Page 36 of Hard Ride

Ollie’s mouth tipped up in a wry grin.“Oops, sorry.Although I do like having the option to talk about you without you knowing if needed.”

“You would not.”Kyra’s mouth formed an O that made Van think about plenty of other naughty things he’d like to do with her instead.

Simply to rile her, he held his hand out and Ollie high-fived him.When she slapped their arms down, they cracked up some more.

Yeah, this might not be the worst situation in the world.

“Okay, so…” Kyra settled down first.“Am I cleared to go back to my usual routine?Are we heading to Kason’s place for the rest of the tour break?”

Ollie frowned at that, though he didn’t need to.

Van shook his head no.“I don’t want you at the mountain house.Even though I didn’t find anything too unusual about Number One—the return address on his packages went to a small, tidy home in Des Moines owned by a woman I’m assuming due to their matching last names is his mom—I still take it very seriously that you felt like something was out of place that day.You have good instincts.There’s no reason not to implement basic precautions.If this guy is as aware of your schedule and behaviors as it seems, he’ll know that’s where you typically go on breaks.”

“Okay, then what are you suggesting?”Thankfully, Kyra didn’t argue.

It uncoiled something within him when she solicited his advice about her security.He didn’t intend to abuse her faith either.Van would do what was right for her despite any complications that arose on their personal front because of it.She would always be his top priority.“I think you should stay here with Ollie.And…I think I should, too.”

“Good thing I insisted on putting a king-sized bed in here.”Ollie whistled.

“Is that okay with you?”Kyra asked him.

“Yeah, of course.”He turned to Van then.“But I have one suggestion, if you think it’s okay.”

“Let’s hear it.”He wouldn’t take any chances with Kyra’s safety, but he’d try to accommodate Ollie’s demands.After all, he was looking after Kyra too and—okay, fine—she was obviously falling for the other guy.

Van wouldn’t shoot himself in the dick by alienating either of them.

“Instead of sitting around here with our thumbs up our asses, waiting for something shitty to happen, why don’t we hit the road?I have a few places in mind a day or two drive away I’ve been wanting to salvage from.”He took a deep breath, then said, “I’ve been to your shows.Now you can see what I do for a change.Not that it’s as exciting as being a superstar or anything.Still…it might be fun.Maybe?And it will keep Quinn and Gavyn happy with me.I know they’re looking for a few specific things they need to complete holiday projects for clients.”

“Road trip!”Kyra whooped.She leapt to her feet and danced.“Yeah.Can we, Van?Would it be okay?”

He couldn’t help but laugh at her antics.“Sure.I don’t see why not.It’s probably better to be away from here, same as from Kason’s.People are starting to figure out we hang out here sometimes.In fact, I should probably talk to Quinn and Jordan about setting up additional cameras and a better security system soon.”

Ollie spoke up then, giving Van an out he didn’t plan to take.“I mean, I know you spend a lot of time on the road in the tour bus.So if you don’t want to do it on your vacation, I get that—”

“Nah.It’s cool.I get antsy if I have to stay still for too long.And after the years we’ve spent on the bus, we’re used to tight quarters and always being on the move.I’ll feel better if we’re not at one of our known haunts,” Van explained.“If you don’t mind extra company, I think your plan is solid.”

“Then let’s go!”Kyra practically bounced.At least she wasn’t pissed Van was crashing the party she’d been having with Ollie.Did that mean she wasn’t picking the other guy over him outright?He could only hope.

“I’m going to talk to Kason and Jordan quick.I just want to make sure they’re okay with Jordan taking over Kason’s personal security for another week or so.”Van hoped it wouldn’t be a problem.

“I’m pretty sure he’ll be doing his best to watch Kason’s body regardless.Wren will too, for that matter.I wouldn’t fuck with her.”Ollie smirked.

“Agreed.”Van nodded—she was tougher than most.“I’ll be right back.Do you need any provisions for the road?”

He looked at Ollie, who shook his head.“I’m stocked up and ready to pull out as soon as you are.”

Van tried not to choke.Either that had sounded dirty as fuck or everything was reminding him of sex now that Kyra was so close.It was going to be a hard ride, literally, the air crackling with anticipation and carnal possibilities.He adjusted his half-stiff cock in his jeans, hoping no one else noticed.

“Hurry up, Van.Take care of whatever you have to so we can get going.”Kyra prodded him toward the door.Was it so that she and Ollie could have a few minutes alone, or because she was looking forward to whatever might happen between them on the journey they were about to take together?

He hoped it was that.

Van made his rounds and cleared his schedule for their road trip in record time.As he jogged back to the van, he saw Ollie outside unhooking his power line from the Hot Rides facilities.The guy tucked the cord away, then took one last look around the campervan before meeting Van’s stare.

“Get in the van, Van.”Ollie cracked up at his own joke, then rounded the hood toward the driver’s side.

And that was how he found himself on a road trip, strapped to the middle of the bench seat with Kyra situated between him and Ollie, feeling far less uncomfortable and much more turned on than he’d expected.

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