The moment they were alone, Lydia stepped in front of him, blocking his path."I'll save all my money and pay you back as soon as I can."
He grunted.
"It's a smaller diner, but I'll work really hard to earn my tips."She stumbled on the sidewalk.
He grabbed her upper arms, keeping her on her feet.She relaxed in his hold.He brought her to his chest.She was pliable in his hands.There was not a bone in her body that warned her against him.
He shoved her away and helped her get her balance, then let go of her."I got more news for you."
She frowned."Good news or bad?"
It was necessary.He couldn't have her at the house any longer.He was too aware of her.Hell, his place was starting to smell like a woman was around all the time.Any longer, and he wouldn't be able to keep his hands off her.
"Patty's got a small room above the diner.She says you can stay there."
"How much will it cost?"she asked."I don't even know how much I'll be paid or how the tips are in this area.What if I can't afford it?"
Royalla protected the diner.Patty would get her money's worth by letting Lydia stay.
"It comes with the job," he said.
Her eyes rounded."That doesn't sound right."
He raised his brows.She had a fifteen-minute conversation with Patty.Why was she questioning his motives when she had no other options?
"You'll see."He motioned for her to continue walking to his Harley."Where do you buy your clothes?"
She laughed and quickly sobered."Why?"
"Because you need new clothes to start the job."
"The other women weren't wearing a uniform."She tilted her head."They were...casual.I have clothes."
He knew exactly what the other women were wearing.Patty knew how to keep her customers happy, and all the waitresses wore skimpy shorts or cutoffs with shirts that showed off their breasts.
He stroked his beard.A big part of his decision to take her shopping was because he wanted to see her in something skimpier.She packed a tight little body underneath her clothes.He wanted to see what she was like stripped down.
"My treat."He inhaled deeply."It'll be easier if you have a few outfits.Less laundry."
Her brows pinched."I don't have to pay you back?"
"Nope."
A smile took spark on her face."I've only had second-hand clothes from the thrift store."
"Fuck," he muttered, grabbing her hand."Let's go."
He wasn't someone who knew the brands women liked, but it wouldn't matter if he spent twenty bucks or two hundred dollars on a new shirt, it was going to belong to Lydia.He'd make sure no one else had ever worn it.
Twenty minutes later, he pulled into the lot and shut off his motorcycle.Lydia slid off the seat, and he toed his kickstand and stood.
"Why are we here?"Lydia gazed up at the large flag flying on the pole.
"If you want shorts and shirts like what the other women at the diner wear, you'll find everything here."He lifted his chin."Let's go."
Baddy hadn't expected to spend his afternoon in a Harley-Davidson store, but Lydia needed clothes, and he wasn't about to send her to her first shift looking like she'd crawled out of a lost-and-found bin.
The moment they stepped inside, she froze like she'd walked into a church instead of a clothing section.She drifted toward a rack of shorts, touching the fabric like it might bite her.
