Claimed by the Biker Giant (Maxine and Tank) novel Chapter 74

Max POV

So many new experiences, I love that Tank was patient with me and encouraging.

The shower was terrific.

I am still thinking about it, humming softly to myself as I try to surprise everyone with pancakes. It’s been a while since I made them. I already had a large pile in the warmer and was making another batch.

“That smells good. What are you making?” Sticks asked what my Grandma would call a stupid question.

“Can you make some sauce? I have the ingredients over there.” I point to a bowl of chopped-up berries.

“Sure, talk me through it. never made our own sauce before.” For half an hour, I talked Sticks made other types, including homemade maple through making sauces, then Cricket and Pins syrup, which always seems to be popular.

I gained a kiss from Tank before taking a massive plate of pancakes, which had me chuckling, as he mumbled something about the pancakes and spoiling everyone. Bruiser and Prez came in and copied Tank, although the kisses were not for me, but the thanks were. Cricket took what was left of the pancakes

out to the breakfast table, along with the sauces, and it was first-come, first-served. The latecomers will be pissed, but I am not making pancakes all day.

I take a plate and go outside to eat, and am pleasantly surprised to find the guys out here enjoying the morning, the sun was not in the sky yet, but it wasn’t far away, the color at the horizon was getting brighter, it was a cool morning, the signs of winter looming around the corner, a gentle breeze was enough to send goose bumps up my arms, after the warm kitchen.

“The peace, before the storm.” Entered my mind something my grandpa would say, if he were sitting with us. I had to agree, I was too happy for this to last for long, “Enjoy the peace and joy while you can,” my grandma would say. They loved the sunrise more than the sunset, “a fresh new day, at the dawn, put your troubles away in dust.” They had sayings for everything.

“Max, if it’s not too much trouble, can we put pancakes on the list, say once a month? These are too good not to have again.” The Prez asked tentatively, “It was nice, he said, and not ordered. Guess he’s learning; ordering me about doesn’t work so well as it does on his men.”

“Sure, I can work something out, Sticks, you have the roster?” I asked as she sat next to Prez, and Cricket next to Bruiser, we all shuffling about to make room.

“Yep, will have a look, not Sundays, too many hangovers, after a Saturday night, maybe mid-week, when not much was happening.” It didn’t matter to me when. I can fit in. Before going out to work in the workshop, I want to start on that baby bike, as they call it, pull it apart, and see what needs to be manufactured by me and what I can scrounge up.

“Great, you can get other ingredients for the sauces.”

“You made the sauce?” Prez asked, as he ran his finger through what was left on his plate and sucked it off his finger.

“Sticks and Cricket did.” I shrugged; it wasn’t hard to make.

“You guided us, and had the ingredients ready, do you like it, Sweetie?” Cricket, always happy to push compliments back, she’s a sweetheart.

“I love the thought it was homemade, that just makes it so much tastier, fresh ingredients, and made with love, not a machine, good job ladies.” Bruiser grinned at us, syrup in his beard, and he wiped it off as his hand grasped his beard and slid it down. Then, he wipes his hand on the thigh of his jeans.

“What’s the plan today?” Sticks asked, looking at the men.

“How about tonight, when we head to our room, I will explain it to you. Can you wait that long?”

“Why wait?”

“Because I want to be holding you when we talk about our ceremony, and out here isn’t so romantic.” I giggled at his playful banter; it was cute.

“Okay, you win this one. I will wait and not nag you as much as I want to.” I pinched his ribs, as I said nag.

“Hey, ouch.” He rubbed his rib where I had pinched him.

“You’re vicious.” He leaned down and kissed my forehead, smiling at me.

We entered my space, and I instructed Tank on what I wanted and where, and to my astonishment, he squatted down, grabbed the broken bike, stood up, walked slowly to me, and carefully placed it on the bench. I knew he was strong; he lifted engine blocks, like most likely weights at the gym, but this was seeing. He made it look so easy, he wasn’t even straining. How much can this man lift?

Tank chuckled and came over to me, lifted his hand, and placed his finger under my jaw, shut my mouth, which I hadn’t realised was hanging open. He then pulled me to him and gave me a long, slow, and breathtaking kiss.

“Got to go, have things to do. Catch you later.” He gave me another quick kiss and left, with me still staring at his retreating form, still in shock.