Page 26 of Jag

I made the move, but in no way was I the one to control the kiss. At some point in the meeting of our lips, Dom turned us, and I found myself with my back against the door.

His lips were warm, and when his tongue demanded entrance, I complied by opening to him. Our tongues met and dueled while we explored each other’s mouths. Dom tasted of coffee with a hint of mint, and the flavors had me wanting to experience more of him. At some point, as the kiss continued, I placed my hands at his waist and held on for support. With his body pressed against mine, I couldn’t help but feel his hardness. It was then I realized that I had a choice to make, not because of Dom’s words from the day before—no, it was because I needed to decide if I could put my past hurt aside and take a chance with this man.

Thomas’s deceit and actions had hurt me, but, Dom, though we really didn’t know each other well, I knew if I let him in and he hurt me, it ultimately could destroy me.

Was I willing to risk it? Willing to take a chance to see if what I felt with him was more than just lust or something to take away the loneliness that being single and on my own for the first time? Could I live with the regret for the unknown because I let my fear of failure with another man fuel my decision?

Dom broke the kiss and looked into my eyes as we both fought to catch our breaths. The blue in his eyes had darkened with desire. Desire for me. I didn’t want to compare him to Thomas after what we shared, but it didn’t escape me that not once had Thomas ever looked at me with such need.

“You need to go put on jeans and a sweatshirt or grab a jacket. Or my decision to get to know you before this,” Dom dropped his hands from my face and waved between us, “goes further, will be tossed and I will carry you upstairs to your bedroom and get to know you on a whole different level. And if that kiss is any indication, our sexual experience will be explosive.”

“Why do I need to change?” I asked and shook my head to clear it.

“Because I want to spend the day with you and we are going to be on my bike.”

“Excuse me.”

“Go change, River. I thought we could spend the day together. I want to take you out on my bike. But if you want to stay here, in the house, where we can get to know each in private...instead of in public—”

I wasn’t sure if Dom had anything else to say, I cut him off before he had the chance, “Fine. But you could have asked instead of being bossy,” I said, then stepped toward the stairs. “I might have other plans,” I added over my shoulder as I climbed the stairs.

“You’ll get used to it. And I told you before, plans change,” Dom said.

“Pfft,” was my reply as I reached the landing, then stomped to my room at Dom’s chuckle.

“Maybe I’m the one who needs some medication or therapy. Since instead of putting down my foot about him telling me what to do, I’m doing it. No questions asked,” I said while I moved around my bedroom doing what the man said to do. After I change into jeans, pulled my boots on, then yanked the sweatshirt over my head, I headed back downstairs.

“Sounded like you were having a nice conversation with yourself,” Dom said with a smirk on his face.

“Oh, kiss my ass, Dom,” I said in defense to the fact he overheard me ranting.

“Maybe later. Let’s go,” he commented and grabbed my jacket off the back of the chair before he opened the door and waited for me to go out first.

While upstairs I stuck cash in one jean pocket, cell phone in the pocket of my sweatshirt, and after I locked my front door, I shoved my keys in another pocket. Then Dom led me to his bike.

“Umm...would now be a good time to tell you that I’ve never ridden on a motorcycle,” I said and bit my lip looking at the two-wheeled machine.

“No problem.” Dom reached in the bag on the side of his bike and pulled out a helmet and handed to me, then placed my jacket inside. After he grabbed his helmet off the seat, he helped with mine, snapping the strap on the side after placing it under my chin. Once he was on the bike, he patted the seat behind him. “Get on.”

I awkwardly did as he had done and placed my feet on the bars Dom kicked out on each side.

“Now, wrap your arms around me and hold on. Only thing you gotta do is go with the bike. Other than that, enjoy. Ready?”

“Yes,” I answered, took a deep breath, and wrapped my arms around Dom’s waist. He waited for me to get settled, then cranked the bike. The sound of the pipes was loud, which I’d heard motorcycles before just never rode on one. But when he backed the bike out of the driveway to the street, then kicked it in gear, I held on a little tighter because, good grief, the vibration was something I hadn’t anticipated.

We rode on main street before heading out of town, and I couldn’t stop looking around. It was definitely a different view than being inside a car. As we came upon the building where I took yoga classes and where the Black Hawk MC gym was, I saw Sami and Luna with their men along with others on the sidewalk. Dom slowed enough to throw up his hand as we passed by. The group waved, but all I could do was smile. No way was I letting go of Dom.

When we reached the outskirts of town, Dom patted my leg, then sped up. The road began to have more and more curves the farther we got away from town.

“Relax, River,” Dom yelled over the sound of the bike. With the helmet on, his voice was muffled and caused me to press against his back.

“I’m not sure I can,” I said close to his ear. The position made it easier, and I heard Dom chuckle.

“By the time this ride is over, you’ll wonder how you’ve gone without ever riding on a bike.”

“If you say so.”

“You’re doing great, baby. You’re leaning with me, and the bike like you’ve always ridden behind me,” Dom said as he removed one hand off the handlebar and squeezed my calf.

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