“If I die, my ghost will never let you get another night of sleep,” Danny shouted, but was certain Ash couldn’t hear him over the noise.
Ash’s laugh rumbled just as deeply as the engine. “Just hang on, sweetheart. Lean when I lean.”
“How did you hear me?”
Instead of answering him, Ash tapped his ear where a Bluetooth had been inserted.
“Just remember this is my first time,” Danny grumbled.
His reminder only got another deep laugh from Ash. “Good to know I’m your first.”
“That’s not what I meant.” Good lord. The guy was massive. Danny’s arms stretched around so many muscles he was afraid his fingers would slip free as soon as they gained any kind of speed.
“Hold on, honey bear,” Ash warned before pulling away from the curb and merging with traffic, which consisted of three cars and someone riding a bicycle. Danny squeaked, trying to hug Ash even harder than he already was.
What had Danny been thinking? He needed a vehicle around him, not open air. But so far, they were going at a reasonable speed. Once Danny forced himself to relax, the ride wasn’t so bad. He could do this. They were going no more than thirty through the streets. It hadn’t slipped his notice that his legs were spread wide, bracketing Ash’s brawny thighs.
“This is nice,” Danny said through the built-in headphones. He even relaxed when Ash stopped at red light. “I could get used to riding if it’s this chill.”
“Not staying in the town limits,” Ash replied then took off from the light.
“What does that mean?” Danny got a bad feeling in the pit of his gut.
Making a right, they passed the town-limit sign, and before Danny could demand an answer, Ash twisted the throttle, the motorcycle effortlessly moving faster.
“Oh my god!” Danny shouted, his fingers digging into Ash’s rigid abdomen. Wow. He’d never touched abs so solid before, making him momentarily forget why he’d been freaking out.
“Relax, Danny.” Ash’s voice dropped an octave, smooth and husky like a late-night radio DJ. “I promise you’re not going to fall off.”
“Huh?” Oh, right. Danny was flipping out over the speed, not Ash’s body. He uncurled his fingers, pressing a little closer until his crotch was snug against Ash’s ass.
Then Danny sighed in contentment as the road rushed past them, daring to trust that Ash really would keep him safe, even after the ride was over.
Chapter Five
Despite the loud roar of the engine, twice now Ash had heard the unmistakable growl of Danny’s stomach. At the next turn, he veered left, heading toward Mama Lou’s. It was a weathered roadside diner he’d been frequenting for the past two decades.
The place had survived three owners and two renovations, but the food was always worth the trip. The smell hit him before the faded blue sign came into view—greasy burgers, juicy steaks, and a light note of Mama Lou’s famous lemon meringue pie.
Ash throttled down, the bike purring as he pulled into the packed dirt lot, navigating between dusty pickups and family sedans. Someone had even wedged an ancient Winnebago behind the squat concrete building. Every parking space seemed taken, every table inside likely full. Finally, he found a spot near the back of the diner.
“Thank god,” Danny groaned as they parked. “I was five seconds away from dramatically passing out from starvation.”
Cutting the engine, Ash savored the pleasant weight of Danny against his back for a moment longer before it disappeared. “Princess.”
“Only if I touch my forehead with the back of my hand.” His mate dismounted with unsteady legs, his fingers finding purchase on Ash's shoulder then arm before gripping the bike for balance. “Why do my legs feel so wobbly?”
“First ride’ll do that, newbie.” Ash swung off the bike, feeling oddly complete as he watched Danny struggle with the helmet. “Want me to carry you, sweetheart?” He wiggled his brows.
Danny paused and stared up at him. “Why do I have a feeling you’d actually do it?” He fumbled with his helmet strap, fingers slipping on the clasp.
“Because I would. Hold still,” he murmured, gently moving Danny’s hands away.
When the helmet came free, Danny’s face relaxed into a sigh. “God, that breeze feels so amazing.”
Ash ran his palm over his mate’s flattened hair, missing the spikes but loving the softness. “Your spikes went flat.” He traced the shape where one should be. “I like them, but this is nice too.” He didn’t add that he’d never seen anything more perfect. The goth look suited Danny, but more than that, he liked that his mate was unapologetically exactly who he was.
Danny nibbled his lower lip, stealing a quick glance at Ash. “I’m not used to being myself.”
