Huh, interesting. Guess she wasn’t put off after his behavior at Bronco. A genuine smile lifts my lips. “That’s really great. I kinda got the feeling there was some interest.”
She shimmies in place. “I’m bad at hiding my emotions. Heart on my sleeve and all that.”
Lance grunts and loops an arm around her. How romantic.
Molly cuddles into him. “We’re going to see a movie. Wanna join?”
Grady is a stone pillar beside me. I don’t have to see his expression to know his preference. “Maybe next time. He’s taking me for a ride.”
Her mouth pops open. “Wow, that’s so hot.”
“Whatever,” Lance mutters. “We’re gonna be late, babe.”
She lets him lead her along. “Okay, well, that’s my cue. But how adorable will it be for us to double? Let’s plan it, kay?”
I offer a wave without commitment. Grady remains silent, but he might as well be shouting his lack of interest.
“Bye, lovebirds,” Molly calls. Lance practically drags her away without another word.
I scoot over to Grady’s motorcycle. “On that note, shall we go?”
“Definitely.” He reaches down and grabs a helmet. It reminds me of a jumbo gumball. “Here you go.”
I take the offering with tentative hands. The pink bubble screams feminine. I don’t want to assume, but this doesn’t appear to be a helmet he’d let his buddies use. That only leaves other women. I barely conceal a cringe. “Thanks for letting me borrow it.”
A wrinkle forms between his brows. “It’s yours.”
The tangle in my stomach smooths out with a swoosh. I suck in a sharp breath. “You got this for me?”
He nods. “I did.”
“Today?” I lower the gift onto my head and fasten the strap.
He scratches the nape of his neck, looking almost sheepish. “Uh, something like that.” Grady straddles the seat and pats the small cushion behind him. “Hop on.”
I do just that while channeling an ultra-chic biker babe. But in reality, I’m sure my version of saddling up is clumsy and ridiculous. Whatever. I have many next times to improve.
He reaches for my arms and wraps them snug around his middle. “Hold on. Ready?”
I lace my fingers against his torso and squeeze every muscle available. “Yes.” I add a nod for good measure.
The bike starts up with a deafening growl. With a seamless motion I’m jealous of, Grady cranks the throttle and sends us flying. A rush of adrenaline immediately floods me. I laugh and snuggle in for the ride.
Out here there’s nothing except pavement and rolling fields. The wind tunnels through my helmet. All I can hear is a dull roar from the engine. I press my palms flat against Grady’s abs. He inhales a deep breath, shifting my touch lower. I use that as permission to explore his upper body—within reason.
Grady responds by resting a calloused palm on my bare knee. His simple touch is a shot of piping hot lust straight to my lower belly. The bike vibrates beneath me, sending my synapses into a tailspin. I can hardly see straight. It makes me feel reckless.
I squeeze the metal between my thighs and release the death grip around Grady’s waist. I tip back and spread my arms out the side.
“I’m the queen of the road,” I call. The words bounce off my visor and disappear into the sky.
Grady pulls off the road and steers into an empty lot. It’s difficult to see much, other than a wide open space. He shuts off the bike and all is still. I swing my leg over to dismount. Grady follows suit. With a quick click, he removes the strap under my chin. He hangs my helmet on the handlebar next to his. It’s as though we’ve done this a hundred times.
He tucks a hand in his pocket. “What’s the verdict?”
I comb through the snarls in my hair. “I’m in love. It’s so freeing. Like riding a horse ten times faster.”
He laughs. “That’s exactly how I feel.”
