Defying Fate (3 page)

Eve came and sat in the living room. I feel bad that my living room is sparsely decorated at best. I only had time to buy a few things so far. I picked up the television at a thrift store just yesterday. It’s sitting on a ‘falling apart’ stand, but it was only twenty bucks, a bargain.

I wish I could afford nicer things, especially now that it looks like Eve is going to be spending time in more than just my garden.

Why I care what a little girl thinks about my place is beyond me, but I am nervous for the first time, in forever.

When I’m dressed I invite Eve to have breakfast with me. It’s nice to have someone to share a meal with again, and I start to feel a little less uncomfortable about my almost empty house. We spend most of the morning laughing and talking like we’ve known each other forever. That’s beyond weird because I haven’t known her very long at all. Still, having her with me is so natural it’s like she belongs here. Eventually, we head outside to take in our flower garden.

We’re sitting on the porch and talking about what she’s learning at school when I hear the roar of a motorcycle approaching. My stomach tightens as I am nervous for some strange damn reason. The very loud bike comes down the street and then stops in front of my house.

Holy Hell! I immediately notice how large his frame is. Wow. Every cell in my body is suddenly on high alert. This guy could be trouble, so I jump up and stand in front of Eve.

Now if you were looking at us, and you didn’t know us, you would think I am a mother standing in front of my daughter like I am protecting her. Why? Who the hell knows?

Staring at him, his looks both excite and terrify me. Handsome here has a killer body. Oh yeah, this man works out. His white t-shirt shows off all his manly tattoos that sleeve his muscular arm. ‘Mouthwatering’ comes to mind, even though I don’t want to see him that way. His leather vest has some intricate emblems on it. Yeah, I don’t waste my time looking at those when I can look at this eye-candy of a smoking hot body. Moving my gaze downward, I take in his faded blue jeans and chain belt. The black biker boots hanging open at the bottom are just as hot. Not one thing is wrong with this man.

When I finally look at eye-candy’s face my insides do somersaults, my core burns up, and my legs turn to jelly. This man is T.R.O.U.B.L.E. Fuck-Me-Eyes, a strong jaw, dreamy black hair that screams ‘pull on me while I make you scream’. Jesus, can a guy get any sexier than this man in front of me now? HELL NO!

Then he smiles. Holy shit, perfection. My books never prepared me for this. He gets off his bike and struts over to us. Even though he has fogged my brain I immediately place my arm around Eve. Mr.-Sexy-Bad-Ass-Biker-Dude could knock me out with just a slap. I know this, but I don’t budge. Besides, he might not even be Eve’s dad.

Eve says something along the lines of ‘that’s my dad’ and tries to pull free of my hold, but I don’t let go of her.

It’s weird how protective I feel, almost motherly. Downright weird since I am sure Eve is his daughter. Can never be too sure though. Truth be known; I am using Eve, so I won’t fall. My jellied legs are starting to tremble.

Now, only a few feet from us, the biker lets out a slight chuckle. ”Protecting my daughter from me, now are we?” He raises an eyebrow as if questioning me. The smirk on his lips is my undoing. He says something else, but I’m too lost in those eyes, lips, everything.

Shit. What did this god of a man just say? Hell.

“I…um.”

“You?”

“Um, I mean you’re Eve’s daddy?” I shudder and rock back and forth on my feet.

“Well, since she is my daughter. Yeah, I’m her daddy.” He raises that eyebrow at me again. He seems to like doing that. Now he’s clearly aware of what it’s doing to me because his smirk turns lopsided, showing off the deep dimple on his left cheek. Oh, Mother of Pearl, he just gets better looking.

Eve interrupts the heated stare between her daddy and me with a giggle. “Stop it daddy.” She then grabs my hand in hers, smiling from ear to ear. “Don’t let him scare you, he likes to do that.”

His deep chuckle lets me know how true this statement is. “Do I now?”

“Yep and you know it. Look at all the lovely flowers we planted.” Her eyes and voice beaming with excitement, she walks over to the last row of flowers we finished that wrap around the porch.

A look of happiness and awe comes across his face as he looks at his little girl and me. Damn, he still makes me nervous. And why is he eyeing me like I am a piece of meat? For that matter, why am I eyeing him like a piece of meat?

“So what do you think, Daddy?”

