Page 7 of Scythe (Devil Daddies MC #2)

N ow that sounded like something from a romance novel. She must have heard that wrong. “Yours?” Winnie repeated.

“Mine.”

A thrill went through her at his possessiveness. No one had ever claimed her before. Winnie stared at him, trying to figure out if he was punking her like others had in the past. She decided she should protest, so he didn’t laugh at her for believing him later. “Don’t I get any say in this?”

“Of course, as long as you say you belong to me.”

“Scythe. This isn’t funny.” She crossed her fingers on her free hand. Please let him be different from the other guys.

“Do I look like I’m making a joke?”

Winnie stared at him, dumbfounded. “You can’t just decide I’m yours after twenty-four hours. I could be a mass murderer. You could be a mass murderer.”

“It’s probably more likely that I’m a mass murderer.” When her mouth fell open in shock, he added, “I’m not. Remember, you’re always safe with me.”

His biker appearance suddenly struck her as something a bad guy would wear. In the movies, the bad guys frequently wore black. She trusted Scythe and had felt comfortable with the other Devil Daddies. Her mom had talked about how nice they were. Had she misjudged everyone?

“Others not so much?” she asked.

“Exactly.” That statement didn’t reassure her.

A trickle of chocolate ran down her hand. Scythe pulled her cone to his mouth and licked the sticky liquid away. His tongue swiped over her skin sensually. Winnie shivered from the erotic sensation. Instantly she wanted more.

“Mmm. You taste sweet, Chipmunk.”

She swayed toward him. She couldn’t think rationally with him licking her. “What are you doing with me, Scythe? Please don’t be mean.” Winnie would be crushed to have him betray her.

“I’m sorry people have treated you badly so often that you anticipate someone is messing with you. I promise I will do everything in my power to keep from hurting you. Can you trust me?”

Winnie studied his face. He meant what he said. She swallowed hard and decided to risk it all. “A promise is like a contract. You have to do what you say.”

“Okay,” Scythe agreed easily as if it were a complete no-brainer. “You’ve got a bit at the corner of your mouth.”

He threaded his fingers through her hair to draw her forward. He kissed the corner of her mouth and swept his tongue lightly over the dab, making her shiver.

Heat built inside her. Not like the mild attraction she’d experienced with her college boyfriend. She squeezed her legs together and felt herself becoming wet. Winnie turned slightly to press her mouth against his fully, and Scythe deepened the kiss.

Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, Winnie clung to the connection between them. It didn’t matter that their lives were so different. Whatever linked them together assured her he was the one.

He drew his tongue across the seam of her lips, and she opened her mouth to welcome him in. Scythe tasted like caramel, rich and exotic. But his own yummy flavor drew her in the most.

She stared at him when he lifted his head. Why was he stopping?

“We’ve got to get rid of these, Chipmunk, before we’re covered.”

Winnie glanced down at her hand still clutching the cone. She’d crushed one side, and the melted chocolate had streamed from the hole. The sticky mixture covered her fingers.

“I’m such a klutz! Did I get it on you?” she asked, holding the cone far from her borrowed jacket.

“You are not a klutz, Chipmunk. No calling yourself names. Come on. Let’s drop these in the trash.”

Scythe tightened his arm around her waist to lift Winnie to her feet. He guided her to the trashcan and plucked the cone from her hand. After tossing the ice cream in the bin, he took her sticky hand in his, holding it a safe distance from her.

“I think we’ve already made a mess. I didn’t realize,” she said and then blushed again. Ugh! He was going to run far away from her now. To her surprise, he smiled. Maybe he was different?

“Chipmunk, you would tempt a saint. Come on. Let’s visit that water fountain over there. We can rinse the stickiness off.”

In a few minutes, Scythe cleaned their skin and dried her hands on his shirt, despite her protests. “Get a drink, Chipmunk. It’s important to stay hydrated.”

“Every doctor I have tells me I need to drink more,” she blurted.

“We’ll work on that then,” he said as she sipped the arching water.

“Oh, you don’t have to worry about me. I’m all grown-up.”

That statement hung in the air as Scythe got a drink. When he stood up, he said sternly, “Little girls need help from their Daddies to take care of themselves. Many times, they’re too busy tending to everyone else and put themselves last.”

“Daddies?” she repeated, and everything seemed to click into place.

That was why he was so patient with her.

“That’s why you call me Little girl. You’re a Daddy Dom?

” She’d read all those books but figured men like that didn’t really exist. In her mind, she’d told herself that term referred to her smaller size compared to him.

“Yes, Winnie. Better than that, I’m completely convinced that I’m your Daddy Dom.”

“Oh!”

“Unfortunately, it’s time for me to get you home. Will you promise me not to panic until we talk everything over?”

She hesitated. “I’m a bit of a worrier.” Alone in her room tonight, she’d turn this conversation over and over in her mind.

“You could call me tonight when your mother is asleep if you have a question or need to talk. I’d love for you to tell me when you’re tucked into bed so I can wish you good night or read you a story.” He steered her back toward the motorcycle.

“You’d read me a story?” she asked.

“Of course. What kind of stories do you like? Fairy tales? Wizards and Magic? Animals?” Scythe picked up her helmet and fastened the strap.

