19. 19
19
M alice rolled his shoulders and went back to brushing the horse tied in front of him. He didn’t know where she’d found them, but she’d rolled in a patch of burrs and now her coat was covered in them. Brushing them out wasn’t his favorite job, but he’d done a lot worse.
He liked horses and typically enjoyed working with them, whether it was grooming or riding, but today he found it difficult to keep his mind on what he was doing.
It wasn’t her doing but Bonnie kept sneaking into his mind. Thoughts about her taste, how she’d felt in his arms, wondering what she was doing now kept invading, making him glad he wasn’t doing something that took all his focus.
He glanced at his watch, still an hour until lunch time. He would take a break then to take her some of whatever was left in the bunk house for the men to eat and check on her. He’d been relieved when she’d agreed not to go into work this morning, but that relief was short lived when she’d told him this would be the last day, unless something else happened.
Malice understood her need to go back to work, even if he didn’t like her putting herself in danger to do it. At least that was how he saw it. Would she get hurt? He sure as hell hoped not, but who knew what that fuckwad would do next? Had he been the one to destroy her car? He wished again he had a contact in the police department he could get some information from, but it was a useless wish, and he knew it.
The mare twisted around, watching him as he finished brushing the burrs from her coat.
“There you are,” Lurch said, stepping around the corner of the horse barn and catching sight of him.
“Here I am,” Malice replied, stacking his tools together then going to untie the mare before leading her back into her stall. “I’m just finishing this up. What can I do for you?”
“Nothing actually. I’m here to cut you loose for the day.”
Malice didn’t say anything, but looked at his supervisor with one lifted brow and wondered what was up.
“We’ve got things handled around here and I know you talked Bonnie into not going to work today. Go do something with her. Take your bike out, enjoy the day. We haven’t been able to get a club ride in for a while, but I’ll talk to Tuck, and we’ll get something planned soon. In the meantime, though, take advantage of your good fortune and get out of here.” He waved a hand, as if shooing Malice away as he turned and left.
Malice didn’t wait for his president to have second thoughts, but did make sure the mare had grain and water, then put away his grooming tools, then went to see if he could find Bonnie.
The idea of taking her out on his bike sounded great, but was she up for it?
Malice found Bonnie in his cabin, her hair pulled up, a bandana wrapped around it as she cleaned the front room of his cabin, like really deep cleaned. He’d known it needed to be done, but had planned to tackle one room each evening until he’d gotten the place clean. He’d just had other things come up that had been more important. Like her.
“You don’t need to clean this place. It’s my place, I’ll get it clean,” he said after standing in the doorway and watching her for several seconds.
Bonnie jumped, then turned to look at him as she pulled an earbud from one ear.
“You startled me.”
“Sorry, I didn’t realize you hadn’t heard me come in. But you don’t have to clean this place. I’ll get to it, I just haven’t had time.”
“I don’t mind. I needed something to do.” She glanced around then frowned. “What are you doing back so soon. It’s not lunch time yet.”
“Lurch cut me loose for the day. I came to see if you want to go for a ride.”
“A ride?” She frowned. “Where would we go?”
“That’s not the point. It’s the wind in your face and the road in front of you.”
“I take it you’re not talking about the truck?” She still looked confused.
“No, I was thinking more about my bike. Have you ever ridden a motorcycle?”
Surprise lit her face. He was getting to know her expressions and loved this one.
“You have a motorcycle? And you want to take me for a ride?” There was no hiding the excitement in her voice.
“I’d like to, if you’re game.” Malice fought back the urge to grin.
“I’m game.” She looked down at her tank top and shorts. “But I think I need to change. What should I wear?”
“Shorts will work, but it’s still cool out so jeans would be better. Boots with a heel if you have them, and a jacket. Leather is better than denim, but either will work. Also you need to either let your hair down or pull it back low on your neck up like that will hurt under the helmet. I’ll go borrow one from one of the old ladies while you change, then I’ll come back and get you okay?”
She nodded, excitement plain on her face.
Malice left, heading for the main barn, wondering why her excitement made him feel so good, then decided maybe he didn’t want to look too closely at it.