Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 154037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 770(@200wpm)___ 616(@250wpm)___ 513(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 770(@200wpm)___ 616(@250wpm)___ 513(@300wpm)
She rolled those mesmerizing eyes. “Yes, Otto, we’re clear. Like you and River would ever let me forget.”
“Let you forget how much we care about you? I think not.” I wound as much lightness as I could into my voice, and I swung my leg over my bike and kicked it over.
The powerful engine roared to life.
It was a restored 1960s chopper and basically the love of my life since it was the only thing I could ever truly give my heart to. Jud Lawson over in Redemption Hills, one of our friends and the king of restorations out here in the West, had restored it for me.
It was nothing but smoky grays and black matte metals. Its beauty was only second to the girl who was standing to the side of it. The sole reason I’d had him install a fourteen-inch backrest on the rear was so she’d be comfortable whenever she took her spot.
I revved the throttle twice as I widened my grin at her. “Now are you going to get on the back of my bike or are you going to stand out here all night?”
She was still a little annoyed, which I took full responsibility for but still wouldn’t change. It seemed her love for riding was close to mine, though, and it took her all of two seconds before she stamped that little foot and grumbled, “Fine.”
Shifting, I dug her helmet out of the saddlebag and handed it to her. She was quick to put it on, then I reached out to help her, and she had to swing her leg up to get over the saddle. It gave me a quick flash of the black lace under that short as fuck skirt.
Tried not to take a peep like some kind of creeper, but damn, she didn’t even try to hide it. She just climbed on like she wasn’t shy, and it wasn’t the first time she’d done it.
I wondered if she did it on purpose. Wondered if she had full intentions of driving me out of my ever-lovin’-mind.
No doubt about it as she tucked herself up close to my back and wrapped herself around me.
Heat singed me through.
That lust-inducing body igniting me in her flames.
Revving the engine again, I shouted, “Ready?”
She gave me a squeeze as she hooked her chin on my shoulder, her seductive voice in my ear. “I was born ready, Otto.”
I took to the street, and there was no missing the thrill that ran through her being. This girl who fit me like a glove who I forever had to keep at arm’s length.
FOUR
RAVEN
Wind lashed at my face and the stars twinkled and shined overhead as I clung to Otto as we rode through Moonlit Ridge. The howl of the engine was the only sound in our ears.
The small town was pretty much closed down for the night except for the few bars that remained open. The windows of the trendy stores and shops on Culberry Street were darkened and the streets were close to barren.
It felt as if we were completely isolated and alone as Otto took to the road.
His massive body at the helm of the heavy metal, tattooed arms stretched out as he commanded the vibrating, rumbling machine. Our hair whipped around us, and my heart thundered in time, my blood racing through my veins as we traveled beneath the glinting heavens above.
There was nothing in the world as exhilarating as being on the back of Otto’s bike.
I knew he kept our speed safe and controlled whenever I was with him, but that didn’t mean adrenaline didn’t buzz through me like an electric charge. My spirit nothing but a live wire plugged directly into the man.
This was when I felt the closest to him. When all the intricacies of our lives seemed whittled away, pared down to nothing, and this wordless, perfect moment was the only thing that counted.
We traveled all the way through the main part of town until Culberry Street curved and came to a T at Vista View. He made a right onto the two-lane road that followed along the side of the lake.
I never failed to lose my breath at the stunning view.
It was gorgeous. The expanse of lake was smooth as glass beneath the night. It was surrounded by lush woods, and the mountains rose up high behind it in the distance, their jagged peaks silhouettes where the moon sat proud halfway down the horizon.
Silvery rays glinted over the water, and the few lights of the houses and cabins tucked around the lake glowed their peace.
On the far side of the lake, I could barely make out the neon sign for The Sanctuary, the motel that Theo owned and ran.
I thought of what would be hidden there under the guise of vacationers.
A woman.
Possibly with children.