I wanted to fuck with her head in her bed. I wasn’t gentle, but I wasn’t as rough as I’ve been with her body. I wanted her to feel me, and I wanted her to understand how she felt when with me. The Lords teach that a mind is a powerful thing. And when you start to second-guess yourself, it all goes downhill.
“Do you trust me?”
“Yes.” Her brows furrow, and I can’t tell if she’s surprised by that answer or confused that I asked.
“Hold on to me and follow my lead.” She’s never ridden before, but I’m not going to do anything drastic with her on the back. I want her to feel safe. She already seems to be terrified. “It may feel awkward or scary, but I’ve got you, okay?”
“Okay.” She nods, dropping her eyes to the garage floor, and a silence lingers.
“Are you sure you’re okay, Charlotte?” I ask, reaching out and cupping her face.
“Yeah.” She jumps, surprised at the contact, and nods. “I’m good.”
“Is there anywhere in particular where you want to ride to?” I ask, wanting to keep her in conversation.
“No,” she answers softly.
I press my lips to hers, and she instantly melts in my hands. Her body presses into mine, and I slap her ass to keep it light. “Let’s go,” I say, pushing the helmet onto her head and buckling it for her.
SIXTY-TWO
CHARLOTTE
He turns his back to start his bike, and I slide the cell phone the Lords gave me into one of the pockets and zip it up. I’m breathing heavily inside the helmet, and I’m already shaking.
Haidyn slaps the back of my helmet. “Get on, doll face.” He holds out his hand, and I quickly rub mine on my jeans to wipe off the sweat, hoping he doesn’t notice before I put it in his.
I get on the back and try to adjust myself, getting comfortable. But I quickly learn that bikes aren’t meant for comfort. We take a corner, and I hang on to him, leaning with his body and giving him full control just like he said.
Closing my eyes, I push the helmet into his back and tighten my arms around his waist. Maybe we’ll have a wreck, then I won’t have to turn him in. Maybe we’ll get hit by a car and both die.
I wasn’t raised in church. Lords believe they are the only gods, and most Ladies don’t believe in a higher power either.
He places his left hand on my thigh, and his fingers dig into my jeans, giving my leg a squeeze. I break out in a sweat, myheart racing. All of a sudden, I can’t breathe. “Haidyn?” I call into the helmet, but he can’t hear me.
I pull back, push up the visor, and tap his back. “Haidyn? Stop!”
The bike slams to an abrupt stop as he pulls off the main road, my ass coming up off the seat, my body slamming into the back of his. I manage to get off the bike ungracefully and almost fall on my ass. I frantically try to push the helmet off, but it’s stuck, choking me.
“Charlotte,” he snaps, grabbing my arm and pulling me to him. He shoves my head up and undoes the buckle and pulls the helmet off.
I lean over, hands on my thighs, and suck in fresh air as excessive drool fills my mouth. I’m going to get sick…
“What’s wrong?” he asks, rubbing my back. “Are you hurt?”
I shake my head and step back, not wanting to be touched. His concern pisses me off. That taste of vomit begins to burn my throat, and I gag.
“Charlotte,” he barks. Grabbing my arms, he forces me to rise to my full height, and my tear-filled eyes meet his blue ones.
“I can’t…I can’t do this,” I whisper, my bottom lip trembling, and I swallow down the bile that rises.
“Do what?” He looks from me to his bike, then back to me. “I promise you, it’s safe,” he adds. “I was joking earlier. Nothing is going to happen to us.” His eyes soften, and he runs his knuckles down my cheek. “I wouldn’t put you in a situation where you could get hurt, doll face.”
The tenderness of his touch and his choice of words do me in. My body jerks involuntarily as I spin around and give him my back just in time so I don’t vomit on him and drop to my knees.
“Hey.” He steps up behind me and gathers my hair with one hand while the other rubs my back. “I’ll take you to Gavin.” Hishand leaves my back while the other still holds my hair, and I begin to dry heave.
Standing, I rip my hair from his hand and turn to face him. “I’m not sick,” I rush out.
