Page 27 of Mac
Her cheeks turned red."I don't know.I guess I always assumed that motorcycles roamed in packs and there would be half a dozen or more thundering down the highway."She looked away, then down at where her arms sat folded on the edge of the table.
Mac chuckled."We do that too.Mostly just for club events though.Most of the time it's just two or three of us who want to get out for a while."
"But not today?"
"Not today."He couldn't resist repeating her words."Today I just wanted to ride with you."He quit talking, waiting to see how she would respond, if she did.
Her gaze lifted to meet his and her lifted brows told him he'd surprised her.
"Me?"
"You."
It seemed like she didn't know what to say because she looked away, then up at the TVs behind him a moment before speaking again.
"How often do you do this?"
"Come over here or go for a ride?"
"Both."She frowned.
"I ride frequently, short rides around town, mostly.But I do longer rides, several hours about once a month.Sometimes more often, sometimes less.It depends on what's going on, what the club's got going, how busy I am and how badly I need to get right with the world."
"Get right with the world?"She kept frowning and tipped her head to one side.
Mac shrugged, not entirely sure how to explain it.
"Riding is kind of a Zen thing, but not.I love the wind on my face, the feel of the bike and the highway.Most of the time, it lets me think in a way I have a hard time doing anywhere else.I can work out my problems, or forget them, as I need to.I guess, for lack of a better term, you could say my bike is my happy place."He shrugged."Not that I buy into all that bull shit, but you get the idea."
"I do.After having ridden with you, I understand it more than I would have before.I have a place like that, it's not on a bike, but I get it.I builtmy own happy place at home.I turned my smallest bedroom into my library and reading room."One side of her mouth drew up into a wry half-smile."It's where I can always find happy, it's also where I go to escape, the irony of that has not escaped me."An odd light in her eyes made him wonder what she was thinking about.
"An escape isn't all bad."Mac picked up his water and took a sip before setting the glass back down."Riding is a kind of escape too.It's a physical distancing of myself from whatever it is, where yours is more of a mental distancing, but our happy places have a lot in common."
She stared at him for the space of several breaths and Mac wasn't sure if she was trying to figure out if he was being honest or if she was considering what he'd said.Either way, she smiled after a moment and ducked her head a moment before looking back up and meeting his gaze.
"I guess that's true.I'm glad you offered to bring me on your escape this time though.I am having a good time with you."
"Despite how bad it hurts?"
Elyse gave a small laugh as a blush crept up her face."Yeah, even with the hurting."
"You might want to reserve judgement on that.We still have a couple hours ride left before we're done."
She let out a low groan."No, let me say it now, because I might change my mind after that.I am enjoying the trip and getting to know you better."She reached across the table and picked up his hand.Turning his large paw over in her much smaller fingers, he couldn't help but notice how soft and delicate her hand looked cradling his."There's a lot more to you than just a mechanic or a biker, even if it took me longer than it should have to figure it out.I'm glad I'm figuring it out now."She used one index finger to draw circles in his palm while still cradling his hand with her other.The sensation sent sparks of heat through him and his cock stirred.
Dow boy,he told the wayward part of his anatomy.This isn't the time or the place.He could only hope things would happen in the right time and place.Something about Elyse told him she would be everything he'd ever hoped for in bed.Sometimes prim, proper and sweet, sometimes hot, wild and demanding.If she wanted him even half as much as he wanted her, then more than sparks would fly if they ever landed in bed together.
"Here you are."The waitress appeared beside their table, plates in hand.
Mac pulled his hand away from Elyse and leaned back, making room for his plate to be set in front of him, and the same for Elyse.
"Thank you," he said, at the same time wishing she'd taken just a few minutes longer with their food.Because somehow, the moment between he and Elyse had broken and he'd wanted to hear what she'd been about to say.
"Anything else I can bring you?"the waitress looked at him expectantly.
Mac looked down at his plate then across to Elyse before turning back to her."No, I think we're good for now.Thanks again."
"Just let me know if you change your mind."
