“You’re hilarious.” I put my thoughts of Winnie to bed and will myself to get to work. Once I’m in the zone, things go smoothly. I lose myself in my work, as always, trying to get the bike back in working order. I look at the clock and find that three hours have passed.
“Shit,” I say, standing upright to stretch my back. I set the wrench down and grab my jacket. I need a cup of coffee before Sugar Buns closes. I step outside, gazing at the messages I’ve missed on my phone, and when I finally look up I see a mass of bright blonde hair up ahead.
It can’t be, I think to myself. I quicken my pace, and upon closer look, I’m certain it’s Winnie. No other woman in town has a body like that. My mind flashes back to our night together, and I will myself to remain calm. I don’t know what the gorgeous blonde was doing in the bar that night, but now I know for certain it wasn’t just for a drink. Girls like that don’t frequent joints like the one we met in. If they did, I would’ve seen her before then.
I’m a few feet behind her when she turns into Sugar Buns. What are the odds? I think to myself. My heart’s racing faster than it should be. The last time I felt like this, it ended in pure heartache, which is why I like to keep a safe distance with women—I always choose the unattainable ones, and it appears Winnie is no exception.
Inside, I’m hit with the delicious smell of Charlie’s sticky buns. That woman could probably create world peace by offering both sides one of those gooey, sugary treats. Winnie heads up to the counter and places her order. I stay back, but all I want to do is wrap my arms around her waist and pull her up against me. After she orders, she turns around and almost runs smack dab into me.
Her eyes widen, and a big smile spreads across her full, sumptuous lips. “Jase? What are you doing here?”
“My shop’s a few blocks away.”
“Your shop?”
“Yeah, I own Thunder Cycle.”
“Cool,” she says, “that explains the motorcycle.” Her aqua eyes flicker to the floor as she tucks a strand of her silky hair behind her ear. I stiffen immediately, recalling how delicious her skin smells, tastes. Damn, this woman’s got a hold on me.
“What’s going on?” I’ve never been good at small talk. This is no exception.
“Nothing,” she says, but the sadness in her eyes tells me otherwise. I take a step toward her, tilting my head and hoping she’ll meet my eyes.
“Winnie?”
When she finally looks at me, her eyes are filled with tears. “Everything, Jase. Everything is happening to me.”
“Want to talk about it?”
At first, she shakes her head but then immediately begins nodding. It’s the cutest thing how she tries to fight her own feelings. I can totally relate. “Yeah, actually, that’d be nice.”
“Let’s go for a ride first? I always find that when my thoughts are racing, there’s nothing like a good ride and a few moments out in the woods.” I shrug, realizing I may sound like a hippie and not a biker. “You know, just to clear my head—”
“That sounds great,” she says, cutting me off.
It’s amazing how natural it feels to have Winnie behind me, clutching my waist as we wind through the backroads. When she presses her cheek against the back of my jacket, it’s like we’re meant to be. As much as I want to deny it, I can’t keep telling myself that I only wanted to have sex with her. Winnie’s the kind of woman that doesn’t come along all the time. It doesn’t matter that I’ve only known her a short time; when you know, you know.
I maneuver the bike down a trail that leads to a private, rushing creek. I turn off the motor, the vibrations still reverberating through my body.
“Wow,” she says, “this place is gorgeous.”
“It is.” I hold the bike steady for her, and she gets off, then brushes her wind-blown hair down. She looks so adorable with her messy hair; I just want to grab her and kiss her. I climb off and lead her closer to the water.
“This is my thinking log,” I say and squat over the large log. I tap the spot next to me. Winnie smiles and sits close.
“Jase, I slept with you because I was trying to prove to myself that I was more than just what everyone thinks I should be.” The words tumble quickly from her lips.
“I’m flattered?” I tease. “Yikes.”
“Stop.” She gently slaps my arm. “But things have gotten even more complicated since…our night.” Those aqua eyes send shivers down my spine, crystal clear, like no blue I’ve ever seen. “My father wants me to marry this total dick wad.”
My fists ball at my sides. “You’re getting married?”
My tone must give away my anger because Winnie’s head snaps in my direction. “No, I’m not.” She sighs, wringing her hands between her parted legs. “My father’s going to cut me off because I refuse to give in to this arrangement he’s made.”
“What is this, the eighteen hundreds?”
“That’s what I thought. I’m a modern fucking woman with goals and a life of my own to lead.”