Page 65 of My Ruthless Opponent

I am surprised I can hear him through his badass-tinted helmet.

“Eyes on the road, please!” I squeeze him tighter.

“Begging already?”

Although I can’t see his face, I can picture him smirking.

“Shut up and drive,” I grumble but can’t help the thrill that courses through me.

I had no idea riding a motorcycle could be fun. The wind in my hair and face has a little chill as we turn left onto Melrose Avenue.

I close my eyes, willing the air caressing my skin to chase away my tiredness. As if nature heard my request, my stress begins to diminish.

A sigh escapes me. I lean my cheek on his back.

I keep my eyes closed for the rest of the drive.

Occasionally, I feel him lean to right and left before taking a turn.

I try to imagine the buildings and scenery we are passing by according to his movements while my body is pressed to him.

For the next few minutes, I erase the truths to live a lie. I erase all the problems I am facing right now. I eliminate the fact that Raleigh is my enemy. And build a fantasy.

A fantasy where I am a girl with zero worries. A carefree person. Right here, right now with my eyes closed, I pretend that everything is okay in my life.

The purring of his Harley underneath me and the heat of his thighs against mine makes my lips curl in contentment.

My body began to relax as seconds passed. The stiffness of my muscles eases and unconsciously I nuzzle my face on his jacket.

His masculine, virile scent calms me even more. I didn’t want to feel attracted to him. Did he know that I am attracted to him? If not, he may figure it out soon.

I am clinging to him like my life depends on it and I am sniffing him like a creep. What more signs does he need?

But he doesn’t say a thing. And I take advantage of it. I needed the silence. I am grateful he is not pestering me for this.

Maybe he sensed that I needed this closeness and he is giving me this. Or he is too focused on the road to notice.

Either way, I don’t complain. I keep hanging onto him. I keep snuggling his broad back.

I let myself indulge in this moment. Because the moment this ride is over, reality will come knocking at the door of my fantasyland, to wake me up from the short duration of reprieve.

After a few minutes, the bike comes to a halt.

Reluctantly, I open my eyes. Raleigh has parked his Harley right outside my front door.

With a resigned sigh, I lose my grip around him and clutch his shoulder for support before climbing off the bike.

From my peripheral view, I see him taking off his helmet, his hair looking a gorgeous mess.

I groan internally.

I have started sneaking glances at him now. Locking my jaw, I roll my shoulders and head to my apartment.

I unlock the door and drop the keys in the bowl on the table by the door.

I feel Raleigh entering behind me and I quickly cross the room, rest my handbag on the coffee table and plop on the couch.

I am feeling embarrassed. Now that we are back to reality, the flashback of me clinging to him the entire ride is plaguing me.

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