Chapter 3 #2
Evelyn felt a rush of warmth at Jo’s words, grateful for her intervention. But Jasmine didn’t look entirely convinced. “Okay,” she said, her tone skeptical, but she looked at Evelyn. “At least come and say goodbye to Sophie and Brooke. They are leaving soon.”
“Okay, I will,” Evelyn said. “I’ll only be another few minutes.”
“Okay,” Jasmine said with one last pointed look at Jo and then made her way back through the crowd.
Evelyn found herself standing at a crossroads.
On one side was the familiar, safe path she had always walked.
The path of caution and careful consideration.
On the other was Jo, representing everything unknown and exhilarating, a chance to step outside her comfort zone and try something she only imagined.
Jo’s hand found hers, their fingers intertwining.
The move felt as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “You okay?” she asked.
Evelyn took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on her. She was acutely aware of Jo’s closeness, of the electricity that seemed to crackle between them.
Mica’s words echoed in her mind. “…taking the birthday girl home.” She felt a surge of desire so strong, it almost overwhelmed her.
But there was fear too, a nagging voice in the back of her mind warning her to be careful, to protect her heart.
Jo was clearly experienced, very confident, and everything Evelyn wasn’t.
What if this is just another conquest for her?
she wondered. What if I’m setting myself up for heartbreak?
As if sensing her internal struggle, Jo squeezed her hand gently. “Hey,” she said, her voice low so only Evelyn could hear. “We don’t have to do anything you’re not comfortable with. We can keep dancing, or you can go home with your friends. No pressure.”
Evelyn’s heart swelled at Jo’s words. She looked into her warm brown eyes, seeing nothing but sincerity and a hint of vulnerability that surprised her.
In that moment, she realized that maybe she was wrong.
Maybe Jo was as unsure as she was. The realization gave Evelyn a burst of courage and she squeezed Jo’s hand.
“I don’t want to go home,” she said softly. “Not yet, anyway.”
Jo’s answering smile was radiant, lighting up her handsome face. “Yeah?” she said, a hint of excitement in her voice. “What do you want to do?”
Biting her lip, Evelyn’s heart raced as she contemplated her next words.
She knew she stood on the edge of something important, something that could change everything.
But for once in her life, she didn’t want to overthink it.
She didn’t want to play it safe. “I want...” she started, her voice barely above a whisper.
“I want to see where this goes. With you.” The words hung in the air between them.
Jo’s eyes darkened, her gaze dropping to Evelyn’s lips for a moment before meeting her eyes again. “Are you sure?” she asked, her voice husky.
Nodding, Evelyn surprised herself with her certainty. “I’m sure,” she said, her voice stronger now. “I want this.” She quickly stood. “Let me go tell my friends goodnight.” Her heart raced at what she was about to say next. “I’ll be right back.”
Still feeling a little thrown off balance, Jo watched Evelyn make her way through the crowded bar.
The night had taken an unexpected turn, and for once in her life, Jo found herself at a loss.
She was excited, but also nervous in a way she had never experienced before.
For some reason, Evelyn didn’t feel like any other conquest.
“Incredible.” Mica’s voice cut through Jo’s thoughts. “Look who’s actually looking nervous. I never thought I’d see the day.”
Snorting a laugh, Jo tried to maintain her usual cool demeanor. “I’m not nervous,” she said, but the words sounded hollow even to her own ears.
Mica raised an eyebrow. “Nice try. Come on, Jo,” she said. “I’ve known you for years. You’re practically vibrating with tension.”
With a sigh, Jo ran a hand through her hair. “I don’t know. It’s different somehow,” she said. “She’s not like the others.”
“No kidding,” Mica said, her tone softening. “I’ve never seen you look at anyone the way you look at her. It’s kind of adorable, actually.”
Jo felt her cheeks heat up, an unfamiliar sensation.
She was used to being the one in control, the one who made others blush and stammer.
Yet, as Evelyn approached, looking slightly flushed and more beautiful than ever, Jo took a deep breath, reminding herself of who she was.
I am Jo Fuller, mechanic extraordinaire and legendary heartbreaker , she thought. I can handle this .
“Hi,” Evelyn said softly, her eyes meeting Jo’s with a mixture of shyness and desire that made Jo’s heart skip a beat.
“Hi,” Jo replied. “Everything okay with your sister and your friends?”
Evelyn nodded. “Yeah, they’re heading out,” she said. “I told them not to worry about me.”
The implication hung in the air between them. Jo swallowed hard, feeling a surge of attraction but also an unfamiliar flutter in her stomach that felt a little too much like nerves. “So,” Jo said. “What do you want to do now?”
