Obsessed With A Biker, What A Mess!

Chapter 7

Aria

Ethan said he'd pick me up. He didn't really specify the time. But I got ready anyway. I glanced at the time then grabbed my house keys and stepped outside, locking the door behind me.

And as if on cue, the roaring sound of a motorcycle echoed through the neighborhood, followed by the familiar presence of Ethan.

Helmet off, one boot resting casually on the ground as he sat on the black bike like he'd just rolled out of some action movie. For the first time, I really looked at him. The sharp angles of his jaw, the quiet confidence in his posture, the way his shirt clung just enough to show the lean muscle underneath that leather jacket.

Damn. I looked away fast , annoyed with myself.

"Hey." Came his way too deep voice.

"Hey," I replied, trying to sound casual even though my heart was beating all over the place. "Thought you wouldn't come."

He shrugged like it was no big deal. "I keep to my promises. Shall we?"

I nodded, swallowing down the nerves bubbling in my chest. As I got closer to the bike, adrenaline kicked in. I couldn't believe I was actually doing this.

Without saying another word, I swung my leg over and settled in behind him, hands hovering awkwardly for a second before resting lightly on his sides. Let's see how this clinic trip goes.

The ride wasn't long, but my mind raced the whole way there. I thought we were heading to the clinic, so when Ethan slowed down in front of a quiet house I didn't recognize, my brows pulled together.

He parked the bike, got off, and looked back at me. "Hop down."

I slid off, confused. "This isn't the clinic."

"No," he said simply, then nodded toward the front door. "I helped you rent this place."

"What? Why would you do that?" My eyes widened to some level of confusion.

"It's in my neighborhood," he said. "Under my jurisdiction. Safer. And before you start with the whole independence speech," he added quickly, holding up a hand, "The rent is low. I made sure of that."

I opened my mouth to argue but paused. He looked serious. Like he wasn't going to back down from this.

He rubbed the back of his neck. "And just so you know, I didn't pay the rent for you, if that's what you're thinking. You still have to pay it yourself."

I narrowed my eyes. "So you just...found it and saved it for me?"

"Exactly," he said. "It's just a better place. Figured you'd be safer here. You don't have to decide now. Just take a look."

I hesitated, then nodded. "Fine. I'll look."

It couldn't hurt to see it, right?

I stepped inside and froze for a moment, just taking it all in. The living room was... calm. Open and full of light, with warm sunlight streaming through wide windows like it had been waiting all day just to welcome me. The walls were a soft cream, not cracked or stained, and the floor didn't creak under my boots. It was nothing fancy—just clean and solid and... safe.

I drifted in slowly, my fingertips grazing the back of the couch. They looked comfy too. Then I wandered into the kitchen. My jaw might've actually dropped. It was huge. Not just in size but in possibility. Shiny countertops, a fridge that didn't make sound like it was about to explode, and a stove that actually looked like it worked. It was so different from the tiny kitchenette I'd learned to live with—burner always on the edge, sink leaking just enough to make a mess but not enough to fix. This? This looks very refreshing.

And then I opened the back door.I wasn't sure what I expected a narrow alley, maybe, or a stretch of dead grass with forgotten beer cans and rusting tools. But instead, I found space. A real yard. Fenced in and quiet, with patches of green pushing through soil.

I stood there for a moment, scanning around and breathing it in. the quiet, the privacy, maybe I could have a little peace here.

"This space is really nice," I said not trying to hide my excitement as I turned to Ethan that was leaning against the doorframe arms crossed.

He nodded with a smile. "You could plant something. Flowers. Herbs. Whatever you like."

I looked at him. "Are you serious right now?"

He just shrugged. I squinted my eyes then, suspicious creeping in. "You're sure the rent's not high? You're not messing with me?"

His lips curved up into a full blown smirk. "I knew you wouldn't believe me." Then, as if he'd been expecting this, he pulled out a folded contract from his back pocket and handed it to me.

I unfolded it, scanning the numbers. My eyebrows lifted. The rent was exactly what he said—low, almost shockingly low for a place like this. Everything looked legit.

A small breath of relief escaped me. "Okay... I'll take it."

While I kept exploring the space, admiring the natural light and imagining what the kitchen would look like once I actually stocked it with food, the doorbell rang.

Ethan went to answer it. I didn't think much of it until I stepped out of the kitchen and saw someone new walking in.

A tall guy with sharp eyes and a mischievous smile stepped in.

"This is Kaden," Ethan said, glancing back at me. "My right hand guy. And Kaden, this is Aria."

There was something about the way Kaden looked at me—like he was sizing me up but also enjoying the view. His smirk widened as he stepped closer and held out a hand.

"Hi," he said smoothly. "Nice to meet you, Aria."

I looked at Ethan for a beat, then back at Kaden. That smirk didn't budge. Reluctantly, I reached out and shook his hand. “Hi, I’m Aria,” His grip was warm. Confident. This one was definitely trouble.

Kaden raised the bag in his hand and tossed a grin at Ethan. "Breakfast delivery, as promised."

Ethan stepped forward, took the bag from him, and muttered something under his breath that made Kaden snort.

"Seriously?" Kaden whispered back with a crooked smile, clearly amused.

Ethan's expression didn't shift. "Yeah. Now get out."

Kaden didn't budge right away. Instead, they stood there for a few seconds, trading quiet jabs like two kids who knew exactly how to push each other's buttons. There was something familiar and easy in the way they bantered—like they'd done this their whole lives.

"You're a pain in the ass," Kaden said, squinting slightly before turning to me. He mouthed the words "Don't go easy on him", like it was a warning. Or maybe a joke.

I couldn't help the small smile tugging at my lips.

Ethan rolled his eyes, then swung a lazy punch at Kaden's arm. "Get out."

Kaden winced dramatically. "Ouch. I'll let you off easy this time."

He gave me one last smirk as he backed toward the door. "Bye, Aria. See you around."

Then he was gone. Ethan turned to me, a little exasperated but looked like he was clearly used to that level of chaos. "Come on," he said, motioning for me to follow him. "Eat something before we head to the clinic."

I wanted to turn down but nodded and followed him after all it wouldn’t be the first time having breakfast with him.

**

I took a bite of the sandwich and glanced at Ethan across the table. He was quietly sipping his coffee while pressing on his phone, brows creased.

My mind wandered back to yesterday morning at his place. I didn't expect a guy like him to be the type who ate breakfast on time—let alone bring someone else into it.

Ever since I started living alone, no one makes me breakfast. I'd almost forgotten what it felt like….sitting at the same table, eating in silence.

That felt.. nice. Something about the whole scene made me chuckle under my breath.

His eyes flicked up to me. "What's so funny?"

I shook my head and smiled covering my mouth. "Nothing. Just... this sandwich is really good."

He raised a brow, leaning back in his chair slightly. "Oh really? And now you're thinking about something else too, like..."

He paused, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Maybe how good I look in the morning?"

I threw him a glare, sandwich halfway to my mouth. "Excuse you. I'm eating here."

Ethan chuckled, clearly pleased with himself, but I avoided his gaze, focusing instead on the pattern of crumbs on my plate.

Well... this feeling is unexpectedly pretty good.