While I was fully willing to worship her body in and out of bed, I had to get close enough to find out why she was really here.
“Oh, yes.” I held out my hand and wiggled my fingers. “You want the real story of the Steel Vipers, you have to see this.”
Curiosity widened her eyes, and she took a step forward. “What’s important about this trip?”
“You’ll see.” She’d be more likely to believe us when she saw it for herself.
I took her hand and tugged her toward the garage, handing her a thick coat since she didn’t have one of her own.
Shaking it out, I helped her slide her arms in and pulled it up over her shoulders.
“Ash.” She whispered my name in a sultry voice that went straight to my cock.
“What?” I leaned over her shoulder and pressed my cheek to hers. “What’s bothering you?”
“I’m…” She gulped a breath. “I’m too big for a motorcycle.”
I snorted.
I couldn’t help it, and I didn’t mean to, but the noise blew out hard and fast. “Not even close.”
“But I’ve never ridden one before. It’s not a good idea for me.”
She hugged the leather jacket tight over her stomach and crossed her arms.
I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her to me. “Trust me, you’re going to love it. You’ll ride with me. I insist.”
I kissed her cheek. “It’s time to pop your cherry, and I’m the best one for the job.”
She stopped resisting and let me guide her to the garage.
“I just need a few minutes.” I checked all the bikes, deemed them fit for riding, and opened the garage door.
Bishop and Rafe stood on the other side, and the three of us straddled our custom bikes.
I held out a helmet toward Noelle. “Put that on and get on behind me.” I sounded enough like Rafe that he cocked an eyebrow.
Noelle took the helmet and turned it around in her hands. “You don’t have to take me.”
“You’re our old lady.” I started the bike with a grin.
The familiar rumble of the engine thrummed through me. “This is part of the deal.” I could let her stay behind, but I wanted her to understand the truth behind the mask.
Noelle settled the helmet over her red hair and swung a leg over the bike.
“Hold on tight.” I guided her arms around my waist and locked them together. “We’ll be going slow and making lots of stops. If you need anything, pat my stomach, okay?”
She nodded against my back. “Okay.”
Rafe led the way out of the garage and made a left on Pine Street, headed toward the retirement village on the edge of town.
The brisk air cleared my head, and the hum of familiar engines put me on the verge of euphoria.
There was nothing like being on a bike with the wind and sunshine offering the kind of freedom I’d never found anywhere else.
Bishop slowed so I caught up, and the two of us fanned out behind Rafe.
The slushy roads posed a few problems as we avoided slick spots the trucks had missed, but we made it to the cul-de-sac without any mishaps.
