My hand went to my hair. “I can’t put on a helmet. And I’m not riding on the deathtrap while you’re acting this way.”
Niko was grinning, but it wasn’t his friendly smile. It was more menacing, calm but calculated. “Hawk, I’d kindly ask that you take your hands off of me. I’ll call for the car and settle the tab.”
Hawk shoved him away. “I don’t give a fuck what you do.”
Then he grabbed my arm, leading me to his motorcycle. Rooster handed him a helmet and I shook my head. “I said no. I don’t want to go anywhere with you.”
He didn’t speak, but he pulled my hair down even as I batted at his hands.
“What the fuck are you doing?” I asked as he slammed the helmet down on my head.
“Taking you home. Get on the bike.”
“I said no!” I shouted as I pushed him away, trying to work the helmet off as he tried to push it back down.
He gripped my arms, squeezing my shoulders. “I didn’t ask a question.”
“I don’t care.”
“Hawk, why don’t you allow me to drive the ladies home,” Niko asked from behind him.
Hawk’s eyes didn’t move from me. “Petrov, if you speak to me again until we are at the clubhouse–”
“Don’t threaten my brother,” I said as I finally got onearm free and pulled the helmet off, tossing it down. “Why are you even here? I’m just trying to enjoy a late lunch with my brother and my best friend. I’m notdistractingyou, so what’s your problem?” I said with finger quotes.
“Do we need to call the police?” a man asked from a few feet away.
Me, Niko, and Hawk all said, “No,” in unison.
“Well, I’m going to have to ask you to leave, or I will call them anyway. You’re disturbing our patrons,” the host said from the doorway.
“Great,” I said as I threw my hands up.
“I’ve called the car around,” Niko said.
I pushed past Hawk and reached for Klara’s hand. But I was grabbed from behind in a bear hug, pressing my arms to my sides. Instead of being forced back to the bike, he inhaled deeply, and his lips dragged over the sensitive skin of my neck. His arms wrapped around my chest and abdomen.
“Please get on the bike, Kitty Kat,” he said softly in my ear. He gave me a slight squeeze, then asked again, “Please?”
Something in his voice quelled the rage that had simmered so close to the surface. The way he held me sparked concern over anger. He wasn’t crushing me, he was cradling me. Nodding, said, “Okay.”
Niko watched but I gave him a nod and said, “Take Klara with you. I’ll see you at the clubhouse.”
Hawk pressed a lingering kiss on my cheek, the heat radiating down my body. He let me go, grabbing my hand andleading me to the bike. He scooped the helmet off the ground and inspected it before clasping it around my chin. He climbed onto the motorcycle and held his hand out, so I used it as leverage to climb on.
Once settled, he reached back and pulled me from behind until I was flush against him. Then he grabbed my hands, pulling them around him and rested them on his chest. He put his helmet on, then said, “Hold on tight.”
The motorcycle was even louder sitting on it than being near it. Once he took off, I gripped him even tighter and pressed myself onto his back.
The air was cool on my arms and legs. Though my feet were firmly planted on the pegs, I worried I was going to lose a nice pair of heels.
Once our speed steadied, I finally pulled my face from his back and peeked around. A mix of fear and excitement consumed me. We were flying, or at least it felt like it. Cars, trucks, and even semis were all around us on the highway. Wind whipped across my body while the heat of the engine warmed my ankles.
I was as close to Hawk as I could get. Part of me was furious with him. How he’d acted this morning. How he’d acted at the restaurant. How he’d acted to my friend. How he’d acted to my brother.
But another part of me sensed something in him. Something soft or even vulnerable. When he held me, it wasn’t to hurt me or control me. It was to have me close. His voice was broken. There was worry there. Why he’d be worried about me being with Niko was beyond reason to me, but I remindedmyself there were always things happening in our worlds that women weren’t privy to.
So many questions and so much confusion swirled in my mind as we continued the ride home. As we exited the highway, I saw the long ride in a whole new light. It wasn’t behind glass. I was floating through the air alongside the trees, tall grass, and wildflowers.
