* * *
Ryan rolled the Harley into Emma’s driveway just past noon on Saturday. He’d told her to pack a backpack with a change of clothes and something nice to wear later. Hopefully she knew how to travel light because taking the bike was going to set the mood for their whole trip.
She came out her front door wearing pale pink jeans that fit her like a second skin, knee-high black leather boots, and a fitted black jacket, her hair hanging in golden waves down her back, andfuck, he was hard as steel just looking at her. She carried a backpack slung over one arm, sunglasses in hand, her blue eyes bright with excitement.
He stood and pulled her into his arms. “You look…you’re fucking stunning, Emma.”
“Really?” She looked up at him with an amused smile. “I’m just wearing jeans.”
“A woman dressed to ride is my weakness.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” she said, leaning in to kiss him.
He pressed a finger to her lips. “Better not. Can’t ride with a hard-on, and you are turning me on big time right now.”
She glanced down at the front of his jeans, a soft smile curving her lips. “I talked to your brother this morning. We were thinking about getting the group together over at Ethan and Gabby’s place sometime soon for a game night. She’s got a video game console, and I’ve got loads of board games.”
“Okay,” he said, confused by the shift in topic.
“Did it work?” she asked, gesturing toward his crotch.
Ah.Now he got it, and yes, her diversion had worked. “Like a charm. You ready?”
She nodded, shrugging the backpack over her shoulders. He handed her his spare helmet and mounted the bike. It roared to life beneath him, and Emma climbed on behind him, sliding into place like a pro. Her hands wrapped around his waist, locking into position.
He pulled out onto the road, invigorated by the slap of mountain air. He took his time winding down from the mountains, sticking to the twisting back roads that got his adrenaline pumping for as long as possible. A couple of hours later, as they neared Charlotte, he merged onto the highway for the remainder of the trip.
Emma’s arms tightened around him.
Yeah, this felt a lot different from the mountain roads they’d left behind. The highway was flat, fast, and clogged with other vehicles. He settled in with the flow of traffic, watching as the Charlotte skyline unfurled before them. It had been almost a year since he’d left the city. It had held a certain appeal once. Now he found himself missing the winding roads and fresh air in Haven. Course, he’d brought one of the best parts of the mountains here with him this weekend.
They exited the highway on South Boulevard, headed for House of Ink, which he’d once managed. Emma had been e-mailing back and forth with its co-owner and Ryan’s good buddy, Stephen Betts, to finalize the design for her tattoo.
Ryan rolled up to a stoplight, and Emma leaned in. “Is it just me or are some of these cars coming a bit too close for comfort?”
“Just feels that way because you’re not used to riding in traffic. Don’t worry, babe. I’ll keep you safe.”
“You’d better.” He could hear the smile in her voice.
The light turned green, and he guided them through his old neighborhood until House of Ink came into view, a nondescript storefront lit with a neon sign.
Ryan rolled into a spot out front and cut the engine.
“Oh boy,” Emma whispered behind him.
“Nervous?”
“A little.”
“Don’t be. You’re in good hands with Stephen.”
“Tell me the truth,” she said, sliding to her feet. “How bad does it hurt?”
“Like a son of a bitch,” he answered with a grin.
“Hmm.” She propped her hands on her hips and eyed the front of the shop. “Okay, the truth is, I’m terrified right now.”
“Not too late to change your mind,” he said.
