“You like that?” Jules shouts over her shoulder.
“Hating every second of it.” I shout in response all while grinning behind her back. And even though she doesn’t see it, the shift in my body language must be obvious.She must sense it, because she picks up speed.
It’s not bad at all.In fact, it’s kind of exhilarating. Instead of feeling afraid, I feel alive.
Every hill, every curve in the road, every rev of the engine…I feel it all the way through my bones.
I stop thinking about work. About the business deal that’s taking forever to close. About the clients I’m going to have to transition. I stop thinking about the new front tires I need to get for my car. And the fact that I have to schedule someone to come out and do maintenance on the HVAC. Or that the deadline’s coming up for Cameron’s basketball league.
All of it settles into the back of my brain.
Nothing matters at twenty-five miles per hour with the smell of cut grass and Jules’s signature shampoo in my face.
Freedom.
That’s what I feel. For the first time in such a long time, I actually feel…free.
Free from the stresses and obligations and responsibilities that lock me down day and night.
The only thing on my mind now is how cool the wind feels on my face, the breathtaking sun that’s dipping below the horizon, and… Jules.
I’ve spent my life chasing money and power and big city success, only to find freedom while clinging to my fake wife on a laughably small scooter on the backroads of the small town I grew up in.
There’s some painfully ridiculous irony in there somewhere.
If I weren’t so relaxed, I’d probably pro-con the shit out of the situation so my brain can make sense of it.
“Wanna stop and pick up some burgers and shakes to take home?” Jules asks, raising her voice over her shoulder when we roll up to a stop sign in the middle of town.
“Sounds good to me,” I shout back.
“You’ll have to hold onto all the food though. Without falling off,” she says in warning.
I hadn’t thought about that tricky part. But I’m up for the challenge. “Bring it on. I’ve got dare devil blood running through me now.”
It’s the truth. No one has ever challenged me the way Jules has. The funny thing is, every challenge she throws my way makes me into a better version of myself. She makes me braver. She makes me more resourceful, more resilient. She forces me to be more honest with myself.
She has no idea what a gift she’s been to me.
Her carefree laughter carries on the air as we head for the local diner. We’re in and out, with our easy dinner in tow.
As we’re strolling back toward the moped, I point to Lucky Clover Bridge in the distance up ahead. “How about a picnic?”
“I like the way you think, husband.” Yet another thrill shoots through me when Jules calls me that.
We hop back onto the scooter and I wrap my arms around her, loving the way her body feels against me. Warm. Soft.Mine.
I get caught up, letting my hands roam all over her curves once more. She rocks back against my crotch and electricity shoots through my system. I groan in my throat and squeeze her breast.
Again, Jules takes advantage of my distraction, hitting the gas and making me yelp. I can hear her cackling in front of meas she makes a turn toward Lucky Clover Bridge up ahead and speeds up once more.
“Dammit, woman!” I screech.
And I’m hooked. In every sense of the word.
41
JULES
