Biker Daddy

by Kara Kelley

  “Here,” he said, placing the shirt in her hands. “No need to dig around in those bags now.” His shirt was warm and as she clasped it to her chest, she could smell him. “Do you want some privacy?” he questioned when she hadn’t moved for several moments.

  Addi shook her head, closing her eyes. She couldn’t stand the thought of being alone, even in the tiny bathroom. Modesty be damned. When she opened her eyes to look at him, his brows peaked in the middle of his forehead and his mouth formed a frown of concern.

  “Did my uncle really ask you to take care of me?”

  He swallowed hard, shoving his hands through his hair before burying them in his pockets. She saw her own want in his eyes. There was something psychological that happened in times of loss—something that drew people together, made them crave human touch, understanding, and physical comfort, especially from those who shared their loss. That’s all this was between them, and she was okay with that. He was the only other person in the world who loved her uncle like she did. They shared that, and that was more than enough.

  “Yes, Addi. Made me swear I would give you whatever support you needed. He loved you so much. He knew you’d need someone once he was gone.” His voice lowered to a whisper. “Someone like me. Who could not only read through your tough girl act, but deal with your stubborn side.”

  “Then take care of me Drew. Please.” Her words came out on a whimper, but not the kind that stemmed from a grief-stricken heart; it was one of want, intense need, and carnal urges.

  His breath quickened and he looked hesitant, almost tortured at first before he took a step closer, placing his hands on her blouse. By the time he pulled it off her arms, her nipples were tight and begging for his touch. He stared, looking pained again as his jaw clenched. He reached behind her and unhooked her bra. She mewled, arching her chest toward him. His tight expression turned to anger and she blinked in confusion. His hand threaded through her hair and she gasped as he tightened his grip and pulled her head back to devour her mouth roughly. The kiss was thorough, lengthy, and it melted her bones.

  “Turn around.” His voice was gruff with arousal and demanding. She bit her lip and did as she was told. He ran a hand down her back and she heard nothing but his ragged breathing and her own heart pounding. He took the bra straps in his hands and slid them down her shoulders and off. Her eyes fluttered closed, anticipating his touch—feeling wet and greedy for more. How long had it been since she’d been touched? So, so, long! She held her breath…waiting.

  His touch didn’t come. His shirt was over her head and on her before she could stutter the question she begged to ask…

  Why not?

  Was he not attracted to her?

  “Stay.” He lowered her bottoms down her hips and made her step out of them. “Okay, you can turn back around.” He pulled back the duvet and sheets. “Let’s get you tucked in, baby girl. The last thing you need is an ass like me taking advantage of you.”

  Addi climbed into the bed, her clit aching, and turned toward the wall. Drew covered her, tucking the blankets tight around her.

  “Drew, I understand why you won’t…” She cleared her throat. “But, will you lie with me?” Her voice was small and vulnerable and she hated it, but she didn’t want to be alone—even after his rejection.

  She heard his whispered curse and it stabbed through her like an arrow. He tucked the blanket around her tightly and climbed on top of the covers. She should have known he’d be repulsed by her. She sniffed.

  “Angel, you have no idea how hard it is for me to keep my hands to myself right now. I’m trying to be the good guy for once.”

  Chapter Six

  Addi

  Addi woke groggily, wondering where she was. Her mind flipped from home, to Daniel and Steven’s, to the B&B, dismissing each thought as it came until she remembered Uncle Ray. The realization had grief pouring over her, cold and heavy like wet cement, and then Drew came to mind. Wide-eyed, she groped the bed for him, and let out a sigh of relief when she felt nothing but cool sheets. She was alone.

  Alone. She swallowed a blip of sadness and focused on her embarrassment over asking Drew to stay with her. She gulped, harder this time. She’d propositioned him. Oh, God. She pulled the covers over her head and groaned. She had never propositioned anyone in her life.

  “Quit feeling sorry for yourself, Addianna Moore!” She kicked a leg beneath the covers, adding to her dramatics.

