Order (Tattoos and Ties Duet #2)(87)

Their momentum ebbed, the bike came to a crawl until Key veered off the road, taking a turn into an empty service area. Key followed the small drive up the side of the hill and executed a quick turn then came to a complete stop at the end of the empty lot.

“That was amazing,” Alec yelled, taking off his helmet while Key cut the engine. “Man, I can’t believe we’ve never done this before.”

After knocking the kickstand in place, Key held out an arm to help Alec off the back. Key stayed sitting in the seat, staring past Alec, out into the night. He turned, following Key’s line of sight to take in the view. They were high on the hill, and the way the trees split, he could see for miles and miles. Alec’s heart was pounding; he loved this moment. He faced Key, thankful his lover had shared this with him.

“You love it out here, don’t you?”

“Yup.”

Alec looked out over the night again, trying to see the tranquility from his lover’s perspective. “You were made to ride.”

“Mmm,” Key muttered, drawing Alec’s attention back to him. Alec stared at the handsome man who met his gaze. Seconds passed before Alec took the steps separating them. He couldn’t stand not being able to touch Key.

“What happened tonight? Why did you get the tattoo today?” He lifted his hand to Key’s shoulder, toying with the hair that had escaped during the ride.

“You’re—”

Oh no, Alec cut him right off. “Don’t say fishing. I’m not. I’m trying to understand. You’ve been resistant to us, like you’ve waited for something, then tonight you’ve suddenly broken all your hard rules. Why?” Alec asked, tucking those long pieces of hair behind Key’s ear. “Be honest.”

“I don’t really know except it seemed like you were changin’ your shit, so I needed to change some of mine.” Key’s hand went to Alec’s waist, tugging him in closer.

Alec waited for more, but when Key remained silent, he pressed his lips to Key’s and said, “I can question you, but I’d rather you keep explaining on your own.”

Key stared at him for so long he thought he wouldn’t say more. As Alec opened his mouth, warm fingers touched his lips, silencing him. “I know I don’t belong in your world. Hell, you damn sure don’t belong in mine. We don’t go together, not really, but you’re always there, ready to defend me. You’re the most important thing that’s happened in my life. I wanted to remember.”

“It’s a compliment that you see me as a defender,” Alec said, not really the explanation he was hoping for, but he went with it as he ran his fingers through Key’s beard.

“It’s what you are. I wish you saw yourself like that,” Key said, his gaze holding Alec hostage, willing him to agree. Oh man, Keyes Dixon was being sweet tonight, and Alec forced himself to stay focused, to hear everything Key was trying to say between the lines.

“And why the ride tonight?” he asked, leaning into Key, desperately needing to be closer.

“I’m claimin’ you.” The image of Key as a caveman pounding the swell of his chest immediately came to mind. A thrill shot down his spine and he could feel himself flush. More than anything, Alec wanted to be claimed by this man.

“And that means what to you?” Alec asked, prodding.

His lover’s brows lifted, and the cocky biker had the audacity to smirk at him. “I thought you spoke fluent biker.” He’d needed that. Alec busted out with a huge grin as he let Key keep talking. “It means way back when we first hooked up, I claimed you. You’re mine, and you belong on the back of my bike.”

“I’m yours?” he asked, unable to stop his grin from growing. Key just shook his head, giving him the you’re crazy eye roll. “And my place is on the back of your bike. All bikers do that with their significant other?”

“Yeah, somethin’ like that.” Key’s smile widened. “And I like you there.”

“Me too.” Alec pressed his lips to Key’s who opened enough for him to slide his tongue along the seam before he moved a fraction of an inch back and pressed their foreheads together. “It felt right to be with you back there.”

“What’d you and my uncle talk about?” Key asked. Not necessarily the direction he would have gone in that moment, but he’d let Key guide the conversation this time. So again, Alec went with it.

“He’s worried about our safety,” he answered honestly, their breath mingling with how close Alec stayed to Key.

“I’ll protect you. I won’t let ’em near you. I already decided that.” If Key’s hands weren’t already on Alec, his biker would probably pound his fist in his palm, driving the point home with a show of force that matched the resolve in his tone.

“I know you will. I’ve been thinking about some private security when you’re not around. Your uncle helped me realize the true dangers,” Alec said and affirmed right then to move forward with that plan. He wanted to protect Key as much as Key wanted to protect him.

Key’s hand slid suggestively down Alec’s ass, his chin lifted in defiance as he spoke. “You’re first to me. I’ll protect you.”

Alec melted into his lover. He believed every word Key spoke and wanted nothing more than to let him. “I know you will.”