Nobody's Lost (Rescue Me Saga #5)(15)

She heard the relief in his voice that she’d changed the subject. “Sure thing. I’ll wait for you in the garage.”

“Be there in ten minutes.”





Chapter Five





Ryder’s HD Road King was in top-notch condition, but he needed to keep his hands busy, so he tinkered with the engine while he waited for her. What the f*ck was he thinking to give her a massage like that? Touching her had him firing on cylinders long blocked. Good thing he didn’t explode.

The sight of her hard nipples nearly caused him to turn tail and run so she wouldn’t notice his hard-on. Thank God she turned away first.

He didn’t know how old she was, but she couldn’t be much more than twenty-five. Hell, he’d be thirty-eight in a couple of months. What the f*ck was he doing getting turned on by someone so young and innocent?

Worse yet, how could he turn her on? He was a f*cked-up Marine.

This ride was a bad idea on so many fronts. He probably should just tell her there was something wrong with his bike and escape from having her sweet body plastered against his for the ride up to Gilman Tunnels he had planned for them.

It would be just his luck, though, that she’d pull out her tool box and fix it. He wouldn’t put it past the woman to know how.

When she entered the garage, he didn’t make eye contact with her. While he continued to inspect his bike for the ride, she walked over to the shelf in the corner.

Next thing he knew, she stood next to him in black leather pants and boots with her patriotic helmet, emblazoned with the American flag and a bald eagle, held against her hip by her wrist. As his gaze roamed up her body, he saw what appeared to be a tank top peeking out from a leather jacket.

He moved quickly past her chest to meet her gaze. “You’re more than a casual rider.”

She grinned and took his breath away. “I don’t get to ride often, but if you or Patrick roll your bikes, I’m not getting road rash.”

“I’ve never rolled a bike.”

She glanced at the holes in the knees of his jeans. “Well, good. Then this will just keep me warm when the sun goes down.”

Practical and resilient. He liked those traits in a woman.

Hell, Top’s little sister wasn’t a woman. She was a girl. Besides, he had no plans to be messing around with her.

“Grab the door remote and let’s ride.”

The sooner he got this over, the better. Maybe he should take her over to the other side of the Sandias. They could ride to Madrid and then double back. Shorter trip for sure.

But, no. After nearly a day in the city, he needed the special peace that only came from being in the Jemez Mountains. Ryder mounted the bike and started the engine as the garage door opened.

“Ryder, do you mind if I bring my camera? I promise not to slow us down, but I’d hate to be without it when we get off the bike to stretch.”

“No worries.” He opened the right-hand saddlebag, and she stowed her camera case before donning her helmet.

The woman was too hot for words.

Fuck.

She’s Top’s sister. Hands off, grunt.

At least she’d be seated behind him where she couldn’t feel his hard-on. He walked the bike out of the garage and waited for her to close the door and stow the remote. He didn’t look forward to having her crotch pressed against his back for the next hour, but too late now.

She placed her left hand on his shoulder and mounted the bike before wrapping her arms around his waist and plastering her entire torso against his back.

Sweet Jesus, what did I ever do to deserve this kind of torture?

He rolled the throttle and shouted over the noise, “Hang on, Red.”

Red? Where had that come from? Still, it fit her personality, as well as her red hair.

The bike eased down the drive and onto the cul-de-sac. Through her neighborhood, he took it slowly, but as soon as they reached the interstate, he flew. Her arms squeezed harder at his waist. His cock throbbed. Eventually, the rumble of the motor numbed his thighs and eased his hard-on.

As they left the overpopulated valley and Albuquerque’s city limits, the landscape changed in a flash. His body relaxed as the desert enveloped them. Cool air touched his kneecaps where he’d ripped his jeans for that purpose, and he flipped his visor up and took a deep breath. He’d been cooped up less than a day in the city. How much longer would he need to be there to watch over Megan?

He hadn’t been able to reach Adam this morning, but had left him a message to let him know she was safe. He’d try to call tonight for further orders.

When he came to the stop at Highway 4, he pulled over to the shoulder and pointed ahead of them. “Let’s stop so you can take some photos.”

The first sign of the red rocks always took his breath away. This evening was especially beautiful with white puffy clouds against a deep blue sky and even a patch of green grass in front of the rocks.

She dismounted first and removed her helmet while he pulled out her camera case. After retrieving her camera, she ran across the road to snap photos, as if afraid he wouldn’t give her enough time.

Ryder took off his helmet and ran his hand through his hair. He watched her shoot the formation from all angles. When she crouched down to the ground, the outline of her ass in the form-fitting leather ramped up his guilt level for having the hots for Top’s baby sister.