“Oh shit. My shift.” It had slipped my mind; the whole reason I’d been trying to start my car was to grab some groceries before I had to be at the bar atnoon.
Abel put his hand on my shoulder. “I’ll make acall.”
He walked a few steps away from me. “Holt. Change of plans. Tell Lou to get a guy with him over to Crickett’s car. You’re taking her day shifttoday.”
Abel walked back over and flashed his killer triumphant smile. “Done. Now let’s go eat. I’mstarving.”
I stared at his bike pretty nervously; I had never ridden on one before. Apparently it was written on my face. “Ever been on one of thesebefore?”
I shook myhead.
“This will be fun then.” He grabbed a second helmet from the back compartment. “Here.” He handed one over to me. “I’m going to get on first and then help you on,ok?”
I nodded. Holy hell, I was nervous. First week of truly being on my own and my car was broken down and I was about to spend the morning with a member of a motorcycle gang who I fucking worked for. When I’d left home, this was not what I had pictured atall.
What the hell is goingon?
“Put your arms around me. Hang ontight.”
“Well, you don’t have to tell me twice.” I nervously laughed, flinging my arms around his middle as fast as Icould.
“Don’t benervous.”
From my shoulders all the way to my toes, I was tense.How on God’s green Earth does he expect me to not benervous?
Abel pulled my hands more around him until my fingers were locking, then rested his on mine for a second. “Trustme.”
He pulled out of the parking lot where I left my car, keys in the ignition, and we were on our way down the road heading to an unknown destination. Even though I was pretty nervous, completely out of my comfort zone, that shit was pretty exciting. I knew it was high time for me to be this free and the wind whipping through my hair while my arms were wrapped around Abel’s Adonis-like frame made me feel that much moreliberated.
We pulled into a parking lot of a tin-can-looking building with a bright flashing neon sign: 24-HourDiner.
Abel helped me off the bike. “They have the best milkshakes intown.”
My knees were shaky and I almost fell over, stumbling right in into Abel’s side and practically tripping both ofus.
“Hey, I got ya.” He wrapped his arm around me. “That happens a lot when people ride a bike for the first time. To the milkshakes!” he exclaimed as we made our way up the steps to the frontdoor.
“Thanks.” I couldn’t help the wide ass grin that was taking over my entire face. The whole situation was making me happier than it should have. I should have been pissed about my car and the night before, but actually I was excited to spend time with my beautifulstranger.
We sat in a booth and I started to look over the menu, but Abel quickly took it fromme.
“Hey!” I grabbed for it but he snatched it out of myreach.
“Let me order for you. Trustme.”
“There you go with that ‘trust me’ shit again. Have you forgotten that I don’t even know you? Or that you cock blocked me lastnight?”
“Cock blocked? Really? You would have slept with that douche-nuzzle?” He narrowed his eyes, crossing his arms over hischest.
I shrugged. “Probably not, but it would have been nice to make my own decision about that instead of being thrown into a wall by my boss who I have barely had a full conversation with, then being informed that he has it in his head that he has some sort of claim overme.”
“Well, if you don’t feel the connection yet, I’ll give you some time. Let’s start with the basics and get toknoweachother.”
The waitress brought over two coffees and asked us if we knew what we were having. Abel looked at me and I waved my hand. “I’ll have whatever hesuggests.”
“Two chocolate mint milkshakes and southwestern omelets, June.Thanks.”
“You got it,Abel.”
