life out for a walk?”

“That sounds great. I’ll run up and change clothes.” I head for the door.

When my little dog chases after me, I turn and tell him, “I have a ton of papers to grade after dinner, so you’re going to have to be a good boy.” Yeah. Right.

The warm Texas air hits me in the face the second I step out the door. Moose ignores the heat and pulls me down the sidewalk. “Wait up,” I grumble, trying to keep up with him. Our daily walks consist of him tugging me around the block three or four times.

That night, after I shower and lay in bed, sleep completely eludes me. Every time I close my eyes, I picture the smoking hot biker’s stare. When my alarm finally rings way the flip too early, I groan and roll over. “Today will be just great,” I grumble to myself. Running my hand through my bedhead, I pull myself together before dragging my tired body to the bathroom. Luckily, the week is almost over. Just today and tomorrow to go.

CHAPTERFORTY-SIX

LYNCH

Hacker ends up coming through big time. By Friday, he has an entire report on my little love.

Sitting back in my office chair, I scan through the email from him.

Oakley Jeannette Webb

Twenty-four years old

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