I swallow hard and follow him to a black Harley Davidson. It’s a beauty. He hands me a helmet. When I pull it over my head, it’s a tight fit, and suddenly, I’m hit with jealousy. This is a woman’s helmet. How many others have worn it? I know I’m not being fair. I have no reason to be upset.
“Can I have your bag?” he asks.
I pass it to him and he puts it in the saddlebag at the side of his motorcycle. He takes out a helmet and puts it on. He steps toward the motorcycle and swings his leg over it and gets on. He oozes sex appeal and confidence. My hands now fidget in front of me. I can’t stop staring.
“Pull your dress up a little and hop on,” he says, his voice muffled by his helmet.
I grumble as I do so and bring my leg over the motorcycle. I shuffle into the seat but feel the warmth of his back when I move in close.
“Hold on to me. Lean when I do and keep your feet off the exhaust.”
“Okay, I will.”
I cling to him, letting go of all thoughts and immersing myself in the present, finding solace and pleasure in the ride.
Ten
An Empty Room
Zara
I’m grinningfrom ear to ear. That was an exhilarating ride.
“Did you enjoy it?” he asks, his voice hinting that he already knows the answer.
“Yes, I did.”
After pulling the helmet off my head, I attempt to pat my hair down. I put out my hand to pass him the spare helmet, but he shakes his head.
“The helmet is yours. I bought it for you.”
I stiffen, mouth agape. “You bought the helmet for me?” I clarify.
“Yes, it’s yours.”
I touch my throat as I gaze at him. “And how did you know I was going to get on the motorcycle?”
The corner of his mouth curves. “I just hoped you would.”
Thesmile.Maybe... just maybe... there was truth to what David was saying. He looks sexy on that motorcycle, but I shake my head to get rid of the thoughts. I’m not having my heart broken a second time. With that thought, I turn to leave. The high from riding the motorcycle dissipates with every step.
Heavy footsteps sound behind me. Knox grabs my wrist, but I turn and yank my hand away as if he’s burned me.
“What’s wrong?” he asks with knitted brows.
“I can’t do this... with you and me... not again.”
My head’s a mess. I need a break to think clearly. His eyes swirl with a mixture of emotions as he turns and strides back to his motorcycle without so much as a backward glance. I watch as he speeds off. I stand with the helmet in my hand, feeling confused at the way we were acting tonight, both hot and cold.
I sneak inside in a daze, hoping my parents won’t hear me come in. I curse myself for what happened tonight. After he had already ripped out my bleeding heart, I cringe at the thought that I threw myself at him... but I can’t stop the way my body reacts to him. His presence consumes me, wreaking havoc on my senses, making my mind go blank whenever he’s around.
Slowly, I drag myself up the stairs, thinking about him. I huff in annoyance. David suggested that Knox still cares for me, but if he did, then why did he let me go?
In bed, I lift the neck of the sweatshirt to my nose and inhale. It smells like him. His cologne, his hard, muscular body against mine, and those sinful whiskey-colored eyes all taunt me in my sleep.
The next morning,I wake up dying of thirst from the alcohol I consumed with David and Kane. I swing my legs over the edge of the bed and pad downstairs to the kitchen to get water. On my way back to my bedroom, I grab what I think is the door handle to my room and open it. The sight that greets me makes me freeze on the spot.
I’m not in my bedroom; I’m in Misty’s.
