Page 8 of Protected By the Bikers Next Door (Never Just One #4)

Harper

T he 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.

“Mommy, can we go swim with Bear?” Jenny asks, looking at me pleadingly.

She clearly has a favorite, I think, with a smile.

If only I could pick one of them I liked the most, too.

I’ve never had this before, where I’m attracted to more than one guy at a time.

Admittedly, I don’t know Hawk all that well, but that doesn’t stop me from admiring the way he expertly dives into the pool, swimming an entire length before coming up for air.

As tempting as spending the day ogling their half-naked bodies and cooling off in a refreshing swimming pool sounds, I can’t just show up and use their pool.

I’ve already pushed myself on them too much and asked for too much from them as it is.

“Sorry, sweetheart, we can’t just turn up at the neighbors’ and demand to use their pool whenever we feel like it. They have to invite us.”

As fate would have it, I glance away from Jenny’s disappointed face and back out the window for one last look, and Wolf spots me.

He waves and points at the pool, before gesturing with his hand the universal ‘come on over’ signal.

There’s no misunderstanding what he’s saying.

Even my five-year-old understands he’s inviting us over to swim.

“Can we go now, Mommy? Wolf invited us!”

Jenny looks so excited, and if I’m being frank with myself, I want to go over as much as she does.

“Okay, sweetheart.”

Jenny beams at me, wrapping her arms around my waist and thanking me before immediately racing to her dresser to pull out her swimsuit. I hold up my hand, fingers splayed, to tell them I won’t be long before heading to my room to change, too.

Much to my disappointment, the only swimsuit I own is a rather sad, black one-piece that’s a little too snug.

My breasts are practically popping out, and there’s more of my ass on display than I care for, but at least it is the kind that pushes your stomach in.

I grab a sarong to cover my thighs, throw on some shades, and then fill a bag with towels, suncream, Jenny’s floaties, and anything else I can think we might need.

As usual, I’m grateful to Jenny, who breaks the ice for me by immediately rushing over like a ball of energy to say hello and demand that Bear go in the pool with her. I only have enough time to wrestle her floaties on before she jumps right in, squealing with glee as Bear tosses her in the air.

“Thanks for inviting us over, Jenny’s been desperate to come back and use the pool since yesterday,” I say, hovering awkwardly, uncertain of what to do.

“You’re welcome any time. Come sit,” Wolf replies, patting the sun lounger beside him.

I do as I’m told, carefully arranging my sarong so I don’t accidentally expose more than intended. “Thanks again for the invite yesterday. Jenny had a blast.”

“And you didn’t?” Hawk asks, studying me intently.

“No, I mean I had a great time too, of course,” I reply hurriedly. I’m surprised to find it’s the truth. Usually, I feel uncomfortable around new people, afraid I’ll say the wrong thing.

He nods, his expression unreadable as usual. “Can I get you a drink?”

The guys are drinking beer, but I need to remain clearheaded around them. I already feel overwhelmed in their presence. “Sure, whatever soft drinks you’ve got left from yesterday will be fine, or even just water.”

“Coming right up.” As he slinks away, I can’t help but watch the ripple of the muscles in his back and the way his trunks hug his ass as he walks away.

I can feel Wolf’s gaze on me. I can’t tell if it’s the sun or him making me feel so hot. I start to lather on suncream just to distract from his intense focus.

“Let me get your back,” he says, standing and coming over.

Wolf has a way of speaking that’s so commanding, so authoritative that you automatically do as he says without really considering refusing him.

The second he touches me, I feel as if every nerve is alight, and my skin is the most sensitive it’s ever been.

Somehow, his rubbing lotion on my shoulders becomes the most arousing thing I’ve ever experienced, and to my horror, I find myself getting wet.

At that moment, Hawk appears with a glass of peach iced tea, which I had commented on how much I liked yesterday. “You remembered,” I say with a smile.

It’s rare for a man to be so observant. My ex never knew what I liked or wanted, no matter how many obvious hints I gave him.

Hawk doesn’t reply, simply inclining his head in acknowledgement as he hands it over to me.

Our fingertips touch as he does, sending another current of electricity between us.

I was barely holding it together with Wolf massaging my shoulders as he takes his time rubbing the suncream in.

Now that Hawk is touching me, I can’t take it. It’s too much.

“Actually, I think I’m gonna hop in the pool,” I say, abruptly leaping out of my chair. I don’t dare turn to look at Wolf, sure that he will somehow know exactly how much of an effect his touch had on me.

I take a large gulp of my tea, hoping the ice-cold drink will somehow cool me off, before placing it on a table and diving into the deep end of the pool.

The cold water momentarily takes my breath away, precisely what I needed to snap me out of the horny trance Wolf was putting me in.

I swim over to join Jenny and Bear in the shallow end.

“Yay, Mommy!” Jenny cries, splashing her way over to me and wrapping her arms around my neck, attaching herself to me like a limpet.

“You’re getting so good at swimming, now,” I remark. “Maybe we can try without the floaties?”

Jenny looks appalled by the suggestion; she’s become so dependent on the floaties, I worry I’ll never get her out of them. Seeing this, Bear steps in.

“How about I show you my super special magic trick that means you can float without the floaties?”

Jenny eyes him suspiciously. “Okay,” she warily agrees.

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.