He urged her closer, and she leaned against his rock hard body. She gripped his forearms to keep from wobbling. In one kiss he’d sucked every thought out of her mind and filled her with a passion she’d never experienced before.
“Wow.”
“You can say that again.” Reefer stepped back, shoved his hands in his pockets, and blew the hair out of his face. “Do you want to get out of here?”
She nodded.
Hand in hand, they hurried past the others still out enjoying the festivities. She ignored the glares from the other women. Old enough to make her own decisions, she let the judgments roll off her back.
When they got to the parking lot, Reefer stopped and eyed his bike. “Did you ride here with someone or do you have a car?”
“I have a car. I can leave it. I want that ride you offered.” She bounced on her toes. Just thinking about her first motorcycle trip and how she was minutes from experiencing the purr of the engine shot a course of adrenaline through her limbs.
“Okay. Let’s go over and let Crowbar know I’m leaving.” He kept hold of her hand.
“Crowbar?” She jogged to keep up with his long strides.
“Yeah, he takes my place if I can’t do my job.” He raised his hand and motioned towards the crowd.
A huge mountain of a man emerged from the people. His beard, bushy and reaching the middle of his chest, hid his face and gave him an intimidating appearance. Reefer squeezed her hand, and she smiled up at him. Not only did she anticipate her very first motorcycle ride, but she was also meeting Reefer’s family.
Ellen is going to flip out when I tell her about this.
“Whattup, Reef?” Crowbar glanced down at Sarah then returned his gaze to Reefer.
“I’m heading out for a while.” Reefer removed a handful of bills from his wallet and handed it over to his friend. “I’ll catch you back at the motel later. Get me a room, huh? Oh, and I’m borrowing your helmet.”
“No prob.” Crowbar nodded and turned to Sarah. “I’m Crowbar, if Reefer hasn’t already told you, which he probably didn’t. Sometimes it’s hard to squeeze two words out of this guy.”
Crowbar held up his fist, and he and Reefer bumped knuckles, a smile on both of their faces. Sarah beamed at the scene. It was exactly how she’d always imagined two brothers to act. In fact, if they ended up throwing their arms around each other, she’d probably scream in delight.
“He doesn’t need to talk. I understand him.” She smiled.
Crowbar coughed and covered his mouth. “Alright, Reef, I’m going back to lose more money at the tables.” He threw his arms around the other man’s shoulders.
Sarah squealed, and the moment Crowbar turned to her, she launched herself at him. Her arms didn’t go around him very far, but she gave him a squeeze. “It’s so nice to meet you, Crowbar.”
He stepped back, ran his hand down his beard, glanced over at Reefer. “She’s a friendly one.” He grinned at Sarah. “Nice to meet you too.”
Sarah barely waited long enough for Crowbar to leave before she turned to Reefer. “Let’s go. I can’t wait to ride.”
He smiled, and although he threw his head back, only a short chuckle escaped. “I don’t think I’ve ever met someone so excited to meet a biker before. Most people back away, or turn around when they see us.”
“I’d never do that. I’ve wanted to join a motorcycle gang since I was a little girl.” She chewed on the inside of her cheek. “I don’t mean I’m going to turn into your stalker or bug you about when I can see you next. No, tonight is for us. I’m not worrying about what happens tomorrow.”
Reefer’s step faltered and he turned to gaze down at her. She dropped Reefer’s hand and hurried over to his bike. “This is yours, right?”
He nodded, and she walked around it, bent over, and inspected every little detail. She stuck out her hand, but stopped herself before she came into contact with the huge piece of metal.
“It’s beautiful, much prettier up close and not moving. I didn’t realize how big it was or how wide. Those chrome things stick out far; it’s amazing that you can reach the ground.” She gazed from his feet to his hips. “Although, you have long legs. No way would I ever be able to hold the machine up.”
“You have a desire to ride one yourself? I thought you were only interested in riding on the back.” Reefer laughed.
She straightened up and planted her hands on her hips. “You know what? I don’t know. I’ve always imagined myself riding behind someone.”
“No kidding.”
She stepped around the bike and stood beside Reefer. “Yeah. Maybe I’d like to try riding on my own someday… Right now, though, I want to ride behind you.”
