Page 9 of The Biker’s Guilty Pleasur

“I’m starting to wonder if you’re turning into a stalker?” Gena asked, coming up behind her, where she was looking out the window.

Reaper was out in the yard, a ball in his hand, tossing it across the grass to a bunch of kids who were scrambling around themselves in an effort to get the ball. It was cute. The kids were entertained and Reaper laughed. Each kid took turns to run back to Reaper to hand him the ball. As a reward, he lifted them up and spun them around. They all looked so happy, and Reaper didn’t seem to mind. Most of these kids didn’t have that experience with a dad. It always broke her heart, seeing the yearning in their eyes. They clearly wished to have a dad like Reaper.

“I’m not stalking. I’m just keeping an eye on them.” She nodded her head, folded her arms across her chest, and realized how defensive she looked and clenched her hands together, only to place them down beside her.

Gena chuckled. “You think I wasn’t nervous when Reaper first came around? Trust me, I was. I think the first time I saw him, he had a box full of old toys, only they were brand new. I don’t believe for a second they were his. I think he went to a toy store and bought a bunch of them to bring here.”

“Why would he do that?”

“He cares, Grace. Trust me, that is a man that cares about those kids, and about those women.”

“You don’t find that strange?” Grace asked.

Gena sighed. “You see all those boys down there, well, one day, they are going to be grown men. There’s a chance one of them might hurt their partner.”

“Even though they know the pain it causes?”

“Some don’t learn. Others wouldn’t dream of hurting their partner or anyone.”

Grace frowned. “You think Reaper had an abusive father?”

“Or mother, but the way he is with the women, something tells me that man knows exactly what those kids and those women are going through. I don’t know for certain, but it’s a hunch. He cares. All of this matters to him. I don’t know how he did it, but he also made sure the rent was completely taken care of.”

“What? Is that even possible?”

“I’ve been informed that the rental of this property has been paid indefinitely, and I can tell you, I had nothing to do with it. Seeing as just before this letter came, I was informed the rates were rising, and I didn’t think I would have the funds to keep it open a month, let alone indefinitely. Not all men are bad, Grace.”

She sighed, and kept her back to the window, even though all she wanted to do was turn around and see what he was up to.

“It’s not all men. It’s just bikers,” Grace said. “None of them are good.”

Gena laughed. “You know, it doesn’t matter what job you have or what label you are. There are good and bad in all. We’ve had women through those doors married to judges or police officers. Trust me, it doesn’t matter who you are, there are good and bad. You can have bad bikers, and you can have good bikers. The same goes for policemen, judges, and your average Joe.”

She was aware of that, but it was just easier to not think of bikers as good people. Her parents were so brokenhearted with what happened to her sister. All she ever heard was what bad eggs they all were. It wasn’t like she was born with a hatred for bikers. The reputation was well earned.

“I better get back,” Grace said.

Gena put a hand on her arm, and she watched the other woman walk off. She was tempted to look out the window, but instead she stepped away and got to work back down in the kitchen to organize the shelves. With all the donations lately, boxes of stuff had been placed on shelves with no real order, and it was up to her to sort it out. It was a long job, but one she was more than happy to do as it helped to distract her from the main problem. Reaper.

She still refused to allow him to bring her coffee. Even though she had to listen to everyone moan at how good the cups were that he brought. She didn’t drink coffee as it made her too wired and also a little paranoid. Right now, she needed all of her wits about her.

By the end of the day, she was exhausted, and she grabbed her jacket and bag from the staff room, smiled at some of the passing children, and made her way to the exit. At the same time, Reaper was there.

He held the door open for her, and for the briefest moment, she was about to tell him she didn’t need his help, that she could open her own freaking door. She gritted her teeth, because that was so rude. If it had been anyone else, she would have thanked them. So, she thanked him.

“That was hard for you, wasn’t it?” he asked.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Anyone ever tell you, you have a very easy-to-read face?”

She stared at him, a little confused.

He leaned closer. “You’re going to have to try a little harder to not show your absolute dislike for me.”

Grace didn’t hate him. She hated herself for being so curious about him. And how he brought out the worst in her. It didn’t make her proud. She was just about to tell him that as well, only he was already making his way toward his bike.

The direction to the bus was just past him, but she was not going to give him the satisfaction of seeing her waiting for a bus, so she went the long way around. She also noticed that black SUV by the side of the road looking a little too out of place. At least the shelter was more secure now with stronger gates and an up-to-date security system.