Page 28 of Good at Being Bad (Rock Canyon, Idaho 8)

rcycles. The wind in her hair, the speed, and the freedom.

“It’s in the garage,” Mike said, getting up from the chair.

“Well, lead the way, McDuff.”

Chapter Nine

Mike leaned against the workshop counter in the garage, watching Ellie straddle his black custom motorcycle. She was gripping the handles and actually making engine noises like a kid.

And he found it cute as hell.

Her long dark hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and she wasn’t wearing much makeup. He liked her natural beauty. It didn’t need artifice and when she wasn’t being a huge pain in the ass, he actually liked her. A little.

“Where are your helmets?”

Ellie’s question broke into his musings, and he pointed to the wall. One of the helmets he’d had for four-wheeling and the other he’d bought from Gabe this morning.

“Sweet,” she said, swinging her leg over. As she walked to where they hung, he followed her, placing his hand on top of the helmet she was about to pick up.

“And what do you think you’re doing?” he asked.

“I wanna go for a ride.”

“You’re not taking my motorcycle, sweetheart.”

Ellie crossed her arms over her chest, and it took all the restraint he had not to lower his gaze. “Okay, I’ll ignore the sexist undertone in your voice that clearly says this is about me being a woman, and correct you. I am not taking the motorcycle. You are, and I am just going to ride shotgun.”

“What is it with you thinking I’m always being sexist?”

“Don’t use that tone and I won’t.” Mike let her move his hand and took the helmet she passed his way.

“I don’t have a tone, and are you sure you want to do this?” He’d never had anyone ride with him, but her confident enthusiasm was contagious. “You don’t even know if I’m a good driver. Why would you want a ride?”

“Because any woman in her right mind would, and this will give you a chance to show off your hotness. Although…” She fingered the bottom of his T-shirt suddenly. “Do you have a racing jacket or leather at least? You’re going to be cold in just this.”

Her warm hands burned through his T-shirt and her sweet, fruity scent stirred his desire. She was someone he hardly knew, yet she was bossy and familiar and treated him as if she had touched him a thousand times.

But she hadn’t and his reaction to her scared the shit out of him. Because he wanted to let her peel his shirt off, and then he wanted to take her in his arms and kiss those bossy lips.

Mike set the helmet down and caught her hand in his. “How about we talk about your genius plan and save the ride for another time?”

The moment was charged as she glanced down to their connected hands and back into his face. “Sure, if I can have my hand back.”

Mike released her and stepped away from her, cursing inwardly. He was acting like an awkward sixteen-year-old with a pretty girl who was out of his league.

You mean the kid you used to be.

That was the point, he used to be that guy, but now he was an adult with everything going for him.

Pulling the notebook out of his pocket, he skipped over number one and went to page two. “‘When you ask for her number/or for a date, be straightforward and clear.’”

“Yeah, don’t pussyfoot around the issue. When you ask, say something like, “I’d love to have your number so I can take you to dinner,” Ellie said behind him. “Or, you could say, “I’d love to take you on a date. Does tomorrow at seven work for you? I’ll pick you up.’ It shows you’re confident, but serious about her.”

Mike turned around as he flipped to page three. What she said made sense, and he preferred the direct approach. Which was why her directive for number three stumped him. “Never be too available?”

“Yes. Women are insecure by nature, and when a guy doesn’t call or text right away, it can make us crave him more. Although I don’t agree with Drew’s three-day rule, especially when most of us put our lives up on social media. We live in the world of smartphones and if you take longer than a few hours or a day, you’re either not interested, in a coma, or dead. However, if she calls and it takes you a half an hour to a few hours to call back, that is understandable. It’s just enough time to worry her and when you do call or text, she’ll be excited and relieved.”

“I notice you don’t seem to have an issue with insecurity,” Mike said.

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