Page 19 of Mac
"Thank you."He tucked the card into the interior pocket of his vest."What are you doing today?"Mac decided in that moment that since the club didn't need him, he was going to take a ride.Normally he and his brothers rode together, or at least in pairs, but once in a while they all went out on their own.Usually when someone wanted to clear his mind or to have a little peace.
"Not much.I've got the day off and I thought I'd take a lazy day around here.Why?"She glanced up at him, an interested light in her eyes.
"I was thinking about taking a ride."He glanced at her and wondered."You want to go with me?"
"What kind of ride?"She looked confused."Where are you going?"
"No plan.That's part of the attraction.I just get on the bike and go where the wind takes me."
"But why?"She frowned.
Mac chuckled and spoke with a slow shake of his head."The freedom.The wind in your face, the rumble of the bike under you."He glanced over at her."I guess it's not something most people would understand."
"I don't really, but I'm willing to learn.If you might be willing to show me the draw."Her lips were rolled inward as she bit them, and her eyebrows raised.
"That's why I brought it up.I thought you might like to go along for the ride.Fair warning though, I don't know how long I'll be out, it might be most of the day, or even after dark before we get back."
Elyse lifted one shoulder."It's not like I've got anything here waiting on me.Watering was the last of my chores around here.I've got nothing needing my attention until I'm due at work tomorrow morning."
Hope soared in Mac's chest.He liked the idea of Elyse on the back of his bike, feeling her pressed against him as they sped through the desert.
"I'd love to have you along, if you think you're up for it."
She tilted her head and watched him a moment."Why wouldn't I be up to it?"
"It's a long time on the bike, and if you're not used to it, you'll end up sore.And it's out in the sunshine.So you'll need long sleeves and long pants, or you'll be sunburned."
"I hadn't thought about that, but I'll change so I'm better prepared, if you're still willing to take me along?"
Mac smiled, thinking of having her riding along as he rode."I'm still willing."
"When do you want to leave?"She went to the sink and started on the dishes.
"How soon can you be ready?"He thought about what he wanted to do before they pulled out and figured it would take her longer.
"Half an hour?"Her voice didn't carry confidence and Mac got the impression she was asking more than telling him.
"I can do half an hour."And he could, but he didn't think she would be ready that quickly.He would do the few things he needed to do, and be ready when she'd said she could be, but wouldn't be surprised if it took her longer."I'll go over to my place and get ready, see you in half an hour?"
"I'll see you then."She nodded at him but didn't walk him out.Instead she kept working on the dishes, as if trying to get them done so she could move on to changing clothes and be ready on time.
Mac let himself out and crossed the yard to his own house, then let himself inside.It didn't take him but a few minutes to fill the canteens he put in his saddle bags for long rides and put them in place.Then he gathered both helmets and made sure he had everything ready to go.
The doorbell startled him as he came back in from the garage.Wondering who it could be, he went to the door and checked the peep hole.He pulled his head back and felt his eyes go wide as he spotted Elyse on the doorstep.He hurried to open the door.
"That was fast, you got everything you need?"
"I think so," she stuck out one leg, "jeans and long sleeves, like you said.And the boots like you told to wear last time."
He looked her up and down."Do you have a jacket?Leather would be best but denim or even cotton would work too."
"I have a leather jacket."She made a face."I'll go get it."
"Sounds good.I'll back the bike out and meet you in the driveway."He watched as she made her way across the space between the two houses, her ass swinging in a way that made Mac's jeans tighter than they had any right to be, then closed the doorand went back through the house to the garage to back the bike out.
Mac had just hit the button on his handlebars to close the garage door and watched the door slowly slide downward when a movement from the corner of his eye drew his attention.He turned to find Elyse approaching, leather jacket in hand.
"Do I need to wear it?Or can we just take it?"The tone of her voice told him she didn't like the idea of wearing it.
