The Biker's deadly obsession

Chapter five

Bailey's pov

I woke up to silence and the smell of coffee.

For a moment, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling and trying to convince myself that yesterday hadn't happened. That I wasn't hiding in a cabin in the middle of nowhere with the man who had destroyed my life.

That I hadn't told him Lily was his daughter.

But the knot in my stomach told me it was all real.

I checked on Lily, she was still sleeping.

Then I forced myself out of bed, needing to figure out what the hell we were going to do next.

I made my way to what I recognized as the kitchen yesterday to make Lily breakfast but froze at the door.

Ghost stood at the stove, his back to me. He was…shirtless.

My brain short-circuited at the sight before me.

It had been five years since I'd seen him like this and apparently my body had forgotten nothing. Those broad shoulders, the way his muscles shifted as he moved.

And…scars. God, so many new scars.

My mouth went dry.

Jax must have heard me because he turned a coffee mug in one hand and caught me staring.

A slow smile spread across his face. The bastard knew exactly what he was doing.

"Morning," he said, his voice still rough with sleep. "Coffee?"

I tore my eyes away from his very distracting abs and focused on his face.

"Yeah. Thanks."

He poured a cup, brought it over. I took it quickly, needing something to do with my hands that wasn't reaching out to touch him.

"You couldn't find your shirt?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

Or did he intentionally walk around half naked knowing I'd give that reaction?

"I found it. Just figured I'd make breakfast first then shower afterwards." He replied, leaning against the counter.

“ Is there a problem?" He asked so casually that it made me mad.

Yes. The problem is I'm trying to hate you and you're making it very difficult. That's what I wanted to scream.

"No problem," I lied.

His smile widened like he could read my mind, he could tell my lie.

I sat at the table, wrapping both hands around the mug.

Jax finished whatever he was cooking as I admired the back view and brought over two plates.

There was scrambled eggs, bacon, toast and…

"Mushrooms?" I stared at the plate.

"Yeah. You used to love them in your eggs." He sat across from me, pulling on a t-shirt he had draped over the back of his chair.

I looked at the mushrooms, something tight forming in my chest.

I used to love them before prison, before three years of eating whatever the hell they served and being grateful for anything that wasn't moldy or cold.

That was before I learned that being picky was a luxury I couldn't afford.

"I don't eat mushrooms anymore," I said quietly.

His hand paused halfway to his fork. "Since when?" He asked, looking confused.

"Since I learned not to be picky about food." I pushed them to the side of my plate. "Preferences are for people who have choices, Jax. I got over having those a long time ago."

The silence that followed was heavy.

"Bailey…" He started but I cut him off. I wasn't looking for his sympathy when I said that.

"It's fine. The eggs are good." I took a bite to prove it.

Jax stared at his plate for a long moment, jaw tight. When he looked up, there was something dark in his eyes.

Guilt.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly.

"Don't be. Like I said, I don't eat them anymore."

"That's not what I'm apologizing for." He said quietly.

Of course I knew that but I didn't want to go there. I didn't want to talk about prison or the past or all the things I'd lost.

"Let's just eat," I said.

I was halfway through my eggs when I caught him watching me.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing. Just..." He shook his head, his expression softening.

"You're a good mother." He said and my hand paused midair.

"You don't know that. You don't know anything about how I parent." I reminded him.

"I know you kept her alive in Northpoint. I know you got out and built a life from nothing. I know you have done everything to keep her healthy and happy despite everything you've been through." He leaned forward. "That makes you a damn good mother in my book."

I swallowed hard, not trusting myself to speak.

"Bailey…"

“ I did what I had to do, Jax. Any parent would do the same.”

I just didn't know if that included him.

I poured myself another coffee just to have something to do. "So what's the plan? We just hide here forever?"

"No. I've got people working on something. You should know more in the next day or two." Jax explained.

"People. You mean club members?"

"It’s someone I trust." Jax pointed out.

Someone he trusts, just like I trusted him and look what happened?

"Am I supposed to just trust your judgment on that?" I fired back.

"I know you don't trust me, Bailey. I get it. But right now, I am all you've got." Jax pointed out the reality of my life and I hated it that he was right.

"That's what scares me." I admitted loudly.

Jax moved from his chair and stepped closer to me…too close if I might say.

I didn't move even when every nerve in my body urged me to.

"I scare you?" His voice dropped lower.

"You know what I mean."

"Do I?" Jax was right in front of me now. "Bailey, I don't think it's fear I see in your eyes."

My breath caught. "Jax…"

"You were staring at me in the kitchen. I saw you." He pointed out.

Heat flooded my face.

He saw me. Of course he saw me.

"I was not…"

"I don't mind you staring.” He admitted, leaning in slightly. "You can look all you want, Bailey. Hell, you can have more than just looking. You can have all of me anytime you want.”.

My pulse hammered in my throat. "You're delusional."

"Am I?" His hand came up, fingers barely grazing my hip. "Your body remembers me, Bailey. I can see it.

I can see the way you react when I get close and the way your breathing changes."

"That's not…" I started, but my voice came out weak and breathy.

"I know your weaknesses, baby," he murmured, his lips dangerously close to my ear. "I know what you like and what turns you on.

That doesn't seem to have changed, has it?"

I should have pushed him away, I should have told him to go to hell.

Instead, I stood there, frozen and my body betraying every logical thought in my head.

"This doesn't mean anything," I whispered.

"Keep telling yourself that."

His thumb traced a slow circle on my hip, and I felt it everywhere.

"Mama?"

A small voice called and we jumped apart.

Lily stood in the doorway, looking between us with curious eyes.