The Biker's Fate Chapter 272

One orgasm followed another and I somehow managed to whack my arm against my headboard, so my blissful climax was quickly followed by agonizing pain.

"Fuck, baby, I'm sorry," he rasped as he yanked his jeans back up and rushed to the bathroom. He returned with water and pills and sat beside me on the bed. "Big ibuprofen or Oxy?"

"I'm going to start with the ibuprofen, I think. I really do have a lot of work to do." I took the pill from him, his expression tortured. "Don't worry about it, love, it's my fault."

"How's it your fault?"

"Um, because you drive me crazy enough to flail my arms like a mental person," I said.

"I should be more careful."

I shook my head. "I don't want you to be more careful. I like you just like this. Now, help me get dressed. I really hope your sister put headphones on or something."

Hatch chuckled. "She's been around bikers her whole life, Sunshine. None of this fazes her."

"Well, it fazes me!" I hissed. "Good lord, I've never had sex with someone in the next room before."

"You'll get used to it." He helped me back into my clothes and kissed me gently.

"Don't think I will."

"I'll get you there, baby, 'cause the alternative is abstainin' and that ain't happenin'."

I bit my lip. "Well, there is that. Abstaining would suck."

He kissed me again and I shook my head, pushing him away. "No. You will not get me riled up again."

Hatch chuckled, advancing on me. "But I like gettin' you riled up."

"I'm figuring that out," I said. "And when this arm is healed and I don't need a modern-day scribe, I will match your riling with some of my own. But right now, I have work to do."

He grinned, leaning down to kiss me gently. "I'm sorry I stormed off."

"Thank you. Please trust that you're perfect just the way you are, and I don't expect you to be anything different, okay? You might get some looks and pushback from the "crowd" I'm forced to associate with on occasion, but it won't be from my family, and it sure as hell won't be from me or Poppy."

"Looks and pushback I'm used to, Sunshine."

"Don't like that," I admitted.

He cupped my face. "Like that you don't like that."

I let out a frustrated groan. "You need to stop looking at me like that. I have work to do."

He chuckled, kissing me again and then pulling the door open. "Have a good day, honey."

I giggled and headed back out to the family room. Cricket wasn't there so Hatch followed me into the kitchen and we went about making another pot of coffee, making out as we waited for it to brew. I picked up the mail and found a card from Lonnie, my hairdresser. "What the heck?"

I opened it and a Visa gift card fell out of an apology card.

Maisie, I'm so sorry that I didn't assist you with your car. I hope this gift card will compensate you for any inconvenience I may have caused. I hope you'll give me another chance. I'll be happy to give you fifty percent off. Sincerely, Lonnie.

I glanced at Hatch who sipped his coffee, his expression entirely too innocent to not know something about the card. "What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything."

"Hatch."

"I may have deflated her tires and when she came in for help, explained the correct way to treat my woman."

"You threatened her?"

"Would never threaten a woman, Sunshine," he said. "I just explained I didn't appreciate her leaving you stranded. I helped her with her car, and she went on her way."

I picked up the gift card. "This is twice what I paid for the hair appointment."

"Good."

"You promise you didn't make her feel like crap?"

"Babe, it was all good."

I wrapped my arms around him and kissed him gently. "Well, thank you for defending my honor, even if it was a little overkill."

"You gonna take your man to dinner with your newfound wealth?"

"Absolutely."

The doorbell pealed and Hatch went to answer the door, leading Cricket in a few seconds later. Hatch held the puppy who appeared just as happy to see him as I was every time the man walked into a room.

"I took Little Fucker out for a walk," Cricket explained. "I figured you needed some privacy."

Heat infused my face. "Thanks."

Hatch chuckled. "I'm gonna head to the shop. Am I taking the dog?"

"No," Cricket and I said in stereo.

Hatch handed the puppy to his sister and then kissed me thoroughly. I patted his chest. "No riling," I ordered.

He smiled against my lips. "No promises."

"Save it for later."

"That I can do." He kissed me again. "I'll plan on picking Poppy up after school."

"Thanks, love."

Hatch walked out the door and I glanced at Cricket to find her staring at me with open interest. "What?"

"What the hell have you done to my brother?"

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

"He's being nice."

"He is?"

"Yes," she said. "He actually pulled me aside and thanked me for taking Little Fucker for a walk and for helping you out."

I chuckled. We really need to change the dog's name… pronto.

"And he smiles. Smiles, Maisie! My brother doesn't smile."

My heart felt squishy. "I like that, Cricket. Your brother deserves to smile. He makes me really happy."

She kissed the dog. "Well, you're doing everything right, so keep doing it. I like him this way."

"Me too."

Cricket and I got to work and by the time Cricket had to leave for class, we'd caught up on everything I'd missed since the accident. I finally felt like I could breathe and I didn't dread the phone call to my parents… which went surprisingly well.

Hatch and Poppy walked in just as I hung up and, since Hatch had to get back to the shop, Poppy and I hung out and watched a movie after her homework was done while we waited for Hatch to get home with dinner. All in all, it was a pretty perfect first day back at work.