and wait than me stand downstairs waiting for a man who never arrived.
Parker seemed to be packing up, too, when I rapped lightly on his door and stepped inside his office.
“Anything else for today?” I asked, as was my custom to do before I left.
“No, I don’t think—” Parker glanced up from where he’d been adding files to his briefcase. When he caught sight of me, he stopped talking. I waited, but he didn’t continue, his gaze dropping to my chest.
Okay, maybe cleavage wasn’t businesslike, but it wasn’t like it was eight in the morning. Technically, business hours were over. I glanced at my watch again. Crap. Six oh-five. “Um, okay, well I’ll see you tomorrow then,” I blurted. I tossed a “Have a good night” behind me as I rushed out the door.
Grabbing my purse from my desk, I hurried to the elevator and punched the button, waiting impatiently for the car to arrive. What would I do if Ryker wasn’t there? What would I do if he was?
I didn’t race across the lobby. Instead, I took my time and walked at my normal speed, joining the dozen or so other people exiting the building. When I hit the sidewalk, I glanced around, trying not to be too obvious that I was searching. But within seconds, my eyes found him and I froze.
Ryker was waiting all right, his sunglasses on and arms crossed over his broad chest as he leaned against a massive black and chrome motorcycle parked at the curb. He saw me and his lips curved in a slow grin that made a warm tingle spread underneath my skin.
I got my feet moving again and Ryker pushed himself upright as I approached, waiting until I was near to speak.
“About time,” he teased. “I almost thought you were blowing me off.”
“Does any woman blow you off?” I asked.
His grin widened. “Nope.”
I rolled my eyes, but I could admit it. Arrogance and cockiness turned me on, and Ryker had them both in spades.
Gesturing toward the motorcycle, I said, “I hope the restaurant is within walking distance because there’s no way I’m getting on that.”
“Ever ride a bike before?”
“A bike, yes,” I said. “A death machine that can do ninety miles an hour with only a helmet for protection when my head hits the asphalt? No. I’m allergic to danger.”
Ryker stepped closer, right into my personal space, and I tipped my head back to look him in the eyes. All I saw was my own reflection staring back at me. His proximity was electric, though, making my body hum as though a current ran from him into me.
“Sweetheart, I’m as dangerous as it gets.”
The low thrum of his voice sent my heart into triple time. My gaze drifted down from Ryker’s sunglasses to his lips, still curved in that shit-eating grin. What would it be like to be kissed by a man like him? To be swept off my feet?
“Whaddya say, Miss Prim and Proper? Wanna take a walk on the wild side?”
My eyes flew back up to his. “Did you just call me—” I began, indignant.
“Yep. Now let’s get out of here. I’m starving.” Grabbing a helmet from the back of his bike, he plopped it on my head. I would have protested, but was immediately flustered when he began fastening the strap beneath my chin. His fingers brushed my skin and suddenly it was harder to breathe.
“Well, don’t you look as cute as can be,” Ryker said once he’d finished.
I bet. Helmets were just oh so sexy.
He swung a leg over the bike and moved the kickstand back with his booted heel. A moment later, the engine fired up. At the noise, people nearby turned to look.
I stood, staring dubiously from the sidewalk. As if going to dinner with Ryker hadn’t made me nervous before, the prospect of riding a motorcycle with him made me lightheaded. My mother was so going to kill me.
“C’mon,” Ryker said over the noise. “You know you want to. Don’t be a scaredy-cat.” He held out his hand to me.
My eyes narrowed. Schoolyard taunts were for children. And that’s what I told myself as I reached out to take his hand. He tugged me forward, his mischievous smile changing to one of triumph.
I wouldn’t have worn a skirt had I known I’d be climbing on the back of a motorcycle. For a girl whose mom had drilled into me the appropriate way a lady exits a car in a skirt, hiking my skirt