Page 37 of Untouchable

Ace watches as I hold my wrists while tying his bandana around his head again, but he doesn’t comment on them. Instead, he turns his focus on the guys.

“Quit your whining, we’ll go eat as soon as we get some rooms.” We follow him into the motel check-in area, even though it looks like it’s built for one.

“We need three rooms.” I look over at Mikey and Bodine in confusion, causing Bodine to shrug.

“Mikey has attachment issues.” Mikey slaps him on the back of the head.

“You’re an idiot. You’re the one who won’t go to the bathroom alone after a horror film.”

Bodine turns around with a snide smile. “Hey, fuck you.” I can’t help but giggle watching the two of them act like idiots.

“I think it’s cute you guys want to share a room, how very Boy Scouts of you.” They throw their arms around each other, flipping me off at the same time.

My eyes widen.“That’s scary.”

“I’m sorry, we only have two rooms left,” the guy behind the desk tells him.

“Fine.” The guy types something on the computer and then grabs two keys, handing them to Ace.

“Room twelve has two queen beds and room thirteen has a king.”

“Dibs on twelve!” Mikey yells, leaning over to grab the key from the attendant. Ace pays the guy and we all walk back outside, grabbing our bags from the bikes.

“You two are sharing a bed, I’m not waking up in the middle of the night to one of you trying to spoon me,” Ace says, throwing his bag over his shoulder. I try to ignore the way his muscles flex with the movement or the way his T-shirt hugs his arms just right.

“Whoa, what?” Bodine stops him as they reach the door to room 10. “You’re rooming with us?”

“Obviously. Why wouldn’t I?” Mikey and Bodine both look over to where I’m standing with my bag over my shoulder and my hip popped to the side. No way I’m missing this answer.

“Well, we just thought—” Mikey starts.

“It just seemed like—” Bodine tries to finish the thought, but they both get quiet. Looking at each other before looking back at Ace.

“I mean, if I was waking up to anyone spooning me, I’d want it to be Kat.” Bodine shrugs and I give him a playful look.

Ace pushes Bodine towards the door, prompting him to unlock it. “There’s no reason the three of us can’t share a room. Put your stuff down and let’s go find some food.”

I don’t know why I’m discouraged by the idea that I’ll be sleeping alone, why would any of them share a room with me when they can just all share a room with each other? It’s not like I was expecting to sleep with anyone—well, not on the first night at least—but I hate knowing I’ll be alone at night. The guys enter their room but I simply unlock the door and toss my bag inside, then lock it again and shove the key in my front pocket. I walk over to Ace’s bike, working some of the tangles out of my hair with my fingers as I watch the sun setting on the horizon.

“Are you okay?” Mikey asks, walking up to me first.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I lie. When I turn around I see a genuine look of concern on his face, making me wish I’d just told the truth.

“If you’re too scared to sleep alone, I’m sure we can find you a teddy bear at a gift shop or something,” Bodine teases.

I roll my eyes grabbing my helmet as Ace mounts his bike. “I’m a big girl. I’ll be just fine.” When I’m back in my seat, I wrap my hands around Ace, grabbing my wrists and wincing when I forget how sore they are.

“Hold on tight and I won’t have to tie your hands anymore.” His arrogance, much like his bandana, rubs me the wrong way. I fist his shirt in my hands, holding tight just like he said.

“Maybe I don’t mind it,” I mumble, mostly to myself, but I wouldn’t mind if he heard it. His bike starts, startling me, and I pull myself flush to his back. If he wants to demand I rideonlywith him and threaten me with being tied up, I’m not going to give him the satisfaction of thinking it bothers me. Even though my wrists are currently begging me to never let that happen again.

CHAPTER 21

Ace

“SIGHTSEEING”

Well, I’ve officially lost my mind. What the hell was I thinking, tying her hands together like that?

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