  Gathering a breath, she yanked the blankets off and sat up. With the curtains closed tight, she was disoriented. Had she slept all night? She clicked on the bedside lamp, blinking at the old-fashioned clock beside it. It was seven p.m. She’d only been asleep a few hours.

  Knowing she’d need a walk to clear her head and decide what she’d say to Drew before she’d be able to sleep again, she set her feet on the cool floor. She was still exhausted from all her blubbering at the funeral home. How did you apologize for bawling all over someone and then begging them to take you to bed?

  She rose, looking down at herself in Drew’s t-shirt and her shame deepened. How could she? She’d wanted to be close to another person, sure, bury herself in something that would encompass her, but to push herself on him was inexcusable.

  It wasn’t just the sex she wanted either, but Drew himself. His presence surrounded her like an ocean of warmth—sometimes tumultuous but always in control and when she gave in to him, calm and soothing.

  Screwing him would be like drowning in him. Nothing could get her once he’d fully possessed her. She would be completely his, hidden and free from the world.

  Addi pulled off his shirt, bringing it to her nose and breathing him in a moment before grabbing her own clothes, which Drew had folded neatly over the back of the chair.

  The sun was lowering in the sky and the heady scent of a fire and grilled meat in the distance made her smile. She loved that smell.

  She wasn’t sure where to look for Drew, or how to apologize, but she followed the scent of the fire until a vehicle coming up the lane made her head that way instead.

  An old VW beetle with too much rust and a bad paint job stopped in front of the office. The blonde from the bar climbed out wearing short-shorts, a black crop top, and bright red heels that matched her lipstick. A little blond boy with big glasses and a cowlick jumped out after her. She reached into the car and pulled out a tray of cupcakes. Addi tugged at her dark hair, thrown haphazardly in a ponytail, and chewed the inside of her cheek.

  “How are you?” the woman said in a sickly-sweet tone that made Addi feel diabetic.

  “I’m okay. You?” She didn’t look at the blonde woman while speaking but examined the cute kid shoving his glasses up his nose with a marker-smudged finger.

  “I’m Brent,” he said and held his tiny hand out. “We’re here to offer con-dol-enc-es.” The big word came out choppy, as if he’d been practicing.

  “Well, that’s very sweet of you, Brent. I’m Addi.” Addi crouched down and took his hand. After they shook, Addi looked at him conspiratorially. “I hope you got to eat one of those yummy cupcakes before you brought them over here.” He looked at his mother, who was busily looking around, and then nodded with a wide grin. He patted his tummy and gave her a thumbs up, whispering they’d got them from the bakery in town.

  The smile on Addi’s mouth froze when she heard Drew’s harsh voice.

  “What the hell are you doing here, Layla?” Anger contorted Drew’s face as he strode like a storm toward them. He opened his mouth, no doubt to say something rude as he seemed apt to do whenever he encountered someone other than her, when Addi took Brent’s hand and stepped into his sightline.

  “Look, Fitz, Brent and his mom came over with cupcakes.”

  “Con-dol-ence cupcakes!” Brent said excitedly, skipping toward Drew and hugging his leg. The change on his face was remarkable and before he scooped the kid up, he was all but beaming.

  “Hey, buddy! They look awesome. Did you bake them?”

  “I did,”
Layla said, strutting toward him, all legs and ass cheeks hanging out. Brent’s expression surely mirrored her own shocked one, but he quickly smiled over Drew’s shoulder, putting his finger to his lips. Addi winked and held back a giggle as he winked awkwardly back.

  “Come on, let’s put these in the fridge,” Addi said, and Drew set Brent down. Addi put her hand on the child’s back, guiding him away from Drew and Layla. Drew gave Addi one of his assessing looks—the kind where his eyes went back and forth between hers as if reading her like a book. She lowered her face, knowing she’d asked this man to bed her only two hours earlier. Although she couldn’t see anything in his expression that said he was annoyed or disgusted with her, it didn’t matter because she was disgusted with herself.

  “Pick me out a good one, buddy.”

