Page 35 of Rage's Heart

Fifteen minutes later, I strolled out of my room to find Rage perched on the edge of my couch, examining a framed photo of me, Sarah, and my mom at my high school graduation.

“That was a good day,” I said, crossing the room. “Mom cried the whole ceremony.” I remembered it like it was yesterday.

He set the photo down carefully. “She proud of you?”

“Very.” I grabbed my phone off the coffee table and shoved it into my back pocket. “Though she’d probably be less proud if she knew I was running off with you to God knows where.” I smiled.

His eyebrows shot up. “You afraid of me, McKenzie?”

The way he said my full name sent a shiver down my spine. “No,” I answered honestly. “Should I be?”

He stood from the couch and closed the distance between us. Slowly he lifted his hand and cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing across my bottom lip. “Maybe.”

My breath stalled in my throat. I didn’t have a clue what I was supposed to say to that. Before I could think too hard on it, he dipped his head and captured my mouth in a sizzling kiss.

When he finally pulled away, my legs felt like jelly. “Ready to go?”

I stared up at him dumbly. Ready to go? If he meant to bed, then yes, please.

“Babe.”

My eyes jumped to his as my thoughts strayed away from the gutter.

“Are you ready?” He chuckled.

Right. He wanted to take me somewhere. I nodded, unable to speak.

I followed him out to the parking lot where his bike sate at the curb, the chrome sparkling from the afternoon sun. He handed me the helmet dangling from the handlebars and watched carefully as I adjusted the strap under my chin.

“Ever been on a long ride?” he asked, swinging his leg over the bike.

“First time was with you,” I confessed as I climbed on behind him with significantly less grace.

He chuckled, the sound vibrating through his back as I wrapped my arms around his waist. “Hold on tight, baby. I like to go fast.”

Boy, wasn’t that the truth. Not that I was complaining. Being with Rage was proving to be exciting, something my life had lacked for a long time.

“Hold on.”

I tightened my grip and he cranked the motor, the engine roaring to life beneath us. With one twist of his wrist, we were off.

We rode for hours, leaving the city behind as we headed west.

I didn’t know how long we’d ridden, but the sun was already setting when Rage slowed the bike to take a turn onto a narrow road that led away from the highway. He hadn’t given me any hint of where we were going, but I didn’t mind. The view, the wind in my hair. Everything about being on his bike with him was perfect.

We rode for another few miles, winding through a secluded area, when he pulled up to a chain-link fence with a large NO TRESPASSING sign.

He cut the engine, and the sudden silence was almost deafening.

“Uh, where exactly are we?” I asked, sliding off the seat behind him. My legs started to wobble and like a shot, his arm came up and wrapped around me to keep me from falling flat on my face.

“Thanks,” I said sheepishly.

Rage grinned, nodding toward the fence. “Odin Beach Board Walk.”

Taking off my helmet, I squinted, peering through the fence. Beyond it, I could make out the faded colors of carnival rides rising against the darkening sky. “But it’s closed. It looks like it has been for a while.”

“To the public, sure.” He winked, pulling a set of keys from his pocket. “But I know a guy who knows a guy.”

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