Page 39 of Fractured Dreams

Eden’s eyebrows shot up. That was weird. She made a note to mention Noah’s strange behavior to Tex. The reminder that Tex would be sleeping in his own bed that night instead of next to her making her lips tremble.

“Well, I’m glad Tex did a good job looking after you. See, I told you it was a good idea for him to stay here.”

“Mmm,” she agreed not willing to admit he’d been right. Or perhaps scared he’d read her like a book and know exactly what she’d done. Whattheyhad done.

“Anyway, I’m beat. I’m going to hit the sack,” Noah said.

Eden nodded. “Okay.”

They both got up from the table, and Eden’s brow creased when Noah grabbed another beer from the fridge before he headed up to his bedroom. Something was wrong. She definitely needed to mention it to Tex.

Chapter 23

The next morning Tex messaged Eden to tell her he was coming around to see Noah, and that she should make sure she was wearing jeans. He didn’t reply when she responded asking why.

Not long after, she heard his motorcycle and rushed downstairs, slowing her pace when Noah came out of the kitchen so he didn’t know how excited she was to see Tex.

God, it’d been one day, and she was already desperate for the sight of him.

Noah let Tex in and the two exchanged manly backslapping greetings while Eden stood at the bottom of the stairs, fidgeting impatiently.

After he’d finished with Noah, Tex turned his eyes to her, a devilish glint in them. “Eden. How did you sleep last night without me?”

Eden’s eyes widened, and she shot a glance toward Noah before narrowing her gaze back on Tex. He was playing a dangerous game. But luckily Noah didn’t seem to pick up on what Tex had implied, sounding distracted when he said, “I’m sure she slept like a log without your snores echoing down the hallway.”

“I definitely got more sleep than I have been,” she replied.

Tex smirked at her, but Eden knew they had to be careful. She didn’t want Noah finding out that way, she wanted to be prepared.

They grabbed some drinks, then went out the back and sat by the pool while Noah caught Tex up on how the tour had gone. Eden watched Noah and wondered if Tex noticed something strangely tense and distracted about her brother too.

After finishing his drink, Tex got up to leave, and as they walked him out, Eden gave him a questioning look. Why had he told her to wear jeans?

As they approached his motorcycle, he suddenly turned to her as if he’d just had a thought. “Actually, it’s a pretty nice day, I think I’m gonna go for a cruise down the coast. I promised you a ride on my bike Eden, but we didn’t get a chance. Want to give it a go now?”

Eden glanced at Noah, whose brows had knitted together. Would he question it—maybe guess what was going on? Or just play big brother and argue against it for her safety’s sake?

Luckily, none of that happened. Instead, he stared hard at Tex, who merely arched his brows as some silent communication seemed to pass between them. To Eden’s surprise, Noah didn’t even try to argue, only clearing his throat and saying, in a slightly reluctant tone of voice, “That sounds like fun. You’ll love it, Eden.”

Eden tried not to show her surprise. She didn’t know where Mr. Overprotective had gone, but she wasn’t complaining. Not that she would have let his disapproval sway her. Her days of being told what to do by her family were long gone.

“Up for it?” Tex asked her, a grin on his face.

Eden looked at where he was standing next to the big motorcycle, helmet in hand, eyes alight and focused solely on her. She ran her gaze down his broad hard chest, to his long legs encased in tight denim, and made the only choice she could. “Well, Ihavealways wanted to know what it’s like to go for a ride on the back of a motorcycle.”

She stepped forward, taking the spare helmet Tex pulled from one of the side panniers and putting it on. He smiled down at her as he helped fasten the strap under her chin, his thumb subtly brushing along her jaw.

“I’ll have her back in an hour or two,” he said to Noah, who nodded, his arms crossed and a small crease still between his brows.

Tex turned and swung his leg over the motorcycle seat and Eden slid on behind him, suppressing a sigh as she curled her arms around his waist and pressed herself up against his back. He looked over his shoulder at her, giving her a grin as he started the bike, the engine roaring to life.

Eden gave Noah a quick wave, then gasped and laughed as Tex took off, the motion causing her arms to tighten around his waist. She felt rather than heard an answering laugh vibrate through his chest.

Eden couldn’t keep the smile off her face as Tex sped up, and once they got out on the open road, exhilaration coursed through her. It took a bit of practice before she got the hang of leaning into the turns with him, but once she did, being on the bike behind Tex felt as natural as breathing.

They rode for about half an hour before he pulled over at a secluded lookout above an empty stretch of beach. A screen of trees shielded them from the view of the road, so they didn’t have to worry about any observant passersby recognizing Tex.

Eden swung her leg over the motorcycle, then pulled off her helmet, running her hand through her hair to unstick it. She stood off to the side as she waited for Tex, the warm breeze fluttering over her skin as she appreciated just how sexy he looked with the huge black motorcycle between his legs.

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