Page 48 of A Twist of Fate

“Yeah, well, don’t go telling people. I have a rep to maintain. No one wants a tattoo from the ‘sweet biker’.”

Gretchen laughed at that. “I would get a tattoo from the sweet biker,” she insisted.

“Yeah, and what would you have me ink on you?”

“I don’t know. Maybe you could ink the story of my heart all over my skin.” Just when I thought she’d get sad and retreat into herself again, Gretchen surprised me once more. “It might take a lifetime to get the whole story out though, so I hope you’re prepared to stick with me for a long while.”

“I’m yours as long as you’ll have me, G.”

“Good, because I feel the same, you know?”

It was the first time she had mentioned us being together as more than just two people randomly going out on dates together. My fucking heart soared from chest straight to fucking heaven on her words.

“You can’t take that back, you know? You’re mine now, no matter what.”

“That’s okay. I like the sound of being yours.” The beautiful smile that accompanied her acknowledgement would have knocked me on my ass if I hadn’t already been seated. Finally, we were starting to move beyond those damn baby steps. Gretchen was mine, and I was going to do whatever it took to keep her at my side.

Chapter 18

Two Hearts

Gretchen

Kane, Kane, Kane. He was all I could think about. We had been seeing each other for a few months and still had yet to take the plunge sexually. That was probably why I had awoken from yet another sexually explicit dream starring none other than the God of inked up men himself. My insides were on fire, breasts swollen and demanding attention, my heart was hammering inside my chest, and sweat dripped off of me. Hell, I had been masturbating in my damn sleep while thinking of him.

He had been sweet, patient, and loving with me. Not once, in all the time he had been taking me out on dates to do normal couple things, was there a push or a feeling that he wasn’t getting enough from me. I knew he was trying to give me space to get there on my own, but I was obviously going to have to attempt something drastic to get his attention and make him see that I was ready to move to the next level of our relationship. I had told him that I was his, and he had informed me that he was mine. That had been months ago. We were in a literal holding pattern from there.

That was why, after taking a shower, I dressed in billowy, pink skirt that normally reached my ankles, but I coupled it with a black shirt with a pink skull across the chest. Instead of the sandals I would normally wear with the skirt, I pulled on my riding boots and then topped the outfit off with the padded leather jacket Kane had gifted me with months ago. Tonight, we were going to ride, and this time, nothing was going to stop me. I was bound and determined, because I felt like it was the only thing that would make him believe I was ready for more.

“What is this?” Kane asked when he showed up at my apartment. “Jesus, you look incredible. It’s like sweet and sassy southern meets biker chick, and you fucking rock it!”

I couldn’t help my giggle in response. “You like?”

“I’m in love,” he corrected before realizing what he had just implied.

I laughed it off after watching his eyes go alarmingly wide. “It’s okay. I know what you meant.”

“No, I don’t think you do. I love the look on you, G. That’s not all though. I love everything about you.”

I pulled him in close, inhaling that gorgeous mix of sea and leather that clung to him like a second skin. “Kane,” I whispered in his ear after going up on my tip-toes to do it. “I’m a bit in love with you too,” I admitted on a whisper. His arms clamped around me before he sealed his lips to mine in a kiss that damn near melted my panties off.

“Best thing I’ve heard all day, sweetheart.”

“Best thing I’ve said all day,” I teased him.

He smacked me on the ass as he released me from the stranglehold he called a hug. “So what’s up with the outfit? As much as I love it, I’m getting mixed signals. It looks like you want to ride, but then it really doesn’t.” He teased back as he grabbed hold of the long skirt.

“I pulled the end of the long skirt up and tied it in a knot high on my thigh. I do want to ride, and this skirt is pretty versatile for that.”

His smile dimmed some and the playful gleam in his eyes went with it. “Are you sure you want to try again tonight?” I knew what he was getting at. We’d each confessed our feelings out loud tonight. That was a huge step. I’m sure he was worried it would all be ruined if I couldn’t handle the ride without having a damn panic attack again.

“I’m ready. Let’s hit the beach and watch the moon rise over the water for a little while.”

“Whatever you want, G.” His words held a reverence that stilled my heart and kept it beating all at once. I believed him. Kane Youngblood had made himself at home in my life, and now I couldn’t imagine a day without him in it. He took hold of my hand, pulling me to the door of my apartment, and then we descended the steps on the way down to my fate. Either I was going to get on and ride this damn motorcycle to the beach with him, or I would have to face the fact that it was not going to be in the cards, and no matter what our feelings for one another were, I wasn’t sure our relationship would survive me not being able to ride with him.

I made sure to secure my skirt well and scoot my front forward until it was basically plastered to the back of Kane. He didn’t seem to mind one bit. “Love feeling you all up on me,” he all but growled out as he reached over and cupped my thigh in his hand. He squeezed and then slid his hand down, tracing his fingers over my bare calf as he went. Then he started up, checked traffic, and pulled out once there was a large enough gap that it wouldn’t frighten me. For the first time, I didn’t feel that crippling fear. I closed my eyes, took in the scent of ocean, leather, and the man in front of me, letting all of the goodness wash away everything else. The last dregs of the day’s sun still cast warmth on my upturned face until we picked up a little speed and then the wind blew all my cares away.

Instead of being taken back to the crash, I stayed firmly seated in the present. My fingers dug into the flesh of Kane’s abs and one of his hands came down to caress my leg once more. His touch kept me anchored there, and before I knew it, we were rolling up to a little known beach access point. There wouldn’t be a gaggle of tourists lounging about or playing loudly on the beach. This spot was a favorite local’s haunt; quiet, and kept clean by those who enjoyed its use.

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