Page 59 of Those Who Are Bound

“Put them on over your clothes.”

“Where did you get these?”

Not answering her question, he said, “We don’t want these to be too big, either.” Folding his arms over his chest, Jonah leaned back against the desk and watched as she struggled to put the gear on, an upward tilt to his lips. He was obvious in his enjoyment, watching her dress. She hoped her display was as sexy when taking it off—at least she hoped his smile was because she was sexy, and not because she was goofy and awkward. He put out a hand every now and then to balance her.

Once completed, Elliott looked down at herself; she’d only banged her elbow once on the hard brace that was inside the material. Now she understood why it was called armor—it was supposed to provide some sort of protection if something went wrong. She looked at him. “Do you think this will help if something happens?”

“Better than yoga pants alone,” he replied. “But I don’t intend for anything to happen.”

Elliott glanced down again, not able to help the thought that her parents hadn’t intended it, either.

Jonah grasped her chin and forced her to look at him. “I wouldn’t intentionally do anything to put you in danger. Is there a risk? Yes. But if you’re scared, Elliott, we take the Jeep. I don’t want to force you to do something that scares you. You’re more important to me than the ride.”

He meant it. And her heart did another little leap when he’d said she was important to him. If she said the word, the motorcycle would be forgotten and he wouldn’t care. She gave a small shake of her head. “No, I’m okay. Granted, I might end up screaming my head off, but I trust you.”

He stared hard into her eyes to detect her sincerity, but she was being honest. “Okay. But if you don’t like the ride out, I’m paying for your Uber back.”

She nodded once. “Deal.” Then she frowned. “Ride out where?”

“There’s a bouldering gym, indoor rock climbing.”

“One of your hobbies,” she said; it wasn’t a question.

He nodded. “I think you’ll like it. You like challenges.”

“Some more than others.” She was referring to the challenge of refraining from sex.

Jonah’s amusement told her he understood her quip, but he left it alone. After all, there was a futon only steps away. For that matter, they were right next to a desk.It would take him no time at all to get that armor off of her and plunge into her. His glance at both told her he was having similar thoughts.

Alas…

“Come on.” He took up the helmet and indicated to the stairs. “Let’s go.” He made another glowing pass over her now-armored figure.

Elliott took a few teasing steps back toward the stairs. “I’m feeling kind of badass in this outfit. I’m thinking I need to do my future shopping at the Harley Davidson store.”

Jonah chuckled. “I own a Triumph.” But his admiring attention was on her dancing figure as she backed up. At her slightly creased brow, he expanded, “A 1967 T120 Bonneville.”

Elliott passed a hand over her head to indicate that it didn’t mean anything to her. She asked, “But is it pretty?”

He laughed. “It’s pretty.”

And he told the truth. The classic motorcycle, parked in the alley behind the shop, had a two-tone dark burgundy and white fuel tank with a long black leather bench. The rest was shiny chrome and compact machinery. Elliott had no idea how it worked, but it was stylish. She walked up to the bike, eyeing it carefully, for the first time ever considering what it was going to be like to be on the back of one.

“There isn’t a back seat thing,” she pointed out.

Jonah shook his head, watching her carefully for a sign of fear.

“And it can hold both of us?” she asked skeptically.

“Yes.”

Her mind was analyzing. She wasn’t afraid; she was trying to figure it out.

“On corners, you lean; you lean into the turn.”

Elliott looked at him, imagining it in her head. It seemed counter-intuitive, like the bike would fall over.

“It’s physics.” He grinned.

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