Page 15 of Beast

“So I’m slowing you down.”

I shook my head.“The point is to keep you safe, not to go as fast as we can.We’re doing just fine.While we’re out on the road, the club and your father’s team can spend their time trying to figure out what the hell is going on without worrying about you.Now that your ex can’t track you with the phone, you’re going to be even harder to find.If they can’t find you, they can’t hurt you.”

Piper looked doubtful.“True, I suppose.”

“And just to make it more fun…” I pulled the second cell phone out and turned it on.“I sweet talked one of the workers into plugging it into the charger while we were shopping.It should be good for a couple of hours at least.”

Chapter Four

Piper

My brows furrowed as I watched him stalk over to a big rig with Massachusetts plates on it and tuck the extra phone under the back bumper before walking back to me with a huge grin on his face.

“What are you doing?”

“Sending those thugs your ex sicced on you on a wild goose chase.Shadow made sure this phone mimics the one we destroyed, and I overhead the driver say he’d emptied his rig earlier and was headed home to Boston.”

“You sure that’s his truck?”

“Only one out here with Massachusetts plates on it.If it isn’t his, it’s probably still heading that way.”

“Sneaky!”I had to admire him for it though.

“Yeah.”He grinned.“I have my moments.”

The rest of the day went smoothly.I’d been accustomed to the vibrations of the bike beneath me and the way Beast leaned into the curves.I relaxed against him and enjoyed the scenery as we raced along the ribbon of asphalt.From time to time we stopped to stretch our legs or get a drink and a bite to eat.Those saddlebags were starting to feel like Mary Poppins’s carpetbag.I was never sure what Beast would pull out next.

At dusk we pulled into the parking lot of a cozy looking little motel with a bar attached.The sign over the bar proclaimed it to be theBest Cowboy Tavernin town, and it looked to be pretty busy.I was more interested in getting off the bike and working the kinks out.That last chunk of road had been a long one.I loved the feeling of freedom and all, but staying in one position for the better part of the day left me feeling stiff.I wasn’t sure if I’d ever get comfortable with it.

“Let’s get a room and see if the manager can recommend somewhere to grab a bite to eat before we turn in for the night.”Beast once again slung the saddlebags over his shoulder and reached for my hand.Yup, the guy had a real thing for handholding.

The motel office was staffed by a girl who looked young enough to be carded if she tried to get into the bar next door.“Just one night?”The girl reached for a pad of papers behind her.

Beast nodded.“Yeah.Just passing through.”

“Fill this out.”She ripped off the top page and handed him the form.“That your bike out there?”

He nodded, scribbling something down on the paper she’d given him.Reading over his shoulder, I could see that we were Mr.and Mrs.Beamish.I suppose Smith would have been a dead giveaway.

“Nice.”She included me in her smile.“You’re in Room 11.It’s right next to the office here so the noise from the bar shouldn’t bother you too much.It’s karaoke night so it’s packed and they’re open till two am.”

“They serve food over there, or is there anywhere close by you’d recommend?”Beast handed back the slip of paper and reached in his pocket for his wallet.I noticed he didn’t just pull out a wad of cash this time.

“If you just want hamburgers and fries, the bar is great.You want a full menu, you’ll have to go downtown.”She giggled.“There’s only one main street in this place, and there’s a restaurant at the far end.Nothing fancy there either but you can get a meat and potatoes meal.”She reached under the counter and pulled out a key.“That will be eighty dollars.Cash or credit card?”

“Cash, thanks.”He pulled a few bills out and laid them on the counter.Picking up the key, he turned and grabbed my hand again.

I wasn’t sure whether to be flattered or feel like a toddler in danger of wandering off.I waited at the door to number 11 while Beast moved the bike a few yards to park it outside our room.He dismounted and grabbed the saddlebags again before unlocking the door so I could enter.The room wasn’t fancy, but it was clean, and the shower had that faint bleachy smell that told me it had been disinfected recently.I’d stayed in worse.

“Hamburgers okay with you?”Beast put the saddlebags down.

“Sounds great.”I could hear the faint sound of music coming from the bar.I wondered if Beast would be okay with me joining the karaoke fun.It wasn’t quite the same as singing with a band, but it would be nice to stretch my vocal cords.“Lunch was good, but it was a while ago.”I stretched, wincing as a few muscles I rarely used made their presence known.

He tilted his head.“You need to freshen up first?”

I raised my brows and pretended to look hurt.“You think I look like I need to freshen up?”Teasing him was so much fun.

He crossed the room and pulled me into his arms to place a very thorough kiss on my lips.“No.I was trying to be considerate.You look like you need to get naked and let me fuck you until you can’t stand up, but I figured I’d get some food into you first.”

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