Truly, Madly, Whiskey(19)

“Why not?”

“You just want me wrapped around you.” Old habits died hard. She’d done such a good job of selling herself as a hard-core biker chick, she knew he thought she had experience riding on a motorcycle.

His lips quirked up. “And that’s bad because…?”

He had a point. Wasn’t that the reason she’d gone to see David? She glanced at the bike. I guess this is as good a place to start as any.

Inhaling a lungful of courage, she said, “You’ll have to show me how to ride.”

Goose bumps chased anxiety around her chest like a mouse in a maze, but she’d expected that. David had warned her. Nothing about tonight was going to be easy. But she wouldn’t know what to do with easy anyway.

A deep V formed between Bear’s brows. “Come again?”

“You have to teach me to ride. Now shut up and do it, or I’ll change my mind.”

He ran his eyes over the Harley-Davidson logo on her shirt, down the length of her black skinny jeans, to her chunky black leather biker boots.

I know. I have a lot of explaining to do. “Forget it. I can drive.” She took a step toward her car.

He took her hand in his, walking toward the bike. “Are the eight piercings in your ear fake, too?”

“Maybe if you’re not an ass I’ll let you find out.”

He placed his hands on her hips, tipping his face down with a serious expression. “Are you nervous?”

She opened her mouth to give him her usual snappy retort, and stopped herself. “There’s nothing between me and the road. There are no airbags. It’s freaking scary as shit.”

“We don’t have to do this. We can take your car, or you can take your car and I’ll take my bike. I can teach you to ride some other time. No pressure from me. I’m just glad you’re willing to talk, so it’s your call.”

She was done pretending, at least to herself. The truth was, she’d been dying to ride on the back of Bear’s bike for months. She’d always had her car or he’d had his truck when they’d run errands or grabbed a bite to eat together. But it was like an extension of him, and she wanted to experience it. She might be putting herself into emotional overload, but what better way to rip off a bandage than to do it all at once?

“I want to ride with you on the bike.”

His lips curved up as if he were pleased with her decision, but his eyes remained serious. “You’re sure?”

She nodded before she could chicken out.

“Okay. After we get your helmet on, you’re going to want to press your body as close to mine as possible. Arms around my waist, like this.” He turned around, bringing his back flush with her chest, and took her hands, guiding them around his waist and placing her palms on his stomach. “Hold on as tight as you possibly can.” Clutching both her hands in one of his, he reached his other hand behind her and pressed on her ass, bringing them even closer. “Got it?”

Got it? All those muscles pressed up against her? She got it all right. The problem was, she didn’t want to let go.

“Yeah. I’ve got it.”

He chuckled and helped her on with her helmet and then onto the bike.

“Okay?” he asked, visually assessing her.

“I’m surprised at how monstrous it is.”

His eyes turned volcanic.

“Ohmygod. The bike!”

“If I have my way, this won’t be the last time you feel something monstrous between your thighs.”

He didn’t pause long enough for her to think past the memory of how huge he’d felt when they’d kissed last week, and on its heels, the reason she’d come to see David.

Tone serious again, he said, “If you need me to stop, I want you to pat my stomach once. If you want me to slow down, then do it twice, okay?”

She nodded, getting more nervous by the second.

“You’re safe with me, baby. I’ll never put you in jeopardy.”

She knew this, and more importantly, she believed it.

“We can take your car if you’re not ready.”

His expression was so serious, his concern so sincere, it took the edge off. “No. I’m good. Can you take me to the park on Eternity Lane?”

“At the other end of town? There’s a park around the corner. Want to go there?”

“If you don’t mind driving, I’d rather go to Eternity.”

“Buzz Lightyear, at your service.”

She laughed. How could a badass be so frigging cute? “I think he said ‘to infinity and beyond,’ not ‘eternity.’”

“Seriously? Boy, I screwed that up.” He climbed onto the bike, and before he put on his helmet, he said, “Try not to get too turned on.”

He wrapped her arms around him and reached behind them, pressing his hand to her ass and hauling her so close she felt like they were glued together. The bike roared to life, rumbling between her legs like a supersonic vibrator. Not that she’d ever used one, but there’s no way they’d have anything on this monster.

The bike rolled forward and she smacked his stomach. It must have been a reflex or something, because she didn’t need him to stop, but he did. Immediately.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” she said. “Go ahead.”