The Biker's Obsession

MACE Poppi was sitting between my legs, laughing at something one of her friends had said while I rested an arm around her waist. She'd been like that for most of the evening, moving between the people in our living room but always finding her way back to me. Sometimes she'd steal food from my plate. Other times she'd lean against my chest and interrupt whatever conversation I was having to tell me something she had just remembered. I didn't mind. I never did. The problem was that everyone seemed to have something to say about it. "You know, I'm starting to feel sorry for the woman who eventually dates you.” Tessa, one of Poppi's bestfriends, announced, looking directly at me. I raised an eyebrow. "Why?" "Because she'll have to compete with Poppi." Poppi laughed and threw a cushion at her. "Don't start. That's totally not true. There would be no competition." "I'm serious. You two are practically married already." "That's ridiculous." Poppi said as she rolled her eyes. I looked down at the woman sitting between my legs. She was busy adjusting the sleeves of my black shirt that she was wearing, the one she'd borrowed earlier without asking. "What's ridiculous?" Deke, the VP of our motorcycle club, asked from the armchair. "The idea that Mace and I are dating," Poppi explained. Rafe, another brother chuckled. "Nobody said dating. We said married." "Same thing." "Not quite, sweetheart." She rolled her eyes before settling more comfortably against me and Tessa exchanged a look with Julia, her other best friend. "Then explain something to me," Tessa said. "How are you planning to maintain a relationship with another man when you behave like this with Mace?" Poppi looked genuinely confused. "Behave like what?" "Like you're his girlfriend." "I'm affectionate. There's nothing wrong with that." Rafe laughed into his drink. "Tell that to the poor bastard who eventually tries to take you on a date." She turned around to face me, placing both hands on my shoulders. "Don't listen to them, teddy bear. They are just jealous because they don't have what we have." I forced a smile and she leaned forward and planted a kiss on my cheek. Then another. And another. "See? This is perfectly normal." She said. I caught her around the waist when she nearly lost her balance. "Of course, sweetheart." "Besides, when I get a boyfriend, I'll be just as affectionate with him. I won't suddenly stop hugging you because I'm in a relationship." Deke covered his mouth and Rafe looked away, laughing. I stared at the woman in front of me. She was smiling. She had absolutely no idea what she was doing to me. "You've thought this through, haven't you?" I asked. "Obviously." She kissed my other cheek before turning around and resting against my chest again. The conversation moved on, but I barely listened. I'd spent years getting used to her affection. I'd learned how to accept the little kisses, the hugs, the way she automatically reached for my hand when we walked somewhere. But every time she confidently announced that we were just friends, something inside me tightened. I wanted more. I wanted to take her on dates without having to pretend they were casual outings. I wanted to kiss her properly, introduce her as my woman and stop listening to her talk about the possibility of finding another man. Unfortunately, I wanted to keep her in my life even more, because confessing to her would make her distance herself from me. When the evening finally ended, her friends left with promises to visit again, and my brothers headed downstairs to their bikes. Poppi was already half asleep on the couch. "Come on, sweetheart." She made a small sound when I lifted her. "Where are we going?" "To bed." "Your bed?" I looked down at her. "Your bed, princess." She sighed and rested her head against my shoulder. I carried her down the hallway and placed her gently on the mattress. After removing her slippers, I pulled the duvet over her. She caught my hand before I could straighten. "Goodnight, teddy bear." I brushed a strand of hair away from her face. "Goodnight, Poppi." Her eyes closed and I stood there for another moment, watching her settle into sleep. Everyone knew I was in love with her. My brothers knew. Her friends knew. Even people who had only spent an hour around us could probably figure it out. Everyone except the woman sleeping in front of me. And I wasn't sure how much longer I could keep pretending that being her best friend was enough.