Blade (Shadowridge Guardians MC #10)

Chapter 1

Chapter One

B lade backed his bike into a parking spot. With a quick, practiced movement, his boot knocked the kickstand to brace the colossal beast of a cycle he called his own. It was a rumbling testament to his skill of adding special additions to a motorcycle.

He sat there for a moment while he pulled his gloves off and unbuckled his helmet. Blade had seen too many bike accidents to risk messing up his skull. Bikers rarely came back from that type of injury. He stood, swung his leg over the bike, and grabbed a wrapped item from his saddlebag. Dropping his helmet along with his gloves into the storage area, Blade turned toward the bright blue door.

She likes color.

He’d caught a glimpse of a custom-made bolo tie holder at The Hangout last night. Not that Blade had any desire to be a cowboy wearing a string-like necklace. He was only interested in the quality of the workmanship. Steele had suggested he could have kept the guy from nearly fainting by simply asking about the decoration instead of cornering him and lifting the piece up to examine it closely. Who knew that he’d panic and almost strangle himself in his attempt to get away?

When the cowboy had regained his breath, he’d eagerly shared where he’d picked up the bolo tie. Then he’d taken off at high speed. Blade shook his head at the memory. Blade hadn’t even pulled a weapon.

Shrugging, Blade walked forward toward the bright door and pushed it open. A set of bells attached to the inner handle jingled, announcing his presence. He looked around the jewelry store, which showcased unique items in a very attractive way. Earrings, bracelets, and necklaces sparkled from every display, along with jeweled pins, barrettes, and a few things Blade didn’t recognize. Yes, this is the place.

“I’ll be with you in a minute,” a husky female voice called from the back.

“I’ll wait,” he answered. The sound alone intrigued him. What would she look like? Blade had a very specific taste in female companions. Little.

“Not that kind of Little,” he said aloud, spotting a toddler peeking around the door to the backroom.

At the sound of him speaking, the child walked directly toward him. The corners of Blade’s lips curved up at the sight of her pink princess dress with the ruffled skirt, sparkling waistband, and puffed sleeves. She held her hands toward Blade.

“Up!”

“Sorry, kid. I don’t want your mom to get mad at me.”

“Up!” she demanded with a stomp of her foot. When Blade made no move to lean over, the corners of her mouth trembled. Seconds later, a fat tear rolled down her cheek.

“Princess, you should go see your mommy,” he suggested, lowering himself down to one knee.

She shook her head and walked forward to touch Blade’s leather cut. The child patted it like he was a pet before poking one of the shiny snaps running down the front.

“Of course. You’re out in the shop. The last place I would have thought to check,” that husky voice announced.

Blade looked up to see a captivating woman with bright blue hair and a myriad of tattoos. Her skin radiated color in countless patterns and shapes that all combined into an intriguing motif that he instantly wanted to explore closely. The woman’s shape drew his attention as well—curvy, in an understated delectable way. He smiled without meaning to. She was so unique. She was also peeved.

“Kinsley, come here. How did you get out of your playpen? I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”

Kinsley shook her head. She continued to explore Blade’s cut, sliding her fingers over the worn leather. He laughed when she leaned forward to lick him.

“Kinsley. No. You don’t know where that’s been.” She scolded the child and then paused, seemingly realizing how that must sound to Blade.

“No.” The girl’s response was perfectly clear and emphatic. She held on to Blade’s vest and worked very hard to lift one leg to straddle and push herself up to sitting on his bent leg.

Blade steadied her as she wobbled. “Whoa, princess.”

“Tank you,” Kinsley answered and lifted her arms for Blade to hug her close.

To save her from tumbling, he wrapped an arm around her. Standing, he rose with Kinsley happily cuddling his chest. She laid her head on his shoulder and rubbed her cheek against the leather.

“I’m sorry. Kinsley never interacts with anyone but family. I hope she hasn’t bothered you,” the woman said, coming forward. She tried to lift Kinsley out of Blade’s arm, but the toddler slumped back toward his chest, refusing. “No!” He obviously fascinated her.

“She’s no bother. All the girls are attracted to a leather-clad biker.” Blade pointed out.

The woman rolled her eyes. “She’ll go to college, study law, become a lawyer, and put bad bikers in jail.”

“Just as I thought, she won’t be able to stay away from them,” Blade teased. Enjoying this interaction more than he’d have thought possible, he wasn’t in any hurry to go. He studied the woman in front of him. She’d drawn her striking blue hair into a messy bun that made him want to pull each hairpin out one by one. The daydream of her tresses tumbling down was sexy, and he pulled his thoughts back to reality.

He studiously kept his gaze from roving over her. He’d already surveyed her sweet form. Her brilliant blue eyes were spectacular, but Blade considered her plump lips to be his favorite feature. How would they feel under his?

“Ahem. I’ll take Kinsley now.” The woman took a step closer and reached out her hands to the child.

“No.” The toddler’s answer was definite.

“How about if I hold her while we do some business? By then, she’ll be tired of me and ready to go back to Mom. Right, Kinsley?”

“Mom go work. An Saffire.”

“That’s right. Aunt Sapphire,” the woman said to Kinsley before looking at him. “She’s my niece. Her mom’s babysitter is having a baby today. Kinsley gets to come to the shop with me for a few days.”

“Ah.” A few puzzle pieces in his brain clicked together. He liked kids, just hadn’t considered having any of his own yet. Definitely his interest in Sapphire wasn’t dampened by the thought that she was a mom, but he wouldn’t choose to pursue someone with a child unless he was serious. That wasn’t fair to the young one.

Blade supported Kinsley with one arm and held out the other. “I’m Blade.”

