The Dating Plan(76)

Daisy grimaced. “I think that’s a bit of an exaggeration.”

“Take the compliment,” Tanya said. “Liam doesn’t throw many around . . . At least, he didn’t use to.”

At least, he didn’t use to . . .

Was the bitch purposely trying to goad her with little reminders about her shared past with Liam? Daisy’s teeth gritted together. Well, she got the message. Tanya was a cool, bike-riding, smooth-haired venture capitalist ex who clearly wasn’t suffering in any way after her journey. She was probably so tough she didn’t need any padding in her seat. Maybe she just sat on a board or the bare steel frame.

Liam ran a hand through his hair, ruffling the dark waves into a sexy tangle. Was he subconsciously grooming himself for Tanya? Or was he just too warm? “What are you riding now?”

“Triumph Street Triple 675. I got rid of the Ninja. Not enough power.”

“You like the naked styling?” Liam asked.

Tanya smirked. “Naked is my thing, as you know too well.”

Naked is my thing . . . As you know too well . . .

Daisy tried to shut off the snarky voice in her head, but something about Tanya set her possessive teeth on edge.

“Do you want to join us inside?” Liam asked. “We’re going to have a coffee before we finish the loop.”

Say no. Say no. Say no.

“Sounds good.” Tanya took a few steps and looked back over her shoulder. “Do you need a hand, Daisy?”

Only to slap you.

“I’ll loosen up a bit and meet you there.” She forced a smile, rocking her hips from side to side like she rode pillion every day.

By the time she’d lurched her way to Liam and Tanya inside the café, her back was covered in sweat, her jaw ached from gritting her teeth, and her muscles were trembling. Thank God she’d made the effort. Tanya was standing a little too close to Liam for comfort, and she had a hand on Daisy’s man.

“Have you found a table yet?” Daisy put her arm around Liam’s waist, pulling him into her side and forcing Tanya to drop her hand from his shoulder.

“It’s not looking good.” He put his arm around her shoulder. “I’ll have to get you a motorcycle as a wedding present and we can ride out here together when it’s not as busy.”

Daisy bit back a smile. Liam knew what was going on and he’d just made it clear where his loyalty lay.

Tanya’s gaze flicked from Liam to Daisy and back to Liam. “You two are engaged?”

“Best decision of my life,” Liam said, pressing a kiss to Daisy’s sweat-covered temple.

“What happened?” Tanya’s smile faded. “I thought you didn’t do relationships.”

Another squeeze. “I just hadn’t met the right person.”

Daisy gave Tanya a smug but sympathetic smile.

“Congratulations.” Tanya’s face smoothed to an expressionless mask. “It doesn’t happen for all of us.” She looked over Liam’s shoulder. “I see a table. I’ll go and grab it.”

Still walking like she’d wet her pants, Daisy held Liam’s arm as they followed behind her. “She seems nice,” she said lightly. “I take it you two were together at some point.”

Liam chuckled. “Briefly.”

“It seems like she wants to be together again.” She nodded at the people who were throwing amused glances their way. So what if they were laughing? They’d all been in her position once upon a time.

“Are you jealous?” he asked in a teasing, slightly hopeful tone.

“Of course not. Don’t be ridiculous.” She tossed her hair. “She doesn’t look half as good in her leather pants as I do, and she’s only got half the ass.”

Liam slid one hand down and squeezed her bottom. “Damn right. You’re the sexiest woman here.”

“You just like me in leather.”

“I like you out of leather more.” His smile faded when she lurched to the side. “Why didn’t you tell me you were so stiff? You can barely walk.”

“I walked over here just fine.”

“Because you were jealous.” A slow smile spread across his face. “Of Tanya.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

His eyes softened and he turned, pulling her against him. Leaning down to brush his lips over her mouth, he said, “You care.”

“Maybe I fake care because we’re fake engaged.” Her pulse kicked up a notch as he nuzzled her neck.

“Maybe you really care even though we’re fake engaged.”

Feeling bold and brave in her biker leather, she said. “What if I did care? What would you do about it?”

“I’d take a shortcut home,” Liam murmured. “And then I’d take advantage of the fact that you can’t close your legs.”



* * *



? ? ?

IT was everything he had imagined and more. Sunny day. Blue sky. Open road. His bike purring between his legs. And Daisy on the seat behind him. Arms wrapped around his waist. Legs tucked up against his hips. Chest resting against his back. He wanted it to go on forever. Not just the ride, but them.

She was his humraaz and he was hers, but he didn’t want to keep secrets any longer.