  Brent nodded and Addi led him to the mess hall. She wasn’t even sure if there was still a fridge in there, let alone a functioning one, but again that wasn’t the point. She needed to give Drew and Layla a minute, but more important, keep Brent away from the surly man who had started to cuss out his mother.

  When Addi looked back, Layla’s arms were around Drew’s neck and Drew’s hands clasped her wrists tightly. Was he removing her hands or holding them there like handcuffs? She shivered at the thought of being handcuffed by his large, strong hands, and then scolded herself. God, can you think of anything besides sex?

  Addi was just putting the cupcakes in the big old fridge, debating on whether it was cool enough to be working properly, when Brent tapped her on the back. She turned to see the little guy pulling an envelope out of his pocket.

  “Here. It’s for you.” The envelope had the words ‘from Brent’ scrawled in childlike printing on the front under the scratched-out credit card company address. He had written his name and address at the top on the lines where the return address should go. “That’s how they send letters to my mom from school.”

  “You did it exactly right, Brent. Thank you.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t know your name then.”

  “Next time you’ll know to write A. D. D. I.” Brent nodded with a wide smile that fell quickly at the sound of his mother’s holler.

  “My mom’s calling. I should go. She gets mad when I don’t come right away.” He pointed at the envelope. “It’s a picture I drew.”

  “So that’s why you have marker on your hands. You’re an artist.” The little boy glowed.

  “Fitz taught me how to draw. He says I’m good. He says I can be an artist someday. He takes me to the cliff house to paint sometimes when Mom’s been…” He looked at his feet. “Partying.”

  “I think if Fitz thinks you’re talented, then you must be.” Partying? The cliff house?

  Addi opened the letter quickly and pulled out a drawing of a stream and trees on the inside of a waffle box. It was much better than she’d expected for a child no more than six. “It’s beautiful! Fitz is right about you. I’m going to get a frame for this.”

  “You are?” His eyes were big and round, and he shoved his glasses up again. His toothy grin showed adult front teeth currently too big for his child-sized mouth.

  “I am.”

  Addi stood straight and closed the fridge door, hearing Brent’s mom screeching once again for him. “Thank you for the picture. I’ll treasure it.” He leaned forward to hug her and she gave him a good squeeze back.

  “I’m sorry your uncle died. He used to sit with me when I’d to go to work with my mom on Saturdays. He was really nice.”

  Addi pressed her mouth and gave him a sad nod. “I hope to see you again, Artist Brent.” His little face lit with her words and he ran off.

  When she walked out a few minutes later, the purple Beetle was kicking up dust and Drew was staring cross-armed and stone-faced. She didn’t fail to notice the lipstick on his neck and cheek though.

  Unexplainable jealousy burned in her as if she had some claim on him. Before Drew noticed, she jogged toward the woods. Addi not only had no right to be jealous, but being so was ridiculous! She hadn’t been involved with Drew since she was sixteen and even then he’d told her it wasn’t real. She had no rights to him, now or then.

  She was here for her uncle’s funeral, not to mess around with Drew, and certainly not to become jealous and obsessive over him. No matter how sweet he was being or how close she felt to him. Or how much he flirted or made her feel special. Or how much desire and arousal he stirred in her.

  He’s not mine.

  Brent was on her mind too. He was a sweet kid but his mother wouldn’t be earning any parent of the year awards in Addi’s opinion. It brought back her own childhood issues.

  Addi felt her knees buckle but caught herself. Being at the camp was stirring up all kinds of emotions and memories—things she’d never really dealt with. She wanted to release all the emotions battling inside so she could pack them neatly away inside herself again, but if she was going to break down, she needed to do it alone. She needed to be away from the man who seemed to catch her at every weak moment. She walked deeper into the forest.

  The ground was soft, and her only comfortable shoes were some chunky-heeled sandals that kept sinking into the damp earth, but they didn’t stop her from barreling through the natural paths that formed in the woods.

  She leaned against a tree and pulled out Brent’s picture. She stared at the well-drawn scene. How come she had never seen Uncle Ray paint? Not when she was there for the summer or even over the years when he’d stayed with her for holidays and vacations. She thought of the smudges of marker on Brent’s hand. She had never seen Uncle Ray’s hands marred with paint.

