He leans against the handlebars, a spark of mischief flashing in his blue eyes. “Because I want to take you somewhere.”
The idea of going anywhere with Gage is equal parts thrilling and terrifying. Little girls learn at a very young age not to trust strangers, to never go anywhere with one, and I’ve always been the most skeptical of the Hawkes when it comes to earning trust.
But there’s just something about this man that draws me to him.
Not because I trust him.
Not because he’s impossibly handsome.
Definitely not because he’s a shameless flirt who often crosses the line of what’s socially appropriate.
It’s the instinct to keep him close—that it’s somehow important that I do.
He’s either completely genuine and the first man I’ve actually been interested in for a very long time, or he’s a talented conman with an ulterior motive I haven’t uncovered yet.
Friends close and enemies closer…
I raise a brow at him. “Where do you want to take me?”
He grins, waggling his eyebrows playfully. “It’s a surprise.”
Everything about this man is.
Each time I learn something new, it gives me another piece to the very messy puzzle. I don’t have enough to create a clear picture yet, but if I go with him tonight, that may change.
I may actually discover what it is Gage Newhart really wants, but I am not above making him work for it. “I’m not a big fan of surprises.”
He chuckles low and shakes his head, sending the silky blond strands falling over his forehead. “Somehow, I knew that, but I think you’ll like this one.” His gaze sweeps to the front door of the club. “Do you have to go in tonight?”
“No.”
His grin grows, and he holds out a hand, palm up. “Then let’s go.”
It would be easy enough to say no. To just walk away and return to my original evening plans of sitting at the bar. But with his eyes locked on me like this and his hand extended in offer, climbing on the back of his bike and discovering what Gage Newhart has in store for me—and maybe what his ultimate goal is—is far too tempting to ignore.
I approach him cautiously and slide my hand into his. Rough callouses scrape against my skin, sending a little jolt of heat searing through me, awakening something I long ago buried. Something I’ve ignored and actively pushed away. Something I’ve refused to allow myself because I know it can never happen.
There isn’t any room in my life for what everyone else has.
My focus can’t be pulled away from protecting the people important to me.
I can’t have a relationship beyond a few fun hours with someone.
So this longing has to go.
Easy to say but much harder to actually accomplish when he squeezes my hand and steadies the bike for me like a true gentleman.
I swing my leg up and over the seat, settling in behind him while trying to keep some space between us.
He glances back at me. “Do you know how to ride on one of these?”
Offering an incredulous look, I laugh. “Do you really have to ask that?”
Another cocky grin spreads across his face, and he motions toward one of his saddle bags. “There’s another helmet in there.”
I reach in and snag it, releasing my braids from the bun so I can settle it on my head.
He pulls his back on and glances over his shoulder at me, his eyes swimming with so much promise that the stupid feeling I’m trying so hard to fight flutters in my chest. “You better hang on.”
