Page 13 of The Biker and the Single Mom

Luna gasped. "Is that for me?"

"All yours, sweetheart." Doc crouched to her level. "Your own special place. You can close the curtains when you want privacy, and the lights have a switch right here."

She threw her arms around his neck. "It's perfect! It's like a princess castle!"

"Mr. Hops goes here!" Luna announced, already climbing onto the bed with her stuffed bunny. She tested the mattress, bouncing slightly. "And my coloring books can go here. And my blankie⁠—"

"Wherever you want," Doc said. "This is your home now too."

Your home. The words settled warm in my chest. We'd been staying here, sure. But this was different. Official. Real.

Doc stood, his palm finding the small of my back, possessive and gentle all at once. She'd been so happy these past two weeks. No more flinching at raised voices. No more checking over her shoulder.

I met his gaze, heat and promise passing between us.

"I've survived three combat tours," he said, deadpan. "I think I can handle sparkles."

Diesel laughed from where he was organizing boxes. "Famous last words, brother. My old lady got glitter in my cut last Christmas. Still finding it everywhere."

"Noted." Doc's thumb stroked small circles against my lower back, the touch casual but intimate. Two weeks of this—little moments that felt like more. The way he watched me make coffee in the morning. How his fingers found mine when we walked Luna to the park. The kiss we'd shared on the couch that had left me breathless and wanting.

But nothing beyond that. He'd been careful. Respectful. Giving me space to settle in before pushing for more.

Even when I saw the hunger in his eyes every time he looked at me.

"Alright, we're out." Hammer headed for the door. "Maddie said to bring Rory by the bakery when you're done here. She wants to talk to you about something."

"About what?" I asked.

"Hell if I know. She just said it's important." He nodded to Doc. "Later, brother."

The door closed behind them, leaving us in sudden quiet. Luna had already disappeared back to her little space, chattering to Mr. Hops about how she'd arrange her things.

"This is really happening," I said, turning to face Doc. "I'm really moving in with you."

"If you want to." Doubt creased his forehead, his jaw tightening. "I know it's fast. If you need more time⁠—"

"I don't need more time." I moved closer, my palms finding his chest. Solid. Protected. Home. "I want everything with you, Cole. The scary fast parts included."

He pulled me against him, and I melted into his warmth.

"I'm going to make you so happy," he promised against my hair.

"You already do."

Sweet Salvation Bakery smelled like heaven when we walked in an hour later—cinnamon and sugar and fresh bread. Maddie glanced up from behind the counter, her face lighting up when she saw us. She had a baby on her hip—a little girl with dark curls who couldn't be more than nine or ten months old.

"There's my favorite new neighbor!" She shifted the baby to give me a one-armed hug. "How's the move going?"

"Good. Done, actually. The brothers were amazing." I watched Luna skip over to where Jax sat at a corner table, already pulling out crayons to keep her entertained. "Hammer said you wanted to talk to me about something?"

"Right. Yes." Maddie bit her lip, suddenly nervous. "I have a proposition for you. And you can absolutely say no, but I'm hoping you'll at least think about it."

My stomach twisted. "Okay..."

"I need help." She gestured around the bakery, bouncing the baby gently. "Between trying to manage everything with this little one and keeping up with orders, I'm drowning. Jax helps, but the man can't frost a cinnamon roll to save his life." She laughed. "You mentioned you were looking for work, and I thought—would you want to work here? Help me with the baking, handle the counter during the lunch rush, that kind of thing?"

Relief flooded through me so fast I almost swayed. "Seriously?"