Chapter 5
AUbrEY
Iknelt in the grass to help Jenny tie her shoe, but my mind kept drifting back to the hot biker who had just left the park.
I should’ve been completely focused on the kids, but I couldn’t stop replaying our encounter in my head.
The way he’d looked at me had lodged itself in my thoughts and refused to leave.
He was really big, at least six-three with a powerful athletic build that made him stand out.
Dark brown hair and bright blue eyes were a killer combo that drew my attention right away.
His scruffy beard and the black tattoos wrapped around his left forearm gave him a rough edge.
The black leather vest declaring him a part of the Redline Kings MC only added to it.
I was still surprised by how strongly I’d reacted to him. The intensity in his eyes had sent butterflies swirling in my stomach that I wasn’t used to. I’d never felt that kind of instant pull toward anyone before and had kind of started to wonder if I ever would.
With a brother in law enforcement, I wouldn’t have thought bikers were my type, but Canyon absolutely was.
“Ready to head back?” I asked the kids, forcing myself to focus on gathering their things.
Jenny nodded and grabbed my hand, while Mike picked up his toy truck. I walked with them toward the parking area, but my thoughts kept circling back to Canyon. That magnetic pull had caught me completely off guard. One look from him, and my usual calm had scattered.
This wasn’t like me. I didn’t get distracted by strangers, especially when I was working. No matter how attractive or confident they were. Yet my mind refused to move on.
My phone buzzed in my back pocket as the kids and I headed toward the parking lot. I juggled their bags and pulled it out, expecting a message from the Hargroves checking in. Instead, Canyon’s name lit up the screen, and my lips curved into a grin. I was surprised he was texting me so soon.
Canyon
Hey Aubrey. It’s Canyon.
I glanced up and spotted him in a big black SUV still parked in the lot. My grin turned into a soft laugh because he hadn’t even left yet.
I typed back quickly, my steps slowing as I walked with the kids.
Me
Hi. I know since you added your name and number to my contacts. You really don’t waste any time, do you?
Canyon
I don’t play games. When I see something I want, I go after it.
His reply sent a feminine thrill through me. I appreciated that he wasn’t trying to downplay his interest like most guys would. Although I hadn’t bothered with dating, I’d heard enough stories from girls at school to know this was unusual in the very best way.
I bit my lip as I walked the kids toward the car, trying to keep my expression neutral so they wouldn’t notice how flustered I was getting.
Me
Okay, Mr. Direct. What exactly do you want?
His reply was almost instantaneous.
Canyon
Dinner. Tomorrow night.
I stopped next to my car for a moment, feeling excited in a way I hadn’t in a long time.
Me
Dinner, huh? You’re very sure of yourself.
Canyon
I am when it matters.
I got the kids settled in their seats while stealing glances at the screen, my fingers itching to reply.
Me
Okay, Blitz. Dinner sounds nice.
Canyon
You call me Canyon.
I quirked a brow at the quick correction, wondering why he was being so insistent that I not use what he’d referred to as his road name.
Me
Noted. Canyon it is.
Canyon
Good girl.
My cheeks warmed at the praise, and I froze for a second.
I wasn’t expecting the rush of heat that phrase sent through me.
I’d never considered myself someone who would like being called that, especially by a man I barely knew.
Yet coming from Canyon, it felt really good.
The surprise of my own reaction made those pesky butterflies swarm even harder in my stomach.
I slid my phone into my pocket, just to be sure I wouldn’t be tempted to peek at it again while driving. My intense reaction to him was almost overwhelming. Instead of scaring me off, it excited me.
I had never felt this kind of spark before. Between school, nannying, and worrying about Tripp disappearing on assignments he couldn’t talk to me about, dating had taken a back seat. But Canyon had crashed right through that without even trying.
I spent the rest of the afternoon in a bit of a daze.
I got the kids settled in the living room with crayons and coloring books, then sat on the floor beside them. My phone stayed in my lap as I tried to focus on Mike’s drawing of a truck.
“Look, Aubrey! I made the wheels really big,” he announced proudly.
“They’re awesome, buddy,” I replied, ruffling his hair.
I bit my lip to hide my smile while Jenny climbed into my lap, demanding my attention.
“Can we color the princess purple?” she asked, holding up her picture.
“Of course we can.” I laughed softly when Jenny tried to color on my arm by accident. Guiding her hand back to her page, I teased, “Hey, silly girl, the paper is over here.”
Mike looked up at me. “Why are you smiling so much, Aubrey?”
“Am I?” I asked innocently, feeling my cheeks warm. “Probably because you two are so cute.”
My phone buzzed again, and my grin widened even more.
Canyon
I’ll pick you up at 7 tomorrow.
I shifted Jenny to my other leg and typed back.
Me
7 works. I’ll send you my address.
After giving him my details, I played a quick game of tickle monster with the kids, making them both squeal with laughter. For a few minutes, I managed to put the phone down and fully enjoy their giggles, but the second a text notification buzzed again, my attention went right back to it.
Canyon
Can’t wait, sunshine.
I smiled so wide my cheeks hurt. Jenny noticed and poked my face with a crayon.
“You’re being silly today, Aubrey,” she declared.
“Maybe I am,” I admitted with a laugh, gently taking the crayon from her.
I hugged both kids close for a moment, but my mind was racing. Canyon was so direct and confident. The way he went after what he wanted without hesitation was completely new to me. And so darn attractive.
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d looked forward to something this much.
Luckily, I was able to keep Jenny and Mike happy, even while my focus was divided. But it was a relief when their parents got home.
The whole drive to my apartment, that excited feeling stayed with me. My cheeks were warm, and my stomach kept doing little flips every time I thought about tomorrow night.
When I pulled into my complex and parked, I was still smiling. I sat in my car for a moment, replaying everything that had happened at the park as I scrolled through our text chain again. A small part of me wondered what I was getting myself into.
Going to dinner with Canyon as my first real date was like diving into the ocean to learn how to swim. He was an older, commanding man who went after what he wanted without hesitation. And for some reason, right now, he wanted me.
I shook my head with a soft laugh and grabbed my bag. Whatever this was, I was going to let myself enjoy it. At least for one dinner with the intense, tattooed biker who made my pulse race with nothing more than a text.
I just hoped I wasn’t getting in way over my head.