“Your wish… Where do you want to go?” Reefer removed the helmet off a different bike before returning to his own and throwing his leg over the seat. He pulled the motorcycle straight and kicked the stand up and off the ground. He passed her the helmet.
“Surprise me.” Sarah smiled and slipped the helmet on.
Reefer fired the engine and held his hand out to help her mount the bike. Sarah placed her foot on the footpad and sat on the wide seat. Reefer put his weight down in front of her; she wiggled closer, wrapped her arms around his waist, and laid her head against his back.
The way his chest shook underneath her cheek made her grin with excitement.
She linked her hands together, and Reefer tilted the bike. The rumble from this close up consumed everything. Her heart beat to the rhythm of the putters from the exhaust. The vibration that traveled through the bike seat and onto her bottom showed her exactly how the heavy machine came alive once the engine was started.
Reefer shifted gears smoothly, and she barely felt the movement. The faster he traveled the more it seemed that Sarah floated through the air. She imagined many things about her first ride, but the way the bike weaved, tilted, and turned without a worry of tipping impressed and delighted her.
She lifted her head off Reefer and let the wind whip the ends of her hair. She shook her head and basked in the thought of her hair trailing out behind them.
She unclasped her hands and moved them to Reefer’s sides. With his shirt fisted in both hands, she leaned back and closed her eyes. The events of the day caught up with her, and she wanted nothing more but to escape into this fascinating world Reefer brought with him.
She remembered the saying on the key chain Ellen gave her many months earlier. Without a second thought, she let go of Reefer and stuck her hands out to the sides. With only her legs molded onto the bike, she found her Utopia.
Yes, I want to ride like the wind.
Chapter Four
Reefer glanced in his side mirror and saw Sarah leaned back, ink black hair trailing behind her. Enthrallment with the beautiful woman on the back of his bike had temporarily weakened him, and he kicked himself for letting her think her dreams were coming true. What in the hell did he expect from this ride in the dark?
He’d followed his golden rule to never involve himself with someone outside the biker world since his teen years. Yet this morning, the sight of her peeking out behind that bush with the most orgasmic expression on her face had him forgetting his promise. His bike had taken on a life of its own when it turned around, and he didn’t have the strength to fight it. In an instant, he’d imprinted her face in his head—and there she stayed.
How he got from a simple talk this morning to a smooch session under the moon remained a mystery. He pulled into a park where he knew of a sandy area on the edge of the Columbia River. He’d bet his bike the place didn’t have a soul around either.
He downshifted and turned off the paved road. “Hold on!”
Sarah’s arms came around his waist, and he glanced in the mirror to make sure she’d snapped out of the place she’d disappeared to during the ride. The joy on her face at the mere mention of a motorcycle didn’t compare to how she’d acted on the ride. His pants needed adjusting, and he wasn’t sure he’d be able to swing his leg off the bike without an explosion or seriously damaging his family jewels.
He pulled up to the edge of the riverbank, cut the light, and shut down the bike. He dropped his hand on the gas tank and relaxed his shoulders. If he could resist gazing into one of his mirrors, maybe he’d convince himself that it was his sister, Margarine, who rode behind him.
Sarah’s hands remained wound around him and she laid her cheek on his back again. He groaned deep in his throat. Margarine never snuggled up to him and purred.
“Reefer?”
He closed his eyes and forced shallow breaths past his clenched jaw. “Yeah?”
“I can’t thank you enough. You gave me something I’ve wanted for the longest time.” She squeezed his middle.
She shifted her arms, and Reefer’s eyes flew open. He swiftly inhaled, and he hurried to lay his hands over hers and move them farther up. He doubted if she realized what her hands brushed against, but it sure brought junior to full attention.
What did a person say to that kind of thank you? He didn’t have a clue.
He grunted.
She laughed. “You don’t talk very much.” She patted his thigh. “That’s okay. Somehow I know what you’re thinking. I know you’re going to think I’m crazy, but I know you. Okay, that didn’t come out right. Of course, I’ve never met you before, and this morning is the first time I’ve ever laid eyes on you, but I think fate or Grandfather Earth—whatever you want to call it—brought us together for a reason.”
