Page 86 of Love, Lies, and Whiskey

“He didn’t mention it. I told you I haven’t forgotten a single thing about you, but it sounds like I better up my game. So what do you say?”

“I say I can’t wait. But I haven’t ridden on a motorcycle or been to a bar or gone dancing since you took me to the Roadhouse for lunch that summer.”

The biker in him was thrilled she hadn’t warmed another man’s back, but his heart was eating up the rest of what she’d said. “You’ve never gone on a date to a bar?”

“Nope.”

A slow grin slid into place. “Is it bad that it makes me happy knowing no other man has held you close on a dance floor?”

She laughed softly. “I’d be disappointed if it didn’t.”

He couldn’t resist taking her hand and leading her around to the other side of the truck, out of eyeshot from the house. “I missed you today, and if I don’t get to kiss you right now, I’m pretty sure I’m going to lose my mind.”

“We wouldn’t want that to happen.”

As she wound her arms around him, he lowered his lips to hers, kissing them both breathless.

Chapter Twenty-Two

JULIETTE HAD BEEN a little nervous about riding on Seeley’s motorcycle, but her nerves didn’t stand a chance against the thrill of being wrapped around his back, the vibration of the engine working its magic as the world sped by. The feel of his muscles flexing against her chest and beneath her hands was intoxicating.

Heck, the man himself was even more so.

When she’d seen him straddling his shiny black bike in faded jeans, wearing his leather cut over a black T-shirt, tattoos snaking out from beneath the sleeves, her entire body had ignited. She’d seen enough hot guys in her life to know it had less to do with his incredible looks and more to do with the heart that beat within his broad chest.

The heart that had welcomed their son without hesitation and had never fully closed to her.

The crisp evening air whipped over her skin as they turned off the main road, heading for the Roadhouse. Seeley had told her his siblings would be there. He said he wanted to give her a chance to get to know them again before introducing Lucas to everyone next weekend. She was excited and nervous to see everyone again.

By the time they arrived, she felt freer and lighter than she had in years. The rustic building hadn’t changed. It still had a long front porch and an orange neon Roadhouse sign above the front door.

He cut the engine and took off his helmet as he climbed off the bike, raking a hand through his thick hair. He set his helmet down and helped her take off hers. As she shook out her hair, the lascivious look he gave her made her body vibrate anew.

“Mm-mm. You on my bike is too hot to pass up.”

As he straddled the bike, facing her, she laughed. “What are you doing?”

“Getting a taste of what’s mine.”

He pushed his hands into her hair, drawing her mouth to his in a penetrating kiss. His tongue slid over hers, possessing more of her with every stroke. She was arched forward, kissing him harder.

“Now, that’s a kiss. No wonder Juliette got pregnant.”

Seeley broke the kiss on a curse, and it took a minute for Juliette’s brain to catch up. When it did, she was flooded with embarrassment. Doc was glowering at Birdie, who was standing beside the bike smirking. She looked like a cute Madonna throwback in a white lace bustier and denim microskirt, with jagged layers of lavender tulle hanging from the hem to just below her thighs. A pearl choker circled her neck, along with several long necklaces, and she wore fingerless, elbow-length white gloves.

“Hi, Birdie,” Juliette said.

“Hi! Are you guys coming or what? I mean coming into the bar. I don’t want to know about—”

“Birdie,” Doc warned, climbing off the bike.

Birdie held up her gloved hands. “Hey, I’m not the one inspecting her tonsils with my tongue.”

Juliette laughed as Doc helped her off the bike.

“Don’t encourage her,” Doc said as he locked the helmets to the bike.

“Damn, girl,” Birdie said. “You look hot.”