“Let me worry about that.”
He carried me into the kitchen and eased me down onto a wooden chair. It was the first time I’d been to Ashes’ house and I couldn’t help but be a little curious. The living room hadn’t been what I’d expected. Oh, the leather couches and not a single personal touch just screamed bachelor, but the walls had been a soft, tranquil green. I’d expected nearly every room to be what I called builder’s beige, that wretched neutral tone contractors used because it was so cheap.
The kitchen walls were a blue gray and the cabinets were white. His table even matched, being white with a light pine-colored butcher block top, and all four chairs were also white. A towel was tossed next to the stove and I could tell from the checkered pattern he’d likely just grabbed it and tossed it into his shopping cart. It didn’t look even remotely like something Ashes would choose. Although, to be honest, I was amazed he even had kitchen towels. It was my experience that most single guys didn’t unless they were a little more in touch with their feminine side.
“My brother isn’t really going to make you claim me, is he?” I asked.
Ashes tensed, but his back was to me and I couldn’t see his expression. I knew he didn’t think of me like that, but it hurt my pride a little. Would being with me be so horrible? Maybe he just didn’t want a kid who didn’t belong to him. Couldn’t blame him. I had no doubt that finding a decent guy would be a challenge. I didn’t think I was ready for a relationship at the moment, at least not with just anyone. If I thought I had even a chance with Ashes, then I’d jump in with both feet.
“Your brother is the Road Captain, but no… he can’t make me claim you.”
I chewed on my lower lip. “He can’t, but someone here can, right? Like Cinder or Scratch?”
He didn’t answer, which told me plenty.
Losing my apartment, and seeing my baby for the first time, had been a wake-up call. No matter what happened now, I needed to focus on little Oliver, and make sure I stayed healthy and provided a safe home for him. If Ashes would just give me a few days, then I’d figure something out. There had to be a job somewhere in town I could get to at least give me enough money for another place to stay. Or maybe I could convince Cinder and Scratch to let me have a small home here at the compound, at least until after Oliver arrived. Ashes had been right. I was safer here, where I had people to help if I needed it.
Even though it was far from morning, Ashes made eggs with biscuits and bacon. He placed a plate in front of me and I picked up the pepper shaker from the center of the table, adding a bit to the eggs. Then I pulled my biscuits open, broke up the bacon, and made bacon sandwiches out of them. He gave me a slight smile as he sat across from me, his plate nearly overflowing with food. I didn’t know where he put it since I didn’t see an ounce of fat on him. Lucky bastard. I so much as looked at food and gained weight. “Thank you.”
“You need to eat more,” he said before shoving a bite of egg into his mouth.
“Not what I meant, but I appreciate the food too. You’ve been watching over me for months and I don’t want you to think I’m ungrateful. It’s been hard, but seeing Oliver… I think I’m ready to move forward. I need to focus on my baby and get my life back on track.”
Ashes gave me a nod.
“I can help unload the car after we finish eating.” My cheeks flushed since I’d just assumed he was going to do it. Maybe he’d planned for me to all along? But no, not with the way he’d handled me so carefully the last few months.
“I don’t have the guest room set up just yet. I’ll get it done before tonight, though. If you want to rest until then, you can use my bed. Sheets are clean. Just changed them this morning before I headed over to your place.”
I pushed my eggs around. I didn’t want him to think he had to stay glued to me. Just because I was in his house, it didn’t mean I intended for him to be my shadow. As a single guy, and one in the MC at that, I knew he had his choice of women and probably had a different one every night. Would having me in his house make him feel like he couldn’t party with the guys like he typically did?
I was starting to second-guess coming with him. I’d known my brother wouldn’t handle it well, and I had no idea what the others would think. Even worse, I didn’t know what Ashes was thinking or feeling. He was probably just being nice and giving me a place to crash for a bit, but what would he expect in return? With me being six months pregnant, I seriously doubted he’d want sex from me. Maybe I could clean a little, even though from what I’d seen, his home was spotless.
“Nik, you’re thinking too hard. What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Maybe me being here isn’t such a great idea,” I said.
“Is this about the bedroom? Because I can have it set up in the next hour or two.” He watched me carefully. “Or is this about what your brother said? Don’t worry about it, okay? He’s just pissed that he didn’t realize you needed help.”
“It’s not just that. What am I supposed to do here, Ashes?”
He set his fork down and pushed his chair back. I watched as he came around the table and hunkered down next to me, taking my hand in his rougher one. Was it wrong his touch made me shiver? It made me wonder what his hands would feel like touching the rest of me.
“The only thing I want you to do is rest, get plenty to eat, and take care of yourself and Oliver. Needing help doesn’t make you weak, Nikki. It just makes you human. I don’t mind being the one to give you shelter, to lend a hand.”
My lips twisted in a grimace. “Because you feel guilty.”
He nodded before holding my gaze. “It started out that way, partially. Honestly, I’ve always admired you. I think you’re a sweet, beautiful woman and getting to be your knight in shining armor isn’t exactly a tough gig to handle. Spending time with you is payment enough if that’s what’s worrying you.”
“You almost make it sound like you’d date me.” I gave a humorless laugh, but it died quickly at the look in his eyes. He wouldn’t, would he? Was that what he’d meant when he said he’d admired me? Had Ashes wanted to date me at some point and my big brother had warned him away? It seemed like the type of thing Renegade would do. He hadn’t wanted me near the club, only inviting me over in emergencies or for the rare special occasion.
“Any guy would be lucky to have you, Nikki. Your brother will never permit a biker to claim you. What he said earlier, he was bluffing, hoping to get me to send you away, or make you leave with him on your own. If he’d known about Bane, the two of you would have never been in that warehouse. He’d have lost his shit at the mere thought of some Prospect daring to touch you. When you’re ready to stand on your own two feet again, then you’ll find the right guy. I just hope he’s worthy of you.”
Chapter Three
Ashes
After a mostly sleepless night, the last thing I wanted to hear was my damn phone going off. I cracked open an eye and groaned at the too bright light. I slammed my hand down on the nightstand, then felt around until I could grab the phone. My blurry vision couldn’t make out the caller name on the display, and at the risk of pissing off the wrong person, I muted the call and rolled back over. My fucking bed smelled like Nikki, which was my own damn fault. I’d been late putting the spare room together so she’d crashed in my bed for a nap. Now her scent covered my pillows and blankets. I could have changed them, but I guess I was a masochistic fucker because I couldn’t bring myself to do it.