Page 6 of Big, Bad Biker Daddy

CHAPTER SIX

Eric

Beth fit into the group immediately, and, within a week, she had already made several friends around the compound. Chase had been true to his word and helped her get a job working at Rebecca's bakery. The other women, most of whom worked at the bakery as well, got along with her well, and she seemed quite comfortable with them.

It didn't take long before the other men on the compound started to notice her. Who could really blame them? After all, she was one of the most beautiful women there. But she seemed completely oblivious and ignored them all, regardless of their attempts to get her attention. I quickly learned the reason after a week of watching over her, per Chase's request.

"I was wondering when you were going to come back and see me," Beth said when she saw me walk into A Taste of Heaven. "Are you going to just keep watching me from the corner? Or are you going to come over and at least say hello?" Having not really had a chance to speak to her since the day she arrived, I smiled as I approached the cash register.

“Technically," I said with a teasing smile. "I'm not supposed to be here. Chase's orders…"

"And why is that?" she asked.

"Chase insisted I keep an eye on you, but he also wanted me to keep my distance," I said. "My guess is that he's worried that somebody's going to come after you, and he wants me to be around in case anything happens." She paled as she looked at me, and I shook my head. "I highly doubt anything's going to happen, though. It would have happened by now."

"You're right,” she said. Taking a second to calm herself, her smile returned. "Anyway, how would you like a cup of coffee?" Eager to change the subject, I nodded as I looked up at the menu above her head.

Rebecca had done a wonderful job setting up the bakery and coffee shop, and the menu she had chosen was one of the best I had ever seen. From cookies to muffins to cakes and pies, the possibilities were endless.

"Can I get a caramel coffee with a banana muffin, please?" I asked. She rang up the order, but, rather than telling me my total, she popped open the cash register as she pulled out her wallet from her back pocket. Frowning, I tilted my head. "What's my total?"

"It's on me," she replied. "Consider it a thank you for helping me last week and for watching over me since I arrived." As she put the cash in the register, she handed me the receipt. "I'll have your order in a minute. I just need to make the coffee." As she set to work, I stood at the other end of the counter watching her work.

She seemed like a natural as she made her way around the machinery, and I was amazed. Even though she had only worked fast food before she came here, she had adapted quickly to the coffee machines that Rebecca had in the shop, and she had absolutely no issues making every order. Feeling guilty for having allowed her to pay for my coffee, I found myself searching for any excuse to see her again, despite what Chase had said.

"What are you planning on doing tonight?" I asked, catching her off guard as she made the drink. She thought for a moment before answering.

"I didn't have anything planned at all," she said. "I was just going to go back to the compound with everybody else and spend a nice quiet evening in my room after dinner." At first, I was afraid that she was going to end the conversation there, but, after a moment, she continued. "Why do you ask?"

"I heard a few people at the compound talking about a new movie that was coming out," I said. "I thought that maybe you’d like to go see it; since you don't get out much." .

"Are you asking me on a date?" she asked.

She was a lot smarter than I had anticipated, and her insightfulness was concerning. I had thought that I was less obvious about, but she had seen right through me.

"If you're willing to consider it a date, then yes," I said. "Otherwise, if you don't want to consider it a date, we can just consider it a night out between friends."

"I don't mind considering it a date,” she said with a gentle smile. "But, do you think Chase will mind that you're breaking his orders?"

"I don't think he'll mind at all," I said, shaking my head. "He's been so busy with Lydia and her pregnancy that I don't think he'll mind if we start seeing each other. After all, all he cares about is making sure that you're safe and nothing happens to you."

"Then I would love to," she said; and handed me my coffee. "What time are we going?" Looking at the clock, I considered the fact that Rebecca closed the bakery by five, and dinner was always at five thirty.

"Do you want to go right after dinner?" I asked. "Otherwise, I can always add dinner to the outing."

"Let's just start with a movie," she said. "We'll save dinner for another time."