The Prelude (A Musical Interlude Novel) - By Kasonndra Leigh Page 0,65
night. We’re heading to a vineyard a few miles off the Amalfi coast. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for some good old fashioned wine tasting. But the motorcycle thing promises to push me over the edge, I’m afraid.
I have a list of the top ten things to avoid in this lifetime. Clam chowder comes in first place and motorcycles follow at a close second. Why is that? It’s not really a fear factor kind of thing. A long time ago, one of the boys in our neighborhood back home had a little dirt bike. He wanted to show off for his friends, so he used Jada and me as the bait.
He started performing all kinds of silly tricks and things and ended up kicking mud all over nice Sunday clothes. All of the older kids standing around us started laughing, including the boy. But Jada wasn’t standing for it; especially after I started crying. I was wearing my pink Easter dress, one of the only girly items I've ever owned. She marched right up to the boy and popped him in the nose.
Well, guess who went home crying after that? He did. Since that day, I started to associate boys on motorcycles with that kid: sneaky and arrogant.
Okay. You really need to get over it, Erin.
If you get dumped into a puddle of mud, then don’t say I didn’t try to warn you.
“Come on, Erin,” Alek says, holding out his hand. He has already started the engine, and he’s waiting for me.
“I don’t know,” I answer, glancing around and hugging my shoulders. Turning off the engine, he puts down the kickstand and removes his helmet. Messy dark hair flops over in his face, blending in with his dark shirt and black jeans. And he’s smiling, no wait—he’s grinning. “You’re laughing at me.”
“Yes,” he answers as his laughter grows.
“It’s really not funny, Alek.”
“No, it’s not. But you’re so very adorable,” he answers, melting my resolve and replacing my fear with giddiness.
“And you’re a little annoying,” I say smugly, narrowing my eyes.
“I apologize. I’ll be good…for now.” He makes a cross over his heart, steps away from the motorcycle, and picks up the helmet that sits behind the one he just removed.
“No, you won’t. It’s not even in your chemical makeup.”
“I can show you what’s on my body if you like, just in case you’ve already forgotten.” I didn’t even see him close the distance between us. He removes his black sunglasses and stares deep in my eyes.
“Nah. Tempting offer, though,” I begin. “You’re not getting out of giving me a chance to beat you in this test. I know what you’re doing.”
He sucks his teeth. “Damn, you got me figured out. I take it you’re ready to ride, then?” Leaning over, he passes a light kiss across my lips and places the helmet in my arms. My fear of boys on bikes goes flying away like the wind. I don’t understand why we're acting like we’re not ready to fuck each other’s brains out again.
“This is how we don’t wind up getting anything else done today,” I mutter as his lips linger close to mine.
“Now that I know you won’t slap me, I want to kiss you this way as much as possible,” he answers. Closing my eyes, I nod and wait to be kissed again. Nothing happens. Wind brushes across my face. I open my eyes. Alek sits back on the motorcycle now. He’s chuckling again too.
“Adorable,” he repeats.
“You sneaky devil. Why’d you leave me hanging like that?” I ask, feeling slightly disappointed.
“You told me to quit distracting you, right?”
“Yeah, I guess I did,” I say, sighing.
“I’m waiting.” He revs up the motorcycle again. “I think we’ve left your shy girl stage behind, Erin. Hop on.” Beaming the Alek smile I can’t resist, he holds out a hand for me, and I walk toward him. His smile fades at once as his gaze comes to rest at my throat. He kills the engine and removes his helmet again. I can't help but to wonder what our neighbors are probably thinking about the crazy couple that keeps on revving up and then cutting off their motorcycle.
“What’s this?” He stares at my butterfly necklace, massaging it. “Have I seen it before?” It’s almost as though he’s hypnotized by the sight. I especially wanted to make sure I wore Jada’s necklace today, a turning point in my life. It makes me feel like she’s right here sharing the moment with me.