much chemistry between you two, it’d be crazy to deny it.”
“Crazy, huh?” Rhys snorted.
“There were definitely sparks flying between you at that meeting we went to at her office,” Lila replied. “Why do you think I convinced you two to come to that dinner party together?”
Rhys gasped in mock surprise. “You tricked me!”
Lila laughed. “Well, just because my marriage is going up in flames, it doesn’t mean that I can’t play cupid.”
“Lila…” Rhys sighed, stepping out of the elevator and heading across the lobby of the building.
“Oh, come on. You’re practically a big brother to me. I couldn’t help myself. Let me live vicariously through you. At least tell me you’re going to ask her out properly.”
“I’m way ahead of you on that one.”
Lila squealed, “Oh, my God. Tell me!”
Rhys could imagine her bouncing on the sofa. She was easily excitable when Drake wasn’t around to bring her down.
“I like her,” he admitted as he exited the office building and a wave of heat and humidity hit him.
“Well, duh,” she said. “I knew you liked her. That’s not news. That does nothing to satisfy my curiosity. Come on, damn it!”
He snorted. “Okay, okay. I can’t stop thinking about her.”
“Aww,” she gushed. “Rhys, I love this for you, so much. You deserve to find someone and if she is it then all the better.”
“I didn’t say she was the one, I said that I can’t stop thinking about her.”
“To-ma-to, to-mah-to.”
Rhys rolled his eyes but couldn’t stop himself from smiling slightly as he made his way to where his motorcycle was parked. He wouldn’t go so far as to say he was lovesick, but Olivia had definitely sparked his interest. She was tough and smart, and she didn’t give in easily to his flirtations.
“Olivia’s just different from the women that I’m usually drawn to,” he said.
“Yeah, she is pretty quiet,” Lila said. “But I like that about her. She’s kind of intimidating, but not in a bad way. When is the date?”
“Tomorrow actually.”
“Tomorrow?” she exclaimed excitedly. “Are you serious?”
Olivia
The sound of Rhys’s motorcycle echoed down the street. Olivia felt her chest squeeze with anxious excitement as she gave herself a final glance in the mirror.
Uncharacteristically, she fretted over her outfit because she wanted to feel like herself, but she also wanted to look like the kind of woman who belonged on the back of a motorcycle. Not because she wanted to impress Rhys but because she thought it would be fun. That was all.
She dug out an old pair of Doc Martens from her college days, knowing that it was best wear somewhat practical shoes when riding. She wore snug black jeans, a lace camisole that she borrowed from Melanie, and a fashionable leather jacket borrowed from Adeline. Deciding that she liked what she saw in the mirror, she opened the front door and stepped out onto the porch.
Rhys was just pulling to a stop in front of her house, and he pulled off his helmet to watch her as she approached him.
“Wow, Olivia,” he said, raising his eyebrows as a slow grin spread across his face. “You look absolutely amazing. Cool boots.”
“Thank you,” she told him. “I took a page from your book and followed the leather theme.”
Rhys chuckled. “I like it. So, you’re ready for your first motorcycle ride?”
“Yes, absolutely,” Olivia said, taking a deep breath. She watched Rhys’s gaze slowly rake down the length of her body and then back up to her face. When they locked eyes again, he didn’t bother to feign embarrassment at being caught checking her out. He merely smirked in appreciation.
“Well, climb aboard, ma’am.” He grinned. “Your chariot awaits.”
She wasn’t quite sure how to climb onto a motorcycle—at least, not while looking dignified. So, she did her best, careful not to touch him as she placed a steadying hand on the seat, swung her leg over the motorcycle, and settled in behind him. Her body tensed as her inner thighs press against his hips. Somehow, it didn’t occur to her that she and Rhys would be this close.
“You’ll want to hold on.” He laughed, handing her a helmet. “And wear this.”
Frowning at the prospect of helmet hair, she lowered the helmet over her head and sat upright with her hands on top of her thighs. Rhys’s laugh was still vibrating through his body to hers where they connected when he grabbed her hands and pulled them forward, wrapping them around his waist.
Olivia felt a thrill in the pit of her stomach.
The motorcycle roared to