Page 41 of Stolen Seconds

She was fast but not fast enough.

Once she was home safe, I’d leave.

I hopped on my own bike and tracked her. I was thoroughly convinced now, that this woman was made for me. And she looked damn good in my leather jacket as she sped through the empty roads.

She was aware of me following her, checking her rearview mirror consistently and speeding up further.

Irina could run from me, but she had to know that I’d chase her right? Until she screamed, cried, and begged for me to let her go. Even then, I wouldn’t.

I kept my distance, if only to amuse her delusions that she could outrun me.

Roman’s house appeared after a few miles, and we entered through the arched gates before Irina parked her bike and got off.

She removed her helmet and faced me, breathing harshly as the sun slowly peaked in the sky,

I leaned against my bike, my feet planted on either side.

The silence was a calm that settled deep into my bones. We stared at each other for long moments, an unspoken conversation with only our eyes. Irina’s were an ocean blue, ready to drown me into its waters.

Neither of us said a word, afraid that it would ruin something that didn’t make sense in the first place.

Then she stepped forward and paused for a second.

I tilted my head at her.I dare you.

Her hands balled into fists before turning away from me with a viciousness slashing across her face that made me grip the handles of my bike tighter.

She disappeared inside the house, the harsh click of the door breaking the trance.

I gazed up at the bright sky with a smile stretching across my face.

She kept my jacket.

Chapter 10

Irina

Iclosed the door harder than needed before leaning against it.

The all-consuming feeling of being near Luca was like an electric wave, going up the tide and embracing me in its shock.

What was wrong with me?

Every man was the same so what made him different?

The urge to look out of the window and see if he was still there nerved me. I dug my nails into my palms to refrain myself.

I’d crossed the line tonight, a lapse of judgment on my part.A mistake.

I didn’t expect to see Luca tonight, let alone touch him the way I did—the way he touchedme.

I bit my lip, remembering the way his skilled fingers elicited my desires in a way it never had before.

And yes, it was my fault for being in the men’s locker room, but the women’s was under renovation and theClub was empty. How was I supposed to know that he’d be there at that time?

And when he opened up about his past. . .

My fingertips buzzed from where I’d touched his jagged scars. I nearly recoiled when he’d told me how he’d gotten them. He’d only been a boy and had endured such obscene pain.

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