Talon blew me exaggerated kisses. “Bye, Momma.”
I took in the scene in front of me, my kids giggling, the guys laughing, before Sebastian dragged me out of the kitchen.
***
“Ease off instead of just letting go,” Sebastian explained when I released the clutch too fast and stalled the bike again.
Despite my apparent lack of skills, I had the time of my life. The kids were cheering me on from their position near the warehouse, and I grinned at them.
I started the bike up again and released the clutch slower. It was picking up speed, and I cheered.
“Look where you’re going,” Sebastian called out when I drove off the side of the driveway because I was too busy watching him.
He was by my side as soon as the bike stalled again, holding me upright, placing one hand over mine on the handle, the other on my leg.
“Sorry, but I’m thinking I’m not made to ride a bike,” I said, blowing out a big breath.
This was harder than it looked. I had fun, but only because Sebastian was a handsy teacher who showed me how to ride a bike by directing me in the positions he wanted.
My body felt like one raging inferno, ready to combust thanks to his frequent touches and lip brushes.
“Slow and steady,” he rasped into my ear, and I swallowed hard. “Treat the bike like one of your kids—gentle and with patience.”
“Okay, I can do that,” I said, my voice croaky.
“You on my bike is the hottest thing I’ve ever seen,” Sebastian said, his hands wandering up my thigh.
“Nope, I can’t do it,” I squeaked and pointed to the side of the building where a vast forest started. “I’ll never learn how to ride a bike if you don’t move at least a mile that way.”
His finger traced a path up my side, stopping at my cheek before he cupped it. I leaned into him, closing my eyes.
“But if I’m that far away, I can’t watch you. Or touch you.”
“Exactly the point,” I said, licking my lips.
Sebastian’s eyes zeroed in on the movement and went molten.
Uh-oh. I know that look.
“The kids,” I said, hoping he’d understand.
“Grim and Talon took them inside,” Sebastian said, leaning in and taking off my helmet.
Our lips met in a soft caress, and I sank into him. He took my weight and held the bike steady, kissing me like we had all the time in the world.
When I was a hot and wanting mess, he pulled back, resting his forehead on mine. “I don’t want to leave you, but I have to go.”
That dumped a bucket of cold water over my head. “Of course.”
“Nothing could have stopped me from being the one to teach you how to ride,” he said, placing a gentle kiss on my lips and pulled back. I got off the bike, and he pushed it back into the driveway.
“I’ll be back tonight to take you to work. Don’t leave the compound,” he said.
And there’s the bossy biker I’ve come to care so much about.
“Okay, boss,” I said, turning to go back inside.
A hand on my arm stopped me, pulling me back against a hard thigh. “I’ll see you tonight,” he growled and placed a whisper of a kiss on my neck.
I shivered and my legs didn’t move right away after he released me.
I turned around to wave at him, earning a wink in return.
Once he was gone, I made my way back into the compound. Grim and Talon were easy to find since they were entertaining two giggling and shrieking children.
“Okay, kidlets, time to go back to the room. I have to work,” I said.
I hoped if I confined them to the room, I could bribe them with food and TV so I could do some actual work.
“You go on up. I’ll hang out with them down here,” Grim said, waving me off.
I turned, staring at Grim, wondering if he was serious and if I was ready to leave my kids with a stranger.
“That’s okay. They can watch TV,” I said, deciding it was too soon to entrust my babies with a guy I barely knew.
Grim studied me, coming to the conclusion that I wasn’t going to leave my kids with him for that long. The hour he’d watched them while Sebastian taught me how to ride made me feel guilty enough. I wasn’t reckless, especially not when it came to my kids.
And he understood, nodding at me. “Then work down here. I’ll watch them while you do your thing.”
That was an offer I’d gladly accept. “Are you sure? They can be a handful.”
“Honey, as I mentioned before, I have eight grandkids,” he said, his eyes dancing with mirth. “I also have three kids. And so far, I haven’t killed any of them.”
I bit my lip, thinking I should take this opportunity to concentrate on work for once and maybe get ahead a little instead of always playing catchup.
“That would be amazing,” I said, meaning it.
“I’ll help too. I have an hour before I have to take off for work,” Talon said, sitting down on the ground next to Lena. She was busy putting dresses on her dolls, and he dove right in and helped her.
After one last glance at my kids, I got my laptop, headset, and notebook from the room and set up on the bar that was currently deserted. It was huge and gave me plenty of room to spread out. The day went by in a blur of phone calls, calendar appointments, and people coming in and out of the building.
Talon came back from work after a few hours and sat with me for a bit while Lena was taking her nap and Luca was watching a movie.
“Do you like your job?” he asked, pointing at my computer.
“It pays the bills,” I said, not stopping my furious typing on the keyboard.
“What would you do if you could choose anything?”
I missed a
