Page 23 of Her Demanding Biker
Hell, I'd practically swallowed my tongue the first time I spoke to Arlys when I met her outside the PX where she'd picked up groceries.
She'd worn a T-shirt and shorts with ankle socks and tennis shoes, and I'd been lost from the moment I saw her walking on the edge of the planter along the street.
She'd been a vision then and now?
"You're happier now."
I wished I could say the same about her.
"I did a lot of thinking in Korea when I was stationed there. Then, when I was stateside again, I moved around, trying to find a place to live that didn't remind me of everything I'd lost. When my POS Jeep broke down somewhere in the Dakotas, I picked up a second-hand Harley Sportster. Once I had wheels, I could travel more. It's how I came across the Savage Kings on a ride.They were participating in a charity ride, and I met them at a stop along the route.
"I got to know some of the guys and before I knew it, I was headed here to prospect with the club. Now I'm a fully patched member living here in town."
Arlys shifted on the bed. Her eyes looked up at me for a moment before lowering to the bed around her feet.
I recognized that look.
The slight sag of her shoulders.
The graceful bend of her neck.
She was falling asleep.
The nights I'd snuck into her house to talk to her?
Those late nights?
She'd looked like this, too.
Exhausted.
"Hey... Do you need me to take you back home? Is someone waiting up for you?"
I didn't know about the situation with her husband.
I wasn't stupid-
Well, that wasmyassessment.
I hadn't seen a ring, but that wasn't proof of much.
It could have been lost.
Or maybe they hadn't wanted to wear rings-
I decided against that moments after I'd questioned it inside my head.
This wasn't the time for in-depth questioning.
With a slow exhale she spoke. "No. I'm here by myself."
"I thought that maybe you'd moved here for a job, maybe come with a friend."
She shook her head, ending with her head lolled a little to the right.
"If you don't have to leave now. You can stay here in my room."
I was on my feet before she could say a word.
