Page 60 of August 20

He patted the seat behind him. With her head heavier than normal with the helmet on, she looked around, wondering what he had in mind.

Maverick again pinched the front of her shirt and pulled her close. He pointed to the peg on the side of the bike. She put her foot on it. Maverick tapped her chin, making her take it off, and then he pointed to her other foot.

She heaved herself up, holding on to his shoulders, and threw her leg over the back of the seat. As soon as her feet landed on both pegs, she wrapped her arms around Maverick's waist to keep from falling off.

He looked over his shoulder. "Don't let go."

His stomach convulsed, tightening under her hands, and he coughed. As soon as he stopped, he toed the kickstand, righting the motorcycle. She squeezed him tightly, closing her eyes. Never in her life had she wanted to ride on the back of a motorcycle.

The thought of riding beside cars that were a hundred times bigger, heavier, and faster scared her to death. But gaining another freedom in her life kept her quiet. The hope that he would someday trust her to leave his side, get a job, and be thought of as an equal kept her obedient—even if she died in the process.

Once the motorcycle leveled and she was no longer pushed against Maverick's back, she peeked through closed eyelids. She found he'd taken her to the edge of town, not the highway.

It seemed as if they floated over the ground once she realized they were going the speed limit—twenty-five miles per hour.

Even the cars that drove past them in the other lane were going the legal limit. As long as Maverick kept the bike from leaning, she might survive.

She pressed the side of the helmet against his back and watched the houses go by. The different scenery put her in a better mood. It was nice to get away from the house.

Since moving here, she hasn't had time to check out the area. Maverick had taken her and Skye to the beach, the Havlin Motorcycle Club clubhouse, and the city pool. Her view of Seaglass Cove was small.

What she viewed today showed her sweet cottages lined in rows on clean streets. There were light posts painted black that held hanging baskets filled with fall flowers.

Flags and wind spinners hung on the eaves over the sidewalks and blew in the constant sea breeze. There were colors all around. She couldn't help but smile.

She looked behind her as they passed an older gentleman walking a small dog. Her smile grew. Skye would love to walk the sidewalks in town, checking out all the gift shops aimed at tourists. She'd wanted to start a seashell collection and had yet to start.

Maverick turned the motorcycle, making her lean to the left. She startled, turning her head forward and holding on tighter. He rode over a bump, almost unseating her, and rolled into a parking lot. She looked ahead, surprised he'd pulled into the grocery store. A store she hadn't even stepped foot in but appeared to be the town's main shopping center, going by all the cars parked in front of the building.

He parked in the loading area at the front of the store and turned off the motorcycle. She sat straighter and grabbed onto the sides of his vest.

He patted her leg and pointed to the ground.

She hustled to get off the bike like he told her, hoping she could go inside the store. Usually, buying groceries was a depressing errand she hated because it cost half of her check to keep food in the fridge for Skye. At her age, Skye was always hungry. She'd often change her mind about eating and waste the food.

Standing beside the bike, the adrenaline inside her made her vibrate with nerves. It was as if someone had told her she was going on a shopping spree, and everything she bought was free.

Maverick got off the Harley and captured her hand, slipping his fingers between her fingers. She hurried to keep up with his longer strides, unbothered by the way he held her because lately, in bed, he often entwined his fingers with hers after sex and just held her through the night.

Inside the store, Maverick headed toward the first aisle, stopped, peered around, and walked to the next aisle. Then, the next.

Halfway through the store, he finally sauntered down an aisle to the back of the store. Caught up in watching Maverick, she hadn't paid attention to what was available to buy until he stood in front of the dairy department and pointed.

A sudden realization dawned on her. He'd brought her to the store to get milk for her coffee. She gazed over the shelves in the cooler and picked out two percent in a half-gallon carton. That would be enough for her and Skye.

Maverick took the milk.

On the way to checkout, an end-cap of pomegranates caught her attention, and she stopped at the display.

Maverick pointed. She shook her head. Though she hadn't bought any groceries or household supplies while Maverick held her hostage, she had no job. She couldn't even remember how much money she had in her bank account. It'd been months since she had her phone and could look at her balance.

She was sure there wasn't enough to have first, last, and a deposit to get her own place. Most of her money went to making the move. She'd depended on the new job that Maverick had lied about to get her to come to Seaglass Cove.

Maverick let go of her hand, picked up a pomegranate, and handed it to her. Then, he picked up another and kept it. She held the fruit up to her nose and inhaled deeply.

She followed him, marveling at getting the pomegranate that it never dawned on her that he wasn't holding her hand until they walked through the electric doors and went out to the Harley.

She hurried to stay by his side. "Thanks for the fruit."

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