Page 11 of Dean

“Good?” he asks, and I feel the rumble of his voice through his back. It travels over me and I can’t help but shiver.

“Yeah.”

“Haven’t taken anyone on a bike in a long time, Avery. Seems you’re special.”

He revs the engine at that and takes off down the gravel drive, making my heart skip a beat as I cling to him.

What does that mean? Special? Between that and the spanking comment earlier I’m halfway down the aisle already.

My body leans into his and I press my cheek to his spine as he flies us down the freeway, turning off at one point to make a sharp turn onto a small road. With a twist of his wrist, we’re climbing a small hill. I hold on tighter, feeling the rumble of the engine beneath my thighs and the tingle between my legs.

Everything about this is potent.

When he finally slows down and turns the engine off, I’m still clutched to him.

“I need a minute,” I squeak as I try to peel my cold hands away from his body. I may drag them slightly across his abdomen and feel the ripple of his muscles beneath my palms.

“You okay?” Dean asks, his voice low as he touches my hands gently. His are warm and calloused, and I love the way his skin feels against mine.

“Yep. Just…well, I just need a minute to unclench.”

He huffs a small laugh and then waits patiently for me to peel myself off the bike. I stand on wobbly legs and bend to massage my tingling muscles.

“Here. Let me,” he says as he unbuckles the helmet and takes it from my head. My hair is a mess and I brush my fingers through it, wincing when they get caught in the tangles.

“You need a braid,” Dean says, cocking his head at me.

“Yeah. I do.”

I grin at him, pulling my hair over my shoulder and then sighing. “It’s fine. I’ll live. Now show me why you brought me up here. Unless you plan to murder me. Then have at it.”

Dean makes a face. “I’m not going to murder you.”

He sets the helmets on the seat and then nods toward the right. “Come on.”

I have no choice but to follow him. The only light on our path is from the moon and stars above. As we round a corner and skirt past some trees, I see it—the twinkling, vast expanse of the city below.

A gasp leaves me. “Oh my god! This is amazing.”

I walk toward the edge, and Dean’s hand wraps around my waist, keeping me from tumbling forward.

“Careful. It’s a steep drop-off.”

My breath exhales shakily as his hand slips from me.

“But yeah, this place is amazing. I figured you hadn’t been here before. It’s a bit of a hidden gem.” He pauses, stepping up next to me. His arm brushes against mine, and I shiver slightly. “Elaine loved it up here.”

“Your wife?” I ask and he nods, swallowing.

“Haven’t been up here in forever. Forgot how much I liked it at night.” He folds his arms across his chest and glances up at the moon. “We’d sit up here for hours and just talk.”

“I bet you miss that.”

He peers over at me and nods. “I do. I miss the companionship. But I do really miss her. We…we didn’t get enough time.”

I can’t imagine. To have someone you love and to lose them like that. I don’t know much about her, but I did hear Ben mention her once.

“Well, I know I’m no Elaine, but I’m glad you showed me this place. I love it.”

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