She stared at him, assessing. “What’s the catch?”
“Catch?”
“Yeah, I know nothing in this life comes without some kind of payment.”
“I get the pleasure of your company.”
She was jaded from life. She hated how little trust she had. “Really? You don’t even know me.”
“You’re not used to people liking you, are you?”
“I don’t trust easily. Most of the time, people want something from you.”
“Technically, I do, I want your company, and now I’m asking you to just let me have your company.” He waited to see what she’d do.
“You’ll make sure I get to work?”
“I will.”
She nodded. “Fine.” She walked toward him. “Do you have a helmet?”
“Nope, but don’t worry, sweetheart, you’re going to love this.” He reached for her hair, taking out the band that held it up.
“Hey,” she said as he tugged on the locks.
“You’re not going to want it for long.” He winked at her and then ran his fingers through her hair. “You need to relax and the only way to do that is to feel the wind rushing through you.”
She didn’t want him to touch her but his large hands felt good as they ran through her hair, making her want things she really shouldn’t.
He climbed onto the bike. “Get on, sweetheart.”
She hesitated for a split second, aware of prying eyes watching them.
They think you sleep with their husbands and men. Stop trying to satisfy them and get on the damn bike.
Holding on to Colonel’s shoulders, she straddled his machine. Her thighs on either side of his body.
“You’re going to have to hold on tight, sugar,” he said.
She wrapped her arms around him, letting out a squeal as the bike jerked forward, but he didn’t stop. She held on to him tightly. At first, she closed her eyes, terrified they were going to crash. Little by little, she became aware, heightened, ready for anything. Slowly, she opened her eyes and saw they’d left the town behind. She didn’t know where they were heading. They passed a couple of cars and trucks. He swerved around, overtaking a minivan, and they traveled faster, the speed picking up. Tilting her head back, she gave herself over to the feel of the ride, the pleasure, the rush, the danger. All of it combined and she couldn’t get enough of it. She didn’t want it to stop.
More.
She wanted more.
This was the most amazing feeling she’d ever experienced. The rush of pleasure was a high she’d never encountered.
Colonel came to a stop at a rundown garage. She’d never been there before. Some of the windows were shattered and the sign had given way to rust and age.
Climbing off the bike, she fell down on her ass, gasping.
Colonel chuckled. “Your first ride?”
“Yes.”
He helped her to her feet.
“Does this happen often?”
“Not really, but I’m used to men and women who ride a lot.”
“Oh,” she said.
“Don’t worry about it. Are you feeling steady?” he asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
Well done, Piper, now you look like a child in front of him.
He let her go and she swung her arms in front of her, looking around, trying to think of something funny to say.
“Enjoy the ride?” he asked.
She nodded.
“I don’t get to hear words?”
“You know I enjoyed it. It was a lot of fun.”
He chuckled. “Do I make you nervous?” He stepped up close to her.
Any other man, she’d go on hyper-alert to get away, but with Colonel, she didn’t know why, but she had this overwhelming desire to get as close as possible to him. She stood her ground, waiting. “No.”
“Really.” He cupped her cheek. “Tell me, Piper, how old are you?”
“Why do you want to know?”
“I’m curious about the woman I’m going to fuck.”
His dirty words shocked her and she pulled away with every intention of leaving, but he stopped her with a hand on her wrist.
****
Colonel noticed she pulled away when he got blunt with her. He was only stating a fact as far as he was concerned. She would be in his bed.
“I’d like you to take me home now.”
“You’re nothing like the rumors say, are you?”
She looked away from him, and all he wanted was for her gaze to be on him. Finally, after what felt like a millennium, she looked up and glared. Her shoulders squared as if to do battle.
“I’m not like my mother or sister.”
“What happened to your father?”
“I have no idea where he is.”
“So what was going on with Dave last night?” Just the name rolling off his tongue made him want to commit murder.
“Just because I’m not like my family doesn’t mean others don’t think I am. They try to take what isn’t freely offered. No one would for a second believe I was a virgin.”
The moment she spoke those words, Colonel was determined to be the first and only man between her spread legs. She covered her mouth with her hand as if she’d said something disgusting. “Forget I ever said that.”