Summer Love_ A Steamy Small Town Romance Anthology - Piper Rayne Page 0,8

I’ve given you enough space, so now I’m here to get you back. Simple.” His eyes dare me to argue with him.

Which of course, I will because self-preservation has always been my priority.

“I know we ended things on a bad note all those years ago but I had a lot going on with my mom. And I’m still mourning her loss. Nothing’s changed,” I lie. It’s a lie because there’s a big part of me that does want to just give in and say yes and let him win me over again.

But then I remember what it was like to lose my mother—piece by piece. And if that’s the consequence of loving someone… I just don’t think I can do it.

“Honey, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. Frankly, I prefer the easy way but I also realize it’s gonna always be the hard way with you. Either way, you’re walkin’ out this door with me and we’re hittin’ the open road. You decide whether you want that to be with you wearing just that T-shirt and underwear or fully clothed.” He crosses his arms over his chest, the strap of the bike helmet dangling from one of his fingers.

“You can’t just come in here and—” I stop short when he gives me a look. A look that tells me he knows exactly what I’m doing. That I want to go with him, but I’m scared and that he’s not going to let me get away with my bullshit. “Argh! Fine. I’ll go change.” I start up the stairs, irritation mixed with anticipation simmering inside.

“Don’t suppose there’s any chance I’m gettin’ that shirt back now, is there?” he calls out after me.

I don’t even break stride. “Nope.” I stomp the rest of the way up the stairs.

I hear him chuckle and wish that I were still standing across from him so I could see it for myself since it’s such a rarity. Then I slam my bedroom door shut so I can change, pretending the whole time that it doesn’t light a fire in me that I was the one who made his laughter happen.

Fifteen minutes later, he’s strapped a helmet on my head, given me the lesson about how to hold on to him, and explained how to lean into the turns.

I’ve never been on Moose’s motorcycle before. We’d barely got started dating before my life was upended with my mom’s diagnosis and then I insisted we keep our trysts over the years secret, not wanting to deal with the inevitable questions people would have and the pressure it would put on me. I had enough to deal with concerning my mom.

I climb on behind him and not wanting to get too close so I sit way back on the seat. Without a word, Moose’s hand comes around back and shoves me forward until I feel the heat of him pressed against my inner thighs. I suppress a shudder. With determination not to feel anything, I lean forward, which results in my breasts pushing into his wide back and wrap my arms around his sides, holding on to his jacket.

But my determination fades as we head away from town and the purr of the bike underneath me and the curves in the road make me lean into him. I’ve been on a dirt bike a few times when I was a teenager but never on a road bike. My nervousness settles the longer we ride and I find myself yearning to lay my cheek on his back.

The scenery whips past us and any signs of civilization disappear the farther we ride.

“Where are we going?” I shout over the sound of the wind.

He turns his head slightly to the side. “Not tellin’.”

I don’t bother arguing with him, knowing it’s useless. Instead, I settle in to enjoy the ride.

He begins to slow down some time later and pulls over to the side of the road. The bike crawls to a stop and he tells me to hop off.

When I do it feels as though my legs might give out from under me. Everything tingles from my waist down and it takes a moment before I start to feel normal.

Moose is next to get off, removing his helmet then attaching it to the bike. Then he comes over and his fingertips brush my neck as he removes my helmet.

“Thanks.” I run my fingers through my unruly hair and pull the hair elastic from the pocket of my pants,