Page 15 of Until Kendal
He stopped and picked up helmets that were at the locker of the rental, turned to me, and handed me one. “She wanted to talk to her, and once Roxanne Norouzi gets an idea in her head, it’s better to get out of her way.”
I buckled the helmet around my face. “My mom isn’t like that.”
Then I jumped on the bike and peddled. For a second, it was pure bliss. No one was here, and I felt safe. I went as fast as I could. I made it up the small hill and went down it even faster. Joel caught up at the river view, where I slowed down.
He said, “You took off.”
I stopped in my favorite spot overlooking the bend in the river. As a girl, I’d come here to breathe. Now it was nice to share the space with Joel. I tilted my head and said, “I wanted to see if you’d catch up.”
He glanced at the trees and river that rolled by. “One day, I want a wife and some children who can enjoy nature like this.”
My hair stood on end. I hadn’t expected that, but butterflies grew in my stomach. “Yeah?”
He smiled, seeming so calm. “What about you? What are you looking for?”
You.Goose bumps grew on my arm. I never let myself dream like that about anyone. Now that I had, a rush that rocketed through me. “I’m not looking at all. Looking means I thought ahead, and I told you about that last night.”
He raised his eyebrow. “So any guy can impress you?”
“Very few guys impress me at all. I don’t remember when my last date was, to be honest.” My lips tingled to kiss him, and my heart raced. I’d screwed everything up with him. “In fact, I was thinking of stopping at the shop to see how my car is going so I can get out of your hair.”
He reached for my arm, and his touch sent brushes of awareness through me. “I like you being around and hope you stay with me.”
My lips pressed together. “You didn’t kiss me or want to do anything with me last night.” Adrenaline coursed through me as I realized I'd said that aloud.
I was never weak like that. I glanced at the path to not give more away.
He whispered, “That’s not true.”
I glanced at him, and he seemed so honest. I raised my eyebrow, ignoring how fast my pulse was. “Yes, it is. You didn’t.”
He winked at me. “I’m taking my time with you, Kendal.”
I clenched the bike handles to not lose balance. “Why? We’ll probably never see each other again.”
“I have a jet. Let’s just take it one day at a time and be open.”
Blood rushed to my head as I said, “Open and safe are not the same thing.”
Then I quickly kicked my bike like I needed to race, and he did the same.
“I’ll never hurt you,” he said.
I met his gaze, ignoring my body's unfulfilled aches. “I… I’m in danger with you, but I’ll try.”
My honesty made me jump a little in my seat. Threats were a constant in my life, and the one I glimpsed with Joel could end up far worse than a physical beating. I never wanted to be the fourteen-year-old version of me. Joel was nothing like my father, but in the end, I would be all alone. I needed to get a grip, fast.
Joel said, “Then let’s race back.”
Perfect. The faster I peddled, the less I thought. I moved my bicycle around and raced him. The movement helped, but behind him, I watched his butt as he pedaled. I sighed, and my blood stirred because he made me want to enjoy an entirely different kind of ride.
ChapterNine
Joel
Kendal returned her bicycle and helmet without a word. I stayed beside her, but my ears still burned. If she was in danger, then I needed to be more careful with her and her mom. I would protect her.
However, she hadn't said anything specific, so I wasn’t sure. If she meant her heart was in danger with me, then I would prove to her that I was worth her time. I had the power to change everything in her world, if only she would let me.
