It’s Eden’s place. It’s always been her clinging to me, pressing her cheek to my back, her laugh ringing in my ears as we ride against the wind.
Anika doesn’t belong there, but I don’t have a choice. Every second she stands here is another chance someone sees us. And rumours spread faster than fire in a place like this.
I yank my helmet off the seat and shove it at her. “Put it on.”
She takes it slowly, arching a brow. “You always this charming?”
“Get on the bike,” I snap. “Now.”
She studies me for a beat, like she’s cataloguing every crack in my control, then she smirks and swings a leg over, settling behind me far too comfortably.
I flinch when her arms wrap around my waist.
“Don’t touch me,” I growl.
A soft laugh brushes my ear. “How am I supposed to stay on this thing?”
I close my eyes for half a second, trying to keep control of my anger.
My foot kicks the stand up and the engine roars to life, too loud, too aggressive, announcing us to everyone within earshot.
I glance back at the pub one last time, praying no one who could tell Eden is watching.
I gun the throttle and pull away hard, the bike surging forward like it’s desperate to escape too. Wind slams into my chest,ripping the breath from my lungs, but it doesn’t help. My head is still full. Loud. Chaotic.
Anika leans in closer as we pick up speed.
“Careful,” she says near my ear. “The vibrations are making a girl . . . excited.”
I grit my teeth. “Shut the fuck up.”
“And I don’t suppose there are many men in this place who could get me off. I’m not easily pleased.” She holds tighter, pressing herself against me.
“I swear to God,” I warn, taking a turn sharper than necessary
Her laughter fills my ears, and I clench my jaw in irritation. I hate this. I hate that it feels like betrayal. But most of all, I hate how easily this life keeps dragging me back.
I spot the sign for the B and B and turn into the small carpark. Anika makes a show of getting off the bike, keeping her hand rested on my shoulder as she swings her leg over, and pressing her breasts against my upper arm. I shake my head, keeping my eyes fixed ahead on the small building.
“This is cute,” she comments, following my gaze.
“You’re not staying,” I snap. “I’ll get you a room at some place near the docks.”
“I tried,” she says simply before pressing the helmet to my chest. “It was full. Why do you think I ended up here?”
I roll my eyes as I get off the bike. “You can’t stay in this town. Eden will find out.”
“If you keep pissing your pants like a little boy, I might be tempted to tell her myself,” she says through gritted teeth before heading for the entrance.
I follow quickly, still glancing around nervously as we go inside.
An elderly gentleman mans the desk. He looks up over his glasses, his pen midway to his mouth like he was about to chew on the tip. “Good morning.”
“Morning. We need a double room for two nights,” says Anika.
“Separately,” I cut in. “Two separate rooms.”
“I only have one room with two single beds,” he says, shrugging.
