Page 143 of Verses

It didn’t hurt that he wore a dark black t-shirt that clung to his biceps and chest, highlighting the musculature that I loved running my fingers over. The snug blue jeans and black boots completed the picture. I could almost imagine what he’d looked like back in the day when he’d been in that motorcycle club.

“You want to be my old lady?”

“Old lady?”

“That’s what bikers call their women.”

I started laughing. “Well, considering our age difference, that’s hilarious.”

Shit.Why’d I have to point that out? We’d been doing so well…

Hoping I hadn’t completely destroyed the mood, I said, “You look fucking hot on that bike.”

The way he licked his lower lip assured me that I hadn’t ruined everything. “Why don’t you get on?”

“Are you wanting to go somewhere?”

“No,” he said, chuckling. “This baby needs a little work before I take her back out on the street, but we can pretend we’re riding.”

Maybe it was because I’d been stressed the time he’d given me a ride before, but I hadn’t remembered how small the seat felt and how tall the bike was. But I lifted my leg and straddled that beast, wrapping my arms around his torso and resting my head on his back. “I like this. You’re so warm.”

“I’d love for you to ride with me sometime. We could take a road trip together. Maybe this summer.”

“I’d love that too. You have an extra helmet, don’t you?”

“Yeah. It’s a good idea to ride with a helmet. I don’t around town but I do on long trips. Just better to be safe than sorry, especially at those speeds. I’ve wiped out before.” Holding out an arm, he asked, “Can you see this?”

“I’ve seen that tattoo a thousand times.”

“Can you see how the flesh is raised underneath it? That’s a big scar I got from a wreck.”

“Holy shit.” I ran my fingers over his arm, wondering how I’d never noticed it before. The black ink had done a good job hiding the damage. “What happened?”

“Riding down Main Street a long time ago, back when the Wickeds were still running town. It was twilight and a little kid darted out in the street from between two cars. If I hadn’t jerked the wheel the other way…”

He didn’t say another word. “Shit.”

“I didn’t hit my head, though. I made sure of that. And I didn’t hit a car or anything. Just me and my bike, skidding into the other lane. The kid was fine. That’s all that matters.”

“Is your arm the only place that—”

“Yeah. My jeans and gloves took a beating, but the only scars were on my arm. Don’t get me wrong. My whole damn body hurt after that, but I was fine.”

I’d been absentmindedly rubbing the unseen scar. “Wow.”

“So I’m a big believer in helmets.”

“Why don’t you wear one in town?”

Even though I couldn’t see his entire face, I could hear the smile in his voice. “I survived once.”

“Wolf!”

“Baby, Charlotte’s speed limit is so slow, there’s nothing to worry about.”

“If you say so.”

“Trust me. I wear a helmet anytime I go anywhere else. Even Silver City.”

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