“Thanks,” I replied meekly, a blush coloring my cheeks.
I turned my head down in an attempt to hide it. Crush just did all these things to my body, and I was tired of pretending I wasn’t attracted to him for who he was. I was turned on and attracted to Crush. And I resolved then and there to let my body be the compass for the night. His expertly calloused fingers hooked under my jaw, forcing me to look up at him.
“Don’t hide from me,” he whispered against my lips.
I thought he was going to kiss me right then, and I wasn’t going to stop him. But he dropped his hand and swung over his bike. He nodded for me to follow suit. His bike was huge and powerful, all sleek black with soft curves. I hesitated.
“I’ve never been on a motorcycle before,” I confessed.
He brought a hand up to his face and moved his sunglasses up onto the top of his head. He was genuinely shocked. I watched as Crush’s lips pulled into a small smile. His brown eyes met mine, a playful light appearing. But there was something gentle about his demeanor. There was a pride in his eyes, I could tell, of being the first person to have ever had me ride a bike with them.
“Do you trust me?” he asked.
Implicitly,I thought. And it was the truth. I decided right there and then that I trusted Crush beyond all reason. It didn’t matter what his plan was or if he wanted in my bed. I didn’t care. I just wanted to be with him, to experience him, for however long I could. He was a rose that I vowed to cherish as long as the season lasted.
I nodded. “Yes.”
“All right,” he nodded. He got the bike up on its wheels. He motioned to the small cylinder a few inches behind his calf. “This is a peg. Put your left foot on it.”
I did as I was told.
“Put your left hand on my shoulder,” he instructed gently. I did, feeling his powerful muscles under my hand. “Now, swing your right leg over.”
I hopped up but couldn’t bring myself to do it. I was so off balance and didn’t have momentum. Crush smirked a little but didn’t say anything. I took a deep breath,Just fucking do it, Brianna. Tonight is your night.And with a renewed confidence, I tried again. I successfully slid on the seat behind Crush.
“Good,” he praised. “Now, keep your right foot on that peg. I looked over, seeing that my foot was on the ground, and I lifted it up to the peg above the pipes. “Those pipes are going to get hot, and they will burn like a motherfucker. When you get off, just reverse the move.”
I nodded, my fear dissipating with every second. I kept my hands on his shoulders, and our bodies were inches apart. He was incredibly broad, and I’d seen the way the King’s Men ride. I was about to get tossed off this bike and roll in the sand like a fucking churro.
“Okay. Now I just hold on?”
“Sort of,” he answered. “When I turn, just lean with me. Imagine our bodies are parallel lines. When you lean, don’t go farther than I do. If it’s easier, you can put your hands on my waist.”
I slid my hands down his back, feeling the power of his frame and the low growl from his chest. Wrapping my arms around his waist caused me to slide forward; my entire front half was pressed against his back. It was strangely comforting and intimate being this close to someone and trusting them not to kill you.
He started the motorcycle up, and the machine roared to life. It was almost deafening. Crush put his glasses down and expertly backed up the bike from the parking spot. And soon, we were off. My whole body tensed up as he pulled out onto the main street that would take us to The Cocktail Room.
“Relax,” his voice reassured over the noise.
I nodded against his back, and the wind took my hair as he picked up speed. Leaning into a turn like it was second nature, Crush turned right down a side street.That wasn’t so bad,I thought. We kept going down the quieter side street, the lights shining bright.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
As if answering, Crush let go of the handlebars and spread his arms out wide. I’m pretty sure I screamed in terror and held on tighter. His whole chest vibrated as his hands returned to their rightful spot on the grips. My heart, on the other hand, had yet to return to its rightful rhythm.
Was helaughing? He kicked the bike into gear, and we sped down the rest of the way. It was thrilling and terrifying, and I was trying to decide what emotion was better suited. In no time, we were at The Cocktail Room, its neon sign greeting me. Crush killed the bike, his rough hands wrapping around mine gently as he pried them from his waist.
Putting my hands on his shoulders, I caught my breath.That was definitely fun, I thought. Carefully, I swung my right leg off and set it on the ground. My legs felt like jelly, and I wobbled as I put my left foot on the ground. In a swift move, Crush’s big hands caught me around the waist, steadying me even though he was still on the bike.
He shot me a smirk and let me go. I watched as he kicked out the stand, leaning the bike onto its prop. His large legs swung off like it was all an elaborate dance, and for people like Crush, it was. He stepped towards me, his glasses off. He had a shit-eating grin on his face, his brown eyes bright under the pink lights.
“Have a fun first ride, sweetheart?”
I was so caught up in the thrill and the adrenaline wore off that I acted on instinct. I slapped him across the face. My palm stung, and Crush looked at me like I was an alien. I was shocked myself.
“You gave me a fucking heart attack, Crush!” I accused. “Never let go of the handles like that!”
He just laughed, his whole body shaking. Crush slid his arms around my waist and brought me flush against him. I could feel his erection against my stomach, and I had to admit I was a little turned on myself. He hooked his hand under my jaw again, brought my face up within inches of his. I could feel his heart pounding, the mint of his breath as it hit my face.
