The Biker's Fate Chapter 83

Payton

Alex sighed and rolled me so we were facing each other. "I just want you safe."

"I get it, honey. I do. And I appreciate that... to a point." I stroked his check. "I don't really know why I'm mad, honestly. I watch Bailey and Macey and see how crazy they get with Brock and Dallas, and I think I just..."

"Overreacted?"

I slapped his chest. "Can we both admit to a little overreaction?"

He slipped his hand under my cami and stroked my back. "I'm not overreacting."

"This is not the way to get back into my bed, Hawk."

"In case you didn't notice, I am back in your bed." He moved his hand to cup my breast.

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from arching into his touch. "Can we just talk for a second?"

He moved his hand to my back again. "If you'll give me until the end of your break to be with you every second, then I'll pull back when you go back to work."

"How will you get this sorted if you're with me every second?"

"Fuck me, Payton. Just give me this."

"Daddy?" Lily called, and Alex was out of the bed and at the door in seconds.

"Hey, baby girl." He walked out of the room, returning with her in his arms. "You have a bad dream?"

Lily nodded, sniffling into his neck.

I held my arms out. "Want to sleep in here tonight?"

"We'll all sleep in here," Alex said.

Lily smiled through her tears and Alex set her on the bed before closing the door. I held the covers up and Lily climbed between them. She wrapped her arms around my waist and snuggled close, Alex sandwiched her in and kissed me, then her. "Love you, baby girl."

"Wuv you too, Daddy." She lifted her head and kissed my cheek. "'Night, Mama."

"Night, baby. I love you."

"Wuv you, too, Payton."

I smiled at Alex and slid my arm around his waist. He did the same and we gave Lily a protective little enclosure to keep her safe.

"We'll talk more tomorrow," he whispered.

I nodded and he kissed me again.

My last coherent thought was how amazing it was that such a tiny little body could produce so much heat. I ended up throwing the blankets off my legs in an effort not to burn up.

I woke to an empty bed again and debated on getting up, but the pull of Alex and the fact I got him for the next week kind of won out.

I dressed quickly and made my way upstairs to find him. Lily was at the kitchen island, crayon in hand, concentrating on the coloring book in front of her. My mom was closing up the dishwasher as I walked in.

I kissed Lily's head and smiled. "Morning, honey."

"Hi," she said, and smiled.

"Coffee's in the pot, honey," Mom said.

"Thanks." I grabbed a cup and then leaned next to Lily. "I love your picture."

"Fank you."

"Where's Daddy?"

She didn't look up as she said, "On the woof."

"He's helping Dad and Brock with the lights," my mom clarified.

Brock and Bailey must have come by earlier. "Where's Bailey?"

"She went upstairs to take a nap. I think she's coming down with a cold," Mom said.

"Ew, no fun," I said. "I'll go check on Alex."

I opened the slider and peeked outside. Alex was up on the ladder, tugging at a string of lights, his eyes narrowed in concentration. I bit my lip, our argument the night before quickly forgotten at the sight of jeans slung low on his hips, and his T-shirt sliding up revealing his flat stomach.

"Hi honey."

"Hey, babe," he said, continuing to focus on the job at hand.

"Hawk, I'm going to drop down a string," my dad called.

When did Dad start calling him 'Hawk'?

"Ready," Alex said, and craned his head up.

Lights slid into his hand and he dropped them to the deck.

"Do you need help?" I asked.

"Not yet, babe. Lily okay?" He still didn't look at me as he went back to the clips on the gutters.

"Yep, she's coloring." I bit my lip. "Gordon asked if we want to talk about houses at some point so he can pull a few listings for us to look at."

"Today?"

"Or whenever."

He looked at me... finally.

"Can we talk about it when we're done here, babe?" I nodded and he smiled. "You sleep okay?"

"Yes. You?"

"Not really. Kept getting kicked by little feet."

I tried not to giggle. "Uh-oh."

"Hawk, lights comin' your way." This came from my brother.

"Ready," he said and caught another strand as it slid down.

"I'll leave you to it."

"Thanks, babe," Alex said, and I let myself back inside.

Lily was still coloring and I slid her hair behind her ear and lifted her chin. "Are you hungry?"

She shook her head. "Huh-uh."

"Are you sure? I'm going to make some peanut butter toast."

"Nana made me some aweddy."

My mom turned from the sink. "Yeah, Nana's got it all covered."

I grinned. "Thanks, Mom."

"I'm heading over to Kristen's in a bit," Mom asked. "Anything you want me to take?"

"No, I'm good." I dropped a slice of bread into the toaster. "I guess I need to wait for Alex to get off the roof before we plan our day. Is there anything you want to do, Lily?"

She settled her chin in her hand. "Umm, can we go to the movies?"

"Maybe," I said. "I'll ask Daddy and we'll see if something appropriate is playing."

"What does appwopi-it mean?"

"Basically, it means we'll find a movie that you are old enough to see."

She nodded and smiled. "I'm going potty." She climbed down off the stool and headed to the bathroom.

Alex opened the slider a few seconds later and frowned. "Where's Lily?"

"Bathroom," I said, and slathered peanut butter on my toast.

He said nothing and left the room, returning with Lily and lifting her back on the stool. I raised an eyebrow in annoyance at him, but he ignored me.

"Lily would like to see a movie today."

"No," he said, and grabbed a glass from the cabinet.

"Why not?" I challenged.

"Lily, why don't you come help Nana for a minute," Mom said, and led Lily out of earshot.

He slid his glass under the water maker of the fridge. "Neither of you is leaving this house, Payton."

"Surely going to a movie isn't going to put us in danger."

"You said you'd give me the week," he reminded me.

"To be all up in my grill, but not to keep me sequestered at home!"

Alex shrugged. "Until I know exactly what I'm up against, you're here."

"How are we going to look at houses?"

"We're not."

"What about the New Year's party at Macey's?"

He shook his head.

"Are you kidding me?" I snapped. "I'm not missing my best friend's annual party, Hawk."

"I'm not arguing with you on this subject, babe. Accept it and move on."

"Bite me." I stormed out of the room and downstairs.