Page 10 of Forever Yours on Christmas Eve
Without words, Sev held his hand out to her, just like he’d done in the bar earlier, silently daring her to come along.
Just like he expected, she stepped forward, sliding her hand into his and giving him her trust.
And he was humbled by that more than he anticipated.
Steering her to help her behind him, he wrapped her arms around his torso as she settled on the seat.
“No matter what, you hold on. Understand?” he asked, holding her hands tight against his middle as a silent way to convey that under no circumstances was she to let go.
Maybe ever.
She nodded, indicating she’d do as he asked, just as he went to fire up the beast. However…
“Where are we going?” he wondered. There weren’t a whole lot of places they could travel to at this hour. Everything was practically shut down thanks to it being Christmas Eve. Plus, a long haul on a bike wasn’t recommended in these wintry temperatures. He hadn’t planned on company when he figured he’d take the quick twenty minutes to his parents’ house and just endure.
She leaned closer, accidentally tapping her helmet to his. “My father and I rented a place on The Point.”
“That’s where you want to go?” he asked, wantingto be extra sure. Heading back home would open a lot of doors to questions she may not want to answer right away.
Her eyes got sad, but she nodded in affirmation. “It’s time.”
He nodded back at her, sad that this was the last of their time together, but willing to do whatever she asked. “Then let’s get you home, sweetheart.”
Chapter 3
Kelsey
“Woo-hooo!!!!!” Kelsey screamed at the top of her lungs, tipping her head back and taking in the star-filled sky that screamed past them in streaks. She could feel Sev’s chest rumbling in laughter from where her arms were latched tightly around him. She hadn’t experienced anything better in her entire life than riding on the back of a motorcycle.
The speed!
The ultimate freedom.
She was pretty sure she could fly.
Turning her head and laying her helmet between Sev’s shoulder blades, she squeezed her eyes shut, trying to explore this new experience without her sense of sight. There was the rumbling of the bike all around her, vibrating up through her legs and into her torso. There was Sev’s warm body in front of her, a heater of sorts that felt beyond cozy. And despite only having met him a few hours ago, they had developed a sense of trust between them. She was perfectly aware of the ulterior motives that nice-looking men could have when it came to vulnerable women, but she sensed none of that when it came to Sev.
She couldn’t explain why, but she knew with certainty he was going to drive her home safely, just as he promised.
As the bike made its final turn onto the road that brought them into The Point, a small peninsula in Harbor’s Head, Kelsey took in the scene with fresh, new eyes.
The homes decorated for the holidays.
The wreaths on the doors, and the lit-up Christmas trees.
The electric candles adorning windows, plus the lights that lined the rooftops, and the cheerful inflatables that seemed to welcome her home. She realized, even though she’d been here for a little over a week now, it was the first time since she’d arrived that she felt the spirit of Christmas really touch her soul.
Seeing the light brown home with the peaked roof off in the distance, Kelsey tapped Sev’s arm, pointing to the driveway. He nodded in understanding, immediately slowing down to turn into the driveway.
She sighed to herself, taking in their big, warm home for the holidays. Just like Sev had said, this wasn’t the end, but a fresh new start.
When he finally brought the beast to rest, turning off the bike and releasing the kickstand, Kelsey nearly leapt into the air and spun around for how much fun she’d had.
“That. Was. Amazing!” she cried out as she tried to get her helmet off. She hadn’t snapped herself into it, so she struggled, her fingers flying to the strap and trying to find the clasp.
Of course, by that time, Sev had already dismounted, pulled his own helmet off, and was already on the approach, shaking his head at her and chuckling to himself. “C’mere, giggles.”
Realizing she was bouncing on the balls of her feet, she stopped as Sev’s fingers grazed her neck, and she openly tipped her head back, giving him the room he needed to work. When she heard the snick of the buckle releasing, a wave of sadness washed over her. Their time together was officially at an end.
