Page 22 of Vodka And Virtue

I felt the warmth of his body as he pressed against my back, the inside of his thighs hugging the outside of mine as he slid his arms around my waist, lacing his fingers together over my stomach. It’s too bad I stopped working out. It just wasn’t a priority any longer, now that I wasn’t in a bid for top pay and top jobs.

“This is only for safety,” Carlisle confirmed.

I started the engine, the V Rod purring to life between my legs. “Hang on tight, Carly.”

His expected response was drowned out by the sound of the roaring engine, and I smiled, feeling completely alive in this moment. The power of the Harley, his body pressed against mine, feeling like I was taking charge of my destiny; it made the blood running through my veins hum with energy and vitality.

I backed out of his driveway and motored down the street at a moderate pace. Nobody appreciated people who blasted a bike through a residential neighborhood. Carlisle rested his chin on my shoulder, and I closed my eyes briefly, soaking in the contact. It was part of the reason I chose to take my bike today. It would force him to close the distance between us. Physically, at least. I had no doubt that his walls of ice would still be erected, miles high. Hopefully, we could break through some of those barriers today.

I pulled to a stop at a red light and checked in with him. “You doing okay?”

“Yeah. This isn’t so bad.”

His answer made me chuckle. Did he think I would have him falling off the back of my bike, hanging on for dear life as I powered through the streets of Cooper’s Cove? Hardly.

It didn’t take long for us to reach the water. I slowed way down, cruising idly through the narrow downtown streets, past the pretty store fronts. We pulled alongside the boardwalk, motoring by pedestrians and docked boats. The sun and the breeze and the salty air felt invigorating as the wind hit my face, and I breathed in deeply, letting the familiar smells and sounds center me. This was my favorite place to ride. Nothing relaxed me more than taking my bike down to the riverfront on the weekend and leaving work and the renovation stress of my house behind.

Usually, Graham, Shannon and I would stop at a dockside restaurant and have lunch before continuing down to the marina.

It seemed as if Carlisle was enjoying it as well. He continually pointed out boats and a flock of seagulls that dove into the water, collecting their dinner. I pulled into the parking lot of a restaurant that specialized in fried seafood and idled the bike. A waiter popped out, handing me a brown paper bag, and then we were off again. At the end of the boardwalk, there was a tiny inlet with a sandy beach and picnic tables and a hammock, surrounded by trees that blocked most of the wind. I parked the bike, killed the engine and lowered the kickstand.

“Hop off. We’re here.”

“We’re where?” Carlisle climbed off the bike, stretching as he removed his helmet.

“Our lunch reservation.” I propped my helmet next to his on the seat and opened the rear saddlebags, removing a small backpack and a rolled-up blanket.

“What are we doing here?” Carlisle surveyed the small clearing, taking it in.

“Having lunch?”

“Here? I can’t believe you paid six hundred dollars for this. I think you got scammed.”

“Well, that depends what kind of man you are, Carlisle. If you are a glass half empty kind of guy, you would look around and see this as nothing more than just greasy fried food that we have to eat outside in the sand at an old dirty picnic table. But a glass half full kind of man might view it as a romantic beach date. Something memorable. The first of many more dates to come.”

He swallowed, looking unsure, and finally raised his eyes to mine. “What kind of man are you, Rory?”

My heart fluttered. “What do you think, Carly?”

For once, he didn’t correct me. It was a small victory, but I felt as if I had earned something priceless.

“It just seems like you paid a lot of money and didn’t get much out of it. I mean, I made you pick up garbage on our first date.”

“If you count that as a first date, then yes.”

“You don’t?”

“Well, you were obligated to join me. This time, youchoseto be here.”

“I gave you my word.”

“You did, but we both know you didn’t have to.”

He rubbed the back of his neck, sliding his other hand into his pocket. “I’m an honorable guy.”

“You are. It’s one of the many things I admire about you.” The wind picked up, blowing his hair into a wild mess, and I brushed a lock from his forehead. “So virtuous.”

His head snapped up when my fingers made contact with his skin. “Why? What is it you like so much about me?”

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