Page 2 of Biker Daddy's Girl
Something seems to soften in his expression. "No need to explain. Of course, I will. Where do you live?"
I point up the hill, to the cluster of buildings in the distance. "Student housing."
"Ah, that explains the bookbag then." He comes closer, and I can smell his scent—leather and pine. It's comforting, somehow. “A college student, huh? How old are you, little bunny?”
I balk at the nickname. It’s not like I need a reminder that I’m a coward. “First off, that isn’t very nice. Second, I’m 20.”
The man chuckles, clearly amused with himself as he approaches me. “Nice is overrated.”
When the man finally steps into the light and I look up at him—way up, he has to be at least 6'4—I can see him fully for the first time. The sight of him hits me like a truck. He's devastatingly handsome, with chiseled features, piercing blue eyes, and a body that is packed with muscle. He has a short, well-kept dark beard, and an old white scar cutting through his left eyebrow. There’s a bump in the bridge of his nose, telling me it’s been broken before, but that just adds to the whole picture. Darkness and desire, all wrapped into one tall, muscular package.
It's not just how hot he is that has me shaken, though. It's also the visceral, instinctual reaction I'm having.
There's an electricity between us, an intense spark that I've never felt before. Under the thin cotton of my shirt, my nipples harden, and there’s an unfamiliar aching between my legs. Every fiber of my being is screaming that this man is meant to be mine, and even as terrified as I am, I feel safe with him. It's illogical, it makes no sense, and I don't know what to make of it, but it's the truth.
The man makes a strangled noise in his throat that morphs into something like a growl, but then the sound of his voice pulls me back into the moment. "Is there something wrong?"
"No," I lie, shaking my head. Nothing is wrong, per se, but something is happening. That’s for damn sure. "Sorry, I just spaced out for a minute there."
"I'm Luke," he says, extending a hand. Cautiously, not sure what will happen when I touch his skin considering how much just his appearance shook me, I reach out to shake his offered hand.
When our skin brushes against each other, I'm immediately aware of the flash fire of need that travels between us, a sizzling heat that spreads throughout my entire body. For a moment, I can't breathe. It's so intense, I'm almost dizzy, and when I look into Luke's eyes, I'm startled to see his pupils dilated and his breathing a little uneven.
"Emma," I manage to choke out, and he nods, withdrawing his hand. “I’m Emma.”
"Well, Emma, shall we?" He gestures forward with his free hand, seeming reluctant to let go of me. "I'm happy to walk you home."
"Thank you." I’m positive that Luke will scare away any dangers. Hell, I think even the shadows might be scared of him. So I’m safe from everything, except my suddenly unignorable attraction. When Luke finally lets my hand fall away, I’m afraid my impulse control might fail me. I want him to keep touching me. Anywhere. Everywhere.
"So, you study at Stonebridge?" he asks, breaking the silence.
"That's right," I reply, glancing up at him. "I'm majoring in English literature. And you're part of the Iron Guardians?"
"Correct." He laughs, rough and low. "Actually, I'm the leader."
"Oh." I'm taken aback by this. Am I out of line for asking such a high-ranking member of the club to walk me home? “I hope I’m not taking up too much of your time.”
“Nah.” He shakes his head. “I’ve always got time for a pretty girl.”
I take a second and think over what I know about the Iron Guardians. They're tough, very serious about what they find important, and intimidating as hell. I'm not from Stonebridge—my mother and I lived in Chicago where I grew up before I moved to North Carolina for college—but the Iron Guardians are well-known enough for me to have heard about them around town. They're punishing to people they view as enemies and unwavering in their protection of the weak and vulnerable. Everyone around here seems glad to have them, but I've heard rumors of how violent they can be when the situation calls for it. I'm definitely intimidated but also strangely intrigued by Luke.
"Are you sure you want me walking you home?" he asks, one eyebrow arched, and a slight grin tugging at his lips. "I could send a couple of the younger guys. Or do you like your knights in shining armor older and rougher around the edges?"
"I'm not a knight in shining armor kind of girl," I confess.
"No?" he teases.
"No."
"But you needed an escort?"
"I needed … something." I needed you.
We walk along for a few moments in silence until I finally manage to choke out the words. "It was stupid of me to come outside so late."
"Don't be hard on yourself," Luke replies, his deep voice soothing. "Plenty of people lose track of time." I can feel his eyes on me, looking at me closer. "Stonebridge is a safe place. We make sure of that. But the world is never perfectly safe for women. I'm more than happy to do this, Emma."
I nod gratefully, taking a deep breath and trying to calm my nerves. “I’m probably oversharing, but … my friend and I were attacked by a thief when I was a teenager when we were walking late at night and I’ve never really recovered mentally.”