He discovered that the faster he drove, the tighter Ria held on to him. He had to slow for the city limits of Skeeter Bite. He knew the sheriff was otherwise occupied, but didn’t want to get caught screaming through town at top speed by one of Wyatt’s deputies.
Plus, he believed in safety. The rest of their spontaneous ride was just the two of them and the open road.
Cam enjoyed the ride so much, he forgot where he was. The sign on the road directing them to the Road Rash Pub and Pool Hall only two miles ahead woke him up. He pulled to the side of the road to make a U-turn, but Ria squeezed his waist and poked him several times in the side.
He parked his bike on the shoulder, put the kickstand down and shut the motor off.
“I want to go to the Road Rash Pub and Pool Hall,” she said the moment he pulled his helmet off.
“Um. No.” He wasn’t taking her to a biker bar, no matter what was on her list of fun things to do on Earth.
“Why not? Is it sort of a biker bar or anything?”
“Doesn’t matter. I’m not taking you there.”
“That means yes. And as you’re aware, biker bar is at the top of my list.”
“I’m aware. I’m just not as familiar with this bar as I am with other places.” He’d been there a time or two, but only in an official capacity, never for recreation.
“I’ll be good. I swear. Oh! I know. I can be your biker babe.”
“Biker babe? Where did you hear that term?”
“The Earther book I read.”
“It’s not safe.”
“What? For me? I’m not afraid.” She was beautiful.
“You should be.” He was not taking her there.
“Why? I’ll be with you and no one would dare mess with you, Cam. I’m totally safe in your company.” She squeezed him around the middle and his resolve weakened.
She wanted to cross “biker bar” off her list and if they were going, afternoon was better than after dark when all the rowdies would be in attendance. Perhaps an afternoon visit to this place was a better choice than any of the other biker bars he knew of in the area. Maybe they could make this a speedy excursion. She pulled her helmet off and shook out her long, dark, blue-streaked hair. Gorgeous.
“Okay, here’s the plan. We will go in, drink one beer and leave.” Cam looked over his shoulder to confirm she understood his edict.
She shook her head. “Two beers and we have to play a game of pool, too.”
“You are testing my patience,” he said with amusement.
She lifted up off the seat enough so she could kiss his cheek. “One game of pool, okay? Then I’ll be able to cross motorcycle ride, biker bar and play a game of pool right off my bucket list. That’s called a hat trick, right? Accomplishing three things?”
“Hat trick is three things, yes. However, a bucket list is what you do before you die, Ria. You have plenty of time.”
“No. I only have ten days to do everything on my list and then my life will be over.” She dropped to the seat behind him, bouncing the bike as she exhaled a deep, forlorn-sounding breath.
She pushed her helmet back in place, tucking her riotous blue-streaked locks behind her and wrapped her arms tightly around his middle as if she didn’t want to discuss anything further. Her tone was so pitiful regarding her future that he almost turned to comfort her, but instead pointed his bike toward the biker bar before he changed his mind. This was probably a really bad idea, but he couldn’t deny her the joy of a hat trick of items to cross off her list.
Cam understood. He felt much the same way about his future ten days from now. So he started the motor, revved the engine a couple of times just to thrill her and eased out on the highway toward the Road Rash Pub and Pool Hall.
He’d insist on a fast two beers and an even faster game of pool. However, he couldn’t lie to himself. He looked forward to spending the time with her.
The exterior of the Road Rash was as disreputable looking as he remembered. There were only a couple of bikes in the dusty lot in front of the ramshackle building when they pulled in. He rolled the bike to a stop near the front door and cut the engine. Ria jumped from the bike and took off her helmet, unconsciously running a hand through her wind-tangled locks while he dismounted. He took his helmet off, and set both of them on the seat. Ria slipped her arm through his and gave it a tug.
“Come on, let’s go!”
Her enthusiasm was infectious, despite his misgivings. “All right, all right.”
