to fall so hard for the man? Because she had. She wanted him and it had nothing to do with his motorcycle or sex, and she was desperate for sex with him—and she totally was in love with his Harley. Aleksei Solokov felt as if he’d been created to be her other half. She might have missed out on the best thing in her life through her own choices.
Scarlet washed her hands, dried them on one of the few remaining paper towels and tried to see herself in the strange little warped piece of metal that passed for a mirror. She looked happy. She couldn’t remember being happy, not in a very long while.
“I’m taking the day for myself,” she whispered, wishing she’d agreed to meet him very early in the morning. She was going to be Cinderella or whatever princess it was—she still got them confused, but she knew there were multiple princesses because she’d read all the stories to her sister. “Be happy for me,” she whispered, hoping Priscilla could hear her. “Please be happy for me.”
Aleksei was waiting for her outside. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw him there. She had expected him, yet still, just seeing him waiting, looking so casual, lounging against the corner of the building, not in the least bit impatient, that slow smile climbing to his eyes, turning the crystal to a wild blue flame, made her melt inside.
“Don’t know if I mentioned it earlier, literaturnaya ledi, but you’re fucking beautiful.” He held out his hand to her.
No one had ever called her beautiful let alone fucking beautiful. And she liked the way literaturnaya ledi rolled off his tongue. She couldn’t help smiling as she took his hand. “Thank you.” Her voice sounded husky.
“You up for more of a ride? I wanted to take you through the Avenue of the Giants. It’s a place not to be missed on a bike. There’re more private places for a picnic. We’d be alone though, Scarlet, and if you’re nervous at all, I want you to say so.”
“Have you taken a lot of women there?” She wanted to bite her lip hard. What had possessed her to ask him that? Did it matter how many women he’d picnicked with there? She wanted to go with him. This was her day. Hopefully her night with him. Maybe her only opportunity. Eventually she’d blow it because she—wasn’t right. And she had a sword hanging over her head.
“I told you, Scarlet, I don’t have relationships with women. You’re the first. You’re the only. I’m feeling my way here so if I make a mistake, I’m hoping you’ll give me a bit of room.”
He tugged on her hand and brought her in a little closer to him as they maneuvered around the picnic tables. His body was between those at the tables and her. She couldn’t help noticing the way other women watched him as they walked back to the Harley.
“I definitely would prefer somewhere with less people and I’ve always wanted to see the Avenue of the Giants,” she said hastily. She was going to blow it because she hadn’t ever really dated anyone. “That makes two of us feeling our way.” She laughed because suddenly everything was perfect again.
Aleksei got on the Harley and backed it out before helping her on. The moment she wrapped her arms around him, she felt complete. It was weird to know this man made her feel that way, when the entire rest of the world put her on edge. She tightened her hold, feeling possessive. For a moment, unexpected tears burned in her eyes.
“Scarlet?”
That soft voice got her low in her belly. She’d forgotten their strange, but very strong connection. “I’m all right. It’s just that this is such a perfect day. I didn’t expect it.”
He rubbed his gloved palm over the back of her hand. “I don’t think you ever expect very much. I hope I change that for you.”
She closed her eyes against the burn of tears she didn’t shed anymore. She didn’t deserve to shed them. Had she paid the price for her sins? Was there ever a time when it was enough? She didn’t know. She felt like she had.
The motorcycle roared again, the pipes loud, machine vibrating between her legs, and they were once again continuing along the two-lane highway, away from the tourists and campers who were staying in the grove. She was glad they weren’t going to stay. She wanted Aleksei all