Page 99 of Best Man
“No. Don’t.” She squeezed her eyes shut. “I’ll ride with you, as long as youpromiseme you’ll go slow and be safe.”
“I promise you, baby,” he whispered gently. “I never, ever want you to feel unsafe with me. So if you want to take a cab, I won’t be mad. You don’teverhave to ride my motorcycle if you don’t want to, okay? But if you do ride with me, yes, of course I promise to go slow.”
She let out a deep and shaky breath. “Okay. I trust you, Sasha.” She climbed onto the back and wrapped her arms around him. “Sorry I’m being so crazy. You must hate me right now.”
“Not at all,” he said over his shoulder. “All I want is for you to be happy.”
She nodded. “Thank you. That means a lot to me. More than you know.”
“Now hold on tight, okay?”
She squeezed him tighter. Niko gingerly eased off the clutch, and the engine purred as they slowly rolled away.
31
Paulina
Poor Sasha!Paulina thought, clinging to Sasha as they rode through the street, the lights of her new city at night streaking by.
She wassurehe was deeply regretting everything about the past six weeks right now—from making her his girlfriend, to asking her to come to Dallas. Hell, after the way she acted at dinner, he probably regretted hooking up with her in the first place! And once he found out she was carrying his baby?
Ugh.Who even knows how he’ll react?she thought, fearing the worst.
Sasha was so handsome in a suit, and he looked so happy and excited to see her when she showed up at the restaurant—and she’d immediately fucked it all up by acting like an awkward, bitchy, unhappy weirdo. Not that she wastryingto act that way. Shewishedshe could be his happy-go-lucky girlfriend, talking and laughing without a care in the world, like everyone else at dinner. But Paulina wore her emotions on her sleeve. And with such big news to share with Sasha, she simply couldn’t hide the very real fears and concerns that had been plaguing her all day long—especially since the trip to the doctor this morning cemented what the pregnancy test told her.
Not that she wanted to keep it a secret from him for much longer—nor could she. Heknewsomething was up; he was too intuitive, and she was too obvious. Every little interaction between them was becoming a bigger struggle. A rift was growing between them. And it was all because of the secret she carried inside her. She knew she had to tell him soon, as much as it scared her, because his frustration at her lack of communication was mounting.
He’d looked so crushed when she suggested that she take a cab back to his hotel instead. How badly she wanted to just throw her cards on the table and tell him then and there—
“I’d love to ride with you, Sasha, but maybe it’s not a good idea. Why? Oh, I’m just being extra cautious because I found out I’m pregnant this morning. P.S. You’re going to be a daddy, so, uh, hope you’re ready for that!”
But there was a time and a place for life altering news, and the parking lot of a fancy restaurant surely wasn’t it … right?
Staying true to his word, Sasha rode his motorcycle safely and cautiously. She never felt unsafe, not with her arms wrapped snugly around his muscular abdomen. Shealwaysfelt safe and protected with Sasha in control.
Actually, as they slowly picked up speed, she could see how motorcycles were ablastto ride—much like the ATV she rode back at the farm. If she weren’t pregnant with his baby? She’d be grinning from ear to ear and telling him to open the throttle and let the engine roar.
Riding a motorcycle also had a sneaky and low-key naughty benefit no one had ever mentioned to her. Sasha’s sporty bike growled a deep, throaty note—one that made the entire bike buzz between her legs like the world’s most flashy and expensive vibrator. When the engine hit the right note—Oh, God!—she pitched forward, letting the padded seat rumble her intimate bits inallthe right places.
Motorcycles rule,she thought, gliding her hands up and down Sasha’s sizzling abs, as the tingles spread through her warming core.
But the ride to his hotel was just as he’d said: short.Cruellyshort, now that her whole body was thrumming and throbbing. In fact, she didn’t want to peel herself off that thing when Sasha rolled to a stop in front of the Ritz. But Sasha killed the engine and the fun stopped. She hopped off.
A valet rushed out to greet them. “Welcome back, Mr. Nikolaev!”
Sasha made small talk with the valet, slyly sneaking him a tip along with the keys.
Paulina had a hard time undoing her helmet. Sasha noticed and hurried over. “Here. Let me help you.” He unsnapped the chin strap and pulled the helmet off her head. “So? How’d you like it?”
“I absolutelylovedit.” She jumped into his arms and mashed her mouth against his. He kissed her back and for a moment, everything between them was normal again. That sensual kiss calmed her heart—Piper was right, he didlove her, it was obvious in the fullness of his lips. She hoped that wouldn’t change …
“Ha! See? I told you!” he said confidently, taking her by the hand and leading her inside.
“I know … IknewI’d like it, but …”
“Really? You knew, huh?” He chuckled doubtfully. “Because you sure seemed scared a minute ago.” He nudged her playfully. “Wanting to call a cab.”
Another valet hastily opened the door and welcomed them into the luxurious lobby.
