She sniffed, rubbing at her raw and puffy eyes.
“Okay,” she mumbled incoherently.
I climbed onto the bike, then held out my hand to help her on behind me. She took it with great reluctance, and I could see the turmoil swirling in her eyes.
“I’ve never been on a bike other than Sabbath’s,” she confessed.
“Well, Darlin’, there’s a first time for everything,” I replied, pulling her up behind me.
Her petite hands wrapped around my middle, and I had to admit, they felt pretty damn good there.
“Where are we going?” she shouted over my bike roaring to life.
I grinned, unable to contain my smile.
“Wherever the road fucking takes us.”
She let out a little squeal as my bike pulled out of the clubhouse parking lot, her long brown locks kicking in the wind as we barreled down the road to nowhere and everywhere.
Her fingers dug into my stomach, and I felt her face press against me. Lindy never did this. No matter how many times I asked that bitch to ride with me, she always refused.
“Bikes are for dirty men and hookers.”
Yeah, I definitely deserved better.
Just like Shasta deserved everything.
I kept riding until I found my zen place, the same place I would’ve taken Lindy and proposed if she hadn’t gone fucking rich bitch snob on me.
“Woah,” Shasta exclaimed, taking in the beautiful blue water of the vast pond in front of us. There was a duo of swans floating across the lily pad covered waters, and all around us flitted tiny little butterflies. “Where are we?”
I helped her down and smiled. “My mother brought me here when I was younger. It’s my favorite place in the world. Come on, I’ll show you the best spot.”
Grabbing a blanket from my satchel, I took her hand, guiding her over to a secluded grassy knoll, surrounded by pretty rose bushes and lush oak trees.
“I have no words,” she exclaimed, watching as I took the checkered blanket and laid it on the ground. “It’s like we’re the only ones here.”
I laughed. “It’s ‘cause we are.”
“How is that possible?”
“This is my land,” I said with a grin. “I bought it when it went up for sale a few years ago, way before I ever invested my money in the club. I plan to build a house right over there,” I replied, pointing to a vantage point up on the hill.
“It’s so beautiful.” Her voice was filled with awe, and I was glad I could experience this with her. I don’t think Lindy would’ve had the same reaction. She would’ve found something wrong with it, just like she did with me.
“I’m glad you like it. I was planning on proposing to Lindy here, right under that Willow tree.” She followed my finger, frowning when she took in the perfect spot.
“That’s so romantic.” She looked lost in thought, so I sat back on my elbows, resting my body to bask in the sun’s warm rays.
“Did you hear everything Sabbath and I were talking about?” Her break in the silence caught me off guard, especially after what she just said. How could one go from saying something is romantic, to bringing up something that traumatized her?
“No.”
“Oh,” she said, breathing out a sigh of relief. “I would’ve been so mortified if you did.”
Forcing myself to look at her, I took in her sad disposition and wondered why she looked so haunted and broken all at the same time.
“Do you want to talk about it?” My voice may have sounded gruff, but it was only because I hated to see her like this.