I grind my teeth in frustration. I should’ve kept my mouth shut that night. Should’ve walked away instead of drowning myself in Nathan’s bar, where Maggie couldn’t cut me off.
Anika had found me and offered a comforting smile, a soft voice, and I was drunk enough to spill everything. I even showed her the fucking letter. I woke up on her couch, shame clawing at my ribs.
Haven’t touched a drop since.
“I just want to check she’s okay,” I mutter. “She’s carrying my kid.”
Anika rolls her eyes. “I can send someone.”
“No.” It comes out too sharp.
She arches a brow. “Mothers raise children alone all the time, Kade. I’m sure she’s just fine.”
My jaw ticks. “I’ll attend your little meeting,” I grit out. “Then I’m going to see Eden. Diesel will cover for a few weeks afterward.”
Anika steps around the desk, closing the distance between us until she’s right in my space. Her smile curves with heat and challenge.
She presses a manicured red nail into my chest. “I think you’re forgetting who calls the shots, biker.” I don’t move, and her nail digs in harder. “I own you,” she whispers, eyes flicking to my mouth. “My personal little puppet.”
Something snaps in me. I grab her wrist and spin her, slamming her against the wall. I realise too late that it’s the wrong move.
The sound she makes isn’t fear—it’s pleasure.
Her eyes darken, her chest rising fast. She leans close, her breath warm on my neck. “Is it just me,” she whispers, lips brushing my ear, “or . . .” Her hand drops to my crotch, pressing, and she laughs softly. “Nope,” she purrs. “We’re both feeling it.”
I jerk back like she burned me. She laughs harder, slow and satisfied. “See you at seven,” she says, smoothing her hair. “Don’t be late.”
CHAPTER THREE
EDEN
A drink. It’s just a drink.I repeat the words in my head like a mantra all the way to the local pub.
The Stag has been going since the war, according to Mrs. Wainwright. I’m not sure how accurate her information is, but the decor suggests she’s right.
I take my lemonade and join Pete by the crackling fire. “Cosy,” I say as I unwrap the large scarf Martha forced me to wear.
I take a seat as he sips his pint nervously. I wasn’t going to come. I thought of a million excuses as to why I shouldn’t, but Martha wouldn’t let me pull out, even threatening to drag me here kicking and screaming. She reasoned I didn’t have to agree to date the guy, but I needed to make friends if I was planning on sticking around. And I am.
“It’s a change for me to go out in the evenings,” I say, settling into the comfy seat.
“I try to get out, even if it’s just for a quick one,” he says, nodding to his pint. “But it’s nice to have company.”
“You must be busy with the farm.”
He nods. “Since my father died, it’s been harder.”
“Sorry to hear that. He ran the farm before you?”
“Yeah, three generations,” he tells me proudly. “I’m the first to run it alone. I have a farmhand, but he’s not much use.”
“No kids?”
He shakes his head, smiling. “Not really my thing.”
I laugh. “But you offered to come for the scan.”
“My sister, she raised her kid alone. Well, not entirely cos she has us, but she chose to have the scan alone and told me she’d always wished she’d taken someone to share the excitement.”
