Page 74 of Convenient Mafia Vows

Outside, she walks in a daze, her mind still back inside the theater, the songs replaying inside her head. Each time she looks at me, she recalls another moment from the show that stole her imagination.

“What would you like to do now?” I ask when we’re back in the car.

“We should go pick up Abigail from your mom’s house. It isn’t fair on Emily.”

“Victoria.” I hold her gaze and force her to listen. “Stop worrying about Abigail for once. I asked Mom to keep Abigail at her place overnight. Tonight is yours.”

Her eyes grow large with tears. “Anything?” she whispers.

“Anything.”

She twists her mouth to one side. “You’re going to laugh when I tell you what I want to do.”

“You’re not going to tell me that you want to go home and watch a movie.”

She grins at me. “No. Better than that. I want you to take me out on your Harley.”

At first, I think she must be joking, but then I realize that she’s watching me closely, waiting for me to react. “You’re serious?” She nods. “Have you ever been on a motorcycle?”

“Nope. Never.”

“You know it’s dangerous.” She nods again. “You know how fast a Harley can go. Riding a bike isn’t like sitting in the back of a fast car.”

“I know.” Her eyes are still wide, eager, hopeful.

“First time riding pillion can be scary.” It sounds like I’m trying to talk her out of it, but I just need to be certain that she understands the risks.

“I’m not scared, Caleb. I trust you.”

That does it for me. “I’ve got a helmet and leathers back at the Wraith that will fit you.”

Her smile is wider than ever.

“Where do you want to go?”

“Surprise me.”

We head out of town, pick up the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway, and drive until we find a spot by the river with spectacular views of the New York City skyline. With Victoria riding pillion, her arms wrapped around my waist, her thighs pressed against mine, my adrenaline rush is drastically altered.

Her presence fills my head. Her body consumes my every thought. Her trust in me is like every orgasm I’ve ever experienced bottled into an exotic cologne that I could make billions from.

I offer her my hand and help her to dismount the bike when we stop. She stands in front of me, her face pale in the moonlight, and doesn’t move while I take off her helmet. She’s trembling, I realize.

“Are you alright?” I lower my face so that our eyes are level.

Victoria’s eyes are wide and dark. Her lips are so pale they blend in with her skin.

“Did I go too fast? Did something happen? Breathe…”

She shakes her head, and a wide smile sets her face aglow. “That was amazing.” She laughs, a mixture of emotions, shock,exhilaration, pleasure, playing across her face. “Why did no one ever tell me it would feel this good?”

“Because you never met me till now.”

I pull her into my arms, and we stand there by the side of the road enjoying the view of the city lights, her head resting against my chest.

I’ve explored the Byway before. I’ve pushed the Harley to its limits, the speed and the adrenaline rush erasing my thoughts and setting me free like a bird released from its cage if only for a few hours. But it has never felt like this before. I’ve never paused to breathe and feel and just be me.

I don’t know if it’s having Victoria in my arms, or the view, or simply a combination of an evening spent being someone other than Caleb Murray, but there’s a sensation rushing through my veins and shouting in my ears that this is what I’ve been missing. It’s the same feeling that prompted me to search for Sandy. A feeling so extraordinary that letting it go would be like telling my heart to stop pumping.

---