We’ll just need to race them again tomorrow. Okay, bud?”
He nodded and reluctantly went to sit by Winifred.
Meeting Michelle’s gaze, I held out my hand. Her cheeks were flushed, and she looked ready to run back inside. Yet, she remained where she was, watching me steadily. Winifred was right, she did smell like wine. That meant she’d drunk more after sending us all outside. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. Was the wine to give her temporary courage or was it a sign that she wasn’t able to deal with who we were?
Michelle glanced at my hand, then at her brother.
“Nana will watch you, Liam,” she said, as she placed her hand in mine.
The feel of her skin against mine sent a shiver of need through me. No matter what her reason for drinking, I wanted her to myself for a while. I tugged her hand and led her to the bike. Her pulse raced, a quick cadence easy to hear in the silence of the evening. The beat of my heart increased to echo hers because tonight’s ride would be different. She would hold me.
I released her hand to quickly mount the bike. She used me for balance as she got on behind me. When she tried reaching back to hold the bar, I stopped her.
“No holding the bar this time. Hands around me so I know you’re still with me.”
I started the bike as she nodded and reached forward. The tentative slide of her hands around my waist had me clenching my teeth. I wanted more. More contact. More time. More everything. She scooted forward on the seat so her front almost touched my back and the flat of her hands pressed against my stomach.
Glancing at the porch, I caught Winifred studying me.
Make it work, Emmitt, she sent to me.
I gave a slight nod and slowly pulled out of the garage. Behind me, Michelle waved to her brothers.
Once we reached the end of the driveway, I signaled left and settled in for an easy ride. The feel of her arms wrapped around my waist had me floating. Occasionally, her fingers would move and send a new jolt of awareness through me. My head knew I’d recently dropped a bomb on her and that she needed time to process everything, to accept me. My body didn’t give a damn. Every cell wanted me to roar with my need for a Claim. Her fingers trailed three inches lower, and she exhaled contentedly behind me. My teeth ached as I fought to maintain control of the change.
Then she tapped my stomach and pointed to the left at the old country bar we’d passed when I’d first brought her home. There was no sign with a name, only a neon light advertising “bar” in one of the high windows.
Disappointment filled me as I signaled and started to slow. Our kind had remained hidden so well, I’d known her acceptance of us wouldn’t be easy. But, I hadn’t thought it would turn her into an alcoholic.
I pulled into the parking lot and eased the bike to a stop. In the silence after cutting the engine, I listened to the steady beat of her pulse. It was only slightly higher than normal. Yet, under the layers of exhaust, her fear still tainted the air.
Despite knowing what Michelle wanted, I hesitated to bring her inside. Winifred hadn’t liked her smelling of wine. What would she say if I brought Michelle back smelling of more alcohol?
“I can’t take you in there,” I said, eyeing the familiar old building.
“Yes, you can.” The bike shifted slightly as she dismounted. Standing to the side, she met my gaze as she waited for me to decide.
“Nana will kill me.” Literally. Endangering a potential Mate was a demand for an Elder beating, or worse.
“I think you can take her,” Michelle said with an amused sigh.
“You have no idea,” I muttered as I got off the bike. Pissing off Winifred was never a good idea. No matter what Jim thought.
Eyeing the mostly empty parking lot, I led the way to the door. Hopefully, Michelle wouldn’t want to stay long. Despite the fact that the bar had no sign, it was popular with the younger local crowd. The way I was feeling, I didn’t think I’d tolerate long looks from across the bar or flirting. Just the idea of another man looking at Michelle made my teeth ache.
Frustrated, I yanked the door open and held it for her as she entered.