Page 21 of Bear (Rebel Saints MC 6)

My eyes couldn’t help but to drift to the rest of her body. Those long slim legs were tightly concealed in a pair of blue jeans. She also wore a nice red top with a jacket and boots. I nodded in extreme appreciation. “You look like a biker chick if I ever saw one. I’m impressed. Let’s go ride. I have a spare helmet for you. I was sizing your head the last time I saw you to make sure it was the right fit.”

A look of incredulity crossed her face. “You were sizing my head?”

“Yes. I was sizing your head. Only for the purpose of Star Trek 3D glasses and the helmet,” I said, half joking. Her gleeful laugh was so light and refreshing that I wanted to hear it again.

And she did not fail me, she outright laughed at my explanation. “That makes perfect sense. Is the movie during the day or something?”

I winked at her. “No, the movie will be happening later this afternoon. I’m going to take you on a mystery tour ride around Holbeck. How about that?”

“I would love it! Wow.”

Watching her face transform in front of my eyes made me feel as if things were going right between us. I wanted to make sure she had a good time and take her mind away from the tragedy for a while.

I handed her the helmet, and she took it, walking alongside me to my bike. We walked over to my chrome, pimped-out beast and she slid the helmet on her head. I helped her tie the strap on. With our fingers intertwined we were so close to one another I could smell the vanilla scent she wore. The mix of it with the Holbeck heat and her body made a chemical reaction flow out of the pores of my body. Somehow, she brought an exhilarated feeling to me, and I had to put my helmet on so I wouldn’t try to spontaneously kiss her.

I straddled my bike and patted my hands to my waist. “Put both your hands around here. Hold on tight and lean into the corners with me.”

“Ok, I will. I used to ride on the back of my brother’s bike, so I know the rules,” Delphia reminded me then flipped her visor down and settled in behind me.

“Good news.” I felt the weight of the bike shift upright. It felt good to have her back there. Her hands glided around my waist as a fire activated inside me with her touch. It was getting harder and harder to deny my attraction to her.

Cranking the engine, I reveled in feeling the power of the bike vibrate underneath us as we rode through the sleepy suburban streets. As soon as the taste of the Holbeck air kissed my face, I again remembered the simple beauty of riding. What man wouldn’t want to be riding a motorcycle with a gorgeous woman on the back?

Weatherboard houses whizzed by as we snaked through the backstreets, the thunder propelling us forward. We darted in and out of traffic, flowing like water between cars until I was able to get us onto the freeway and open up the throttle on the bike a little more.

Yeah, I was showing off a little bit, but I wanted her to experience the magic and the freedom of being on the back of a bike. She’d been through so much already, and I wanted her to have a good time. Once we maneuvered onto the freeway, I took the first right off the overpass to a road I knew would lead us to hidden gems of Holbeck scenery. A place untouched, where rolling green hills hugged the outskirts of the town and golden grass fields laid in the foreground. Where the houses were miles apart and it was hard to find a diner, but when you did, they sold good old-fashioned food to truckers passing through.

After riding for close to half an hour with Delphia pointing out scenic highlights along the way, we pulled into a diner spot that I knew. I’d taken the route often enough. I was a fan. Those fancy cafes and pretentious bars weren’t for a man like me. The only high rolling place you would find me would be at the Red Stone Casino.

I rolled the bike to a stop, killing the engine. I waited while Delphia got off the back of the bike. “How was that? Like the ride?” I asked.

Her cheeks were rosy and her eyes were sparkling as a touch of wind caught onto her hair. “Revived! That was so cool. I’ve never even been back here, ever. I didn’t know this place existed. There’s not even a real sign. How did you find this place?”

The marvel in her eyes was enough for me to feel like I’d won her over. I put my hands out as I scoffed. “I’m a road captain, it’s my job to know the hidden routes to take. This is one I found riding out a few years back when I got lost. Pays to get lost sometimes. Pretty cool, huh?”

Delphia looked around as the breeze lifted the loose tendrils hanging around her face. “Sure is.”

“This place has decent coffee and great food. I hope you don’t mind an old diner.” I didn’t know what she was used to. It’s not like I knew her to be the bougie type, but still I asked.

“This is perfect. I’m happy to be here with you.”

Her touching my arm with her warm fingers showed me her appreciation. She slid them away and I wished she had kept them there. I swung my legs over the bike and walked side by side with her into the diner. The place was dead and the flies out front were terrible. This is what the Holbeck heat brought: flying insects that you either got used to swatting away or left be. We walked in.

I saluted the person behind the counter, who looked desperate for customers. “Hi, we’re just looking to grab a bite,” I said to him.

“Sure, sure, take a seat anywhere. Today you can take your pick,” he gestured to the open seats with a chuckle.

“Thanks, man.”

“I’ll be right over with two menus.”

I walked Delphia over to a table near the front, so we could look out the window. I thought she might like that.

She slid in gracefully. She was like this precious gift that nobody could see correctly except for me. I valued it. I watched as she looked around the new environment soaking it all in.

By the time she looked back at me, she was smiling.

“It’s nice to see you smile,” I said.

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