Hyde's Absolution (Sydney Storm MC 4)

“How long have you got her for?” It wasn’t school holidays, so I wondered if she’d moved in with him.

“Her mother will be here tomorrow, but I’m not convinced Charlie wants to go home with her.”

“Her name’s Charlie? I love that.”

“It’s short for Charlotte.”

An insistent tap on the window of the café drew our attention. It was Hyde’s daughter. He promptly pushed his chair out and went outside to her where they engaged in a short conversation before making their way to the skate hire counter.

Charlie was a stunning girl with the same dark hair that Hyde had and a beautiful face I was sure the boys flocked to. I wondered how much stress she caused her father where boys were concerned. I remembered how much hell I’d given mine when I was a teenager. He swore half his grey hairs were from that time in my life. I’d had a new boyfriend every couple of months until I found one I really liked in my last year of school and had kept him for almost the entire year. My father hadn’t been excited about him and it had caused us numerous fights.

Hyde helped Charlie exchange skates and waited until she was back out on the rink before he came inside again. He ordered a drink and then joined me at the table.

After drinking some of his coffee, he said, “You got kids, Monroe?”

“No, not yet.”

“You want them?”

I nodded. My heart actually hurt at the thought of not having kids. “Yes,” I said quietly. This conversation had turned personal, fast. Another thing I hadn’t expected from him, but that was probably my bias against bikers. “I want a big family. Five kids. Maybe. Or three, at least. I guess it depends on my partner and what he wants. And whether those three have driven me insane before I can go for another one.” Why the hell was I sharing all this with him? It was like my mouth had a mind of its own and just kept going.

His lips twitched. It seemed to be a regular occurrence, but then again, I was babbling a little, so I could understand his amusement. Please God, let me shut up. “You’ve put some thought into this. But you haven’t found a father yet?”

I sighed. “Sadly, no. I’m flat out finding a man who likes meat, let alone one who wants to settle down and have kids.”

He frowned. “Meat? Who the fuck doesn’t like meat?”

“Right?! My thoughts exactly.” He was tall and he liked meat. And he smelt heavenly. I died a little on the inside. He wasn’t the man for me, but fuck, he was beginning to tick a lot of boxes.

He leant back in his seat, stretched his legs in front of him and reached his arms back so he could cradle the back of his head with his hands. Good Lord, did the man not know how sexy that move was when he did it? It was like having your favourite food laid out on a banquet in front of you and being on a nil-by-freaking-mouth diet.

“I guess there’s always IVF or some other shit you could try if you can’t find a guy who likes meat,” he said, his mouth curving into more of a grin.

I pursed my lips in mock annoyance with him. “You’re finding this meat thing hilarious, aren’t you? I’m telling you, it’s a serious thing to look for in a man.”

Still grinning. “I have no doubt. Tell me, what else are you looking for? Someone who flosses regularly? Or maybe someone who gets their tax in on time every year?”

I lifted a brow. “Flossing is very important. And honestly, I hadn’t thought of the tax thing. I may need to add it to my list.”

He laughed, and my belly fluttered at the sound. It was like a deep rumble of sexy goodness that I wanted to provoke over and over from him. “Ah, the mysterious list you mentioned the other night.”

“I did?” God, I didn’t remember that. What else had I said to him?

He shifted so he was leaning forward, his body and face closer to me. Dropping his voice to a low gravel, he said, “Yeah, you said I ticked two items off it. I had no idea what the fuck you were talking about, but it’s making sense now.” He paused for a beat before adding, “I’m guessing the fact I like meat gets me another tick.”

Okay, it was time for me to woman up. Hyde had me on all kinds of edge just by being in the same room as me. No man ever did that to me. I was the woman who could flirt with anyone and never get tongue-tied. And yet, Hyde was making me question my ability to even engage in adult conversation.

I leant forward, resting my elbows on my knees and putting my cleavage on full display for him. Hitting him with the sexiest smile I could muster up, I said, “Three ticks don’t make a list, tiger. You’re gonna have to do better than that.”

“I’m not looking to hit a list, sugar. But I will tell you, that vibrator of yours could learn a thing or two from me.”

Fuck.

Hyde-1. Monroe-0.

“Roe, I hurt my ankle.” Bree’s voice cut through the heat between Hyde and me, which was the saviour I needed right then. If not for her, I’d be sliding fast into dangerous territory, contemplating letting a biker show me a thing or two. Or three or four. Hell, why stop at four? Jesus.

I stood. “Here,” I said, motioning for her to come to me,” Sit down, honey. What did you do to it?”