I’m again impressed with Gabe’s chivalry as I flash the entire neighborhood dismounting from the motorcycle. This skirt will never see the light of day again as it's being banished to the depths of my closet.
I can’t believe I let Lilith talk me into going commando. I hope she made it out okay. But even in just the brief time I’ve known her, I have a feeling she is like a cat and lands on her feet no matter what.
“Thank you again—for breakfast, for saving me, for my first motorcycle ride. What a wild night.” I cast a glance at the sky and say, “Or morning.”
Gabe just smiles and wraps me up in his arms with a warm embrace that feels like home. His warmth seeps into my body, and I swear it lights up my very soul. I wrap my arms around him and hug him back.
I should be exhausted, but as I break off the lingering embrace, I feel like he’s recharged my batteries.
He smiles like the sun, saying, “I better get this bike back.”
I force myself to walk away from him and climb the stairs to my door. I reach into the porch light next to my door, take out the spare key, and unlock the door. Having successfully opened it, I turn to wave to Gabe who was gallantly waiting to be sure I got in.
He gives me a two-finger wave and then peels off on the Harley into the rising sun as I stash the spare key back in its hiding spot.
I really hope I can see him again someday. It was so nice to have a friend when I really needed one. And I’d love to go back to that restaurant. I’ll have to see if I can find it online. I thought I knew all the local-ish places, but I have never heard of Eden.
I walk in and close the door behind me. As I turn around to lock it, I let out an audible gasp as I see a new clutch sitting on the table next to the door. I grab it up and look inside to find my phone and wallet.
I turn the clutch over in my hands and I’m in love. The jeweled knuckle duster hardware with a skull is exactly my style. Below the hardware, I can see the brand name engraved in elegant font. I squint and read aloud, “Alexander fucking McQueen!”
I pick my phone up and see it has blown up since I last had it. Opening my text messages, I start with Lilith’s, which truly seemed panicked and concerned, asking where I am and if I’m ok. Then I switch over to Luke’s, which started last night, before the fight broke out.
Luke
I see you in my corset, mon petit chou. I want to pull those laces tighter, make you pant for me.
Luke
If that ass is bare, I’m going to spank it until it’s on fire, ma petite fille coquine.
Luke
Fuck, I see Lilith has corrupted you.
One more text is from just an hour ago.
Luke
That was not how I wanted to end the night with you. I hope you like your present. Text me. And for fuck’s safe, don’t hide a key in the light. You are asking for a break in.
I can’t help the goofy smile that breaks out on my face at his concern. And the purse is incredible. It is exactly what I would have picked for myself if I had substantial amounts of discretionary income.
I should have known it was from Luke the second I saw the matte black hardware. With my upcoming trip, I'm so thankful he was able to get my things back to me.
I walk to the kitchen and chug a glass of water, then head to the bathroom to wash my face and get out of this ridiculous outfit. As I brush my teeth, I worry about both guys.
Guess Luke is okay enough to text. It was a hell of a fight. I’ve never seen anything like it and still can’t believe they were fighting like that over me.
There must be something else in play. Maybe they had a prior grudge with each other? Lilith had that strange look when McHottie had shown up. What was that about?
Finishing in the bathroom, I drop the skirt and fight my way out of the corset using the front buckles, not feeling like dealing with trying to reach the laces. Throwing on my robe and bunny slippers, I head up to my room, prepared to get a few hours of sleep since Anna is covering the store today.
I flop onto my bed and glance over at the vase of dried roses I had kept. I had thrown hundreds of them away as they wilted, but the vase next to the flamingos I just couldn’t bear to part with, so I had let them dry and kept them on the table next to my bed. I don’t dare delve into the psychology of keeping a token from a stalker.
I roll over and try to close my eyes, but every time I do, I picture the fight all over again. Annoyed, I pull out my phone to surf some social media as a palate cleanser.
I soon become irritated with the highlight reels of everyone’s lives when I’m over here trying to figure out what the hell is going on with mine and the hot guys that keep popping up.
