really,” I told him. “He restored Harleys on the side. We worked on them together.”
“Ah. Bike,” he mumbled.
I frowned, trying to figure out what he was talking about.
“You told Gil you’d be back for your bike. You meant motorcycle.”
I smiled.
Jake leaned forward, his voice low as he said, “I’m not gonna lie. I find that hot as hell.”
I laughed, enjoying his straightforwardness. It seemed with him, I would always know where I stood.
And that… That was not a bad thing.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Jake
Two hours passed while I sat at that ice cream shop with Presley, and during that time, I’d secretly hoped the night would never have to end. Perhaps that made me sound like a pussy, but it was the truth. Knowing I would be going back to my condo only to stare at the blank page made it easy to pretend we could’ve sat there for hours, talking and laughing.
Did I mention she had the sweetest laugh?
And maybe we could’ve stayed right there in our own little piece of the night, but when Presley yawned, I knew I needed to get her back home. We’d long ago finished our milkshakes and moved on to coffee, but it was obvious she needed some rest.
“You ready?” I asked.
“You noticed that, huh?” She smiled, her gray eyes glittering. “Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. There’s always tomorrow night.”
“Tomorrow, huh?” Her smile widened.
And the next night, and the one after that…
This woman… I could sit here all night long and just watch her. She was very expressive. The way she watched people, the way she spoke, even the way she looked at me. It seemed that everything she was thinking was written right there on her face.
“Come on,” I urged, moving to the edge of my seat and getting up. I waited for her to do the same, then helped her into her coat before pulling mine on. I’d already paid the bill, but I pulled a twenty out of my wallet and tossed it on the table.
“Thanks for the milkshake,” she said when we made it outside onto the sidewalk that would lead us back to the tattoo shop.
“Anytime.” And I meant that. I wanted to see her again.
Before we made it far, Presley looked up at me. “Would you mind just walking me home? It’s closer, and I can get my bike in the morning.”
“Not at all,” I told her.
We walked in silence for a few minutes, and this time I was bold enough that I took her hand, reveling in the softness of her palm against mine. The closer we got to our building, the less I wanted to get there.
I continued to replay our conversation over and over in my head. Although it had started out a little awkward—I’d never engaged in a one-night stand and then sought the woman out afterward—things had progressed. I didn’t want last night to be a one-time-only thing with Presley and I needed to tell her that.
Before I knew what I was doing, I stopped on the sidewalk.
“Something wrong?” she asked, looking around as though trying to find the threat.
“Yeah,” I told her, swallowing hard before I led her around to the side of one of the buildings.
Her eyes widened as she stared up at me, the shadows engulfing us completely.
“About last night—”
Presley cut me off before I could say more. “Please don’t. I don’t want to talk about it.”
“I do.” I kept my voice firm, cupping her face and tilting her head so she had to look at me. “I won’t lie and say I wasn’t disappointed when you left.”
“It was a mistake,” she whispered, but I could see in her eyes she didn’t really think that.
“It wasn’t a mistake,” I countered. “Not by a long shot. And I want it to happen again.” I continued quickly before she could interrupt. “But not until you’re ready. We can start over.”
“Start over? Isn’t that a little awkward?”
“Not for me it isn’t.”
She didn’t say anything, but I could practically see the wheels turning in her head.
“Presley…” My eyes drifted down to her lips. “I…”
I had intended to tell her that I wanted to kiss her, wanting to seek her permission, but the words never came out. The next thing I knew, I had pressed her up against the wall, my mouth on hers. Her hand released mine and I thought she was going to push me away. Instead, she shoved her hands beneath my jacket, pulling me closer until I was crushing her between the brick wall and my