Page 50 of Silver Spoon MC Collection: Loni's Crew

CHAPTERFORTY-SEVEN

OAKLEY

Did I wake up this morning in the twilight zone? First, the students were on their best behavior for the first time since the school year started. Then, Mr. Richardson, the principal, actually complimented me on a job well done without standing too close or making my skin crawl. My crazy day continued when I got home to find Aunt Tilly and Moose getting along.

Now, I’m sitting in the 5thAvenue Diner across from the hottest man I’ve ever met, and he is looking at me like I’m going to behisdinner. I barely resist the urge to fan myself as the air around us heats.

“I want to start this off right.” He smiles at me. “After you bowled me over in the bookstore the other day, I had my friend investigate you.”

What? Investigate me? Why? “Uh, why would you do that?” I need to know. This whole day has been crazy. Am I still sound asleep dreaming?

“Because I wanted to know everything about my future wife.” Holy cow. Either he’s crazy or I’m dreaming.

The waitress walks up to take our orders, and I get a moment to pull myself together.

After she walks away, Rafe reaches for my hand, and electricity flows through my nerve endings as his warm hand engulfs mine. I watch him bring it to his lips and almost melt on the spot. “I know this is moving fast, but I’ve never felt like this before.”

“Can we slow down and get to know each other before you propose?” I joke, but my heart flips over at the thought of this massive, handsome man on his knees at my feet.

“Sure.” He smiles and I wiggle in the seat. I’m not sure if it’s the heat surging through my blood or the wetness soaking my underwear, but this man is affecting me in crazy ways. “What do you want to know?”

“Well, since you know everything about me, why don’t you tell me about yourself?” I manage to ask Rafe.

He sits back in the booth and stares at me for a few seconds before shrugging. “I’m thirty-seven, an architect, a member of the Silver Spoon MC.” Rafe winks. “I have one sister, Quin, who’s married to an ex-navy SEAL. My grandmother raised us after our parents died.” I try to absorb everything as he rattles it off. “My MC brothers call me Lynch since I’m originally from a small town near Houston called Lynchburg. I have a home here in Silver Spoon Falls and an apartment in Houston near my office. Oh, and the most important thing: I’m highly addicted to a beautiful little schoolteacher who stole my heart at first sight.”

Well, now I know I’m in an alternate universe. “Oh,” is all I manage to mumble. “This is all happening so fast.” Great. Now, I sound like a flake.

“It is happening fast.” He rubs the back of my knuckles. “But I’ll give you time to catch up with me.”

I’m not sure I need much time. My silly heart already belongs to the hot architect.

By the time we finish our meal, I’m starting to relax in Rafe’s presence. A tiny bit. “Do you have plans for the weekend?” he asks, and I almost choke on a sip of iced tea.

“Just the usual—clean house, do laundry, and grade papers,” I tell him and realize how boring my life sounds.

“Since you’ve never been on a bike, would you let me take you on a ride tomorrow afternoon? We could stop at the Silver Spoon Falls Riviera for a picnic.” I’m nodding my head yes before my brain sends a signal to refuse.

After paying the bill, Rafe walks me to my car and takes my keys from my hand. He opens the driver’s door before wrapping his massive hands around my face. “I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon.” His warm lips touch mine and I see stars. “Drive carefully,” Rafe whispers before helping me into the seat. He reaches across me to grab the seatbelt, and I inhale his spicy masculine fragrance. Wow.

As I pull away from the diner, I see Rafe pull out and follow me. Once I park in front of my house, I notice him stop across the street to watch me walk to the front door. I give him a little wave and step into the house.

“How did your evening go?” Aunt Tilly is waiting in the living room with Moose curled up in her lap. I ignore his loud snores and drop into the recliner across from them.

“You won’t believe this,” I blurt out the entire story.

My aunt’s eyes narrow as she listens to my story. She’s worried about how fast things are happening and makes me promise to introduce Rafe to her before we leave for our ride.

After a long, hot shower, I drop into bed and find a message from Rafe.

Rafe

Goodnight, baby. Dream of me.

Like I have any choice. The hot architect has taken over my mind and heart.

Goodnight. See you tomorrow.

I message back then lay back to stare at the dark ceiling. Surprisingly, I fall asleep almost immediately and end up sleeping until nine am. I have to rush through my Saturday chores, so I have time to get ready for my date with Rafe.

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