She moved her arms from around his waist, and he spread his legs wider to stabilize the bike. It was getting dark, and she was shuffling around.
Sarah put her hand on his arm. “Lean that way.”
He tilted to the left, and one of her legs brushed his shoulder. He straightened in shock and almost forced Sarah to go flying off his bike.
What the hell? Did she just stand up?
She grabbed for his shoulders, and he wrapped his arm around her legs. He tilted his head up. Darned if she didn’t smile down on him. Laughter lit up her whole face, and he knew he’d never deny this woman anything she desired in life so long as she gifted him with a view of that beautiful face.
“What are you trying to do?” His legs braced the bike, and his arm stabilized Sarah.
“This is my graceful attempt to sneak around and sit in front of you. Here, hold my hand.” She grasped the hand he gave her and stepped onto the gas tank in front of Reefer.
Facing him, Sarah straddled the bike and hung her legs over his. She threw her arms over his shoulders. His hands itched to explore her body. A few women he’d known in the past thought it a big turn-on to have sex on his bike with him, and if he didn’t know any better, Sarah placed herself in the prime location for something to happen.
“There. Now I can talk with you and see your face.” She placed both hands on each cheek and kissed the tip of his nose.
His hands shook. To hide the way she affected him, he combed his hair back and gazed over her shoulder at the river. He stared off in the direction of the water, unable to see anything but the white caps that rolled in the glow of the moon.
“I’m making you uncomfortable.” She leaned back.
Her hair brushed his arms. A frustrated “humph” came from him. He inhaled through his nose and tried to visualize leaving this small coastal town. Instead of the usual excitement at the prospect of hitting the road, he became aware of the scent of coconut emanating from Sarah’s hair.
“Relax. I only want to talk with you. You don’t even have to say much. You can grunt or nod.” Her hands played with the fabric of his shirt, and every once in a while her hand slipped and she unknowingly skimmed his belly.
“What’s supposed to happen here, Sarah? What do you want of me?” He grabbed both her hands and held them between their bodies—and away from the part of him that screamed for attention.
“I don’t expect anything from you. I told you that back at the reservation tonight. The next few hours, or even only the next ten minutes is for us. I don’t expect a phone call tomorrow, or for you to park your bike outside my apartment. I’m not that kind of person.” Her gaze never left his face.
“If that’s true, you’re different than any woman I’ve ever known.” He squinted.
She flopped back and laid across the tank, her arms spread wide over the handlebars, and giggled. He grinned at her tinkling laughter.
Sweet Jesus, give me strength.
“Oh, Reefer, you have no idea.” She lost the smile on her lips and stared at the stars. “Have you ever been alone and gazed up at the sky?”
He cleared his throat, trying to concentrate on what she was saying and not on the sandy brown skin on her stomach that her shirt didn’t cover. “Yeah.”
“My whole life I’ve searched that same sky. I gazed into darkness, but I connected with something much bigger that let me know I had a place in this world. I learned someone walked the earth beside me, but hadn’t shown himself to me yet.” She sat up. “I believe that person is you.”
He shook his head in denial. “Sarah—”
“No, don’t say it.” She placed her finger on his lips. “Remember, I told you I expect nothing from you. These are my thoughts, the dreams I’m made from.” She tapped her chest with the palm of her hand. “I know this ends tonight, but I want this moment to last me a lifetime.”
“I don’t get involved with someone not from the biker lifestyle, at least not seriously. I’m sorry.” Now that he’d spoken the words, a sense of guilt hit him.
“I figured. I actually know quite a lot about bikers.” She grinned. “Plus, if you shirked your beliefs, I’d think less of you.” She stole a quick kiss. “You, Reefer, are the real deal.”
He let his chin fall to his chest. “You don’t deserve someone that can’t give you everything. You have no idea how much I want you. But, I can’t get involved with you.”
“I have no other way to convince you differently.” She lifted his head. “You’ve given me so much, just by being with me tonight. Letting me ride with you.”
He searched her eyes. She humbled him.
Ever gentle, he pulled her to him and claimed her mouth. He wanted to kiss her slow and long. He wanted to remember every detail. The way her bottom lip was fuller than the upper. Perfect to nibble on.