The Shore (22 page)

Ryan saw the bike as soon as she turned into the driveway. It was black, shiny, said Honda on the side and had two seats on it. Beyond that, she knew nothing about it. However, the picture she concocted of Cody in a pair of jeans and a leather jacket riding that bike was driving her a little crazy. The man was already hot, add biker to the equation and he was off the charts.

Just as Ryan opened the car door, Berkley jumped out of the convertible and ran toward the front door. She must have remembered where they were from their doggie play date earlier in the week. Cody opened the door and the dog made her way into the house.

“Hey,” Cody smiled, walking toward her. It had been less than two hours since he saw her last, but he was glad she was back in his company. She looked fantastic in her jeans and t-shirt, and her hair was down again, just how he liked it.

Cody had on a pair of jeans, a plain black t-shirt that stretched across his chest, and a pair of black boots. He looked fucking nummy.

“Hi,” Ryan said, trying not to drool. “Can I put my bag in your house?”

“Yeh, of course.”

But instead of leading her into the house, he took her in his arms and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. She put her hands on his upper arms and kissed him back.

Cody smiled, took her hand and led her inside. She set her things down and made a quick trip to the bathroom before they left.

“You ready?” He asked as she came out of the bathroom.

“Yeh,” she answered. “Cody?”

“Yeh, babe?”

Ryan felt herself blush at his use of “babe,” but really liked it. “I’ve never been on a bike before, so I’m a little nervous. Can we take it easy?”

Cody grinned and took her hand. “Don’t worry. I know I’ve got precious cargo riding with me. I’ll be careful.”

“Precious cargo? Is that all I am to you?” She joked.

Cody liked that things were back to normal. They were talking easily and teasing each other. He could get used to this.

He led her out to the bike. Ryan wasn’t sure how she missed the two silver helmets laying on the seats when she first arrived.

“One sec.” Cody walked into the garage and came back with two leather jackets. “Put this on. It’ll help protect you in case anything happens. Plus, it might be warm out, but once we get going the wind will make it chilly.”

Ryan took the jacket and easily slid it on. It was a little big on her, but it would do.

Cody smirked as he leaned down to give her a kiss. “I kind of like seeing you in my leather.”

Ryan couldn’t help it. Her continued state of arousal every time she was around Cody had made her horny as hell. And the way he looked after he put his own jacket on was driving her insane.

She closed the gap between them, took his jacket in her hands and pulled him to her. Her kiss wasn’t gentle and Cody’s hands immediately went around her waist, pressing his pelvis against hers.

When Cody pulled back, he looked into Ryan’s eyes.

“We either need to get helmets on, or I’m taking you in that house and you won’t see the light of day again until tomorrow. You choose.”

Ryan was breathing heavily as she thought about his words. She wanted him, she knew that. Why she was continuing to fight with herself about the physical aspects of their relationship escaped her. She knew she was falling for him, and she wanted to take that next step.

She squeezed her thighs together, trying to squelch the ache she felt then walked over and picked up a helmet. “Show me how to put this on?”

Cody grinned.

If this is how she wants to play it, that’s fine. But tonight, she’s going to be mine.

He took the helmet from her hand. “You might want to pull your hair into a ponytail. It’ll make it easier.”

Ryan tied her hair into a ponytail at the base of her neck, moving her hair out of the way. As she did that, Cody did his best to think of anything but the hardness of his cock. It was one thing to ride the bike; it was a completely different thing to ride with a raging hard-on. And having Ryan pressed up against his back wasn’t going to help.

He slid his fingers into the helmet and showed her as he explained.

“You want to hold it like this and press against the foam on the sides. Tilt the helmet away from you as you start to put it on, then pull it slightly forward as it goes over your head.”

He removed the helmet and passed it back to her. He showed her again where her hands should go, and Ryan clumsily got the helmet in place. He gave her a second to get used to the weight and feel of it.

Cody smiled. “Good. I’ll take care of the strap.” He walked up to her and secured the strap under her chin.

“Have you ever been horseback riding?” he asked her.

Ryan shrugged her shoulders slightly. “I have, but it’s been a long time.”

“Okay. Remember how they told you to be loose in the hips? Let the horse guide you?”

Ryan nodded.

“It’s kind of the same premise here. You’ll be holding on to me, but you want your body to be loose.”

Ryan nodded again. “Okay.”

“When I go into a turn, put your head over the shoulder of the turn but don’t lean. You want your center of gravity on the middle of the bike. That’ll help me keep control.”

“Okay,” she said again, this time a little more hesitantly.

“Don’t worry, we’ll take it easy,” he winked.

He quickly placed his own helmet on his head and secured it. He swung his leg over the bike and took a seat. The way her body reacted to the sight of him on the bike, not to mention the kiss before, let Ryan know it was going to be a long day. She had a feeling she wouldn’t be able to tell him no tonight.

“Okay, put your hand on my shoulder and step on this peg,” he showed her with his hand. “Then swing your leg over the bike.”

She did as she was told and got herself situated. Her seat was a little higher than his, and she liked it. She was able to see over his head looking forward.

He reached behind himself and took her hands in his. “Hold on to me here, as tight as you want, okay?”

“Okay.”

He started the bike and Ryan could feel the vibrations between her legs.

He’s trying to kill me.

“You ready?” he asked.

“Ready!” she answered excitedly, tightening her hold.

Cody kicked the stand back and the bike began to move. It was a weird feeling sitting behind him. She was anxious about her first ride, but she loved the feel of him between her legs and in her arms.

