Page 9 of Red's Peril: Part 1

Friday’s two days away.Has she got time off? Hmm. Interesting. But I’d made a bargain with myself. I’ll stay here no longer than one night. That ride through the town had convinced me apart from her, there’s nothing to make me linger.

“Red,” she exclaims excitedly as I emerge from the shadows, her delight telling me she half-expected me not to be there.

“Promised you a ride, darlin’.” She’s not to know I’m a man of my word. Stepping forward, I hold out my hand. “Are you ready?”

She glances at me, then at my bike, hesitates only a moment before, with a delightful little shiver, she puts her palm against mine. I take a moment to check what she’s wearing. Jeans, a heavy coat, and walking boots.

“I like your boots,” I tell her, grinning, not having expected her to be wearing sensible footwear just right for my bike.

In the parking lot’s lights, I see her blush. “I don’t have a car and I walk home in all weathers.”

Does she?I frown, then realise this is her hometown, and maybe the crime level is low here. Or maybe it’s simply she’s got no choice. Whatever, it’s not my place to admonish her. It’s not my business and I shouldn’t interfere.

Keeping quiet, I lead her toward my bike, open the saddlebag and take out my spare helmet. Placing it on her head, I help her to fasten it. I then take out my safety glasses which I don’t wear with my full-face helmet, and hand them to her.

“Ever been on a bike, sweetheart?

“No.” Her face tightens as she eyes the machine with some trepidation.

“You’re going to be fine,” I reassure her, then take a moment to explain the basics to her. “We won’t go far. Just enough to let you get a feeling for it.”

I’ve rarely had anyone on the back of my bike before, and certainly not a woman. As she gets on behind me and tightens her arms around my waist, I realise how intimate the position is. Even more so, when moments later, I brake, not even sharply, but it has her sliding closer. I swear I can feel the heat of her pussy against my ass. My cock goes from half to full mast.

The road is quiet. There’s not much traffic this time of night, but I keep my speed low in view of her inexperience. After a couple of miles, her death grip around my waist begins to relax. She’s still holding on to me, but seems to have lost her fear of sliding off the back. I twist my throttle, raise my chin and head into the wind.

Her being behind me is a new sensation. Her slight weight doesn’t unbalance the bike, but there’s something different about riding with a passenger. I’m responsible for the safety of someone other than myself which seems to sharpen me. As much as I’m aware of the road, I’m conscious of her—the warmth at my back, the touch of her hands even through the leather jacket that I wear.

The engine rumbles beneath me, always an aphrodisiac, tonight even more. While my breathing remains steady, my heart rate speeds up as I wonder how easily I can persuade her to stay with me tonight.

A ride on my bike might be all that she wanted.I’d be disappointed, but alright with that. There could be more danger if she agrees.What happens if I want more?

I wonder how I’d feel about sex without any commitment, without promises or thoughts of a happily ever after. I’m not sure. I’ve listened to my fellow mechanics talking about their one-night conquests, wondering how they could be bastards like that. How they could lead a woman on, bed her and leave her. Now, it seems, I’m proposing to do just that.

As long as she knows that’s all that can happen, what could be wrong with it?Cheryl intrigues me, so much so, I’m willing to give it a chance. But after, would I really be able to ride on and forget her?

I tell myself I haven’t had her yet. She could be a disappointment, or me to her.

Above us, stars gleam, and the moon peeps out from behind a cloud. My Harley rumbles on, as she leans into me. Her now more-confident hands pressing against my abs.

We might not be compatible, but hell, I’d like to find out.

Fuck tomorrow. I’ll take tonight.

Chapter Four

We’ve been on the road for about almost an hour when I notice the air is chill and she’s huddling closer, either for comfort or warmth. In case it’s the latter, I turn and head back. I’m also conscious she’s not been on a bike before, and that even after that short distance her ass will likely be sore.

I pull up at the motel I’ve booked into for the night, letting the sound of the engine fade until all I can hear is the ticking as it cools. In the sudden silence, I raise my visor and turn my head.

“Your choice.” I nod to the room I’ve been allocated. “I’ll take you straight home if you prefer.”

She sighs, rests her helmet-covered head against mine, and clearly takes a moment to think about it. Her comment when it comes sounds wistful. “I don’t want this evening to end.”

“Neither do I,” I admit. It’s the truth. I’d thought I’d enjoyed riding solo, but with her it’s been different. It might not have been for long, but I already know I’ll miss her presence when I ride on alone.What if she agreed to be there forever?

My eyes widen. I’m an ass, we’ve only just met. What the fuck am I thinking? I don’t believe in love at first sight, and definitely not when I haven’t even kissed her, let alone anything else. What I’m feeling is lust, that’s all it could be. Possibly a reaction to the newfound freedom that’s been opened on me, a reaction to the fact I no longer have responsibilities or places to be.Maybe I’m lonely.

“I could do with a smoke,” I tell her, buying myself some time to make sure I want this, and allow her to consider whether she’s sure. “Let’s talk for a while. We don’t need to do anything more.” I hold out my hand in invitation.

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