Page 133 of Those Who Are Bound

“Doing okay?”

She gave him a look like he was crazy for asking. “Of course.”Dying. Dying inside.

His expression was teasing. “Would you admit it if you weren’t?”

Feigning nonchalance, she asked, “Would you call me an Uber?”

He laughed. “If you ever admitted defeat, I would definitely call an Uber.”

“Who’s admitting defeat?” And she stood up to add extra power to the pedals.

He let her lead for… well, to be fair, for the two minutes it took for her to lose steam. But again, she was more than happy to have him out front, where he wasn’t witnessing her with her mouth hanging open for air.

Surprising her again—she was ready this time—he swerved off the path altogether and headed toward a trail-side restaurant with an outdoor space. She knew the place, and obediently followed as he biked up to a corral-style fence next to the outdoor tables.

Dismounting, Jonah eyed her. “Up for a burger?”

Actually… yes. Burger, brat, beer… bring on the Bs. “Yes!” She also dismounted.

“You can pee, too.” He smirked.

Aaaaand, she didn’t have to. Sweat it all out. But she followed him to the tables, taking a seat opposite him, on the other side of their bikes. Sitting, she caught his warm regard on her.“What?”

“You look amazing.”

She scoffed. “I’m sweaty and gross.”

“You’re sexy as hell.”

“How does that work?”

“What do you mean?”

She raised a shoulder and asked cheekily. “Hell is supposed to be bad, right?”

“If you subscribe to that version, yes. Temptation originated there, and you are tempting.” He grinned over at her. “Sexy as hell.”

“So if temptation is from hell, isn’t sex bad? Giving into the temptation?”

“You’re reading way too much into my comment.”

“Humor me.”

He shook his head. “I don’t prescribe to that belief system.” Giving her a pointed look, he said, “You have firsthand experience with that. I’m not a hypocrite. I’m not telling my congregation to abstain while I’m not.”

Pleasure sensors were triggered by his gaze. Their stare down was intense until the waitress popped up, cheerfully plopping down two menus. Elliott tore her gaze from his as she pretended to concentrate on the words in front of her. She ordered the first microbrew she came to and a brat.

As though they hadn’t been interrupted, he continued, “Sex is good. It’s a natural expression between two people.”

“I find it so confusing how you can twist the words you’re all supposed to follow to meet your needs in the moment. If one church wants sex to be bad, then it’s sinful; now you’re saying it’s good. Do you preach that?”

“Come by and find out,” he challenged with a slight grin.

“You really did wake up and choose violence.”

He laughed. “I don’t preach. Italkabout acceptance. I hope I let people know it’s okay that what they have been taught about God’s love isn’t always accurate; that they’re all valid: who they love, how they love. Howoftenthey love, with or without a wedding band.”

“Oh, so you’re okay with premarital sex.”

---