Page 2 of Big Bossy Biker

“God no,” I laugh, scratching at my buzzed head with my short fingernails. “Well, I guess I’m on the run from a normal life.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” her brow furrowing as she hands me my room key.

“I’ve never felt the need to settle down,” I say with a shrug, running the pad of my finger over the numbers etched into the wooden tag on the keyring. “I spend a lot of time on the road. You can’t get the same kind of rush in a town like this.”

“I wouldn’t know,” she says wistfully, putting her elbow on the desk and resting her chin on her palm. “I’ve been stuck here my whole life.”

“Sounds like you have plans to get out, though,” I say, understanding the wanderlust she must be feeling. I couldn’t imagine being tied down, unable to feel the wind around my face.

“I do,” she sighs, the beginnings of a smile playing on the edges of her lips.

“You know where you’re going to go?” I say, I’m not eager to get back to my room. I’m enjoying talking to Fiona. There’s something about her that’s undeniably electric, magnetic.

“Not yet,” she admits. “I think I might like to travel for a little. I’ll settle down wherever feels right.”

“That could be dangerous,” I say with a smirk. “You might end up liking being on the road so much that you never settle down.”

“That doesn’t sound too bad to me,” Fiona replies, returning my expression. “Seems like you like it pretty well.”

“That I do,” I admit, giving her a conspiratorial wink. “I can’t say it’s an easy life to live, though.”

“I think I’d welcome the challenge,” she says, sitting up straight again. “I might not look it, but I’m pretty scrappy.”

“Oh, I can tell,” I say truthfully. She’s able to keep up with me, something that some grown men struggle with. “I’m sure you have what it takes.”

“I’ll find out soon enough,” Fiona says as she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, showing of a cheek still plump with youth. “I’m trying to be out of here by the end of the year.”

“Well, I wish you luck,” I say, giving her a nod. As much as I want to stay here and talk to her all night, I know better than to be overbearing. The mechanic said it’d take at least a week for my bike to be finished, so I know I’ll have time to see her again. “I’m going to head off to my luxury quarters.”

“Enjoy your stay and everything that Cherrywood Village has to offer,” she says sarcastically, giving me a faux salute.

I return it, smiling wider than I have in a while. Then, I turn around and leave the office, glancing down at my room number as I do. I’m right next to the office, which would normally bother me. Now, though, I’m glad to know that Fiona is just right next door, a few short steps away.

Inside the dingy room, I settle onto the king size bed. I click on the TV and turn the volume down so that it’s nothing more than a background hum. Then, I throw myself back on the mattress and stare at the water stained ceiling above me.

I’m still frustrated by the fact that I’ll be stuck here for at least a week, but I might have stumbled upon something that’ll more than keep me entertained. By nature I’m a loner, preferring notto be tied down by anything. That doesn’t mean I don’t indulge in the occasional hook up.

She’s not the kind of girl that I think I could leave behind, though. My policy is to stay away from women like that, women who I wouldn’t be able to walk away from. There’s something about her that makes me want to burn that policy and let go of it in the wind.

Chapter Two

Fiona

We don’t get a lot of guests at Side Street Motel, and even when we do, they’re boring or annoying. I see families with kids who are overtired from hours in the car, crying from exhaustion or jumping on the ancient furniture in the lobby. Worse than them are the men that show up with a woman who they aren’t married to. Or the ones that show up, clearly irritated at being kicked out of their home after a lovers’ spat.

Noah is by far the most interesting person that’s walked through the doors. He looked devilishly good, almost dangerously so. His hair buzzed and his chocolate brown eyes direct contradictions to each other. The exterior of him seems tough, impenetrable, but when I looked into his eyes, I could tell there was something soft underneath. I can’t help but want to unearth that, get to the center of him.

He didn’t come right out and say it, but it was easy to gather that he’s a biker who travels the country on his own. It seems like he’s a lone wolf type, not mentioning any friends or family during our conversation – though, I suppose there wasn’t much of a reason for him to do that. Either way, I’m compelled by the life he lives. It sounds like a dream, and I’d love to do the same.I’m not really sure if I’d be the kind of girl to ride around on a motorcycle, but I can’t say that the idea isn’t appealing.

I’m finishing up my shift, running the reports and getting everything in order for my relief, when Noah makes an appearance. He looks much the same as he did earlier, his hands in the pockets of his black leather jacket. I give him a smile before glancing down at my work – I think I’ve done enough. The next girl should be able to figure everything out from here.

“How’s the room?” I ask as he approaches the desk. “Is it everything you hoped it’d be?”

“Well, it is one of the nicer motel rooms I’ve stayed in,” he says thoughtfully. “It’s a far cry from the Hilton, though.”

“Ah, yeah,” I giggle, unable to picture him in a fancy hotel. “I don’t think this place has been renovated since the seventies.”

“That tracks,” he says as he runs a hand over his short hair.

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