Page 3 of Straight to Me

Turning redder than a ruby I scramble to right myself, but I’m all arms and legs on the ground, waiting for the swaying and spinning to subside. Before I can put my arms down to push myself off the floor, a gentle hand slips under my forearm and carefully guides me to my feet.

I can’t see who it is, but I’m pulled through the commotion by the smell. The crisp pine mixed with leather scent rolls over me in waves, causing my eyes to want to close as I inhale. The bearded giant looks at me confused about what the hell just happened, as the hand still under my arm burns a hole right through me. Turning to look at who came to my rescue, my heart is in my throat and my nose is twitching at the unusual intrusion.

When I see him, all I can do is stand and stare. I don’t normally lose my breath at the sight of someone, but it audibly hitches, and I swear I see him smirk with his eyes. “Are you, okay?” he asks.

I swallow hard at the sound of his deep, soft northern twang. The corner of his lips rise and I mentally kick myself for having no control over the quiet moan that creeps out from my mouth.

He’s taller than me, even in these heels, with mid-length, scruffy dark blonde hair that sits loosely and unkempt on top of his head. His green eyes are staring directly into my soul as if holding me at gun point, making me feel exposed. He asks again if I’m okay, this time running the back of his hand gently against my cheek to get my attention.

Pure heat engulfs every inch of my now wanting body, leaving me breathless.

His light touch burns in my groin making me clench my thighs together tightly. This snaps me out of his trance and I take in some air that I desperately need, as he nods to the giant behind me that everything’s fine. They must know each other because the giant goes back to his conversation, unaware of the moment being shared between his friend and me.

I look anywhere but his captivating eyes as I try to compose myself enough to answer. Shaking my head I slur out, “Madison.”

Hot heat suddenly swims over my skin. Like an idiot, it occurs to me he didn’t ask my name, he asked if I was okay. After the sobering experience of looking at the face of a god, my inability to speak English properly is definitely down to him.

I’ve been completely overwhelmed and knocked off my feet in a moment, both literally and figuratively.

He retracts his lingering hand from my cheek and chuckles to himself, though his eyes are still looking intently at me. I close my eyes briefly and scrunch up my face feeling embarrassed and slightly uncomfortable.

“My name’s Madison. You didn’t ask that, but I’m fine. Thank you for helping me up.” My breath shakes and my throat wobbles.

His lips part as he takes a small breath.

“You’re welcome. Madison.”

The sound of my name rolling off his tongue makes me stand to attention. Goosebumps from the bottom of my leg to the base of my neck stand on end. My back instinctively arches pushing my breasts towards him. I realise I need to get away from this man, right now. He’s hardly doing anything, yet my body’s making me act like a deprived whore.

A sudden glint from the floor grabs my attention and I spot my phone. Bloody thing must have fallen out of my bag when I hit the deck. Remembering the stupid length of my dress, I yank it down to desperately hold it in place as I try to retrieve it, curtsy style.

He must notice my awkwardness, for he places a large hand gently on my hip. “Here, let me, babe,” he says.

I’m doomed.

His touch sends ripples of heat over my entire body. He bends down, hand lightly caressing my hip as he does, and picks up my phone. With his head now level with my knees, I feel strangely empowered watching him.

I'm holding my breath again as those green eyes rove up the length of my legs to the bottom of my dress, then over my waistline before stopping on my breasts. He knows I’m watching him gaze intimately at my body. I can’t tell what he’s thinking, but his bottom lip definitely twitches, and I’m sure I see his cheeks flush when our eyes meet again.

Does he feel the same heat that I do?

He holds out my phone, swiftly looking away and clearing his throat, answering my silent question. But time seems to move in slow motion for me as I savour every second before pulling it from his grip. He then shoves his hands into his jean pockets quickly, looking like he wants to leave.

Damn my feet for not moving. And damn my tummy for fluttering as my gaze dances over his huge biceps, visibly bulging from under his red checker shirt.

He’s dressed like the other bikers, only he has a ‘Vice President’ flash on the front of his leather cut. My muscles tighten as I realise how fierce and dangerous this man might be.

Definitely time to leave.

As if on cue, pain deep in my bladder reminds me where I was going before he picked me up off the floor. His head turns and he watches me intensely as I tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear, slip my phone into my bag and fiddle nervously with the strap over my shoulder.

I smile and hold up my hand to him before turning away. My brain now needs to hurry up and engage with my feet to walk.

The thought of turning to check if he’s already gone crosses my mind. No need though, his scent still hangs firmly in the air. He’s watching me leave. Now, more than ever, I just need to be a normal human being and walk away without tripping over anyone.

I make it to the steps and a small prayer that he can no longer see me is sent up. Considering I can’t smell him anymore, I’m pretty sure I’m safe from his watchful eyes as I make my descent.

At the bottom, I swing a left, whacking my head on the beam that, yet again, has evaded my memory. Like a basketball being rejected by the rim, my head bounces backwards, giving me an instant headache.

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