you are.”
“Then get on my bike. I’ll take you to get some gas.”
“No thanks. I’ll do it on my own.”
He revved his engine, his smile fading. “No, you’re not, Lara. Now get on the damn bike.” Turning around, he unhooked the extra helmet from the back and held it out to me. “It’s a hundred degrees out here, you’re being ridiculous.”
I huffed and continued walking. “I’ll be fine.”
Slamming on the brakes, he got off his bike and stalked toward me. “You don’t have any water, and I don’t see anyone else stopping to give you a hand. Now stop being a silly woman, and get on the fucking bike.”
“What, are you going to make me? Get over yourself. I’ll be fine.”
He cracked his knuckles. “I’ll chase you down. You can’t outrun me, cupcake. I wouldn’t even try.”
He was right, and it drove me crazy. I didn’t want to be indebted to him under any circumstances, but would I really cut my nose off to spite my face? It was scorching out, and I didn’t need to get heatstroke over this. “Fine, I’ll come with you,” I said, giving in.
A triumphant smile splayed across his face and I wanted to smack it off. He held the helmet out to me and I put it on, not having any idea how to work the straps.
Grabbing my waist, he pulled me toward him. “Here, let me fix it.” His fingers brushed against my neck as he tightened the straps. After he was done, he stared at me with his sea-green eyes. “Feel okay?”
I nodded, though my patience was shot. “Peachy.”
He got on his bike first and held out his hand. “Have you ever ridden before?”
“No.” My stomach turned in knots.
He smirked. “You’ll be okay, I promise. We don’t have to go far. All you need to do is reach around my waist and hold on tight. It’ll be over before you know it.”
Taking my hand, he held it while I straddled his bike. It wasn’t one of those big Harley ones either; it was a sleek, black sport bike. I reached around his waist to hold on, and my body was flush with his. After he put on his helmet, his hand landed on my thigh and my body tightened.
“You ready?”
“I think so.”
He patted my leg and I sucked in a deep breath. Here we go.
The second I placed my hand on Lara’s thigh, she squeezed her legs against my body. I’d often wondered what it’d be like to get her in my bed, to ride her like I do my bikes—hard, and full throttle. Her stubbornness was what I liked most. She could push me away all she wanted, but I was determined to wear her down.
Revving the engine, I sped through the last corner on the way to my house, and laughed when her arms tightened around my waist. When we pulled into my driveway, I could hear her growl above the motor. I parked my bike and helped her off, her eyes staring at me with such contempt. I was half tempted to kiss her to piss her off even more.
“Did you like that?” I asked, grinning wide.
She tried to take off the helmet and couldn’t unfasten the straps. Her face turned red. Chuckling, I helped her take it off and she scoffed. “What the hell are we doing here? I thought you were going to help me get gas.” Her blonde hair was wet with sweat, and I could smell her perfume as the wind carried it over, reminding me of apples and honey. If I licked her skin, I wondered if it’d taste just like that. One of these days, I was going to find out.
After strapping the helmet to the back of the bike, I nodded toward the house. “And that’s what I’m doing. Come inside. I’ll get you something to drink while I get it.”
“That’s not necessary,” she blurted.
I started for the door and she reluctantly followed, pursing her lips the entire time. All I wanted to do was bite them, to taste that mouth of hers. Why was it that we always wanted the ones we couldn’t have? It was probably the chase.
Opening the door, I ushered her inside. “You have somewhere else to be?”
She rolled her eyes. “As a matter of fact, I might. It is Friday.”
“Ah, so you have a date. Who is he?”
She sat down at the kitchen bar and smiled. “You don’t know him.”
The thought made my stomach clench. I didn’t