"Short for Bumblebee," Bianca says, tossing a piece of red pepper into the air and catching it in her mouth. She grins, the expression transforming her face into pure sunshine. It lights up the dim, masculine kitchen. "Because she’s round and cute and sounds like she’s buzzing when I drive fast."
Maddie giggles again. "Daddy drives fast. But his bike sounds like a dragon."
Bianca pauses, her knife hovering over a cucumber. The smile falters.
"Dragons can be scary," Bianca says softly.
"Only if you steal their gold," I say, stepping into the light.
Bianca jumps, the knife clattering onto the cutting board. She spins around, her hand going to her throat. Her eyes widen, taking in my fresh clothes, my damp hair, the sheer size of me filling the doorway.
"Jesus," she breathes. "Do you have a bell? Or do you just enjoy giving people heart attacks?"
"I don't make noise unless I want to." I walk into the room. The kitchen suddenly feels very small. My presence sucks the air out of the space, turning the atmosphere thick.
Maddie’s smile dims a fraction, her eyes darting to me. I immediately soften my stance, forcing the Sergeant back into hiscage so my daughter only sees her father. I’ve spent two years trying to be her shield, but I realize now I’ve been a shadow.
That stops today.
"Daddy, Bianca is making wraps! With faces on them!" Maddie holds up a tortilla that looks vaguely like a smiling face made of vegetables.
I look at the food, then at Bianca. She’s backed up against the counter, her hip pressing into the granite. She tries to lift her chin, but the pulse flutters wildly in the hollow of her throat. I want to put my mouth there. I want to taste that frantic rhythm.
"Faces," I repeat.
"Kids eat better when it’s fun," Bianca says, her voice trembling slightly but holding firm. "I found some turkey and cheese. And veggies. I hope that’s okay. You didn't leave a menu."
She’s sassy. I like it. I hate that I like it.
I walk past her to the fridge, forcing her to lean back to avoid touching me. I don’t give her the space. I move into her personal bubble, invading her territory. I smell her instantly—the heady lure of wild orchid, rain, and the unmistakable, pungent musk of a pussy that’s already drenched for me. The scent of her arousal hits me harder than the ice-cold water did, my cock thickening and straining against my denim, throbbing with a primal demand to bury itself deep in her soaking heat and claim the pussy that’s already weeping for my touch.
I grab a bottle of water, taking my time, letting the silence stretch until it’s thin and brittle. I turn back, leaning against the fridge, crossing my arms over my chest. I stare at her. Dissecting her. Learning her. The way a stray curl falls over her eye. Theway her jeans hug hips made for gripping. The way her fingers curl white-knuckled around the edge of the counter.
"Are you going to fire me for making lunch?" she asks.
"No." I take a long drink of water, watching her throat swallow dryly as she watches me. "But there are rules when it comes to Maddie."
“Rules?" she repeats. “More rules?”
"One," I say, holding up a finger. "Maddie doesn't go in the garage. Ever. That’s my workspace. It’s dangerous."
"Okay," Bianca says. "No garage."
"Two." My voice drops an octave. "You don't answer the door unless you know who it is. If you don't know the face, you don't open it. You call me."
Her brow furrows. "Is... is that a common problem? Strangers knocking in the middle of the woods?"
"I’m the Sergeant at Arms for the Broken Halos MC." I let the title hang in the air like a threat. "I have enemies. Some of them are stupid enough to come up here. You need to be smart."
She swallows hard, looking at Maddie, then back at me. I see the calculation in her eyes. She realizes this isn't just a nanny gig. This is a deployment. Most women would run. Most women would grab their purse and sprint for that yellow Beetle.
"Is Maddie safe?" she asks.
That question hits me in the gut.
"I keep her safe," I say, my voice rough. "That’s why I’m here. That’s why the windows are reinforced. That’s why you listen to me."
She holds my gaze. She has golden flecks in her irises. I could get lost in them.
