We merged onto the freeway and I’m pretty sure I heard her squeal with laughter when I sped up to fit between two cars. I took our exit and stopped for a red light, patting her hand. “How you doin’ back there?”
“Awesome! Amazing!” She snuggled closer to me. “I had no idea it would be so… so…”
“Freeing?” I asked.
“Yeah. It’s… it’s really something.”
I had half a mind to forget her grandma, Havoc, this case, my club, her job, and turn around, merge onto I5 south, and see how far we could get on my tank of gas. The open road with Emily on the back of my sled… now that would be paradise.
Maybe someday.
All too soon, I parked in front of the restaurant Emily had mentioned. When I helped her off the bike and out of the helmet, she was ear-to-ear smiles, cheeks flushed, eyes bright with excitement.
“Liked that, did ya?” I asked.
“It was so much different than I thought it would be. I thought I’d be terrified, or that drivers would be assholes, but it was so… exhilarating.”
My queen liked to ride. Damn. Every new thing I learned about her just made her sexier. I tugged her closer to me. “Anytime you want to ride, all you have to do is say.” I brushed a chaste kiss against her lips. “And I’m not just talkin’ about the bike.”
Her cheeks reddened. “We should go in.”
I nodded, following her fine ass into the restaurant.
* * *
Emily’s entire demeanor changed the second we stepped into the restaurant. Her posture stiffened, the wind-kissed blush disappeared from her cheeks, and all warmth she’d shown me frosted right over. She walked ahead of me, straight up to a silver-haired, tastefully-dressed older woman.
“Grandma,” Emily said, kissing the old lady’s cheek as she hugged her. She turned to face me and said, “This is Link. He’s… a client.”
Even though she’d hesitated, the title still felt like a fucked up roundhouse in what had been a nice dance. Our steps had been matching up, we were right on the beat, and now I was lying on my back staring at the ceiling.
Not happening.
“We discussed this, sweetheart,” I said, cocking my head to watch her bright blue eyes narrow. “I’m not your goddamn client.”
Jayson—who was sitting on the other side of Emily’s grandmother—coughed to cover his laugh.
Afraid I might have offended the old woman, I held out my hand and said, “Pardon my French. It’s a pleasure to meet you… ma’am.”
Surprisingly enough, her eyes flashed with respect and a little mischief. “Annabel, please.” She shook my hand. “The pleasure’s all mine, Link. But now you have me curious. Whatisyour relationship with my granddaughter?”
I pulled out Emily’s chair and she sat.
“Bodyguard. While I’m working on his club’s case.”
Why was she trying to ice me out? “Bullshit,” I replied, taking my own seat.
The couple at the next table stared at me, but I glared until they looked away.
Emily put her elbows on the table and leaned forward, cradling her face in her hands as she watched me. “If I’m so wrong, why don’t you enlighten me, Link? What is our relationship?”
“You’re not ready to hear it.” But at the same time, she needed to know where we stood. I wasn’t just a fucking client, nor was I her bodyguard, and she damn well knew it.
She started to object, but I interrupted her.
“It’s fine, darlin.’ I’ll give you time to deal with this thing between us. You’re scared. I get it.”
“I’m not scared, I’m sane. There is no thing between us. I met you a week ago.”
