Page 16 of Xactly What She Needs

Get it together! You’re a grown ass woman, not a teenage girl with her first crush!

I hear his low chuckle from behind me, closer than I would like.

Liar!My conscience screams at me.

We exit the back door that leads to the parking lot. I slither past him, making sure not to touch any part of his body, and take a big gulp of fresh, non-Xander filled air. I stand here for a moment, trying to gather my wits as he locks up. I look around the empty parking lot and freeze in horror. The only vehicle left is his motorcycle.

No, no, no, this can’t be happening! Maybe he has his car stashed in the part of the lot that is used for the client’s cars!

But even as I think that I know it’s not true. My heart plummets down to my toes. There is no way that I can get on the back of that bike and wrap my arms around his hard abs. And I know exactly how hard they are. His shirts never leave much to the imagination. The man doesn’t have an ounce of fat anywhere on his body.

“You, okay?” His warm breath washes over my ear, making me jump.

“Ummm," Ireply, as I stare at his bike with nothing less than absolute trepidation.

His hand goes to my lower back, searing my skin, even through my shirt, as he nudges me forward, towards my doom.

When did I get so damn dramatic?

“It’s not as scary as it looks, Bri,” he says lightly, completely unaware of why I look so nervous. “I would never let anything happen to you.”

I turn my head and look into his dark eyes, filled with honesty. Damn it. Why does he have to be so sweet too? Aren’t bikers supposed to be assholes?

Okay, maybe I’ve just watched too many movies. But seriously, this man is too much for me to handle.

Keep your eyes up Bri! Do not look down and see how much of him there really is to handle.

“Okay,” I croak. My throat drier than a desert.

We make our way to the bike that looks as big and foreboding asitsowner and stop towards the back. Xander opens up some side compartment before looking at me.

“Here, give me your bag to stash in here. You won’t be able to hold onto it and me at the same time,” he says while holding out his hand to me. His very large, calloused hand, roughened from hard work.

I blow out a slow breath as I hand him my purse. Never once thinking about what those rough hands would feel like all over my naked flesh.

I watch as he carefully stores my belongings before turning back to me. He walks over to the handle bars and retrieves his helmet. I stand here dumbly as he places it on my head and makes the correct adjustments so that it fits snuggly. It’s only when he turns around that I frown, realizing he only has the one helmet.

My hand reaches out on its own accord and touches his shoulder. He turns his head around at my touch and the look in his eyes is almost primal.

Nope, not paying any attention to that.

“What about you? I can’t wear your only helmet,” I protest.

He gives me a smirk that disintegrates my panties. “Don’t worry, it’s not a long drive and your safety is more important to me.” His eyes flash with something I can’t or won’t try to decipher. “Plus, I’ve got a hard head, ask anyone who knows me.”

He straddles his bike, much like how I would like to straddle him. Grrr, nope, no straddling of him….ever! He gets comfortable before looking back at me. “Just swing your left leg over and climb on behind me. Hold onto my shoulders to give yourself stability.”

Ha! I haven’t been stable since I’ve met him.

I do as he says and manage to get on behind him without completely embarrassing myself. But it was no where near as gracefully done as he did it.

“Wrapyourarms around my waist and hold on. Just not too tight. Try to lean with my body when I do.”

I gulp down the saliva pooling in my mouth at the thoughts his words have conjured. I shake the thoughts out of my head. “Why don’t you have a second helmet?” Must focus on something that won’t have my imagination running off.

He shrugs his well-muscled shoulders. “I don’t usually allow anyone on the back of my bike, so I’ve never seen the point. This spot is reserved for my Old Lady and since I don’t have one, the point was moot,”hepauses, before looking over his shoulder at me, the look in his eyes making the space between my shoulder blades itch. “Although, I guess I should get one for you.” His smile is mysterious, like he has a secret that I won’t be figuring out anytime soon. “Ya know, safety and all that.”

I swallow the lump in my throat. “You don’t have to do that. Don’t waste your money on me. I’m sure that someone else can take me home from now on. Well, at least until I save up enough to get a car of my own.”

---