“No,” I squeaked.
“Arms around my waist, baby, and scoot forward, tight to my back.”
I followed his directions and felt a little more secure. He reached back and tugged on my thigh. “Pussy to my ass, babe.”
“Gross, Austin.” But I did slide further forward feeling even more secure.
“If you want to stop, yell or give me a squeeze, yeah?”
I nodded. “Okay.”
He started the bike and pulled gently out of the parking lot. I truly thought I was going to be sick, but once I got the feel of him and the bike, I began to relax. I’d ridden horses as a kid and found that if I moved with him, it was a familiar feel to riding. By the time we pulled off the freeway and onto Naito, I felt like a pro.
Austin pulled to a stop at a stoplight and grinned back at me. “You okay?”
“Yes.”
“You sure?”
“This is frickin’ fantastic,” I yelled.
He laughed. “Want to keep going?”
I nodded.
“Okay, we’ll go for a little ride, then.”
Danielle
When the light turned green, he veered down a side street and drove closer to the water. We couldn’t go too far, but it was enough to put on a little speed before he pulled to a stop at a little lookout point. He guided the bike off the road and parked it, lowering the kickstand before turning off the engine. He twisted to smile at me. “You good?”
I nodded. “I think my legs are jelly, but that was amazing.”
“You want to get off for a bit, or back to my place.”
“Your place, I think. I’m a little cold.”
“You got it, baby.”
He started the bike again and I wrapped my arms around him tight as he pulled back onto the road and headed to his condo. He parked the bike, waited for me to climb off, despite my shaky legs, then he did the same and grabbed my things from his saddlebags. He helped me with my helmet and kissed me, the squeak of our leather jackets making me giggle. “I should tell my dad that the chastity belt is no longer necessary, considering leather has about the same effect.”
Austin chuckled as he took my hand and walked me to the elevator bay, where we stepped into a car and rode to the tenth floor. He led me down the hall to a door directly at the end and unlocked it. Pushing it open, he stepped back for me to precede him inside.
I walked in and was assaulted by total, complete, and utter beauty. What Austin had failed to mention was his condo was in an exclusive building with an incredible view of the water. I gravitated toward the large picture windows that spanned his living room.
I didn’t notice the hardwood floors, huge great room with fireplace, and open kitchen with granite countertops until way later in the evening. I was transfixed by the view of the water as the sun began to set.
Austin stood in front of me and unzipped my jacket, grinning as he removed it from my body as gently as he would a child. I couldn’t stop looking at the way the clouds played off the water, and was amazed that boats would be out on such a chilly day.
My phone pealed in the quiet and I grabbed my purse and slid out my phone to answer it. “Hello?”
“Hey, hon,” Emily said.
“Well, hi. How’s my favorite sister?”
She chuckled. “Doing well. You got a minute?”
“Of course.”
“Got info back on Austin.”
I glanced at him in the kitchen pulling down cooking utensils. “What did you find?”
“He was arrested when he was nineteen.”
“Yep.” I nodded. “I know.”
“Well, that’s it, sis. Nothing else is flagging. He’s a model citizen, doesn’t even have a speeding ticket.”
I don’t know why, but this news relieved me. I didn’t even realize I’d been concerned until now. “Awesome.”
“Okay, gotta help Amelia with her homework. Love you.”
“Love you too. ‘Bye.” I hung up and tapped the phone against my palm.
“Wine?” Austin asked.
I glanced at him and then back out at the water. “Yes, please.”
I heard the pop of the cork and turned toward the sound, equally as impressed with his kitchen with top of the line stainless steel appliances. He’d removed his jacket and cut and stood in just a tight thermal shirt and his signature jeans. “Who was on the phone?”
“My sister.”
“Everything okay?” he asked, and grabbed a glass from an upper cabinet, pouring my favorite wine into it.
I grimaced. “Full disclosure…she kind of did a background check on you.”
He chuckled. “I’d have been disappointed if she didn’t. I like that they watch out for you.”
I grinned. “She only found your arrest.”
He nodded. “Told ya, babe. The club’s clean. Individually and collectively.”
“Yes you did.”
“Were you worried?”
“Not really,” I said, and walked toward him. “But it’s still nice to know my family isn’t going to be.”
He leaned down to kiss me quickly. “I’ve got you, baby.”
“I know.” I set my wine down. “Can I help?”
“Nah, I’m all set. Just make yourself at home.”
“Are you always going to serve me like this?”
“Sure. We’ll go with that.”
I chuckled and walked back to the window. “This place is amazing.”
“I like it.”
“How long have you lived here?”
He scrubbed a couple of potatoes. “I bought it three years ago.”
“You own it?” I asked, surprised.
He chuckled. “Yeah, babe. I own it.”
“Sorry. I shouldn’t sound so surprised.”
Austin handed me the wine glass I’d left on the counter and then grabbed a beer for himself. He took my hand and led me to the huge sectional in the great room, pulling me down beside him. “I get why you’re surprised, babe.”
“You do?”
He nodded. “I have a pretty chaotic life, Dani, so when I come home, I want some form of order. I’ve always been like this. I like nice things and Annie helped me put a little bit of a feminine touch on it, mostly so she could feel comfortable here. Or so she said.”
I giggled. “I must meet her.”
“She’ll be here for Thanksgiving. She’s threatened her old man if he doesn’t make it happen, she’s coming alone.”
I craned my neck to look up at him. “Is that allowed? Threatening your biker badass man into doing your bidding?”
“It won’t work for you, but it sometimes works for others.”
I snorted. “Oh, I see how it is.”
He gave me a gentle squeeze. “Hope you’re in the mood for steaks.”
“I’m a vegetarian,” I said, and bit my lip to keep from giggling.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.