Page 35 of Ruthless Daddies

“Generous?” she repeats, raising an eyebrow. “That’s what we’re calling this?”

I cross my arms as I look her over. “You’re welcome, by the way.”

She rolls her eyes. “Sure.”

I smirk, shutting off the bike and swinging a leg over to dismount. “You’re free to walk home,” I say, shoving my hands in my pockets. “But it might take a while in those shoes.”

She glances down at her boots, then back at me, her brow arching. “And riding on that thing is supposed to be the better option?”

“Obviously.” I grin, letting my gaze sweep over her. “Though you’d look adorable clinging to me for dear life.”

She rolls her eyes, but I catch the faintest hint of a smile tugging at her lips. “You’re insufferable, you know that?”

“Comes with the territory.” I push off the bike, taking a step closer, lowering my voice just enough to make her pause. “But I seem to remember you enjoy it.”

She blinks up at me, her cheeks flushing slightly, and for a moment, she looks like she’s about to snap back with something sharp. But instead, she tilts her head, giving me a once-over that’s almost as appraising as my own.

“You’re not as charming as you think you are,” she says, crossing her arms again.

“And you’re more stubborn than I thought you’d be,” I counter, enjoying the way her eyes narrow in defiance.

She’s tiny compared to me, barely reaching my shoulder, but there’s a fire in her that makes her seem larger than life. It’sinfuriating and fascinating all at once. I can’t stop myself from wanting to poke at it, to see just how far I can push her before she snaps.

“Are we going to stand here all night, or are you getting on?” I ask, stepping back and gesturing to the bike.

Her gaze flickers to the bike, then back to me, her expression skeptical. “You can’t be serious.”

“I’m always serious,” I reply, holding out the spare helmet.

She hesitates, her arms tightening around herself. “I don’t know. It looks…dangerous.”

“Life’s dangerous,” I say, my tone light but pointed. “And besides, you strike me as the kind of girl who can handle a little danger.”

Her lips part, a sharp retort on the tip of her tongue, but she stops, her gaze meeting mine. For a moment, neither of us speaks, the air between us charged with something I can’t quite name.

Finally, she sighs, grabbing the helmet from my hand. “If I die, I’m blaming you.”

“Fair enough,” I say, grinning as I climb back onto the bike.

She swings her leg over, her movements careful but confident, and when she settles behind me, her hands resting lightly on my waist, I feel a flicker of something unexpected—satisfaction.

“Hold on tight,” I say, revving the engine again.

She hesitates for a split second before tightening her grip, her arms circling my waist fully, and I can’t help but chuckle as I pull away from the curb.

Manhattan at night is a symphony of lights and shadows. The skyline glitters above us, the glass towers reflecting the neon glow of the streets below. The city pulses with life—people hurrying along the sidewalks, taxis weaving through traffic, and the distant hum of music spilling from late-night bars. The cool breeze whips past us, carrying the faint scent of rain on asphalt.

I maneuver the bike through the streets with practiced ease, leaning into sharp turns and darting between cars like I’ve done it a thousand times before—because I have. Alice clings to me tighter with every curve, every burst of acceleration, and I hear her mutter something under her breath, though the words are lost in the wind.

When I take a particularly sharp turn, the bike tilting low to the ground, she finally yells, “Show-off!” into my ear.

I laugh, the sound low and genuine. “Admit it,” I shout back over my shoulder. “You’re having fun.”

Her only response is to tighten her grip, and I take that as a win.

As we leave the chaos of the city behind, the streets grow quieter, the lights dimming as we head toward the suburbs. The buildings give way to tree-lined roads, the distant hum of the city fading into the stillness of the night. The moonlight filters through the branches, casting patterns of light and shadow on the pavement.

When we pull into the driveway of the mansion, the bike rumbles to a stop, and I feel Alice let out a breath she’s been holding. Her arms loosen around me, but she doesn’t move to get off right away.

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