Page 88 of Collision
“Don’t tell me you’re scared,” he teases with a mocking smirk.
“It’s not fear, it’s a survival instinct. Besides, I don’t like motorcycles.”
He frowns and takes a drag on his cigarette. “All right, let’s hear it: What’s your problem with motorcycles?”
“They’re dangerous,” I explain earnestly.
“That’s the beauty of it.” He cocks his head and gives me a mischievous grin.
“I am not getting on that thing.”
“Don’t talk about my baby girl like that,” he retorts, pretending to take offense.
“Baby girl? What is it with men and vehicles?” I laugh.
“It’s the same as you and your stuffed animals.”
Thomas stubs out his cigarette with his shoe and slips on hisRay-Bans. “Move your ass or I’ll carry you myself.”
“I won’t tell you again. I’m not getting on that bike, I swear to—”
I don’t finish the sentence because he grabs me and throws me over his shoulder. “Took too long, Ness.” I can’t see it, but I bet he’s got his slyest smile plastered all over his pretty face.
“Thomas! Put me down right now! You are making a scene!” I rain small punches down on his back, which don’t faze him at all. He sits me down on the bike’s seat and restrains my arms and legs, holding them firmly against his body.
“You’ve got two options here,” he chuckles. “You can choose to come with me or you can come with me anyway.”
“I’m sorry, what happened to free will?” I shrill, irritated. I tuck a few strands of hair behind my ears and cross my arms.
“It’s on vacation.” He folds the corners of his mouth up and I crumble in the face of that smile. Damn me! Thomas, pleased with his win, slips my helmet on and adjusts the chin strap.
“I’m capable of putting on a helmet, Thomas,” I inform him sourly.
“I see you’re still a shrew,” he retorts. I hit him softly on the chest.
“And you’re still a swaggering douchebag,” I say, but a small laugh escapes me. He tries to restrain himself, but soon bursts out laughing along with me. The interior padding of the helmet presses my cheeks, and I feel quite awkward. I expect Thomas to start teasing me at any moment, but it doesn’t happen. Instead, he takes off his leather jacket and hands it to me.
“Put it on, you’ll get cold.” When I wear it, I feel enveloped by a comforting warmth and the scent of vetiver and tobacco. A scent that, I have to admit, I’ve missed.
“So, where are we going?” I ask, zipping up the jacket while he slips on his helmet and chews a piece of gum.
“I don’t know. Baby Girl will be our guide.” I roll my eyes skyward while Thomas gets on the bike. I settle myself behind him, holding his shoulders and resting my feet on the small pegs on either side of the bike. At that point, Thomas starts the engine, letting it roar a couple of times before the bike suddenly jolts forward. Letting out a little cry, Iplaster myself against his back and hug his sides. I hold my breath for a few seconds and listen to him chuckle.
Then he rests both feet on the ground and places a hand on my knee. “All right there, stranger?”
“Don’t be an idiot,” I admonish him, gently punching his back as I try to control my anxiety and look for something else to hold on to, but I can’t find anything. “Thomas…where do I put my hands?”
He turns his head slightly toward me, then takes my hands and moves them around his waist. “Right here. Hold on tight,” he orders.
I don’t have time to tell him that he should go slow, because with a sharp flick of his wrist, we are speeding across the asphalt at full speed. I close my eyes fearfully and squeeze him as tightly as I can, praying that I arrive in one piece.
Twenty-Three
We travel a few miles north, on a small road made up mostly of stomach-twisting curves. Eventually we find ourselves on a long, deserted road, bathed in the light of the midday sun. Thomas turns off the engine, and I leap for the safety of the sidewalk. I tear off my helmet and set it on the ground.
“You are out of your mind! Were you trying to kill me?”
He looks at me, amused. Extending the kickstand and parking the bike, he gets off before removing his helmet and fixing his hair. Only now do I notice the Kawasaki lettering on the lower part of the vehicle and Ninja on the upper part.
