Page 6 of The Biker Alien

Teri

Naturally,I ride a bike myself. She’s one that I patched together from part all over the place. A lot of people would think of my bike as nothing special, but I love it. I started working on her back in high school with my dad, well before I had a license. I’m never going to get rid of her. Will I eventually buy a new bike? Probably, but this one will never go anywhere.

“You can hop on if you want,” Alec offers.

I shift my gaze from my bike, half hidden on the side of the garage, to him. “Sure,” I say with a grin.

A chance to hold onto tall, dark, and rich? You bet! Not that I’m drawn to him for his money. I mean, his looks? I’m all for that. His hair is dark, although not as dark as mine. Those eyes, that teal color… I just love his looks. I love to look at him.

But even more than that, I love the way he’s treated me. Those baked goods from the bakery? You better believe I enjoyed them. That was incredibly thoughtful of him, and the prompt payment, paying before I even started the work… Who does that?

Oh, and I wouldn’t mind a spin on a bike like this. No, sir.

He climbs on first, and I get on behind him. I hug him tight, and he moves my arms to hold on even tighter.

“There you go,” he says, and he takes off.

There’s nothing like a bike. So freeing… so exhilarating. I’m torn between wanting to feel his hardness against me and leaning back to enjoy the wind.

He brings us to an Italian place and cuts the motor. “Is this all right?” he asks.

I climb off his bike first. “I love Italian food.”

“Most people do, so I thought this might be a good place for our first date.”

I glance over at him. First? He’s already thinking about the next one? Bold, but I like it.

Confidence. That’s what I like about him. For the most part, I’m confident. With my work, without a doubt. My art too. It’s my body that makes me feel a little less confident, but I’m working on that.

Alec places his hand on the small of my back as we head inside. The vestibule is full, and I figure there’s a wait, but to my surprise, Alec tells the hostess his name, and we’re told to come back.

“You made a reservation?” I ask after we’re seated.

“No.”

“Then how did we bypass everyone?”

“I’m friends with the owner,” he says.

“A big wig, huh?”

He runs a hand through his hair. “I assure you this is all natural.”

“Oh, I didn’t doubt that,” I assure him, grinning at his joke.

The waitress comes over, carrying two bottles of wine. “Would you like to sample some wine this evening?” she asks. “I have a nice white and a nicer red, in my opinion, which of course doesn’t matter. Whichever you prefer.”

“I’ll try the white,” I say. “I’ll probably get some seafood dish.”

“I’ll try both, if that’s all right,” Alec says.

“Certainly.” The waitress pours for me and waits for me to taste it.

It’s delicious, so I lift my glass and she fills it and then allows Alec to sample both.

“A bottle of the white for the table, and then I would like to purchase a bottle of the red to bring home, if that’s allowed.”

“Of course that’s allowed!” A tall man with broad shoulders comes over.

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