“Don’t worry, mum, I’m on my way now. I just need to say… uh… finish up.”
I ended the call before she could ask about my slip-up, and as I packed up Rocket’s file, with my bookmark in the relevant place, they both reappeared, badgering each other, as seemed to be their way.
“Oh… you ready for a late lunch, babe?”
“Ooooh, it’sbabenow.”
“Fuck off, Rocket. Caroline?”
I sighed, waving my phone at him.
“Mum needs me. V came back early and she’s a mess. I’ll message you later, if that’s okay?”
Harley nodded, reaching for my hand to lead me out to the car park, where my motorcycle was waiting for me, since we’d come in today separately, but together. Riding with Harley like that, not on the same motorcycle, but as a couple of riders, was amazing. A new thrill to experience, because I’d never done that before either.
“Bye, Rocket, I’ll be back tomorrow to finish it.”
“Thanks, Caroline, you’re the fucking best,” he replied, grinning as he took the folder back to his counter, and Harley grabbed my laptop, tucking it under his arm.
“Let’s get you out of here, before I decide to keep you,” he murmured in my, ear, sending a shiver of excitement down my spine. I wanted that. I actually wanted to be kept by this man. To be his.
“If you don’t message me later, I just might swing by to check on you,” he warned as he helped me zip my laptop into my backpack and tucked it over my shoulders, dutifully fiddling with the strap adjustors, until it sat perfectly.
“Ride safe, okay? I’d ask you to message when you get there, but I feel like I’m being a bit too needy right now.”
I liked it. I liked it very much, loved it even. Feeling protected and special. Important to someone, important enough that he cared if I reached my destination safely.
“I’ll message, I promise. Thank you, Harley, thank you for not letting me put you off, you know, when I’m being weird.”
He kissed the tip of my nose, and grinned as I giggled.
“Not seeing weird, babe. Just seeing you.”
For a second, I pondered that, realising it could be an insult as easily as it could be a kindness, but knowing Harley like I was starting to, I knew he wasn’t being mean.
He rolled his eyes at himself. “Yeah, I heard it too. Not what I meant though.”
I stretched up on tiptoes, pressing my lips against his, and that was all it took for him to wrap a strong arm around my waist and pull me tight against him, his lips devouring mine. It made me never want to leave him, or his embrace.
“Fuck. If I don’t let you go now, I never will,” Harley murmured against my lips. I never expected to enjoy such closeness with anyone, but something about him, and the way everything he did resonated as safety and protection, made itpossible. If someone else had just done that, I’d be running. I still wanted to run, but not away from him. I wanted to always runtohim.
“I’ll message when I get there,” I whispered, regretting the loss of his touch as he slowly released me.
“Be good,” he said with a grin, watching as I put on my helmet, which he checked for me, like he just had to know it was secure, and then he watched as I rode away from him, every metre feeling like a mile.
Chapter Twenty-Two
ILEFT THE SHOP early and headed to the club, leaving Rocket to lock up. He was using a spare ride I had there, a backup of my own I’d been modding slowly over time, just as a fun project. He was already suggesting all kinds of spray jobs for it, but I knew I’d probably let him. For now, I was glad it gave him two wheels to use while we repaired the fucked engine, after he dropped a valve.
“Oh there he is. Casanova himself,” Micro joked as he watched me head toward the office building to see him.
“At least I’ve still got it,” I snarked back as I joined him, accepting a bro hug and breath-stealing back slap from the fucker.
“Jesus,” I gasped out as he released me, “What do you do to people youdon’tlike?” He sobered for a moment, and I felt like such a prick. I knew I’d just reminded him of his former misdeeds, and that hadn’t been my intention, had it?
“Sorry, I didn’t think.”
He shrugged, scratching at the back of his neck as he headed down the hall to his office.
