his house.
I refuse to be the dupe, swooning over his good looks while he plays his games. Besides, I’m not even sure we could work. I don’t know if his life is something I can tolerate. The crime and violence. The mistresses or club sluts or whatever they are called will take turns with him. It’s all too much.
Though the men in Shasta—at least the ones I know well—seem faithful, I’m aware their behavior isn’t the norm with bikers. Ramona wouldn’t exist if it was.
Despite feeling prepared, Bronco surprises me with a kiss that I feel down to my toes. One taste and I’m wondering if I could accept sharing him with other women. The kiss invites me to ditch my new life in Shasta and be this man’s fool. I can’t think straight when his lips leave mine.
Then he takes Carina in his arms and holds her with the confidence of a longtime dad. No exaggerated bouncing like Kenny did when Desi was little. Bronco owns his daughter’s safety in a way not every man can. I’ve seen such confidence at the house with Shane and River. Goliath remains shaky with fatherhood, and I’ve noticed the pure panic in his eyes when Shelby leaves him and Kirby in a room.
“I told Sidonie I would watch them play,” I finally babble when his gaze is off me for a minute, and I can think again.
“She’ll like that.”
When I reach for Carina, he shifts his stance to make clear he isn’t giving up the baby.
“Let her enjoy her daddy for a while. You go up and hang out with the girls. Carina and I will be fine.”
“She might be carsick. What if she throws up?”
Bronco smiles at my concerned tone. “I have other shirts, and I’m sure you brought her extra clothes. Besides, my sisters went shopping this week. You’ll want to start filling up Carina’s dresser and decorating her room before my sisters have all the fun.”
I stand stupidly at the bottom of the stairs while he admires his daughter. Finally, I take the first step upstairs when his dark-eyed gaze returns to me.
“I want you, Lana,” he says in a casually direct voice. “I think you want me too. We’re both bringing baggage into this. Both personal and town shit. But I’m not a young man easily tricked by his heart. I know what I know, and I think we should try to make something real between us. Not just because of Carina. However, having a daughter together and knowing how much our girls like each other does sweeten the pot.”
“There are things we need to talk about,” is all I can say after a minute of watching him hold our daughter as if he can’t get enough of her. I don’t remember Kenny ever looking at Desi that way. He played with her when she was older and thought he was hilarious. When Desi was a baby, he seemed to find her pointless. I could fall in love with Bronco for just how much he cares about his daughter. Yet I can’t forget what I learned about him this week.
“Things are complicated,” I add.
“I know. We’ll talk later when the girls are asleep, and the house is quiet. You can ask whatever you want, and you can give me shit. We’ll figure out that part later. For now, I won’t hide how I need you. I hope you realize how much I’m risking by taking this step, though.”
“Risking?” I ask, wondering about club stuff.
“If you and I turn into a train wreck, I’ll see less of Carina. You’re not blind. You see how Sidonie’s already attached to you. If she sees us acting like a couple, she’ll believe you’ll love her like a mom. Then if you and I don’t work out, it will kill that child’s heart. I’m the one who’ll have to clean up that mess.”
“Maybe it’s not worth it, then.”
“But if things do work out,” he says, lowering his voice and holding my gaze, “things would be fucking right in a way they’ve never been before. The possible payoff is too big not to try, Lana. Don’t pretend you haven’t wondered what our blended family could be like.”
Swallowing hard, I feel unbelievably overwhelmed. All my plans are out the fucking window. I’m floating in space, desperate for something to hold on to. My only option is a man with the power to hurt me in a way Kenny never could.
“It’s too fast.”
“I’d like to say