She’s so beautiful. That’s the first thing I thought when I saw her enter the club. Her blonde hair pulled into a high ponytail, revealing her slender neck, the loose tank top she's wearing leaves nothing to imagination, showing just enough cleavage and framing her curves perfectly, and her shorts are too short for my taste, especially in a place like this, when she’s surrounded by a bunch of guys. I know Lia won’t let anything happen to her and neither will I, but I was still close to plucking Wolf’s eyes out when he checked her out.

“Hi Tank.” She greets when Lia takes her to the booth I’m sitting at. Even in the dim lighting I see the cute blush on her cheeks, making me smile.

“Hi, gorgeous.” The words leave my mouth before I can stop them. Lia just grins knowingly at me, sitting down on the outer side of the booth, while Layla settles on the inside. The pink hue on her cheeks turns few shades darker and she lowers her head, as if trying to hide her face from me.

I can’t take my eyes off her as we talk for the next hour or so, just catching up, and Lia, being the perceptive genius she is, notices my lack of attention, so she decides to leave me and Layla alone after a while, using Blake as her excuse. Damn, I love this girl.

“There’s no need to be worried, no one will hurt you here. I won’t let them.” I declare when I notice Layla glancing around nervously.

“I’m sorry. – she quickly apologizes with that adorable redness on her cheeks – I’m not exactly used to being here without Lia.” I can tell. She’s never been here alone, so I’m not surprised she’s feeling wary. But I wish she would find my presence reassuring at least.

“Do you want to go for a ride? I can see you’re not exactly comfortable here.” I suggest, mentally facepalming. Of course she wouldn’t want to go on your bike, idiot! You’re just an old man that’s a friend of her friend!

“Uh, like, on your bike?” She tentatively asks, but I can see the excitement in her eyes. She’s so fucking adorable.

“Yeah. You okay with that?”

“Sure. If you don’t mind.” I grin at her and get up from the booth before holding my hand out to her, half-hoping she will take it. And she does.

Damn, I’m done for. Her hand is so small and soft in mine, it fits perfectly. I don’t lock our fingers, even though I want to, desperately.

“Have fun!” Lia calls out from the patio in front of the building when she sees us. Layla gets even redder, if possible, while I just give Lia a wide grin. She gives me a thumbs-up before turning back to Blake, who just watches with curious look. He gives me a nod in recognition and I return the gesture before taking Layla to my bike. Damn, did that boy change; I almost didn’t recognize him. He's got some buff since last year and don't get me started on the beard on his face. Had it not been for him back-hugging Lia, I probably wouldn’t know it’s him, he sure as fuck does not look like a 19-year-old.

“Keep your hold on me and lean when I lean. Don’t fight the flow of the bike.” I instruct as I get on my Harley, wrapping Layla’s arms around me.

"I know. Lia used to take me on rides on her bike a few times. She said I would need it." Layla softly says and I can hear the smile in her voice. Lia! That damn woman, she's so fucking cunning!

I caress her hand, which clutches onto my cut, then start the bike. I know just the place I want to take her to.

The ride is much too short for my taste, but the feeling of Layla’s soft body behind me and her arms around my waist is indescribable. I help her get off the bike when we reach the lake then take her hand in mine and lead her to the dock. She takes off her sandals and sits on the edge of the dock, submerging her feet in the water.

“You’re not going to join?” She asks shyly when she sees I’m still standing next to her. I give her a smile and shed my boots and roll up my jeans before sitting down next to her.

“It’s beautiful in here.” She softly says, looking at the water. The lake is surrounded by forest, with only one old dirt road leading here. Unless you know it’s here, it’s really easy to miss this place.

“It is.” I say, looking at Layla. She catches my gaze and the gorgeous blush appears on her cheeks again. As if my hand has a mind of its own, it reaches out and strokes her reddened skin with my knuckles.

“So beautiful.” I murmur, making the blush deepen.

“Tank-” Layla starts.

“John. Call me John.” I cut her off. I want her to call me by my name.

“John. I…” She trails off, turning her gaze away from me. I gently cup her chin and turn her head to face me.

“What is it, precious? Talk to me.” I encourage her, seeing the uncertainty in her eyes.

“I don’t know what to think of this.” She states quietly after a moment.

“What to think of what?” I release her when she turns fully towards me.

“Of this. Are you treating me nicely because I’m Lia’s friend?” I sigh heavily before shaking my head.

“No, I’m not.” I vehemently deny.

“Then?” She looks at me expectantly, waiting for me to clarify.