“Chippy loves animals!” Winnie blurted and then slapped her hand over her mouth. She watched his face to judge his reaction. Her shoulders settled back into place when he smiled.

“Chippy, huh? Would that be your stuffed chipmunk?” He tugged to make sure the protective headgear was secure.

Her eyes widened. She tried to figure out what to say.

“I’ll have to get you one if you don’t already have a stuffed chipmunk.”

She shook her head and lowered her hand to whisper, “There could only be one Chippy.”

“Of course. Will you introduce me to Chippy soon? I’d like to meet him.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll find an animal story for Chippy and for you.”

“Thank you.”

In a few minutes, they were on their way.

This time, Winnie rested comfortably against his back with her arms locked around his waist. Riding wrapped around Scythe had become her favorite activity.

Nothing could feel better than this. Making love with Scythe jumped into her mind.

She nodded to herself. Winnie knew that would eclipse even this.

When they’d arrived at her home, Winnie had celebrated with an adorable happy dance upon seeing her car was in the driveway.

A parent of an amazing former student had his own automotive repair shop.

Winnie had called him in a tizzy. Thankfully, the mechanic remembered her fondly and had towed her car that morning.

He’d even driven it to her house after repairing her vehicle.

The keys were in front of the right rear tire.

“What’s the repair shop’s name?” Scythe asked.

“Woodson’s. It’s on Main Street.”

“Got it.” Scythe focused on Winnie. He’d check out the shop later.

“Chipmunk, I put an envelope in your bag. It’s the first installment of money from the collection we carted away last night. Don’t deposit it in your account in a lump sum. Buy groceries, gas, tip the pizza delivery guy. Banks ask questions if you drop a chunk of money in cash into an account.”

“Is it counterfeit?” she whispered.

“No. It’s real money, Winnie. I would never endanger you. You can always share the truth that your mom is selling off some of your stepfather’s possessions. Just be vague. People get weird when they think about guns changing hands.”

“Got it. I can be vague,” she promised, hoping she could actually do that.

Scythe cupped her chin and studied the sweet face that had come to mean so much to him in such a short time. “Go to bed early, Little girl. I can tell you need more rest. I’d give you a bedtime of eight, but I know you watch over your mother. Aim to get under the covers as soon as possible, okay?”

She didn’t argue. Winnie nodded and licked her lips as if she hoped he’d kiss her.

Scythe didn’t need convincing. He leaned down to capture her mouth and nibbled at her lips softly at first but then thoroughly devoured her mouth when her cute sounds urged him on.

Winnie sneaked her arms around his neck, and she held onto him as she swayed closer.

The door flew open, grabbing his attention. The woman in the front entrance was gorgeous—all toned angles and big, blond hair. Her face, while stunning, appeared hard.

“For God’s sake. Stop canoodling on the front step. What are you, twelve, Winnie?”

“I bet you need to leave, Belinda. I’ll come take care of Mom,” Winnie said, stepping away from Scythe. She squeezed his biceps as if signaling she didn’t want to go.

“Who’s this?” Belinda asked, checking out Scythe from head to toe. “I think I need to hang out with the motorcycle club. Did she catch you by wearing my dress? I look better in it.”

“The woman inside it overshadowed the dress,” Scythe answered smoothly, keeping his eyes on Winnie. Belinda didn’t interest him at all. “Call me.” He pulled her close and kissed her one more time.

Scythe lifted his head. “Call me,” he repeated. She nodded and pressed two fingers to her lips.

“Wait…,” Belinda said quickly.

“I’ll get my bike out of your stepsister’s way.” Scythe turned and walked down the driveway to where his motorcycle waited, listening to Belinda sputter behind him.

“What a jerk! He didn’t even look at me. So rude.”

“He’s incredible when you get to know him.” Winnie defended him. Scythe smiled as he moved away when she didn’t let her sister speak poorly of him.

Thanks, Little girl. He listened to Winnie change the conversation as he pulled on his helmet.

“Let’s go on in so you can grab your stuff for work. How’s Mom done today?”

“Devil Daddies? Is that what his leather vest says?” Belinda asked Winnie before yelling toward Scythe, who had reached his bike, “Hey, Daddy! I bet you’re a devil!”

“Come on, Belinda. The neighbors’ blinds are twitching. Ellen is watching,” Winnie said.

Scythe didn’t react. He fastened his helmet in place and stowed the one she’d borrowed.

He’d get a different size to fit her better tonight at the warehouse.

And another jacket. He backed into the street.

When Winnie looked back over her shoulder as they walked inside, Scythe lifted a hand and waved before holding it up to his ear like a phone. Her answering nod warmed his heart.

Checking his rearview mirror when he reached the stop sign at the corner, he saw Belinda rush out. When she discovered he had left, she angrily threw her purse and lunchbox to the driveway.

That wasn’t the reaction he expected from a stepsister.

She would have fucked him in her bedroom with the door open to spite Winnie.

He hadn’t picked up the same animosity from Winnie.

She could probably find something good in everyone—except maybe that principal.

He’d have Pirate investigate Belinda as soon as he knew her last name.

Anyone that antagonistic who stayed in close contact with Winnie would be on his watch list. Thank goodness the right sister had come to meet with Lucien.