  Running her hands along the rough, damp bark of the tree she leaned against, she breathed in the heady scent of nature. She hadn’t gone into the forest the summer she’d been at camp, except once. She closed her eyes, breathing deep. The forest led to the cliffs. The cliffs were where she’d fallen and where Drew had saved her.

  “Hey, Addi.” One of the camp leaders came out through the door, tossing a baseball in the air. She smiled and nodded at him, remembering his name was Markus.

  “You coming with us today?” He swished his light brown hair back and caught the ball, tossing it again before she could answer.

  Addi shrugged as she watched him leap forward to catch the wayward ball. Other boys milled out of the hall, laughing loudly, punching shoulders and creating boy ruckus. Addi didn’t do anything with the camp boys. They were happy to roll around in the dirt, hike, slide to home base, canoe, and the million other things boys did, but she didn’t fit in with the camp leaders either.

  It was parents’ day so the leaders had free time.

  As Markus watched her expectantly, blinking his large brown eyes, she decided that she’d try, especially after Uncle Ray’s lecture about how disappointed he was that she wasn’t participating or interacting with others.

  Addi just didn’t like nature. She hated bugs, snakes, rodents, and dirt. Mosquitoes spread all kinds of bad stuff like malaria, and ticks spread Lyme disease. Some snakes had hemotoxic venom that could kill, rodents were the cause of the plague, and playing in dirt could give you tetanus. And ever since her mom’s accident, she didn’t take risks.

  “So?” Addi’s mind snapped alert at Markus’s terse voice.

  She needed to make friends if she was going to be here all school break. After all, she’d come to have a normal summer.

  “Can’t you make a simple decision?” Markus tossed the ball at her but she wasn’t expecting it, so it fell to the ground at her feet after hitting her rounded belly.

  “Geez, you can’t even catch a ball?”

  “Leave her alone,” a voice said, making her look up, It was one of the leaders who seemed wiser and more mature than the rest. His eyes, a stunning blue, seemed to carry indifference most of the time, but she saw something else deeper in them.

  The other leaders didn’t seem to like him very much, but they were respectful. Maybe it was because he didn’t goof around like them a
nd they feared him a little. With the kids, he was patient and kind, albeit tough when he needed to be, and they loved him, but he wasn’t chummy with the other leaders. He looked threatening now and she could easily picture him flicking any one of them to the ground like a crumb off his Black Sabbath t-shirt.

  “Aren’t you going swimming?” the leader questioned with crossed arms when Markus didn’t move.

  “Uh, yeah, you coming, Drew?”

  “In a bit. Got something to do first.”

  Markus nodded and waved the other guys to follow, but Addi continued to watch Drew. She’d heard the others whispering. They’d said he had to meet with his parole officer and that’s why he went to Uncle Ray’s office every Friday morning, but she didn’t know for sure. She just watched his long legs stride away, intrigued by both his secrets and the sadness hidden in his eyes.

  “Hey, are we cliff jumping?” Kevin, one of the leaders said, and Addi turned back to watch the group of guys as Kevin sidled up next to Markus, grabbing his ball from midair.

  “Hell yeah, we are.” Markus looked over his shoulder at Addi. “You coming, Addi? If you’re too scared you can just watch. I’m sure Carter could use a cheerleader.” He laughed and Carter ran up and put him in a headlock.

  When he let Markus go, Carter smiled at her. “You in? Tonight, we’re going hang at the beach and drink the beer Alex stole.”

  None of that appealed. Except she saw her uncle’s disappointed face in her mind. He wanted her to fit in, to have some fun.

  “She can’t do it. She’s afraid,” Kevin said and threw the baseball at Carter. He jumped up to catch it.

  “I’m not afraid.” Addi’s voice came out in an angry growl.

  “Yeah, you are. You’re afraid of everything.” Kevin’s eyes were pinned intensely on her. “I bet you can’t do it.”