"And when you're alone?"
He takes my hand and leads me back to the street. It's still warm and bright.
"I run. I think. I read," he says.
"You read?"
"You this rude to all your friends or only the ones who make you come?" He says it playfully.
"The latter." I make my way down the street. "What do you read?"
"Books."
"What books?"
"That's classified."
Okay… I let his weird non-answer go without rolling my eyes.
The conversation shifts into senseless teasing. We get ice cream from one of those artisanal food trucks. His tongue makes such beautiful motions in the frozen treat, lapping it up like it's his favorite thing in the world.
He catches me staring and shakes his head. "You don't have to picture me naked. I'm more than happy to get naked with you."
"I'm sure."
He points to an alley between two stores. "Right there works for me."
"I'm not sure I… not here."
His smile is so damn smug. He presses his hand into my lower back, turning me so that we're headed back to the motorcycle.
"I have to study," I say.
"That's a shame."
He teases me all the way back to the bike. It's a quick ride to my apartment. Then he's walking me to my door.
His hands go to my hips. He pulls my body into his and sinks his lips into mine.
He tastes so good. It feels so good, kissing him, having his body against mine.
I can feel the kiss in my bones. I can feel the affection in his clear blue eyes.
"Goodbye, Meg." He takes a step backwards.
"Goodbye." I wait until he's in the elevator to go inside.
He's gone, but his presence lingers in my mind.
I miss him. I want him in a way I don't quite understand.
Chapter Eleven
Miles and I text about nothing all week. Wednesday, I finish my shift and pull out my phone. A picture message greets me.
It's an STD test. From Miles. He's totally clean.
It's dated Monday. Two days ago. He got tested. For me. For us.