Off to the side, Rebel gave a muffled snort, clearly trying—and failing—to hide a chuckle. He knew damn well I had plenty of experience with kids, being surrounded by my club brothers and their families. I shot him a warning glare that promised a swift retribution if he said a fucking word.
Clara picked up on the subtle tension, quickly looping an arm through Rebel’s and gently steering him toward the door. “Let’s go, biker boy. I think this conversation might be easier without your helpful commentary.”
Rebel cast one last amused glance over his shoulder before allowing Clara to drag him out of the room.
When the door shut behind them, Hannah took a slow step closer, her expression softening as she watched me hold Isa. She nodded, the sadness and warmth in her eyes hitting me like a gut punch.
“You’re a natural,” she murmured, her voice thick with emotion.
Despite the compliment, she sounded wistful, like seeing me holding Isa had touched on something deep inside her.
I studied her closely, taking in the conflicted emotions swirling in her expressive face. Her attachment to Isa was painfully clear, as was the hesitation and internal battle she seemed to be having about leaving the baby behind. She was still trying to come to terms with handing this little girl over to a stranger she’d just met, no matter how quickly she was coming to trust that I wouldn’t abandon Isa.
She sucked in a breath, and her gaze dropped briefly to Isa before she lifted it again to meet mine, a faint hint of uncertainty flashing across her face. “I guess I need to find a place to stay.”
Fuck that.There was no way in hell I was letting her walk out and look for a hotel. I carefully placed Isa in her car seat, making sure she was settled comfortably before straightening and closing the short distance between Hannah and me.
Her eyes widened slightly, her breath catching softly when I stopped close enough to feel the warmth radiating from her skin. My voice was low but unmistakably commanding as I locked eyes with her. “You’re staying with me.”
4
HANNAH
Iblinked up at Griffin, certain I was imagining things since I couldn’t possibly have heard him correctly. “Excuse me?”
“You’ll stay with me.”
The simple statement was said with so much finality that it sounded like it wasn’t a suggestion—he thought he’d already decided for me.
It should have made me angry. I wasn’t the kind of woman who let people in easily. I’d seen too much for that. But Isa had torn through my emotional walls over the past three months, which had to be why his confidence made my stomach flip in ways that had nothing to do with anger and everything to do with the way his big body filled the space between us.
But with those watchful eyes locked on my face, I couldn’t afford to give away my body’s traitorous reaction. Not when my every instinct screamed that getting any closer to this man was dangerous.
“You don’t get to dictate what I do.” My knees felt a little unsteady, but I somehow managed to keep my tone even. “I’m not some package you get to claim along with Isa.”
He looked at me with a calm certainty that said debating was a waste of breath. The corner of his hard mouth twitched just a fraction, but it was enough to send heat rushing to my cheeks.
How my body reacted to him was unfair. His nearness shouldn’t make my skin tingle and my breath come a little shorter. This was ridiculous. The timing and situation couldn’t be worse.
“Just giving you a better option.”
I opened my mouth, but no words came out. My body was screaming yes, please, while my brain scrambled for reasons this was a terrible idea. But the thought of leaving Isa with him tonight twisted my stomach in knots. I’d whispered too many promises to walk away now without knowing he’d take care of her the way she deserved.
He must have seen the hesitation on my face because he pushed his advantage. “You’ve spent three months making sure she’s safe, right?”
I swallowed hard. “Yeah, so?”
“You’re invested in her happiness. Staying in some random hotel in Riverstone won’t let you make sure she’s good with me. Not really.”
I hated that he was right. “But?—”
“Come with me.”
He didn’t give me the chance to argue more, just grabbed the diaper bag and Isa’s carrier and headed for the door without looking back. I was left gawking at his broad shoulders while he walked away.
His biceps were bunched, and his butt flexed beneath the denim of his jeans with each step he took. I stood there for a beat, enjoying the sight more than I should, before I finally followed.
By the time I made it outside, Griffin was clicking Isa’s carrier into the base in the back seat of my car. “I thought you told me to come with you?”