“Really?” she asked, putting her hands on her hips as she looked over his body, lingering on the weapons he had secured to his form. “None of those can come loose for the baby, right?”

“Not baby.” Kinsley corrected her before leaning forward to gnaw on his jacket’s lapel.

“Kinsley, don’t chew on the nice biker’s coat. How about a cookie?” she asked, rounding the counter to pull a box of children’s animal crackers from underneath.

Kinsley held her hand out eagerly.

“She can’t pull any of my weaponry,” Blade assured her as she got close once more. “What’s your name?”

“Weaponry, hmm.” She abandoned that line of questioning. “I’m Sapphire Jones. The Blue Door is my store.”

“Did you create this?” Blade asked, pulling the photo of the bolo up on his phone with one hand as the little girl laid her head on his shoulder once again as she munched on the hard cookie.

“I made it,” Sapphire said with a nod. She paused to consider the imposing biker in front of her.

“No offense, but a bolo would look weird with the biker thing you have going,” Sapphire suggested, waving a hand toward him.

The corners of his lips curved upward. He’d smiled more in the last ten minutes than he had in months. He shook his head slightly. “I like the artwork. I’m looking for an artist to add stones to some of my knives. Would you be interested?”

She stared at him for a minute before answering. “Tell me more.”

By the time Blade showed her the hilt of a knife he was working on and described what he had in mind, she was intrigued. He could tell from her questions and the sketches she started making on a pad of paper. It was obvious she enjoyed challenges.

“Last question. Are you a jerk?”

“Nope. Pure Daddy.”

“Oh. You have kids. That’s why you’re so good with Kinsley,” Sapphire said, focusing on the now-sleeping toddler.

“No, I don’t have any children.” Blade controlled his expression as her gaze returned to mesh with his. He watched her expression, hoping to see a spark of interest.

“A Daddy with no children?” Lines formed across her forehead before her stunning eyes lit up. The look of shock told him a lot. Her mouth rounded in an O as her cheeks turned a faint pink. “A Daddy Dom?”

“Through and through. Do you want to put Kinsley down for a nap? I don’t think she’ll wake up if you take her now,” Blade suggested.

Sapphire drew closer and gently plucked Kinsley from his arms. Blade enjoyed the innocent brush of her hands against his chest and exposed skin. The contact felt electric. Her gaze met his. Her blush was endearing.

“They exist?” she blurted out.

“Daddy Doms?” he guessed. “They do.”

“Oh!” With a peek over her shoulder, she escaped into the back.

An idea popped into his mind. Blade hurried outside and grabbed the teddy bear he’d driven around with for a while. Returning to the shop, he left the bear and his name and number on a slip of paper by the cash register.

Sapphire hurried back into the main shop. She’d heard the bells on the door jingle and knew there were more customers waiting for her. To her surprise, she discovered the shop was empty. He’d left?

Her heart sank in her chest. He’d just disappeared? Sapphire shook her head. She should have known better than to hope someone special had waltzed into her life.

The familiar jingle drew her attention back to the door. An older woman Sapphire quickly assessed to be a tourist walked in and looked around. “Welcome to The Blue Door. Let me know if I can help you.”

“I’m searching for something special for my grandniece’s birthday. Earrings maybe?”

“Tell me about her. Does she have a favorite color? What does she normally enjoy?” Sapphire asked with a smile. She loved matching customers with her creations. Her heart was happy to know her jewelry would go to someone who’d appreciate and wear it.

“Black. She’s one of those teenagers who always wear that black makeup. Gloth, or something, I think is what they call it.”

“Jeans? Shorts? What clothing does she like?” Sapphire didn’t correct her terminology to goth. The woman obviously cared about this person in her life and was interested in finding something special.

“Short skirts with clunky boots.”

“I have just the thing.” Sapphire led her over to a display of chokers and ear cuffs. “These are really popular. Here’s my favorite.”

Picking up the beautiful pink stone on a black mesh band, Sapphire held it up to her throat. “This has a bit of color that makes pale skin gleam. It still has the dark goth allure but with a unique style. Do you think she’d like this?”

The woman reached up to run a finger over the finely smoothed metal. “This is much more comfortable than I expected. I like this.”

“Would you care to try it on?”

The older woman hesitated and then nodded. “Could I?”

“Of course.”

Sapphire adeptly fastened the necklace into place and gestured to the mirror on the wall. “See what you think.” Her smile broadened as the woman turned this way and that, admiring it.

“I adore this. I’ll take it.”

“She’ll love it too. I have some with a gold or silver band instead of the black. Would you like to shop for yourself? Maybe you’d enjoy one as well?”

“I prefer purple.”

“I do, too. How about this silver one with amethyst beads? It’s a little longer. It will sit on your collarbones instead of snug around your neck.” Sapphire pointed out.

“It looks so different. Can I try this one on, too?” the woman asked with a smile.

“Let’s do it,” Sapphire said, enchanted by how much brighter and happier the woman seemed now compared to her appearance when she’d entered.

By the time Sapphire carried one necklace and a matching ear cuff to the cash register, the customer chatted happily as her fingers stroked over the necklace she hadn’t wanted to take off. Sapphire set the items on a piece of velvet and noticed the light grey teddy bear next to the cash register. Her heart skipped a beat.

“Isn’t that adorable? Is he the shop mascot?”

“No. I’ve never seen him before. The previous shop visitor must have left it for me.” Sapphire shared her guess. Her voice must have given away her delight to find the stuffie. Her lingering dejection evaporated at the thought that Blade hadn’t simply disappeared. He’d left her something a Daddy Dom would.

“It sounds like that visitor needs to come back often.”

“I hope he will.” Sapphire rang up the purchases as quickly as possible. All she wanted to do was hug the furry present.