Smiling and shaking his head, he adds. “Real beautiful baby, it looks like you have both been really busy.” He crosses his arms over his massive chest and gives me a bright grin.

I need to say something.

“Eve has been a lot of help and it has been great having her around. It’s nice to know someone in this town, and she is such a great little girl.” I stumbled over to her and put my arm around her shoulder again, pulling her against my side.

Her dad eyes me with a smile, “Eve, why don’t you get on home? I want to talk to Izzy for a minute. I’ll be there real soon. Tell Izzy bye and thank you.” Even though he is speaking to Eve his eyes never once leave mine.

She looks between her father and me before giving me a hug, telling me thanks, and walking away.

Somewhat sad to see her go, I sigh. “Bye Eve.”

She pauses, then turns and walks back to me. Looking slightly unsure, she asks me with wide eyes. “Can I stop by again, you know, just to talk?”

Smiling big, I can’t help but adore her. “Honey you can stop anytime you want. I will be out looking for a job next week, so if I’m not home, you know why.” Then for some strange reason, I bend down and kiss her head.

“Cool Izzy, bye for now.” She gives me another hug then skips down the sidewalk before stopping suddenly. “You know, I think the purple ones, you chose, are prettier than the ones I picked out.”

“Oh, I’m not so sure. I may have to go and get some of those yellow ones you like so much. Maybe you can help me plant those too?” I like having her around and if planting flowers is her thing, then so be it. We’ll fill this whole yard with them.

“Sure. Awesome.” Then she waves and takes off toward her house.

I am nervous and playing with the hem on my t-shirt as I watch her go. I am a mess, no makeup, and I just threw on some shorts and a t-shirt. Great.

Crossing his arms, he eyes my body from head to toe and back up to meet my eyes. I gulp in a nervous response to being mentally eye-fucked by handsome here. Okay, maybe he doesn’t mind that I’m a mess. Nope, he definitely doesn’t care.

With a smirk and one eyebrow lifted, he says to me. “So, I am glad to meet the person who my daughter won't stop talking about.”

Blushing and nervous, I respond. “She is amazing. I love spending time with her. I know you don’t know me and it must be strange letting her be with a complete stranger, but she has been a huge help.” I know I was blushing because my ears feel hot as hell.

“I was unsure when she told me she was spending time with our new neighbor down the street. But, I have been keeping an eye out on you. I would never just let my baby spend time at a stranger's house and not make sure she was safe.” His hand is on his hip looping in his front pocket.

“Oh, she is totally safe with me. I would never harm her.” I realize that I’m now giving him an annoyed look. The idea of anyone hurting such a sweet child pisses me off. And I am obviously nervous, so I keep talking.

Holding his hands up, he tries to calm me. “I know, I know. You don’t need to explain. I can see why she’s so in awe of you.” Then he looks me up and down again and lets out a low whistle. “I must say, you are a pleasant surprise.”

What! “What do you mean by surprise?” Slightly curious and not sure I want to know the answer. Okay, maybe I do. Yep, I definitely do.

“You’re not what I was expecting, let’s just say that.” His smile curves on one side, revealing that dimple again, and his dark eyes sizzle as if daring me. Oh Shit.

“Okay, is that good or bad?” Matching his smile.

Amused, he cocks his head to the side. “Not sure yet.” Then he’s voice turns low and sexy. “I will let you know when I figure it out.”

“Okay.” The word is barely a whisper. Everything about him, everything he’s saying, is taking me by complete surprise.

“You’re new to town?” His voice returns to normal as he asks the question.

“Yep.” I get the feeling that he’s trying to size me up. Probably because I am spending time with his daughter, stupid!

“Okay.” A few wrinkles appear on his forehead.

What’s with the frown?

“You said you were looking for a job?” He slowly strolls closer to me as he talks.

Biting my lip I try to hold my ground. I’m torn between running away and jumping into his arms. No man has ever affected me like this before. “Ah yeah. I need to find something pretty soon so; I’ll probably be looking around most of the week.” I anxiously wrap my hands in my shirt again. I am feeling uneasy that he is slowly getting closer to me. On the one hand, it is precisely what I want. On the other hand, his proximity scares me shitless. The closer he gets, the more my senses come to life. It’s the way he looks. The way his lips move when he speaks. The sound of his voice as it washes over me. And good lord, don’t get me started on how great he smells. I swear every hair on my body is now standing at attention.

