Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 66609 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66609 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
“Maybe this is who I am. Maybe before I was too nice. I deserve to have you respect my boundaries.”
“Is it that biker? His influence? Are you really seeing him?” He shakes his head. “Your dad is going to flip.”
I’m about to answer when the roar of motorcycles interrupts. Two Harley Davidsons roll up to the parking lot next door. The huge bikers pilot their bikes into a shared parking space, then dismount. The sunlight glints off their aviator shades. They’re in dark jeans that hug their powerful thighs and black leather jackets. They look like they just walked off the set of the most badass action movie ever filmed.
As they get closer, I recognize them. Deke and one of the other guys from the plaza two nights ago. A flush rolls up from my toes, heat climbing steadily towards my cheeks. My heartbeat thuds in my ears.
I’m not the only one who notices the bikers. Half my class is pressed against the fence, pointing to the motorcycles.
“So cool,” one little girl shouts. “Miss Sadie, those are motorcycles. Like the cookies you brought us.”
A breeze kicks up, and Deke’s head snaps my way. I give a little wave and lean back on the fence to compensate for my suddenly weak knees. Deke immediately alters his course to detour away from the school entrance to where I stand. After a second’s hesitation, so does his biker buddy.
Deke arrives first, his shades pointed right at me. “Sadie.”
“Deke,” I greet him, my voice catching a little. He looks good. Behind him, his buddy scowls at me. It’s not the blond from last night but a different guy who clears his throat as if he doesn’t want Deke to forget he’s there.
Deke steps to the side and jerks his head to his buddy. “This is Rafe.”
“Hi, Rafe,” I say. We’re all standing in a loose circle, me with my back to the fence, Scott to my left, Deke right in front of me, and his buddy at his left elbow. Not awkward at all.
Scott clears his throat, annoyed at being left out. “Excuse us,” he says, and his voice is high and whiny compared to Deke’s deep rumble.
“Sears,” Deke says, with a brief glance at the flowers Scott brought.
“Adalwulf.” Scott tries to face off with Deke, but Deke refuses to look at him.
“What are you guys doing here?” I ask both Deke and Rafe.
“Council meeting. City’s hiring us for some security,” Rafe answers. Deke just looks at me. I can’t see his eyes behind his shades, but my insides quiver like I’m stipped naked.
Nope, did not imagine the intensity between us. And it isn’t going away. It’s getting stronger.
“Cookies?” asks Deke, raising a brow.
“You heard that?” I am full on blushing now.
“You gave mine away.”
“You left without taking them.”
This time both Rafe and Scott clear their throats, and I realize Deke and I are talking like it’s only the two of us.
“So you guys do security?” I ask Rafe.
“We do. We’re former military.”
“Rafe was my staff sergeant,” Deke says.
A small hand tugs the edge of my sweater. “Miss Sadie, can they come next week?” Jenny, one of my kindergarteners, asks.
I smile down at her and the little boys who are gathered at the fence. “I don't know, Mr. Rafe and Mr. Deke are very busy. Do you want me to ask them?”
A chorus of excited yeses rises up from the kids. A few jump up and down.
“What’s next week?” Scott asks. I ignore him and say to Rafe, “We do a career day every Tuesday. We had the fire department last week. Could you guys come and talk about your service?”
The corner of Rafe’s mouth quirks up as if he’s amused by something, but all he says is, “Sure. Here.” He hands me a white business card. “My email and cell are on that. Call anytime, and we’ll set it up.”
“Will do.” I nod to him coolly. I’m still miffed about the no mixing with civilians rule that made Deke’s biker friend interrupt our moment last night.
“Sadie,” Scott says, but the bell rings.
“Got to go. I can’t take those,” I tell Scott, waving a hand at the rose bouquet. “One of my students is allergic.” I turn my back on him and smile up at Deke. “See you next week. Rafe, nice to meet you.”
The back of my neck tingles as I walk away. I stand against the wall by the door, and my kids fall into line. I know Deke’s watching, and it puts a big smile on my face. Fate brought us together today, and if everything goes well, next week, I’ll get to see him again. I already can’t wait.
Deke
“Gotta admit,” Rafe says as we watch Sadie guide her students back toward the school, “Your little human’s got a backbone.”
“She’s not mine,” I mutter. “Per your orders, as I recall.” My wolf howls at my denial. I don’t bother giving Sears a second glance before heading off to the school entrance.