Page 72 of Gemini
“Talking with Mika inside. Shouldn’t be long.”
Glancing at the pole barn, I swept past them, going for one of the side doors. The place was filled like a warehouse withtall metal shelves full of everything from farm equipment to old furniture. Weaving around them, I noticed a light on at the opposite end and went toward it. I passed by a couple tractors and swerved around a large trailer until I halted.
There was a set of bikes parked, facing toward the front. They looked in good condition though it was unclear if they worked.
“Leslie?” I called, not seeing him, or anyone for that matter. I approached one of the bikes letting my fingers brush over the leather seat. Glancing around like a little kid about to do something they shouldn’t, I carefully swung my leg over and straddled the seat, leaning forward as I gripped the handle bars. Squeezing on the gas trigger, I pretended to drive it off like some badass. Too bad I was more likely to crash it.
I lifted my leg to jump off, when a set of arms wrapped around me, nearly lifting me off the seat. I yelped in surprise when a face pressed to my neck and bit down.
“You look good on a bike,” came Leslie’s voice when his lips unlatched from my skin.
“Don’t scare me like that,” I chided with a smile.
“Too bad, I kind like you a little scared.” He laughed. “Looks like you’re ready to ride.”
“Yeah, right.” I caught his expression and frowned. “Are we seriously riding?”
Leslie stepped over to a rack and popped off a couple of helmets. “Van has to stay here in case Jasper needs to be moved.”
“Couldn’t we just ride with Dom?”
“We could,” he said, giving me one of the helmets. “But this will be way more fun. Plus, I’ve been dying to have my girl riding at my back.”
I twisted the helmet around, studying the visor. “Your girl…never thought I’d hear that.”
Leslie leaned in, his mouth meeting mine. His kiss was deep and hungry, his tongue sliding between my teeth. I met him halfway, flicking my tongue against his.
He let out a soft groan. “I need more of this,” he said against my lips. “I wanna continue what we started at the drive-in.”
“How about back at your place?”
His hand squeezed my thigh. “Let’s get the fuck out of here.” He kissed me hard one last time then took off his jacket, handing it to me. “For the wind.” I put on the jacket which was decidedly too big. He opened the barn door then had me scoot back so he could straddle the front. “Hold on.”
I slid the helmet over my head as Leslie put on his. He switched on the bike and it roared to life, purring underneath me. Slowly, he crept forward until the bike jerked and I quickly took hold of Leslie’s waist.
He drove out to the driveway, only stopping briefly as Dom came out of the garage with Mika. Dom nodded our way as he headed for his Mustang.
I held on tight as Leslie sped down the driveway, trees flying by in a blur. We broke onto the road and headed toward the city. Dom caught up in no time, keeping close behind us. My legs trembled, pulse pounding in my ears, but I hadn’t felt this alive in months as we raced through the dark. I hollered as the wind whipped past us and Leslie picked up speed, adrenaline coursing through my veins like a drug. Clinging to Leslie, I could feel his warmth through his shirt, and I wanted to bury myself in it. I wanted to be underneath him, engulfed by him. A shudder passed through me at the thought.
We turned onto a main road and the lights were blinking yellow. Businesses had their lights on but most were closed for the night. There were hardly any cars around save for those coming out late from the bars. I had a feeling Leslie was avoiding the highway in case of drunks even if it meant taking the longway home. I didn’t mind as we flew on by buildings and gas stations. Dom cut into the other lane and got beside us and we raced side by side. I laughed nervously like one did on a roller coaster, but I trusted Leslie to keep me from flying off.
The city lights appeared in the distance. We headed straight toward them when a black SUV sped by out of nowhere, cutting in close in front of us. Leslie slowed back and I tightened my hold in response.
Damn, drunk drivers, I thought when another car came upon us, a black Mercedes. My heart leaped in my throat as they swerved toward us. I shouted as Leslie jerked the bike to the side then slowed to get behind Dom. The SUV tried to pump their breaks, but Dom got around them and sped off. Leslie went to follow until the Mercedes tried to swerve into us again.
What the hell was happening?
Leslie got around them just in time and shot off to catch up to Dom who was now side by side with the SUV. As we got closer, the SUV’s back window opened and the end of a gun appeared, letting off multiple rounds at the side of Dom’s car.
Dom’s tire went out followed by one of the windows. Glass shattered, spilling over the road. Dom swerved and crashed into the side of the SUV, smoke rising from the tires as they skidded. He sped off again, despite his blown out tire and the SUV followed. Leslie stayed on them while the Mercedes followed right behind us. Only when I noticed something spark beside me on the road did I realize we were being shot at as well.
I couldn’t even scream, I was too terrified, my mind racing, everything happening so fast. I couldn’t do anything except cling to Leslie for dear life, hoping I didn’t get shot in the back or flung off the bike. I watched in horror as shots rang out again, firing at Dom’s car, the SUV trying to bully him off the road. It smashed into Dom’s side and the Mustang swiveled. Dom tried to right himself, but the SUV hit him again.
The Mustang jerked around before it flew off the road. It rolled several times before ending on its back, smashing into a pole, pieces of metal flying everywhere as a orange flash erupted from the engine.
Leslie flew by the wreckage, unable to stop with the car behind us. The SUV was on us too, getting in our way. Leslie went left, ready to race down another street in hopes of losing them, but as he was forced to slow, the Mercedes slammed into us from behind.
I heard car doors slamming as my eyes fluttered open. A horrible burning sensation crawled up the side of my body. It felt almost like being on fire. I lifted my head and saw I was lying in the middle of the road.
