There’s no way I’m going back now, though. I’ll just have to hope I get back home before someone notices it's open.
I climb through the window and land softly outside, thankful I changed my outfit as the humid night air smacks me in the face. The autumn months are quickly turning to winter, but you wouldn’t know it unless you looked at a calendar. The only thing that cuts through the thick air is the occasional coastal breeze, and from this part of the house, no such wind exists.
I crouch low to the ground, listening for any sounds emanating from within the house. When there are none, I shove my shoes onto my feet and take off down the driveway, my steps slapping the pavement like gunshots against the still of the night.
I stop at the end of the driveway, breathing hard, the hair on my arms rising. I have a strong urge to look over my shoulder, to check the house one last time to make sure they’re really,reallyasleep.
I shake off the paranoia and turn left, taking off in a light jog down the sidewalk. A few moments later, the roar of an enginemakes its way to my ears, and I stop where I am, my heart hammering wildly.
He comes to a stop just shy of the sidewalk, keeping the engine on as he leans to the side, stabilizing the bike. Riot lifts his helmet away, and a cascade of long black hair falls over his shoulders, flowing gently in the breeze.
Golden, feline eyes pierce me through the shadows, moving over the curves of my body with a heated, insatiable kind of hunger. His tongue slides over the rings on his bottom lip, the movement so sensual it has heat flaring deep in my core.
“Come here, sweet girl.” His voice flows over my skin, impossibly deep and warm, enticing me closer. “I want to make sure you’re real.”
Pulled by an invisible thread, I walk forward in a daze, neither speaking, not wanting to break the charged energy swirling between us. When I’m close enough to touch, I stop, gazing up at him with wide eyes, my heart thudding loud enough for him to hear.
“Eloise…” Riot reaches out, cupping my cheek gently—so gently it makes my heart hurt. His thumb brushes my skin as he leans in, the scent of tobacco and leather enveloping my senses, wrapping me in safety.
Riot kisses me, and it’s everything I ever wanted and more. Soft, passionate, loving, and eager. It takes my breath away and fills my veins with sunlight, bursting forth from every pore in a stunning display.
He breaks away much too soon, and the only thing that makes it better is the look of intense anguish in his eyes. “I’m only stopping because if I keep kissing you on the side of the road, I won’t be able to stop.” He leans in, pressing his forehead to mine in a tender gesture. “Let’s go somewhere more private, yeah?”
“Yeah,” I whisper, smiling as he presses a kiss to the tip of my nose.
I keep my eyes on Riot as he places his helmet on my body, tingling all over in the aftermath of his kiss. He pats the seat behind him, and without thinking, without worrying, I climb on the back of Riot’s motorcycle, breathing in his smoke and aftershave, completely at ease.
His skin shudders as I wrap my arms tightly around his abdomen, pulling my body as close to his as possible. And as we speed into the night, I’m elated to find it’s not fear that’s making my heart race.
29
Riot
Eloise leadsme through the seagrape maze toward her secret beach, her steps sure even in the dark of the night. We come out the other side, and I’m stunned by the beauty of it all over again. Already, the air is cooler, tinged with notes of salt and the wildness of the ocean.
I turn my head, my stare boring into Eloise’s profile, but she doesn't take her eyes off the crashing waves. “See something you like?”
“Yes. Yes, I do.”
Eloise smiles but doesn’t turn to face me. She clears her throat, gesturing for me to take a seat on the sand. I do, reaching my hand out to my side, my pinky brushing against hers. “Penny for your thoughts?”
She snorts. “I don’t think anyone under the age of sixty says that.”
“Ouch. I’m notthatmuch older than you.”
Finally, she turns to me, her eyes alight with a grin. “You’re still older. A whole decade, if my math’s right.”
I groan, tilting my head back. “Don’t remind me.”
She giggles, her face flushing. “I don’t mind. It just means you’re more… mature.”
“You’re making it worse, Eloise.”
She throws her head back with a throaty laugh. “I guess I am. I’ll try to resist calling attention to the elephant in the room.”
I slide my hand over hers, giving it a light squeeze. “Speaking of giant, sparkling purple elephants… do you want to tell me why you needed to see me tonight?”
Eloise grimaces, turning her face back toward the water. “I never said the elephant was purple.”
