“Can’t help it if you’ve got a nice, rosy ass under those jeans, X.” He lowered his voice, stepping closer. “Makes me want to see it again, feel how hot it still is.”
My cock twitched traitorously, and I shoved past him toward the porch, hoping he wouldn’t notice the flush creeping up my neck. Last night had cracked something open inside me that I wasn’t sure how to put back together. I still didn’t understand why I’d let Milo spank me, why I’d sobbed in his arms, or why his commanding voice had made me come harder than ever.
June opened the door before we could knock, like she’d been watching for us. She wore a simple tank top and jeans. Her green eyes darted between us, nervous but hopeful behind her round glasses.
“Hi,” she said, stepping back to let us in. “I didn’t expect to see you today.” “Is that okay?” Milo asked.
She nodded, holding out her arms for a hug.
Milo moved forward first, hugging her so hard it lifted her off the ground. She laughed, a bright, unexpected sound that made my chest ache.
“We have news,” Milo said, setting her down. “Good news.”
I hung back, hands shoved in my pockets, watching them. Milo always knew what to say, how to touch, how to make people feel at ease. I just stood there, tongue-tied and awkward, wishing I knew how to bridge the gap I’d created with my bullshit attitude.
June’s eyes found mine over Milo’s shoulder, and something in them softened. “Come in,” she said, extending her hand toward me. “Both of you.”
I took her hand, her fingers small and soft against my calloused palm, and let her pull me inside. Her living room was as tidy as always, except for the coffee table, which was covered in papers and sticky notes arranged in some system only she understood.
“Were you working?” I asked.
She shook her head. “I just finished organizing some feedback on the throttle response curves. I was taking a break.” She gestured toward the couch. “Sit?”
Milo dropped onto the couch with his usual easy grace. I hesitated, then eased myself down beside him.
“So,” June said, perching on the edge of the coffee table in front of us, “what’s the good news?”
Milo glanced at me, an unspoken question in his eyes. I cleared my throat.
“We’re going to do it,” I said, my voice sounding rougher than I’d intended. “The test riding gig for Heleonix. We want to help with your project.”
Her face transformed, lighting up from within like someone had flipped a switch. “Really? That’s—oh my god, that’s amazing!” She launched herself forward, arms outstretched, and I braced myself instinctively.
But instead of crashing into me, she hovered for a split second, her expression uncertain, before pulling back slightly. The hesitation was brief but unmistakable—she wasn’t sure if I wanted her touch, wasn’t sure where we stood.
That realization hit me like a punch to the gut. I’d done that. I’d made her doubt herself, made her think twice before reaching for me. “I’m sorry for being a dick yesterday. I’m desperate to touch you.” She stepped closer, settling into my lap, her arms sliding around my neck. “It’s okay,” she whispered as I melted into her, breathing in her scent. “I know it felt like I was interfering.”
“You weren’t,” I said against her skin. “You were trying to help, and I was... I was being stupid.”
She pulled back to look at me, eyes searching my face. Whatever she saw there must have satisfied her, because she smiled—a small, private smile that made my chest tighten—then turned to include Milo in her happiness.
“This is going to be so great,” she said, “The engineering team is going to be thrilled, and you guys are going to make this project so much better. I can’t wait to—”
“Want to celebrate with a ride?”
She blinked. “Now?” “Right now,” Milo confirmed, his hand sliding down her arm. “I know you don’t like surprises, but we know the perfect spot. And the more you ride, the more you understand, right?”
She took a deep breath and glanced at our motorcycles, fiddling with her necklace. “How long do you think we’ll be gone for? Do we need to bring food?” “We have all of your supplies in our saddlebags,” Milo said gently. “The place I’m thinking of is a short drive, about forty-five minutes into the mountains. It’s usually quiet, with no people around, just beautiful scenery. A bit of a secret spot.” “Oh. I suppose that sounds fun.” “So much fun.” Milo beamed at her. “Want to get your gear?” She nodded, blushing, then leaned in. “The best part is cuddling against one of you.”
Twenty minutes later, we were winding our way up into the mountains, June riding behind Milo, her arms wrapped around his waist, that new jacket gleaming in the sunlight. I followed,watching the way she leaned with him into each curve, like they were one body.
The mountain road unwound before us like a ribbon, each curve revealing new vistas of pine forests and distant peaks. A place where we could be alone, where I could show June with my body what I couldn’t seem to say with words.
I signaled and veered onto the dirt road, dust billowing behind my tires. In my mirrors, I saw Milo hesitate briefly before following. June’s head turned, a questioning tilt to her posture that was visible even through the helmet. For a moment, I thought they might not follow—that June’s memory of my asshole behavior might make her wary of going off the beaten path with me.
But then Milo accelerated, catching up quickly, and relief flooded through me. I led them deeper into the trees until the road widened into a small clearing, the ground carpeted with pine needles, the afternoon sun filtering through the branches overhead.
I killed my engine and swung off my bike, June dismounted from Milo’s bike, pulling off her helmet, her hair tumbling free around her shoulders. She looked around, taking in the clearing, the dappled sunlight, the view of the valley visible through the trees.
