“Horace found us a van,” Jazz said as she poured the hot syrup into the pink, silicone star molds.
I pulled open the oven and removed the wafer cookie I’d made in the shape of a hot-air balloon basket. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. The price is right, but it needs some work. A carburetor, I think. It’s old. And a sand belt. Whatever the hell that is. Horace is going to get the parts and install them for us.”
“I don’t think a sand belt is a thing in cars.”
“Yeah, remember that time I still didn’t care? Told you—Horace will take care of it. Don’t worry.”
“That’s super generous of him.” I pointed at the cookie sheet with my oven mitt. “I think that came out well.”
“You’re a genius,” she said.
My phone chimed a few times. I removed my oven mitts and set them aside before taking my cell out of my back pocket. A smile flitted across my face when I saw it was from Slash.
“I haven’t seen you smile like that in months,” Jazz remarked. “What’s got you grinning?”
Slash had texted, telling me that I wasn’t allowed to bail on our dinner meeting and that I needed to choose the place and time.
For a bossy biker, he was giving me a lot of control.
Boundaries? Respect? Or was this just some bigger plan to orchestrate control so he could worm his way into getting what he wanted…
“Earth to Brooklyn,” Jazz said.
I set my phone aside without replying and looked at her. “Slash.”
“Slash? Slash, what?”
I bit my lip. “Slash was the biker who I…”
“Slept with,” she finished for me. Then her gaze went to my phone. “He’s texting you? Why is he texting you? Oh my God, did you get in contact with him?”
I shook my head. “He, uh, kind of showed up yesterday at the bakery.”
“Out of the blue?”
“Out of the blue,” I confirmed.
“Well? Don’t leave me hanging. I’m dying here.”
“He said one night wasn’t enough.” I felt my cheeks heat. “But I said I wasn’t interested. He asked if we could talk. He came into the bakery, and the bag of baby books I was holding ripped and he saw them.”
“No,” she whispered.
“Yeah.”
“So, he knows. Doesn’t he?”
“I couldn’t really keep it from him at that point.”
“What did he do?”
“Marched out the bakery without a word.”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously. He came back, though. A few hours later. I let him into the apartment.”
“Oh, this is getting good.”
I mock-glared at her. “Nothing happened. Nothing physical, I mean. He says he wants to be involved. He wants to stick around. He said he wants to give us a try.”
“Wow. And you? What do you want?”
“Not sure,” I admitted. “I don’t know him. We’re tied now because of the baby, but—” I shrugged. “We’re going out to dinner tonight so I can present him with my rules and boundaries. His words, not mine.”
“Dinner? Like a date?”
“No.”
“Liar.”
“It’s not. It’s two adults sharing a meal and trying to figure out how to navigate this curveball.”
“Well, I think it’s great,” she said.
“You do?”
“Yeah. I mean, I know you weren’t going to tell him, but the fact that he knows and he didn’t freak the fuck out and bail? That’s pretty stellar.”
“Is that really how low we’re setting the bar here?” I snorted. “I told him I didn’t want anything from him. I told him he could roll out of town and forget about it, that he’s off the hook if he doesn’t want to be involved.”
“You’d really cut him loose like that?”
“Yeah, I would. If we’re sharing responsibilities raising this baby together, that means there will be financial entanglement at some point. That means strings.”
“You’re thinking way too far ahead.”
“But I’m thinking about it,” I pointed out. “Because I don’t really have a choice.”
“So, are you going to sleep with him again?”
“What? No!”
“It’s a valid question,” she said.
“It’s not a valid question.”
She peered at me. “You want to sleep with him again. You can’t hide those lyin’ eyes.”
“Of course, I do,” I said in amusement. “He was dynamite in bed. But I’d be an idiot to introduce sex to our already complicated…situation.”
“Yeah. I guess that’s probably the mature thing to do. Mature. What a bunch of malarkey.” She rolled her eyes.
“Don’t hold back, Jazz. Tell me how you really feel,” I drawled.
“I’m just thinking that if I was already pregnant and the father of my child was the best sex I’d ever had and he was more than willing to jump in the sack again, that’s like winning front row seats to the rodeo.”
“Really? The rodeo?”
“It’s Texas…”
“Besides, I never said it was the best sex I’d ever had.”
“I saw you the morning after. I know it was the best sex you’ve ever had.”
I couldn’t help it—a giggle escaped my mouth.
My phone chimed again.
“Papa Biker doesn’t want to be ignored,” she teased.
“Oh my God, you. Hush,” I said with a laugh.
“Where are you going to go for dinner?”
“Somewhere casual.”
“What are you going to wear?”
