Page 22 of Taken By the Biker Daddies

And boy, did it get faster. Now, we were talking.

As the bike wheels whirled beneath me, I felt a sense of exhilaration and, at the same time, release. I understood why Jake, Max, and Wade loved their bikes so much.

Right now, it felt like it was just me, my bike, and the road, which seemed to stretch endlessly ahead of me. And the wind drifting alongside me, whispering, brushing against the sleeves of my leather jacket, and blowing through the tendrils of hair that couldn’t fit inside my helmet. If I closed my eyes, it might have felt like I was flying.

Of course, I didn’t, though. I kept my eyes peeled and my gloved hands on the handlebars, losing myself at the moment. If Jake hadn’t shifted his hands that were firmly gripping my waist, I would have forgotten he was sitting right behind me.

He had been there the whole time, just quietly keeping me company. We couldn’t talk much even if we wanted to, anyway. Still, his presence was enough to make me feel safe. The broad chest against my back told me he had me covered, and the strong hands above my hips let me know that he wasn’t going to let go no matter what. It was because of him that I had managed to learn how to ride a bike so quickly and if not for him, I would never have had the courage to be riding at all.

It would’ve been better if he had his arms wrapped around me, or then again, maybe not. Even with the layers of fabric betweenus, I was well aware of how close our bodies were. Closer than ever. If he was hugging me right now, it would be hard to breathe. Or concentrate on my driving. I probably wouldn’t mind, though, if it was a different scenario like if we were sitting in front of a fireplace sharing a single blanket and a bottle of wine. Or in a bathtub with him kissing the side of my neck.

Whoa.I tried to shake off that last steamy image, telling my mind to behave. Again.

What’s wrong with you? I already told you not to think of other men, remember? Especially not now. Right now, you have to focus on…

My thoughts disappeared as a motorcycle appeared next to me in the same lane, just about two feet away. The driver, who wore a maroon leather jacket, turned his head toward me, then suddenly darted ahead.

Asshole.

If I had more experience on a bike, I probably would have chased after him, but I just let him go, glad that he was gone. Or so I thought, until he stopped several feet in front of me, turning his bike sideways and barring my path.

What the hell?

“Lauren!” Jake’s voice forced me to gather my wits. “Hit the brakes now!”

My brain scrambled to remember what he taught me. Right. The brakes. There were two—the front on the right handlebar and the rear near my right foot. What did he say again? Use both evenly? Gradually?

“Lauren!”

I applied pressure to both brakes, hoping against all hope that I would avoid a crash in time even as fear crept up my spine.

“Downshift!”

I pulled the clutch lever and shifted down to second gear. The motorcycle started slowing down but the other one was still up ahead.

Just right ahead.

What the hell did this asshole think he was doing?

My heart pounded, my adrenaline pumping as panic seized me.

Did I escape getting shot just to die in a motorcycle accident?

For a moment, I froze. Jake brought me back by grabbing my arms. With his guidance, I managed to steer the bike around the other one, driving past the jerk of a driver.

He gave a mocking laugh. “What’s the hurry, old man? Don’t you wanna stay and have some fun?”

Jake ignored him, continuing to guide my hands as we turned towards a vacant parking lot. Eventually, the bike stopped. Remembering Jake’s instructions, I kept the front brake engaged and planted my feet on the ground, then I shifted to neutral. I was supposed to get off next, but I was still shaking.

Jake got off, took off his helmet, and pulled me into his arms. “Are you okay?”

He was hugging me almost too tightly for me to move, but I managed to nod. Eventually, I felt myself stop trembling, my heartbeat slowing down in the warmth of Jake’s embrace.

I was about to close my eyes, feeling too comfortable with my head resting on Jake’s chest, when the other bike whizzed past on the road, the driver laughing and taking a hand off his handlebar to give Jake the middle finger. Jake watched the bike disappear, his jaw clenched. As he stepped away from me, one of his hands curled to make a fist.

“Are you okay?” I asked him, though I could tell he clearly wasn’t.

I had never seen him like this before. Seething with anger. On the verge of losing control.

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