storage. The stuff I want to get rid of I put in a separate pile to be donated. It’s late when we get back to my apartment, and we take a long, hot shower together and then climb into bed naked.
“Thank you for all your help,” I tell Crow, yawning and cuddling up against him.
“Anytime,” he replies, kissing my temple this time.
I don’t know how I would have done all of this without him.
It’s like he was sent to me just when I needed someone.
And that is both scary and comforting.
* * *
The next day Crow hands me the pink-and-black helmet he bought just for me, to match the perfectly fitted leather jacket I’m currently wearing. When I told him I’d never been on the back of a motorcycle before, he got extremely excited, went out the back to search through all the merchandise they have to sell at the store, and picked these out for me.
“We are so going on a ride,” he states, bouncing on his feet. “On your lunch break. I’ll take you out for lunch.”
Placing the helmet down on my desk, I shake my head at him. “You’re crazy, you know that? And did you just take these?”
“Babe, I don’t have to pay for shit here,” he says, smirking. “We all just take what we want, it’s just how it is. So those are yours, and I can’t wait to have your arms wrapped around me and your breasts pressed against my back.”
My eyes widen as I glance around making sure no one else heard that. “Can you not?” I whisper-yell. “People are going to quit because you’re inappropriate.”
“People, or you?” he teases.
“All of us,” I say in a dry tone, but can’t keep the smile off my face.
“They all saw the kiss, I don’t think anything we do will surprise them.”
“I need to get back to work.” The phone rings, to make my point. “Fast & Fury, Bronte speaking,” I say while looking him in the eye. He takes the hint, eyes dancing with amusement, and gets back to it.
When twelve o’clock hits, Cam takes over so I can have my break, and Crow leads me over to his bike.
“Meet my other girlfriend,” he says, and I’m pretty sure he’s talking to his bike, not me.
“Men and their toys,” I mutter to myself as I put on the heavy jacket. “Now tell me what I need to know.”
“Keep your feet on the footrests,” he says, pointing to them. “Lean when I lean. Just follow my body and my lead. I know you’re good at that.”
I can feel my cheeks heat. “That’s it?”
He nods. “You’ll love it. Just enjoy the ride. You don’t need to worry about anything else.”
“Okay.” I climb on after him, wrap my arms around him and hold on for dear life. The loud engine has me on edge a little, but once he starts riding, I kind of understand what all the hype is about.
There’s a sense of freedom, of wildness, and pure satisfaction.
I like being pressed up against him, and I like watching the view pass us. This beats going in a car any day. Crow rests one of his hands on my leg, giving it a little squeeze, and I think it’s cute. Even if he only has one hand on the handlebars right now, he knows what he’s doing.
I like that, too.
We stop at a Sri Lankan restaurant for lunch, and when I climb off the bike, I take my helmet off and smile. “That was awesome.”
He looks happy at my comment. “Thank fuck. I didn’t know what I was going to do if you hated it. I love going for rides, long ones, short ones, I don’t care—being on my bike is my happy place.”
Stepping forward, I give him a quick kiss. “I can see why. Now feed me, I’m hungry.”
He grins and leads me inside.
After lunch, we ride back to work, and I feel so relaxed and excited. It gives me time to think, to be in my own head with no interruptions.
Ten out of ten, would recommend.
Chapter Fifteen
When my shift is over, I get changed for the salsa class. I found a red dress in the back of my closet. Pairing it with some gold heels, with my hair down and some red lipstick on, I’m ready to play the part. Crow surprises me by stepping out from the staff room in a white shirt, black slacks and dress shoes.
“Damn, you look good,” I announce, doing