The Biker Needs A Nanny (Thirteen Bikers for Christmas)

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Lucky—

“Dude, now I know why you’ve been so high-strung lately.” Brick elbows me at the bar.

Pipe stands on my other side. “Yeah. Didn’t know you had a hot nanny, brother. No wonder you’re wound so tight.”

“We rode the Ferris wheel the other night,” I admit.

Brick chuckles. “Is that code for some sex act?”

“The actual Ferris wheel, dipshit.”

Brick sips on his drink. “I thought you hated heights.”

“I do.”

“And you went on it, anyway?”

I look away, cursing myself for opening up.

“Bro, you got it bad,” Pipe says, slapping a hand on my shoulder. “I’m happy for you. ‘Bout time. You’ve been alone for too long.”

“I don’t know, Pipe. Every time I even have those thoughts, I’m swamped with guilt. And I don’t know how the girls will react if I were to get serious with someone.”

“It’s not just someone. It’s their nanny.”

“I know, and that’s crossing the line, isn’t it?”

Pipe shrugs. “Only if she’s not interested. Then it’s sexual harassment.”

“I’m her boss. It’s hard to figure out if she’s just being nice or if there’s something more.”

“Come on, man. You’ve never had trouble reading women,” Brick adds.

“I am now. This one’s got me all turned around. I swear to God, I get near her, and I can’t think straight.”

Pipe grins.

“What?” I bark.

“You. Our badass VP brought to his knees by a five-foot-four little ray of sunshine.”

“It’s not funny. She’s turning my life upside down.”

“So, get rid of her,” Brick says with a grin, knowing it’s the last thing I want to do.

I glare at him.

“I thought so,” he says.

“Don’t your parents take the girls for a long weekend at Christmas every year?” Pipe asks.

“As soon as school lets out for winter break.”

“Maybe that’ll give you two some alone time.” He shrugs. “Be a good time to find out if she’s into you or not.”

Brick grabs my face and shakes it. “What woman could resist this pretty-boy mug of yours?”

I whack his hand away. “Knock it off, asshole.”

“You are attractive, VP. All the girls say so. You want me to go take a poll? I could start with Miranda,” Pipe suggests.

“You do, I’ll drag you outside and beat the shit outta you.”

“What kind of Christmas spirit is that?” Pipe asks. “And here I was, tryin’ to help you.”

“I can do without your brand of help. Thanks.”

One of the club girls comes around, dressed up like a hot little Santa’s helper. She’s got a prospect with her pulling a wagon with several cases of booze loaded inside. She reaches in and grabs a bottle with a red bow around the neck and a box of cigars.

“Presents from Prez, boys.” She holds the bottle and box out to me. “Merry Christmas, VP.”

I take it and read the label on the bottle. “Twelve-year-old scotch. Nice.”

She passes the same to Brick and Pipe, then sashays off with the prospect in tow.

“This stuff is like two-hundred a bottle,” Brick murmurs. “Prez really stepped up this year.”

I set mine on the bar. “This stuff’s made to be savored.”

“It’s really good for making my ol’ lady's clothes fall off, too,” Brick says with a grin.

“Jesus Christ.” Pipe glares across the room, and I follow his eyes.

“Ain’t that your little sister?”

“Oo-wee, she’s hitting on one of them ‘Bama boys.”

Pipe slams his bottle on the bar. “Not for long.”

I lean against the bar with Brick, and we both laugh, watching our enforcer shove his way through the crowd.

“He’d look a lot tougher if he wasn’t wearin’ a Santa suit,” Brick says.

I chuckle. “We all would, brother.”

Grace appears through the crowd, and Brick straightens.

“I think I hear Angie calling.” He elbows me and winks, then disappears.

I smile at Grace. “I wondered how long the ol’ ladies would keep you. You having fun?”

“Yes, actually. I got some great shots of the girls getting their gifts from Santa.”

I hold up my bottle. “Santa got me a bottle of scotch for Christmas, so I’m happy.”

She cocks her head. “You’re different from what I thought.”

“How so?”

“I saw you laughing with your brothers. You actually like people.”

“Well, some people. How’d it go with the women?”

“Fine. They’re all really nice.”

“Brick’s been pestering me. Said Angie’s been dying to meet you.”

“You told them about me?”

“Brick knew, and he told Angie. I told him she could wait until this party. I knew how you felt about them coming to the house.” I glance to where Ella and Poppy are ripping open their gifts. “You ready to go? If we hurry, we might get back in time to catch the boat parade. I forgot it was the same night as the club party.”

“I think the girls had fun today. I’m sure watching it will be almost as fun as being in it, right?”

I shrug. “Maybe.”

The girls run up and show us their presents.

“Look, we got new dolls. Aren’t they pretty?” Ella says.

“I’m calling mine Elsa because of her long braid,” Poppy says.

“Those are beautiful,” Grace replies, admiring them. “What an awesome gift Santa gave you.”

“Go say goodbye to the other kids, girls,” I say. “If we hurry, we’ll make it home just in time to watch the boat parade go past our house.”

“The boat parade!” Ella yells excitedly at Poppy. “Let’s go.”