I frowned. “Will you bugger off?” I grabbed my phone and texted Slash.
7 p.m. @ Ernie’s.
I set my phone aside. “Can we get back to work now?”
My heartbeat drummed heavily in my ears when I walked into Ernie’s at 7 p.m. on the dot. Despite telling Jazz this wasn’t a date, it still felt like it was. I tried to ignore how long it had taken me to put together an outfit and do my makeup and hair.
I’d wanted to look like I hadn’t tried. My dark hair was in a loose side braid that curled over one shoulder, and I’d only put on a bit of blush, mascara and lip balm. I’d worn a pair of jeans with rips in the knees and a cream thick weave sweater that hung off one shoulder.
I looked around the restaurant to see if Slash had arrived before me. He was sitting at the bar, his eyes trained on me. He got up from his stool.
Everything fell away as I watched him stalk across the restaurant. He towered over everyone, commanding the space around him, owning it like a predator in its natural habitat.
He wore his leather cut, a white T-shirt, and boots with thick soles.
Even though I’d chosen a bar and grill casual restaurant, Slash stood out. He came to my side and stopped. Leaning down, he brushed his lips across the apple of my cheek, and his raspy whiskers caused goose bumps to break out all along my skin.
He pulled back and stared at me, his hazel eyes flashing with warmth.
“Table for two?” the hostess asked, interrupting our moment.
“Yeah, thanks. Somewhere in a back corner, if you have it,” Slash replied.
She smiled. “Absolutely, sir. Please follow me.”
Slash placed his hand at my hip and urged me forward.
“Not a date…” I murmured beneath my breath.
“Did you say something?” Slash asked.
“Oh, uh, no. Just muttering to myself,” I said hastily. “Ignore me.”
The hostess brought us to a table in the corner, perfectly tucked away with a measure of privacy. I wasn’t sure if I was grateful for it or not. Being alone with Slash seemed like a bad idea for my resolve. Especially after the way he’d looked at me, his gaze making his desire plain as day.
“Your server will be with you in just a moment,” the hostess said as she handed us our menus.
“Thanks,” I said.
She walked away, leaving me alone with Slash.
Alone with the father of my child.
I put the menu up high enough that I couldn’t see Slash’s face.
A moment later, his finger touched the top of the menu and gently pushed it down, so I was forced to look at him.
“Hi,” he said with a slight smile.
“Hello.”
“You look nice.”
I swallowed. “Thank you.”
“You’re nervous.”
I nodded.
“Why?”
A server approached the table, preventing me from having to answer. “Good evening. My name is Danny, and I’ll be your server. What can I get you to drink?”
“Water, please,” I said.
“Sure. And for you, sir?” Danny looked at Slash.
“Same,” Slash replied.
“Great, I’ll be right back with those.” Danny left, and I was once again left with Slash’s intense stare.
“You didn’t answer my question,” he said.
“We were interrupted.”
“We’re alone now. Why are you nervous, Brooklyn? We’ve already slept together. I’ve already seen you naked. You’re pregnant with my child, for Christ’s sake.”
“Shut up!” I hissed.
Danny returned with our waters and set them down in front of us. “Are y’all ready to order?”
“Oh. Not yet.” I hastily glanced back at the menu.
“We’ll start with an appetizer while we figure out what we want for dinner,” Slash said. “Brooklyn?”
“Hmm?”
“What do you want for an appetizer?”
“Can we have the spicy buffalo wings, the fried onion, and the artichoke dip?” I asked Danny.
“Sure thing. I’ll get those started for you.”
Danny left again, and I faced Slash.
He had a smirk on his face.
“Don’t make fun of me,” I huffed.
“I wasn’t going to. I just have one question.”
“What?”
“Is that how you normally order or was that a pregnancy-craving thing?”
“Which will freak you out less?” I inquired.
“I like a woman who can eat.” His eyes gleamed. “Any morning sickness?”
“No. Not yet.” I shook my head. “I still can’t believe it. I don’t know how this happened. I mean, I do. Of course, I do. The condom failed.”
“Which one?” he asked with a slow smile. “We went several rounds.”
“I’m aware,” I replied, straightening my spine.
I didn’t want to think about that night and how magical it was. He’d owned my body.
“Do you remember how greedy you were?” he asked, eyes darkening. “How insatiable you were?”
My cheeks heated. “Slash, don’t. Please.”
He inclined his head and then changed the subject. “I know you said you can do this alone. I believe you. I’m just saying you don’t have to.”
“How is this supposed to work?” I asked quietly. “Bottle or breast fed? Cloth diapers or disposable? Self soothe, or run to the baby every time he or she cries?”
He climbed out of his seat and came to my side of the booth. “Scoot over.”
