“A motorcycle?For me?”Joy’s eyes widened.Then they turned glassy.
Shit, was she going to cry?Joy never cried.
“You hate it?”Dane’s stomach cramped.“I told Walker you might not want one after what happened to your mom…”
“No.It’s…perfect.”She smiled, something he’d only seen when she was playing with Arden lately.“You know Mom and Angus would never let me have my own.Those times when you guys would take me somewhere our parents couldn’t see and let me ride were some of my favorites.I felt so…liberated.”
Dane nodded.“We want you to know that you’re free now.Even if you’re staying with us for the moment.You’re your own person and make your own decisions these days.We never intend to take that away from you.”
Joy’s breathing hitched.
“No one has ever done something this thoughtful for me before.”She sniffled.“I can really just go.Whenever I want?”
Dane tried not to panic at that thought.He had to mean what he said.Keeping Joy like a caged bird wasn’t what any of them wanted.Look where that had gotten them so far.
“Of course.”Walker leaned in then, taking her hand and toying with her fingers.“We would never try to own you, Joy.If you choose to stay here, with us, Dane and I will be happy.We’re certainly not kicking you out.But it’s always up to you.You can do anything, be anything.We’ll help you get wherever you need to go.I hope you realize that, at least.”
Joy hesitated, then nodded.“Thank you.In that case, will you watch Arden a little longer so I can take this out for a test drive?”
“Take all day if you like.”Amber stared dreamily at Arden as she sang softly to the still-sleeping baby.
Trevon, Quinn, and Wren followed the three of them as Joy walked the bike out of the shop and a little way down the driveway to, hopefully, avoid waking Arden.She climbed on and started the bike like a pro.
From the sidelines, Trevon whistled.“There’s nothing sexier than a woman who knows how to ride.”
“It’s been a while.”Joy bit her lip as she zipped up her leather jacket and picked up the helmet they’d bought for her.“What if I’m too rusty?”
Quinn grinned at her, some of his mischievous side peeking out.“It’s one of those things you never forget, like swimming or fucking.”
Instead of being embarrassed or horrified, Joy laughed.Dane could have hugged the guy.They were watching Joy blossom right in front of them.For the first time, he realized how much more beautiful she was when she felt confident and secure in her place.Stunning.So damn attractive his dick ached.
Nothing could have shocked Dane more than when she turned to him, beaming, and asked, “Want to come with me?”
“Hell yes,” he answered before he could think better of it.
Walker glared at him, probably equal parts jealous and wary that Dane would fuck up their plan.But she’d asked and he’d answered honestly.In the past, he’d tried to control the situation or let Walker do it, and where had that gotten them?
Nowhere.From then on, he was simply going to live in the moment and see what happened.
“Well, hop on then.”Joy held the bike and scooted forward just a bit to make room for him.
“Don’t hate me.I’m weak,” he muttered to Walker.
“Fuck you,” Walker grumbled as Dane crossed to Joy’s bike and threw his leg over it.
He wrapped his arms around her waist, not because his balance required the hold but because it was the perfect excuse to do what he’d wanted to for seven excruciatingly long days now.
Nah, more like years.
Dane pulled her close to his chest and squeezed her before letting her settle into place as she checked the dials and tested the brakes.
“Ready?”she asked, her voice slightly raspier than usual.
“So ready,” he said.
She grinned, then revved the engine before putting it into gear and taking off as smoothly as if she’d done it the day before instead of in ancient history.
Joy was cautious, yet sure of herself and her abilities.She trusted the machine they’d chosen and tailored especially for her.If nothing else, Dane was positive he and Walker were good at what they did.They’d never have hacked it at Hot Rides otherwise, and working in the shop had honed their talents even further.
“Hang on,” she cautioned him, so he did, imagining he might never let her go again.