Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 81285 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81285 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
I wanted this.
I wanted him.
So, I lifted on my tiptoes and pressed my mouth against his, kissing him with fervor. My body melted into his as he wrapped his arms around my waist and pressed me close to his chest. I couldn’t remember ever wanting anything so much.
The tips of his fingers trailed along my spine, and I arched towards him, seeking the heat of his touch. As we continued to kiss, a warmth spread through my body, and just when I was losing all sense of control, he pulled back. He held my gaze for a moment too long, just long enough to make me wish he wasn’t leaving, and he whispered, “Goodnight, Presley.”
Then, Luke turned and started down the steps, leaving me standing there with my lips tingling, my chest warm, and my heart filled with anticipation. Once he was in his truck, I went inside and locked the door behind me, leaning my back against the door for a moment. I inhaled a deep breath and let everything sink in for a moment.
My lips were still tingling when I started for the bathroom. I washed my face, changed into my favorite pajamas, and slipped into bed. I knew Lila Kate was waiting to hear from me, so I grabbed my phone from my purse and sent her a text.
Me:
I’m home.
We had a really good time.
Lila Kate:
I’m going to need you to define really good.
Me:
It was just the usual date stuff.
Dinner. Talking. I gave him a haircut.
And there might’ve been a goodnight kiss or two.
Lila Kate:
So, it was that kind of good.
Me:
Yes.
Lila Kate:
You going out with him again?
Me:
He’s taking me out riding tomorrow.
Lila Kate:
On his motorcycle?
Me:
Yep
Lila Kate:
Well, look at you! Little Ms. Wild Child!
Me:
It’s a ride. Nothing more.
Lila Kate:
We’ll see about that.
Me:
Goodnight, Lila.
Lila Kate:
Nite! Sweet dreams!
Keep it clean, sis!
I didn’t bother responding. I knew she would’ve just kept at it half the night, and I was ready to call it a night. I set my phone on the nightstand and curled into my pillow. It wasn’t long before my mind drifted to Luke—not that he’d ever left.
Just thinking about our night together had me feeling almost giddy, and that wasn’t a feeling I was used to. It actually scared me a little, but it excited me even more.
I closed my eyes, and it wasn’t long before I drifted off to sleep. I had a dream or two, and before I knew it, I was at the clubhouse the next day with Luke, surrounded by his brothers and their rumbling motorcycles. He stood next to me with his hand on the small of my back, helping me settle on the back of his bike, and it couldn’t have felt more natural.
Once he helped me with my helmet, he smiled and asked, “You good?”
“I think so.”
“You’ll do great.” He got on in front of me, and when I wrapped my arms around his waist, he chuckled, “Don’t worry, babe. I’ve got you.”
There was something about the sound of his voice that sent a chill down my spine. I was still trying to ground myself when Luke’s brothers started lining up beside us. Their engines were growling, their ol’ ladies were laughing and adjusting their helmets like they’d done this a million times before, and I was busy trying not to look like a complete idiot.
Luke followed them through the gate, and the second we hit pavement, he hit the gas. The wind was the first thing that hit me, and it hit hard. It took me a second to manage facing forward while managing to take a breath. It didn’t help matters that there was a bite to the air.
Luke was right. It was a warm spell, but sixty-two degrees at sixty miles an hour was colder than I’d expected. I leaned in closer, pressing my cheek to his shoulder, and it wasn’t long before I felt the warmth of the sun on my back.
Trees blurred, and the sky stretched wide and blue. It was beautiful. After I settled in, I started to relax, and I actually managed a giggle when the bike leaned into the first long curve. It made me feel alive in ways I couldn’t begin to describe.
I could see why Luke loved riding so much. There was a feeling of freedom on that bike, and being out in the open gave you a sense of clarity like nothing else could. It was just the stretch of road ahead and the man sitting in front me, solid and sure, and for the first time in a very long while, I didn’t feel like I was holding on to something.
I felt like I was flying.
We’d been riding for over an hour when we pulled into the lot next to the lake. Engines died, one by one, and the sudden quiet rang in my ears. I eased off the bike, removed my helmet, and immediately ran my hands down my thighs, hoping it would ease the tremors.