Page 83 of Elling & Jackie

Chapter 32

Elling's long stridesled Jackie to his Harley. She hurried along, holding on to his hand and hugging his arm to her chest. Excitement supplied her with her second wind after coming off an eight-hour shift.

"Where are we going?" She came to a stop beside his motorcycle.

One of her favorite things lately were the nights he'd stop at the hotel after her shift and take her for a ride. The alone time with him, coupled with the freedom of the open road and the wind in her face, gave her quality time doing what he loved. She benefitted by being with him and taking comfort from him. Not to mention, it rocked to be able to touch him outside and not worry about anyone seeing them together.

He opened his duffle and handed her a helmet. "We're riding."

Noticing it was a different helmet than the one he'd given her before, she turned it over in her hands and inspected the shell. Her heart sank. In the back, the Slag colors were posted for any other rider to see.

"I can't wear this." She held her arm out, trying to give him the helmet back. "We can take my car."

His gaze went to her hand. "You want us being together to remain secret, wear the helmet."

Her spine stiffened. She hadn't planned to start a fight as soon as their night began. She was still trying to figure out how to get her helmet out of her parents' house next time she visited without them asking questions. They wouldn't want her riding with anyone but Brikken members and would question who she's riding with.

He rummaged through the duffle and held out a roll of black electrical tape. "I'll fix it."

Ripping off a three-inch piece of tape with his teeth, he pressed it over the spot on the helmet she didn't want showing. Then, tore off two more sections and completely covered the colors marking the helmet as belonging to Slag MC.

"Better?" He held it out to her.

She smiled. "Much."

He might not understand her reasons, but it would be an insult to her family to wear a Slag helmet. She stretched to her tiptoes and kissed him softly.

"Thank you." She dropped back on the heels of her boots and latched the D hook under her chin.

"Ready?" He got on the bike.

She climbed up behind, knowing he still wore his vest and the bike bore Slag colors, too. For some reason, she could overlook those things. They were on him, not her. But, a helmet on her head shouting she belonged to Slag was too much.

He rode through the parking garage. She hugged his back, turning her face away from the attendant. This was her night out with Elling.

She rather no one from work see her going out. Secrecy would stop many of the questions and comments. She'd hate if someone made an innocent remark about her 'boyfriend' when Stassi or one of her family members were visiting.

He pulled onto the one-way street and turned onto Sixth. She held her face to the wind, letting the cool night air take her away.

The stars were shining—or, she imagined them bright and clear. Once they left the city lights, she'd be able to see if she was right. She had her man in her arms. The night was perfect.

Rubbing his stomach, she pressed against his back. The happiness that came from being with him couldn't compare to anything in her life.

Lost in the ride and having him at her disposal to touch, she lost track of where he'd taken her. Though she'd been in Portland a year, she hadn't ventured out of the downtown area by herself. There were enough stores, restaurants, and novelty shops to keep her busy without putting herself in a risky situation when she barely knew a soul.

He took her down a side-street. The headlight lit the way as the houses spread out.

Lulled into a headspace where her thoughts slowed, and her hands stilled, she pressed her cheek against the back of his shoulder.

It amazed her that in one night, her whole life changed. The minute she'd spotted Elling outside the hotel on his broken Harley, he became her focal point—and now the most important person to her.

Her future grew clearer every day, and she no longer worried about mundane things, but how she could keep Elling forever.

When she was with him, everything she wanted seemed possible.

The rumble of the engine changed. She raised her head and looked forward, trying to see where Elling had brought her. There was only a guardrail in front of the motorcycle when it came to a stop.

She blinked, letting her vision adjust to the night, and spotted all the lights of the city below. He'd taken her somewhere in the West Hills. She knew the area by looking out her hotel room window and seeing the huge homes splattered against the hillside.

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