They maneuvered their way to Highway 12 and headed down Hatteras Island. Once she was comfortable, Ryan began taking in the views. She had driven the road hundreds of times, but it was different this time. Cody was with her, she was on the bike, and there was no car to distract from her view.

Cody could feel Ryan start to relax behind him. It felt good having her on the bike. He hit a straight patch of highway and opened up the throttle. Ryan screamed behind him in excitement and tightened her hold. Cody grinned.

A half hour later they arrived at the end of the island. They had about 10 minutes until the next ferry left, so they paid the fee and rode the bike onto the deck. When Cody turned off the engine, Ryan put her hand on his shoulder, swung her leg off the bike and stood.

Cody got off as well, taking his helmet off as he did. He walked over to Ryan and helped her take the helmet off.

“So?” he asked.

“That was awesome!” she said, her smile reaching from one ear to the other.

“I’m glad,” he answered and pulled her in for a kiss. He set the helmets on the bike and grabbed her hand. “Let’s go get something to drink before we leave the dock.”

“Okay.”

They walked into the galley, got something to drink, and Cody led them toward the front of the ferry. It was a beautiful day. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky and a slight breeze was blowing. They could sit outside while they traveled to the next island.

As they took a seat, Ryan asked, “How long have you been riding?”

“A little over three years, I guess. It was something I’d always wanted to do.” he answered. “After Laura, I decided why not? So I learned how to ride and got myself a bike.”

Ryan nodded. It was nice they could talk about Laura and it didn’t feel weird. She was part of his past, and that was okay.

They felt the ferry begin to move as it made its way from the dock. There weren’t many people on board and everyone had spread out around the boat.

Ryan stood and walked toward the front of the ferry. She looked into the water, not that she could see anything, and watched the spray against the side. The wind felt good on her face.

She felt Cody come up and stand behind her and she leaned back into him. His arms reached around her so his hands were next to hers on the railing.

“Everything okay?” he asked.

“Yes,” she answered without any hesitation.

Cody could hear the smile in her voice. “Good.” He leaned down and kissed her neck.

“If you could have lunch with anyone in the world, who would it be?” Cody asked.

“Where did that come from?” she wondered.

“I was curious, so I thought I’d ask.”

“Okay…” She thought for a moment. “My grandpa. My dad’s dad.”

“How come?”

“He died before I was born so I never got to meet him. I’ve met all of my other grandparents, but never him. I know what my dad and all of his siblings are like, even what my grandma is like, but I’ve always wondered about him.”

Ryan could feel Cody nod behind her.

“How about you?” she asked.

“Hmm…” he said. He took a moment and answered, “You.”

“Out of everyone in the world, you want to have lunch with me?”

He nodded.

“But you’re already having lunch with me.”

“Then I guess I’m getting what I want,” he grinned.

Ryan shook her head and chuckled.

“Are you a cereal or eggs and toast kind of girl?”

“What is this, twenty questions again?”

“I want to be prepared.”

“Prepared?” she asked.

“Yes. Cereal or eggs and toast?”

“Eggs and toast.”

“How do you like your eggs?”

“Are you going to make me breakfast?” she asked.

“Maybe. But only if you tell me how you like your eggs.”

Ryan chuckled again. It was sweet. He wanted to know the little things about her.

“Scrambled, with cheese.”

Cody nodded. “Okay.”

As the ferry pulled into the dock, they made their way back to the bike. Cody handed Ryan her helmet and she put it on. Cody did the same and got on the bike. Ryan swung her leg over and pressed herself tightly against his back.

They made their way down Ocracoke Island, almost to the very end. Cody pulled into a parking lot of a small building.

As they got off the bike, Ryan asked, “Where are we?”

“Lunch,” he said with a smile. “I’m starving!”

Ryan looked again at the building and could see a small screened-in porch. It looked more like a home than a restaurant, but she followed Cody inside anyway.

It was small with about ten tables on the inside and a few on the porch. It was nice out so they opted to sit outside.

Ryan, not a huge fan of seafood, ordered the French dip. Cody ordered the shrimp.

“I take you to one of the best seafood places in the Outer Banks and you order beef?” Cody said, astonished.

“Sorry. I’m not a fan of seafood.”

Cody just looked at her. He couldn’t recall ever meeting anyone who didn’t like seafood.

“Really?”

“Nope. Now, if they pulled a cow out of the ocean,
then
I’d eat seafood,” she grinned.

“Huh.”

When their food arrived, Ryan was certain she had never seen bigger shrimp.

They talked quietly, enjoying their lunch. There was an ease between them now. Not that conversation had been difficult before, but the air had been cleared. Everything had been talked about. There were no more big secrets between the two of them.

“You want to head toward the beach?” Cody asked as they finished their lunch.

“How about we just drive around? It’s been a long time since I’ve been down here.”

Cody nodded. “Okay.”

After paying the check they headed back to the bike. It was only the third time they’d ridden together, but it was as if they had choreographed their mount and dismount perfectly. Ryan wrapped her arms around Cody and smiled.

Cody pulled out of the parking and headed south down the island. The beaches were clean and there was hardly anyone on them. They drove all the way to the end, circling the Ocracoke lighthouse. It was one of the five lighthouses in the Outer Banks, and Ryan had seen them all over the years. She’d only climbed one, the Currituck Lighthouse, but she wasn’t in the mood for climbing today.