Page 9 of Untamed Crow

"Like this?" she asks, her breath warm against my neck.

"Perfect." My voice comes out rougher than intended. "Arms around my waist now."

She complies, her small hands linking just above my belt. The position brings her even closer, and I have to take a deep breath to maintain my composure.

"Ready?" I ask, starting the bike. The engine roars to life, and I feel her jump slightly at the vibration.

"I think so," she says, tightening her hold.

"Remember what I said - lean with me, stay close." I rev the engine once. "And Emma?"

"Yeah?"

"Hold on tight, doll."

I ease the bike out of the parking lot, hyperaware of every small movement she makes and every breath I can feel against my back. The night air is cool, but Emma's warmth seeps into me, making it hard to concentrate on anything else.

When we hit the main road, I feel her tension start to ease. She relaxes into me, her body moving with the bike as if she's been doing this her whole life. Pride swells in my chest - I knew she was made for this.

At a red light, I place my hand over hers, which are linked around my waist. "Are you okay back there?"

"This is amazing!" she shouts over the engine, laughing. "Why didn't I do this sooner?"

I smile, squeezing her hands before returning mine to the handlebars. "Because my brother's an idiot."

Her laugh vibrates against my back, and I make a decision. Instead of taking the direct route to her place, I turn toward the mountain road. It's risky - we shouldn't be out alone with the Outlaws gunning for us - but I want to give her the full experience. Want to show her why I love this life so much.

Besides, I've got my gun, and the prospects are still close. We'll be fine for a quick detour.

"Where are we going?" she asks as we start climbing the winding road.

"Trust me?"

She presses closer, if that's even possible. "Always."

That single word, spoken so simply, hits me like a physical blow. She has no idea what she does to me, how much power she holds. Or maybe she does, and that's even more dangerous.

The road opens up before us, moonlight painting the valley below in silver. Emma gasps as we round a curve, the whole town spread out beneath us like a carpet of twinkling lights.

This is what freedom feels like, I think. The wind, the power of the bike, and a beautiful woman holding onto you like you're her anchor in the storm.

For the first time in years, I let myself imagine what it would be like to have this every day. To have Emma as more than just my brother's best friend, more than just a fantasy I can't touch.

But that's a dangerous road to go down. Especially now, with the club at war and Emma's confession about being a virgin still ringing in my ears.

So, I focus on the ride, on giving her this one perfect moment. Even if it's all I can ever give her.

A car's headlights appear in my rearview mirror, pulling me from my thoughts. The vehicle is too far back to identify, but something about how it moves sets off alarm bells.

"Hold on," I tell Emma, accelerating slightly. The car speeds up too.

Shit.

"Crow?" Emma's voice holds a note of concern. She must have felt me tense.

"It's probably nothing," I lie smoothly, not wanting to scare her. But my hand moves to rest near my gun, just in case. "Just going to take a different route."

I take the next turn sharper than necessary, using it to put some distance between us and our tail. The car follows, headlights now blazing. Definitely not nothing.

---