Page 115 of Total Shutdown

He scrubs a hand over his jaw. I can tell he’s recalling our conversation outside Rise Up that time—the one where I told him I didn’t name my bikes. “Yeah? What were you thinking?”

Nodding a couple of times, I continue inspecting the beauty. “There’s only one name I’d give her, one that would give your son a little piece of his mom when the wind’s in his hair. Something permanent. Sophie.”

I hear his breath as it catches in his throat, and I see the tears as they fill his eyes.

“Do you have any leathers and helmets here?” I ask.

“Yes.” His voice cracks. “Every size I could think to order.”

I walk across to him, looping my arms around his waist. “Then let’s take a ride, Sawyer. Just you and me.”

CHAPTERFORTY-TWO

SAWYER

Which is sexier—Collins in leathers, straddling a Harley while we head toward Brighton Beach, or Collins in a faux leather body suit while she straddles me? It’s difficult to say, though both have me hard as fuck.

This woman isn’t just the hottest woman I’ve ever met; she’s got a heart of gold to match.

She rides the road like she owns it, just like she does me.

I tighten my grip on her waist as she moves into the next lane and kicks the speed up. She’s incredible, her hair blowing over her shoulders, amber scent somehow finding its way to me despite the helmet I’m wearing.

“How are you doing back there, old man?” She chuckles through the headset I had fitted into every helmet I bought for her garage.

When she quit Smooth Running, I was initially pissed on her behalf—she had put so much work into that place and didn’t deserve to be treated like she was. Then, after a few hours of digesting the news, I got to thinking the situation wasn’t so bad after all. I could help her for as long as required, and maybe the final straw with Cameron turned out to be the break she needed to go it alone. She has the potential client base, thanks to her growing social media presence.

Trouble is, establishing a business for fixing up and servicing Harleys isn’t cheap, and I knew even if she’d previously considered opening her own garage, it would be a long-ass time before she could make that happen.

All it took was a phone call to get the ball rolling on securing the place that was half finished. A previous sale had gone south at the final second, and the owner was willing to sell fast for someone who could pay the full asking price up front.

Making my girl’s dreams a reality is a no-brainer. And buying the Harley she’d always wanted made me so fucking happy, especially knowing she’d get to see both on her birthday.

“What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?”

“Just taking it all in, Baby Girl.”

When we reach the entrance to the boardwalk, she pulls along the sidewalk and sets down the kickstand, swiveling around to look at me. Her cheeks are rosy, face illuminated with happiness as she pulls off her helmet.

“I think this place might be my favorite part of Brooklyn.”

“You like the ocean?” I ask, pulling my helmet off too.

The breeze rolling off the waves spins hair around her face, pink strands catching on her full lips, and I reach up and pull them away.

Collins edges closer, turning her body one-eighty degrees so she’s straddling the bike while facing me. The traffic is reasonably light for a weekday—not that I’d notice anyone but the girl sitting in front of me.

“I love the water. I’ve always been a sensory girl, and there’s something so soothing about the lap of the waves. I think, one day, I’d like to live by the beach.”

I slip down the seat and lift her knees so her legs wrap over mine. “Tell me something, Collins.”

“Anything.”

My gloved hand palms the back of her head, pulling her heart-shaped face closer to mine. “Do you think there will ever be a day when you don’t surprise me or I don’t learn something new about you?”

She twists her lips to the side, considering her response. “I think there’s a fair chance I’ll keep you on your toes.”

Taking her helmet, I set both down on the ground beside us. “Come here, Baby Girl.” The first kiss I give her is soft and longing—a promise of forever. “You always keep me guessing, and that’s one of the main things I love about you.”

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