“I’m not sure,” Evelyn said, biting her lip, a small action that sent a jolt of electricity through Jo’s body. “What did you have in mind?” Hesitating for a moment, Jo was torn between her usual bold approach and a newfound desire to take things slow.
Finally, she made a decision. “How about we go for a ride?” she suggested, her usual confident smile returning. “I’ve got my bike outside. We could get some fresh air, maybe find a quiet spot to talk.”
Evelyn’s eyes lit up at the suggestion. “I’ve never been on a motorcycle before,” she confessed, and Jo’s smile widened.
“Well then, you’re in for a treat,” she said.
“Come on, I’ll show you the ropes.” As they made their way out of the bar, Jo caught Mica’s eye.
Her friend gave her a thumbs up and mouthed, “Good luck,” causing Jo to give her head a small shake.
Mica was simply being Mica, but tonight it felt like a little too much.
The cool night air hit them as they stepped outside, a welcome relief from the stuffy heat of the bar. Jo led Evelyn to her motorcycle, a sleek black machine that gleamed under the streetlights.
“She’s beautiful,” Evelyn breathed, running a hand along the smooth leather seat.
Feeling a swell of pride, Jo looked at the bike.
“Thanks,” she said. “I’ve had her for years, keep her in top shape myself.
” As Jo handed Evelyn a spare helmet, their fingers brushed, making Jo feel a pull of attraction low in her body.
She took a deep breath, trying to focus on the task at hand.
“All right. It might be cold, so wear my jacket.” Accepting the offer, Evelyn slipped on the black leather.
It was too big for her, but somehow made the woman look even sexier.
The woman pulled the jacket tighter around her, clearly loving the warmth. “Thank you,” Evelyn said, pulling up the zipper.
The urge to kiss her was strong, but Jo forced herself to relax. “Hold on tight to me, okay?” she said as she slipped a leg over the bike. “And lean when I lean. Think you can handle that?”
With a determined look in her eyes, Evelyn nodded. “I think I can manage.”
Jo felt Evelyn climb on behind her. As Evelyn’s arms wrapped around her waist, Jo had to suppress a shiver.
This is going to be an interesting ride , she thought.
If that’s all it takes to get me going. As the engine roared to life, Jo felt Evelyn’s grip tighten slightly.
With a grin, she eased the bike out of the parking lot and onto the open road.
As they rode through the quiet streets, Jo felt the warmth of Evelyn’s chest pressed against her back and the way Evelyn’s thighs gripped her hips made a heat start to build in her body.
I could take her straight to my place, she thought.
Like I would normally do. For a reason she couldn’t quite understand, that wasn’t what she was ready to do.
Trying not to overthink it, instead Jo took them on a winding route through the city, enjoying the way Evelyn gasped and laughed as they leaned into curves.
Finally, she pulled into a small, secluded parking lot overlooking the city lights.
After they dismounted and Jo put down the kickstand, she couldn’t help but notice the way Evelyn’s eyes shone with exhilaration, her cheeks flushed from the ride.
“That was amazing,” Evelyn said, her voice filled with awe. “I’ve never felt anything like it.”
Grinning, Jo leaned against her seat, her legs slightly apart to keep the bike steady. “Glad you enjoyed it,” she said. “Nothing quite like the freedom of the open road.”
For a moment, Evelyn hesitated, her eyes locked on Jo’s before she stepped between Jo’s legs to get much closer.
“Thank you for sharing that with me,” she said softly.
The air between them seemed to crackle with chemistry.
Moving on instinct, Jo dipped her head, and before she could second-guess herself, her lips were on Evelyn’s, soft and tentative at first, then harder as Evelyn responded eagerly.
Jo’s hands found Evelyn’s waist, pulling her tighter against her.
Evelyn’s fingers grasped Jo’s shirt, making Jo groan deep in her throat.
Evelyn’s mouth was everything Jo had imagined, sweet and passionate, tender and fiery all at once.
As they broke apart, both breathless, Jo rested her forehead against Evelyn’s. Her mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Desire, excitement, and an unfamiliar sense of vulnerability that both thrilled and terrified her. “Wow,” Evelyn whispered, her eyes still closed, and Jo chuckled softly.
“Yeah, wow is right,” she said, and as Evelyn’s eyes fluttered open, Jo found herself lost in their depths.
She wanted nothing more than to take Evelyn home, to explore every inch of her, to lose herself in the passion that simmered between them.
But something held her back. A nagging voice in the back of her mind reminded her of all the times she had done this before.
Of how many times she had taken a woman home, enjoyed a night of passion, and then moved on without a second thought.
But does Evelyn deserve more than that? she wondered and then grit her teeth.
She didn’t know what had gotten into her.
I need to stop worrying about everything and go with the flow.
This is for one night and one night only.
As if to prove it to herself, she pulled Evelyn tighter against her and kissed her again.