Page 12 of Zane

"I-"

"I have an extra helmet."

She turned to look at the motorcycle. "No." She shook her head.

"Afraid?"

"I don't- I've never- I would never-" She took a deep breath and realized she was babbling. She was a grown-ass woman who could very well say no if needed. "I have to go."

"How about lunch then?"

"No. Would you mind moving?"

"I get it." He stayed right where he was. "I figured you for the careful type. Never stepping foot out of the line drawn for you."

She bristled. "What is that supposed to mean?"

He deliberately let his gaze wander over her blouse. "You're buttoned up."

"I'm what?"

He gestured to her suit in general, fascinated by the sparkle in her eyes. Perhaps not so timid after all. "Your clothes say a lot about you. I bet you never broke a rule in your life."

Because that was humiliatingly true, she felt anger burning inside her chest. "You don't know me."

"I'm starting to. Come on, Kara, don't you want to just let go and live a little?"

His deep voice was so persuasive, she almost abandoned her stance and said to heck with it. Almost.

"I'm living well enough, thank you very much. And I don't see why getting behind you on that death trap can be construed as living. Besides, I have a boyfriend- er- a fiancé." She had just blurted that out and realized suddenly that William had never even suggested giving her a ring. And she had never asked for one.

"Which is it?" he queried. "Boyfriend or fiancé?"

"Fiancé."

He glanced at her left hand, with the ringless finger.

"I see."

The way he said it had her shoulders going stiff and her tone defensive. "If you'd move out of my way-"

"A lawyer too?"

"What?"

"The boyfriend/fiancé. Lawyer?"

"As a matter of fact."

He nodded, a smile cruising his lips. "Let me guess: buttoned up and more than likely repressed. How long have you been seeing each other?"

"That's none of your business and he happens to be a respectable person. Not-" She started to gesture at the tattoo on his neck before realizing what she was doing and dropped her hand.

"Ah. My tattoos offend you."

"No. I mean, I don't care. Just please get out of my way."

"What if I try and get rid of them?"