Page 34 of Twisted Hearts

“What are you smiling about?” he asked me. I could tell by the hint of care in his tone and the smile in his eyes that he was glad that I’d regained my sanity. I’d certainly lost a part of myself, but he’d not given up on his attempts to bring me back. Although he’d never admit it, I think my actions had scared him.

“Us,” I finally answered, trying but failing to hold back a smile. I twisted my lip, contemplating a question I wanted to ask him. “How the heck did this happen?” For the life of me, I couldn’t figure us out. We’d had chemistry from the start, but I was learning that there was a whole lot more than just chemistry between Aaron and me.

He shrugged, “I don’t know. Although it may be hard to imagine, I do believe in God. I believe He wanted us together.”

That was the last thing I’d expected him to say, but considering who we were and how we had come together, God was the only force powerful enough to make Aaron and me happen.

His hands dropped away from my face and slid down my shoulders before he released me fully. He slung his leg over the motorcycle and lifted the kickstand with the toe of his boot before he gripped the handle bars and leaned the heavy machine to an upright position. He patted the seat behind him, welcoming me aboard.

After placing my hand inside his, I climbed over the seat and snuggled in close to Aaron, wrapping my arms around his strong torso as my legs rested snug against the outside of his. I rested my head against his back and tighten my grip, enjoying the feeling of being wrapped round his sturdy frame. I didn’t recognize how tight my grip on him was until he rose to start the engine and my body lifted along with his.

The powerful machine thundered to life, its burly roar vibrating against our bodies, reminding us of its strength. As smoothly as if he and the bike shared a connection, we pulled off. My head shot up as my neck twisted and turned. We cruised out of the parking lot, and I was sure I resembled an owl the way my neck swiveled trying to snatch glimpses of the roving scene around us.

Once we turned onto the main highway, we shot off like a rocket. My arms tightened around Aaron’s body as the momentum sent me lurching back a notch. Once I got over the initial shock and uncertainty of being exposed on a rolling jet, I lifted my head and took in the rest of the world as it zoomed by us in flashes of vibrant colors.

The rush from the speed and the idea that we shared this excitement together was like salve to my bruised mind. Like the beach, this bike ride was also freedom. This was the side of life that made you happy you’d survived the worst parts. Glad you’d fought through the madness because the opposite end of the spectrum made the fight worthwhile.

Aaron had known exactly what I’d needed. I inhaled deeply and exhaled with a relieving sigh, as the ocean-misted air swished past my face. Once I settled into the free-flowing feeling of being hurtled through space atop a motorized rocket, my mind eased and my body relaxed.

A rush of contentment settled in my vibrating belly, and I snuggled in, gripping Aaron with all the strength I had in my body. I’d never experienced this feeling before. The strong man in my arms, the powerful machine roaring under my body, the space around us, rushing by as we breathed it in. This was how it felt to truly be alive, living in a moment of true happiness. Aaron had given me this precious gift, one that I will remember, cherish, and recall when times get tough.

We traveled over rising slopes and falling valleys. The trees bowed and swayed until the ocean disappeared and gave way to a lush, hilly countryside. Each time we descended a steep hill, Aaron would speed up and make the bottom drop out of my stomach, and I enjoyed the rush, giggling like a giddy teen girl.

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