Ashley couldn’t deny it. He looked hot. She stared at his thick forearms as he gripped the handlebars. His place was definitely on the bike.
She licked her lips as he turned his head to look at her. “Come on, babe, climb on for the ride of your life.”
She couldn’t help but chuckle as he’d certainly given her several rides of her life. Climbing on the back of his bike, she didn’t know where to put her hands.
Phoenix reached for her arms and banded them around his waist.
“That is where they’re meant to go, baby. Always holding me, and don’t you ever forget it.”
Ashley couldn’t help but smile. A thrill rushed through her body and she rested her cheek against his back as she tightened her arms around him. For so long, longer than she thought possible, she had wanted this moment. Even after he rejected her. She had craved this. She avoided him because she had wanted this more than anything. And she was finally getting to live the dream.
****
Riding his bike had lost its appeal. Phoenix had known the moment it happened, the instant he spotted Ashley in a bar five years ago. He thought he’d been doing the right thing in keeping his distance, but that wasn’t true. The last few years had been a constant punishment to him.
The freedom of the road had been more of a trap, and he only just realized it. Since coming back to Ashley, determined to not let his concerns get in the way, he finally felt at peace. With her arms wrapped around his waist, her face pressed against his back, he turned over the ignition and felt his bike growl to life. Again, none of it compared to the feel of Ashley beside him.
He took off, heading to the main town, and then, passing them as fast as he could, heading back to the main road. Phoenix didn’t know if this was the furthest she’d been away from town.
She held on even tighter to him, and he took her through the roads, up the hills, across the valley, and headed toward one of the main towns. He didn’t go riding through, but he came to a stop just outside before turning back. He didn’t go straight home but stopped the bike on the outskirts of the main forest.
“I need you to climb off, baby,” he said.
Ashley slid off the bike and seeing as it was her first time, he was more than prepared to catch her.
“Holy crap, that was amazing,” Ashley said. “I can see why you enjoy … traveling. Riding.”
No, he didn’t. Not anymore.
“When will you be leaving again?” she asked.
He moved his bike to be covered by the thick bushes and he stepped toward her. Cupping her cheeks, he tilted her head back.
“I have no plans to leave,” he said, pressing a kiss to her lips. “Come on.”
“Wait, what? You’re not leaving?” He took her into the forest, past the line of trees, until they were far from prying eyes.
“No, I’m not leaving. Is that a problem?” he asked.
“It’s not. Of course it’s not. The pack is your home as well, it’s just…”
She didn’t finish and he moved her back until she was pressed up against a tree. “It’s just what?” he asked.
“I, er, I’m not sure. Are you wanting to sneak around?”
He slammed his lips down on hers. He hated seeing the doubt within her gaze. She had nothing to doubt, nothing to fear. He fucking craved this woman. Sinking his fingers into her hair, he wrapped it around his fist as he pressed his cock against her body. She released a moan and as she did, he plundered her mouth. His cock was already hard and ready to fuck.
Ashley stroked down his chest, and as if reading his mind, sunk her hand inside his jeans, cupping him.
“Oh, fuck,” he said, growling.
“What do you want, Phoenix?” she asked.
“I don’t want to sneak around. I don’t want to fight. I was a fucking idiot, Ashley. I want it all with you. The bike, the ride, none of it mattered to me. The moment I met you, it lost all appeal. I hated being on the road, hated being away from you. It was nothing but torture, and I don’t want to feel that way again.”
He saw the tears in her eyes as he stared into hers.
“What are you saying?” she asked.