Page 55 of Jack

“Jack, I can’t ride your motorcycle.”

He throws a leg over the bike and settles on the seat. Wow. That was hot. If I asked, would he do it again? Nope. Not happening.

“It’s not up for debate.” He taps the helmet. “Put this on. Safety first.”

“Jack,” I plead.

He leans close, balancing the bike between his legs, and wraps an arm around my waist. Thisisdifferent. Better. Please don’t let it be a dream.

“Come on, angel. Live dangerously with me today.”

My eyes drop to his lips. Dangerous with this man has nothing to do with getting on a motorcycle. He pulls me closer towhere our noses almost touch. His eyes seem to darken while I watch.

“Oh, we’re definitely going there today, angel.” He holds my gaze just long enough for me to forget my own name before pulling back. “But we gotta go. We’re going to be late. Put your helmet on. Then step on the peg.” He taps my thigh. “Swing one of these babies over and wrap them around me.”

I suck in a breath and lean back. He’s beyond insane. Twelve my foot. He’s at least a fifteen.

“Helmet.” He taps it again.

I turn the helmet over. I’ve never worn one, but it’s obvious which way it goes. Jack pops the strap and takes it from me. He tucks loose strands of hair behind my ear. Yeah, I understand now why that’s a swoon-worthy move. He carefully slides the helmet on my head and adjusts the fit.

He fastens the strap and smiles. “Perfect.”

“I can do this,” I whisper, mostly to myself.

“One foot on the peg. Leg over,” he reminds me.

“And wrap them around you,” I add.

His cocky grin is back. “Absolutely, angel.”

I would say I abandoned my fear. I didn’t. While still clinging to it, I step onto the peg and swing my leg over the bike.

“Happy?”

“Nope.” He places a hand behind my knee and pulls me forward until my chest is against his back. He grins over his shoulder. “This’ll do for now.”

Oh my gosh. I may die right here. We don’t have to move, and I already understand why women enjoy this. Jack puts his helmet on and starts the bike. The vibrations intensify what I’m feeling. Please don’t let him ask if I’m okay.

Wrap your arms around my waist,” he says through the speaker in my helmet.

“We can talk to each other?”

“Technology is wonderful.” He eases the bike through the gate and stops at the end of the drive. He leans back against me slightly and glances at me over his shoulder. “Hold on tight, angel. It’s time to fly.”

My body vibrates just as much as the bike does. I’ve never felt a high like this. The moment the tires touch the road, we fly.

Chapter 24

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Lily

I have never felt so free in my life. When I first got on Jack’s bike, I was beyond scared. I’ll admit, I was a little excited, too. I swore I’d never get on a motorcycle. Look at me now.

At least once a week, we treated patients from motorcycle accidents in the ER. During the summer, it was almost daily. I was the attending nurse for a few of those patients. Seeing the damage and the devastation it caused for their families was heartbreaking. Sadly, some of the accidents were so bad that the rider didn’t survive. Others needed surgery and months of physical therapy. On really good days, the riders walked out with cuts, bruises, broken bones, and limps. Their pain and loss made me hate motorcycles without ever touching one.

For the first few miles, fear was winning my inner battle. The thrill of riding exploded like fireworks the moment I stopped fighting. And like fireworks, this ride is beautiful. The scenerycomes alive without the body of a car around me. The trees, fields, houses, people raking leaves in their yards, and the farm animals seem to jump out at me. Until today, they were boring figures that were part of the backdrop in my mind.