“So? It’s my helmet.”
“How about we race for it?” I suggest, appealing to her competitive spirit. “First one to the till with their credit card out pays.”
“You’re on. One, two…”
My hand is already in my pocket and on my credit card. I dash to the check-out counter.
“No fair,” she grouses, pouting adorably.
“Sorry.” I grin.
“No, you’re not. You’re shameless.”
But all is forgiven when we get to the Adventure. “I remember seeing this in the lot at Royal’s and wondering who the rider was. I should have known.” She slides her hand over the wide leather seat. “It’s beautiful, Jasper.”
I put on her helmet, make sure the strap is secured properly, and drill her on the precautions.
“Thank you, Mr. Safety,” she says in a satirical voice.
“All right, tough girl.” I help her onto the bike. She holds me tight from behind as I rev the engine and take off.
Riding is an adrenaline rush. The thrill of speed, of freedom, of nearly touching the ground on sharp turns, all of it magnified by sharing it with Jordyn.
When we arrive back at the brownstone, she removes her helmet and looks at me. Her eyes shimmer with excitement. “That was awesome! It literally felt like I was flying. Thanks for taking me.”
I feel an uncomfortable squeeze in my chest. “Glad you enjoyed it. Now that you have that fancy helmet, we’ll go again.”
“Again, huh?”
Damn. I keep doing that, blurring the lines when I fucking know better.
“We’re a couple,” she suddenly says in a hiss between her teeth.
Jolted, I look from her to scan the line of her gaze to see Carol Bates coming out of the apartment building with her shopping buggy.
“She thinks we’re together,” Jordyn explains. “Well, I didn’t say you, just that I was seeing someone so she wouldn’t get any ideas about Freddy and me. You are now officially my fake boyfriend. Make it look good.” She grabs my hand. “Hi, Miss Carol. You remember, Stiles, don’t you?”
Her eyes, waspish behind round glasses, measure me up as they had before, paying special attention to my tattoos and ending with a distasteful puckering of her lips. “How could I forget our most unfortunate encounter?”
“He’s truly a sweetheart,” Jordyn lays it on thick. “He makes me happy.”
“Then of course, I’m pleased for you, Hun.” But the lie swirls in her expression. “Nevertheless, Freddy and I will continue to look out for you. One can never be too careful—even with cameras.” She gives me a filthy glare that I meet with firmness.
“We agree on that point, Ms. Bates.”
“It’s Mrs. Bates,” she enunciates. “And which point is that?”
“One can never be too careful. Jordyn is mine, and I’ll be looking out for her. You and Freddy can both count on that. Nothing will get by me.”
“See why he’s a keeper?” Jordyn gushes when it’s clear Carol Bates sees no such thing. “Bye.” She waves and tugs me inside the building. “Jeez, was that necessary?”
“What?”
“The whole ‘Jordyn is mine, and nothing will get by me’ with that steely, Robocop look.”
“I was putting her and her son on notice. Besides, you told me to make it look good.”
“You were very convincing.”