“What do you think?” I smile adoringly at her. She’s so innocent it should be illegal. I’ve actually found her innocence enamoring ever since I met her.

A delicious blush covers her cheeks again and I cup her cheek, running my thumb over it.

“I like you, Layla. A lot. I thought I made that clear.” I know it’s probably too soon, but I want to be honest with her.

Layla stays quiet for the longest while before speaking.

“I like you too, but I was too afraid to tell you. I… I thought you just saw me as a kid or something.” She nervously says, looking at me from beneath her lashes.

“And here I was afraid you thought I’m too old for you.” I try to cheer her up.

“No, no. It never even crossed my mind.”

“Good. Mój skarb.”

“Oh God! – Layla suddenly exclaims with a horrified look – Lia! How am I supposed to tell her?!” She panics, while I laugh.

“Lia already knows. – Layla’s eyes widen even more at this – She’s the one that told me to figure my feelings out before you came to the club. And I have. I can't keep running away. You have no idea how much it pained me to see you leave last year. But I couldn’t possibly take your future away from you, so I never said anything. And after your family moved out, I was sure I would never see you again. That’s why when Lia told me you’re here, I made my decision. I want you, Layla. More than anything.” I confess, slightly apprehensive. She has a lot to live for, she's just started her life, while I’m already 30 years old.

“No wonder she called me stupid when I talked to her. She knew.” Layla exclaims in shock, making me raise my brow at her. Lia called her stupid? The hell?

“I guess I’ll have to talk to Lia about name-calling. I don’t want my woman being called names.” I state seriously.

“Your… woman? – she questions before a shy grin appears on her face – I like the sound of it.” She surprises me when she suddenly leans up and gives me a quick peck. I stay stunned for approximately 3 seconds before crushing her to my chest by her waist and claiming her lips with mine. She’s mine.

We stay by the lake for few more hours, just talking between make out sessions, simply enjoying our time together. I know that once the summer’s over, Layla will have to go back to college, but it doesn’t hurt as much as it did last year, because I know she will be back.

I can’t stop grinning the whole way to the clubhouse while Layla leans her cheek against my back, with her arms wrapped tightly around my waist. Once we arrive, we’re greeted by amused Lia and Blake, as they chill on the patio with Gun and Maggie, his Old Lady.

“By the looks on your faces I can tell everything went well.” Lia teases, making Layla hide her face in my back, not getting off the bike.

“By the look on your face, I can tell you expected this.” I tease back.

“Of course I did.” She smugly states, causing Blake to chortle, while Gun and Maggie don’t even try to hold their laughter.

“Now that everything’s fine, we’ll take our leave. – Lia gets up from Blake’s lap, going to her black Camaro. I wonder what she did with her Challenger. – Make sure to bring her home by midnight. I have not agreed to sleepovers yet.” She says playfully, making me snort at her bossiness. “I mean it, Tank. I don’t want her out at night.” She adds, and I scrunch my brows at the sudden seriousness. I’ll have to ask Layla about this. Something’s not right; Lia wouldn’t react this way without a reason.

“Don’t I have a say in this?” Layla asks from beside me, snuggling into my side, making me put my arm around her. Lia just turns to her with a serious look, crossing her arms across her chest and arching her brow, challenging Layla to defy her. I have to know what’s going on!

“Okay, fine. What about my car then?” Layla gives in, gesturing at the silver Toyota Camry.

“I will drive it back to my house and Blake will take my car. I’m sure Tank will drop you off. Won’t you, Tank?” Lia turns from Layla to me with a hard look.

“You know I will. Why are you so angry about it?” I’m fucking confused. I respect Lia a lot, she’s like a sister to me and I know that she does not fuck around when it comes to people she cares about, so her acting this way is seriously concerning because it means something is wrong.

Lia sighs heavily and Blake of course notices that she’s distressed, so he wraps his arms around her and calms her down with few kisses to her head, whispering something into her ear. Layla, on the other hand, looks at the ground as if it’s the most interesting thing in the world. They are hiding something. I wonder if Blake knows.

“I’ll explain everything. You don’t have to worry.” Layla quietly says, still not taking her eyes off the ground.

“Fine. – Lia sighs before coming up to my girl and stroking her hair gently – Just be careful, okay?” She softly says, getting a nod from Layla.

The girls hug each other and Lia whispers something into Layla's ear then Layla hands Lia her car keys and we watch as both Lia and Blake drive away. I take Layla inside, tell the prospect to make us some food and bring it to my room then lead my girl there.

“What’s this all about?” I ask as soon as we enter and Layla sighs heavily, with tears running down her cheeks.

*Mój skarb - My treasure