“Why?”
“Just scoot.”
I scooted.
He sat and wrapped an arm around me and pulled me into the side of his body. “You don’t have to know any of that right now.”
I couldn’t help it. He was so strong and so comforting that I leaned my head against his chest and closed my eyes. “I know I don’t have to know all that right now. But those are the kind of questions that need answers. And it’s one thing if it’s just me making the decisions. But now you’re involved. You want to be involved, I mean.”
He didn’t say anything. He just continued to hug me.
“Why haven’t you freaked out?” I asked, finally pulling back and turning to face him.
“Who says I haven’t?” He raised his brows, making his scar dance.
“You’re consoling me.”
“Why do you make that sound like an accusation?”
“This isn’t a date.”
“I’m getting whiplash, here. You mind clueing me in?”
“How much do you get to be involved?” I asked.
“How much will you let me?”
I nibbled my lip, which drew his attention.
“Here we go,” Danny announced, arriving with our three appetizers. He placed them on the table and didn’t bother asking if we’d looked at the menu. It was clear we were caught up in something, and he was a good server. He watched our physical cues and left without saying a word.
“How much do you want to be involved?” I asked.
“Really lobbing that ball in my court, aren’t you?” Slash shook his head and plunged a chip into the artichoke dip. “Did you make a list of your boundaries?”
“I started to. Then it turned into a list of questions I wanted to ask you.”
“Such as?”
“Your last name,” I remarked dryly. “I mean come on. This is seriously quintessential one-night stand-ness. I still don’t know your last name.”
“That clearly didn’t stop us from doing all sorts of fun things together.”
“Will you stop mentioning it?” I asked in exasperation.
“Never,” he said quietly. “Best sex of my life, Brooklyn.”
“The best?” I breathed.
“Yup.”
“Seriously?”
He smirked. “Fishing for compliments?”
“What’s your last name,” I grumbled.
“Hale.”
“What’s your first name?”
“Stryker.”
I glared at him.
He had a chip halfway to his mouth when he stopped. “What?”
“The night we were together, you made a big fucking deal about not sharing your first name with me. Now you just tell me. No fight, nothing.”
“Well, now you’re carrying my baby. The rules have changed a bit.”
“How’d you get the scar?”
“Let’s save that one for another date.”
“We’re not on a date.”
“Feels like a date.”
“I’m not sleeping with you,” I reminded him.
“We’ll see.” He winked.
“Do you even date?” I demanded.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” he asked in mock exasperation.
“Never mind.”
“Not never mind. Say what you mean.”
“Do you date? Or do you have a girl in every port?”
“I’m not a sailor.”
“No, but you’re a Nomad, who doesn’t belong to one chapter. Your words, not mine. I assume that means you find female companionship every now and again?”
Jealousy blossomed when I thought of Slash with another woman. Several other women. I wanted to claw their eyes out when I thought of him doing to them what he’d done to me. The thought of him wanting someone the way he had wanted me was fuel to a fire I didn’t know was burning.
“I haven’t lived like a monk,” he said softly. “Have you lived like a nun?”
I sighed. “Touché.”
“And though you haven’t asked, I’ll tell you. I’m not married. I’m not divorced. And I haven’t got any other children.”
“That you know about,” I muttered.
“No. I know. I might not have lived like a monk, but I wasn’t reckless either.”
“Reckless like we weren’t reckless?” I asked with a roll of my eyes.
“You’re feisty. I like that. A lot. Besides, we weren’t reckless. We used protection. It failed, but we tried.”
Silence descended between us as we devoured the appetizers. It was strangely comfortable, being here with this man, even under these circumstances. My body hummed with awareness at his proximity.
Jazz’s words kept floating back to me, but every time they did, I shoved them away.
I wanted to ask him more questions about himself. I was curious about him. Naturally.
“Do you have any siblings?” I asked finally.
He tore open a small packet that had a hand wipe inside and gave it to me so I could clean my fingers from the spicy wings.
“No, no siblings. You?”
I shook my head.
He reached out and wiped the corner of my mouth. “Sauce,” he said with a grin.
I blushed. His touch was so familiar, and yet we were still nearly strangers.
“Where are you staying?” I asked suddenly. “I mean, while you’re in town?”
“The clubhouse. They have spare rooms.”
“Oh. Good.” I bit my lip and looked at the table. “Slash?”
“Yeah?”
“Why didn’t you bail?” I forced myself to look at him. “When you found out the truth, why didn’t you bolt? Especially after I let you off the hook. It’s what I expected, you know?”
“What kind of piece of shit bails on their kid?”
I swallowed. “I don’t know. Why don’t you ask my mother?”