I looked damn good. I turned and left the room before I could convince myself I needed to change. I locked up my place, then headed downstairs into the bakery, making sure everything was secured before going out front. Jessa and Aubree pointed toward the door.
The sun had gone down, and Duke was leaning against his Chrome motorcycle. The moment he saw me, he pushed off and made his way to the bakery door, pulling it open. His cologne wrapped around me as soon as he stepped inside—warm, rich, and tempting enough to make me forget where I was. I wanted to close my eyes and groan, but I couldn’t. Not with the audience we had.
“Make sure you get my friend back here safely, Duke,” Aubree said, catching me off guard.
I lifted a brow her way as I stepped from behind the counter to meet him. His hands were already out, waiting, and I slipped mine into his. Duke looked over at Aubree and smiled.
“I got you,” he reassured her.
Jessa smiled and waved like she was seeing her child off on their first date. I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t keep my smile from my face as I followed close behind him. We stopped at the door.
“If you need anything or you’re confused about how to shut this place down. Please call.” I reiterated.
Jessa craned her head to the side with a roll of her eyes.
“Ma’am, please go have a good time. You know what, don’t come back unless you’ve been thoroughly fucked either. We got it.”
My jaw dropped, and my cheeks reddened. Duke tightened his hand around mine with a chuckle. With my free head I flicked Jessa off, causing her to laugh louder. We were now outside and the cool night air reminded me I needed to slip on my black jacket I’d brought along.
“Please ignore Jessa’s crazy self. She says whatever pops into her mind at the moment.”
Duke brought my hand to his lips and kissed the top with a smirk.
“I’m not offended. It’s your world, baby. I plan to give you a night you won’t forget, even if you wanted to.”
He released the hold on my hand to grab a helmet from beneath his back seat. Then turned it to face me. It was pink with the name Sweets delicately placed on the back. I raised a brow in his direction.
“When did you have enough time to do this? You know you didn’t have to do this, right?” I questioned.
I slipped my arms into my jacket sleeves, then looked back up into his intent eyes.
“Come here.”
Just two words, and they sent a shiver down my spine, settling low between my thighs. I ran my tongue over my lip nervously, then walked toward him.
Duke leaned in, claiming my lips in a slow, deep kiss that left me dazed from his touch alone. The faint taste of mint lingered as his tongue slid against mine, pulling me further under his spell. I didn’t fight it—I needed everything that was him in this moment. This man was pure intoxication.
He pulled back just enough to place the helmet on my head, adjusting the strap beneath my chin with careful hands.
“I got you.”
I’m sure those three words felt light to others, but everything to me. It had been a long time since I’d felt those words were true. It seemed like Rose Haven brought back a confidence in humanity that I didn’t know was missing.
I couldn’t find the words, so I slipped onto the back of his bike. None were needed. I watched as he pulled on his helmet.
Something about this ride felt different from the others. His helmet was all black, thorns wrapping around it—barbed wire at first glance, but a rose was hidden in the design.
He swung his leg over and kicked the stand, steadying the bike beneath us. I pressed into his warmth, wrapping my arms around him, already bracing for the rush that only came from being on the back of his bike.
Slowly, he pulled away from the curb, then picked up his speed. This time going faster than he had the first few times I rode with him. We headed for the highway, this time around. I watched closely as he slipped in between the cars, smoothly for the next thirty minutes before taking the next exit.
We passed a sign that readWelcome to Hillsboroas we rode into what looked like a busier version of Rose Haven. My heart began to race at the thought that maybe—just maybe—tonightwould be the night I was found. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to steady it.
The bike slowed beneath me, the shift in motion giving it away. Duke reached back, gripping my hand as he glanced over his shoulder.
“You alright? You need me to go slower?” he asked.
“I’m fine. Just nervous.”
