Page 7 of Protected By the Bikers Next Door (Never Just One #4)
Pam glances sideways at me before letting out a bark of laughter. “You really don’t know, do you? How do you know the guys again?”
“I’m their new neighbor. I’ve only known them for a week.”
“Well, that would explain it. They’ve managed to scare off everyone else who’s tried to live in that house. Pretty thing like you, they don’t want to run you off by telling you you’re living next door to the home of the president of the Shadow Pack Motorcycle Club.”
“A motorcycle club? Like a gang?” I ask, worriedly glancing at Jenny.
As much as I like the guys, and they seem like good men, I can’t have illegal activities going on next door. If my ex gets a whiff of anything remotely harmful to Jenny, I could lose custody. Not that he wants to have her with him, the only reason he’s fought me on it is to spite me.
As if reading my mind, Pam replies. “No, nothing like a gang. They aren’t one percenters.
” Seeing the confusion on my face, she explains.
“They don’t do anything illegal. It’s all above board, just a group of people who love motorcycles.
They do a lot for the community, helping young people stay off drugs and keep their noses out of trouble, like Jim. ”
“Well, that’s a relief,” I reply, laughing shakily. “I feel foolish for not figuring it out earlier. The nicknames, motorcycles, leathers, and tattoos were all giveaways.”
“Don’t be.”
Pam makes me feel at ease. She has a calming sort of presence, the kind of person who’s seen it all and can offer advice on just about anything.
I smile back at her gratefully. The sound of the front door slamming shut diverts our attention, and we look up to see Bear striding into the house, carrying four crates of beer, seemingly unbothered by the heavy load as he carries it with ease.
He places it on the side in the kitchen, and before anyone can say a word of greeting, Jenny leaps out of her chair and rushes over to him.
“Bear!” she cries with joy, launching herself into his arms. He swings her around and turns her upside down, making her squeal with glee. Sammy then insists that he has a turn, and the pair fight over Bear for a moment, hoarding his attention while Pam and I watch.
“Alright, you two, that’s enough. Uncle Bear is getting tired and needs to say hello to everyone.
Why don’t you go play on the swing?” he pants, hamming up his exhaustion when in reality he hasn’t even broken a sweat.
To my surprise, the children immediately obey, rushing off into the garden, hand in hand.
“Harper, you came,” Bear says, coming over to hug me.
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 certainly thinks 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 freelance graphic 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.”