“Call me when you get home. I have tea.”
Grinning, I nod as if she can see me. “Okay, it better be good enough to erase this shitty part of the day.”
She laughs and hangs up without so much as a goodbye. Rude. I’m startled when there’s a tapping on my window. Looking up, I find Hansley standing there all dressed up in his biking gear. My stomach flips in all sorts of dramatic ways. He’s so damn hot like this.
I can’t even roll down my window so grudgingly, I open my door and stare at him.
“Need some help?” he asks.
Oh, fuck. Please don’t tell me that this man knows cars too! “You can fix it?” I ask.
Hansley shakes his head. “Certainly not here. I used to work on cars with my dad though, so I might be able to tell you what the issue is. But really, I’m offering a ride home. There’s not enough light right now to see the engine.”
I look beyond him and stare longingly at his bike. This seems like a bad idea. But gawd, I’ve always wanted to get on a bike!
Taking a breath, I nod. “Yeah. Okay, thanks.” Grabbing my bag, I get back out of my car and lock it.
Hansley doesn’t smile at me. Why doesn’t he smile at me?!
He turns his back and I’m left staring at his sexy round ass. When do I get to see that thing naked?
No! No, Lemon!
I jump slightly when he turns back to me after opening one of the saddle bags. Gathering myself, I carefully place my bag inside and he shuts it before untangling the helmet from the back and handing it to me.
It’s a good thing it’s the end of the day. I don’t relish the idea that I’d have to spend the entire day with helmet hair.
I put it on but struggle with the buckle. My entire body freezes when Hansley reaches for me. His gloved fingers adjustthe clasps easily and then he nods. I can only see his eyes. Which means I suppose he could have been smiling at me.
Hansley climbs on and then looks over his shoulder at me expectantly. Self-consciously, I look down at myself. Thankfully, I’m not wearing a dress. I have one of my tulle tutus on over leggings, but I’m not going to be swaying in the breeze.
But I am going to have to touch him. Clothed.
Taking a breath, I step closer and place a hand on his shoulder to keep myself steady before swinging my leg over. Honestly, I feel short right now. It’s a struggle to bring my leg up so high. I swear, I’m more flexible than this.
I scootch back and get myself situated, resting my hands on my legs.
Hansley chuckles. Before I know it, he’s pulled me flush to his back by hooking his hands under my knees and then reaches behind him to pull my hands around his middle.
“You will fall off if you don’t hold on, Lemon. While this is a two-seater, you have zero support behind you.”
My face heats and I’m thankful that he can’t see me right now.
“Where do you live?” Hansley asks.
“I actually don’t live right in Glensdale,” I tell him. “I’m in Sun Haven. Follow eight north and I’ll point once we get to the light.”
Hansley nods. For a minute, I’m worried that he’ll change his mind about giving me a ride since I don’t live right in town. But he starts his bike and the vibration under me makes me grin.
He lifts the bike from how it’s resting on the stand and my arms instinctively get tighter.
“Hang on,” Hansley says.
I grip him firmly as he starts off. It’s slow while we get off campus and then he speeds up once we’re on the road.
I decide two things early on. One, I need something over my eyes so I’m not squinting. It’s getting dark so obviously I don’t need sunglasses. But goggles? I bet that’s tacky. And two, this is the best thing in the world.
My smile is far too big and I’m sure I’m going to embarrass myself when he actually stops to let me off. I love this. I adore this. The rush of the air, though it’s a little cool on my exposed skin and makes me shiver. The feel of his big, hard body in front of me. Pressed to me.