“I might have something for you.” He says as he comes to a stop right in front of me. He is so close I can touch him. I am hyper aware of everything about him and it’s all yummy.

Shit, did I just think yummy? Yep, I sure did!

“What?” It’s the only thing I can think to say. I’m getting lost in his eyes. They are sparkling with mischief as I can tell he is trying not to laugh. My mind is all over the place as he not only confuses the hell out of me; his hotness makes me weak in the knees.

“Look, Izzy, I own a shop nearby and we need a new front office girl. Are you interested?” His stare is masking his apparent smile he is hiding. I’m sure he realizes how sexy he is, and I am like a drooling idiot staring at him.

I drop my gaze so I can clear my head to answer him. “Um, are you sure? You don’t even know if I have any experience?” Although his offer sounds perfect, my lack of know-how could be a serious problem.

When I glance up, he’s squinting slightly, head off to the side. Then he lets out a chuckle. “Oh, I’m so hoping you don’t. You see I would like to be the one to teach you more things than just one honey.” He is licking his lip and holding back a smile as he shakes his head back and forth.

Oh my! What in the world is he saying to me? The look in his eyes and the roughness of his voice tells me it’s not just work he’s thinking about. Clearing the lust-filled fog from my mind, I stutter, “I’m not sure. You make me nervous. Eve’s right, you do like to make people nervous.”

Laughing openly now, he moves, so he’s standing next to me and puts his arm loosely around my shoulder. “Nah, babe. I just like to be in control.”

No Shit! My sigh gives way to mentally rolling my eyes at him. “I bet you do.” Witty responses just keep coming right out of my mouth. Damn.

“So are you interested? I am in need of someone, and you need a job. Great fit if you ask me.” Arm still around my shoulder, his smile widens as his eyes dip lower. No need for me to look myself to figure out where his eyes are centered on now.

Oh, I bet he would be a great fit. Blowing out a big breath that I had no idea I was holding in, I shake my head and give in. “Okay, why not?” Then remembering my sweet new friend I ask, “Does Eve ever stop by the shop?” The thought of spending more time with her makes my heart swell.

He pulls me closer against his side and smiles nice and wide, like he’s glad that I like Eve so much. “Sure does.”

“Even better.” I smile back, too anxious to do anything else. I love the way I feel against him.

“It seems like you want this job to be closer to my daughter than to me.” The twinkle in his eyes confirms my suspicion that he loves the idea of his daughter and me spending time together. To be honest, I like it as well.

“I don’t know you. But seeing her is the highlight of my day. She seems to brighten me up, and I could use that in my life right now.” I say without taking a breath.

This causes him to tense. “You okay? You’re not in some kind of trouble are you?” He tips my chin up to search my eyes, and the look, he is giving me, makes me tense up as well.

When I don’t answer fast enough, he frowns. “Tell me, are you in some trouble?”

“What? Hell no. I’m just saying life has not been kind to me. That’s why I’m here.”

“Eve said it’s just you?”

“Yep, just me. Alone.” I admit nervously.

Snickering he says with a quiet voice. “Maybe not for long.”

That totally catches me off guard even though it probably shouldn’t. “What? Gosh, you say the most open-ended things?”

“Yep.” He says with a slight shake of his head. “Keep you guessing, doesn’t it?” Cheeky bastard then winks at me.

“Why should I do that?” I question his cheeky side.

“That way I am always on your mind.” He says in a smooth, sexy voice. Desire pools in those deep brown eyes of his.

I merely moan. “Oh God, you like to play mind games don’t you?”

“No babe, I don’t play games. As I said, I just think you would be an excellent fit.” There he goes using that word again. Only this time he says it with a wickedly delicious grin on his face.

The sexual innuendo is not lost on me. “Fit for what?” I question, playing innocent. I’m sure it won’t work because the look I am getting is not innocent at all.

“Now who is asking openly ended questions?” Cheeky, damn cheeky.

“I can’t help it. You are so, so, I don’t know what you are.” Flabbergasted is what I am.

“Work for me and find out.” He looks at me with a more serious expression.

“Where and when?” I ask, eyeing him with a slight smile on my blushing face. It just slips out of my lips.

“Monday 8 a.m. at Ryles Custom Shop on Riley Avenue.” He whispers while staring at my lips.