Chapter 11 #4
“It’s really no big deal,” he says. “They didn’t have fathers to do their hair for them and the mothers deserved a break. Anyone would’ve done it.”
I shake my head, thinking about my daughter who doesn’t have a man in her life to do her hair for her. “No, Levi, they really wouldn’t. Trust me.”
Levi’s face heats, a dark blush appearing on his cheeks.
I smile gently when he clears his throat, clearly surprised under my admiring gaze.
It’s so rare to meet someone who is so humble.
Someone who doesn’t realize the gravity of what they’re doing for others because they just see it as the right thing to do.
For them, there’s no other way. But to those around them, it could mean everything.
“All right,” I say, giving him an out. “Tell me what to do.”
Levi releases a relieved sigh before stepping up to me and pushing the helmet down on my head.
He lifts the visor so he can look me in the eye for a moment before he tilts my chin up, securing the straps.
With his pointer finger still under my chin, he slips his thumb up to tilt my head down, staring at me with a smile.
He turns and grabs his own helmet, slipping it on and flipping up his own visor. He reaches a hand out towards me and pulls me to him before he leans against the bike.
“All right, quick safety lesson,” he begins.
“You’ll want to have your hands around my waist and make sure that you lean with me on turns.
Whenever we’re coming to a stop, it’ll be easier if you put your hand on the gas tank to brace yourself.
If you bump your helmet into mine, don’t worry, it happens. ”
I nod, taking in everything he’s saying when he gestures down to the bike.
“You want to make sure that you keep your feet on these pegs here, but be careful of the exhaust because it can get rather hot. I won’t speed around cars this time since it’s your first time riding a bike, but for future rides, I’d give your leg a squeeze so you can be ready.
If you want me to stop or slow down or just need my attention, either tap my chest three times or tap my leg. ”
I nod again when he gestures to the helmets.
“I have Bluetooth headsets and intercoms in both of our helmets so we can talk to each other, but it’s better to have something in place in case they disconnect.
Last thing I want is you trying to tell me to slow down or something, but I can’t hear you. Any questions?”
“I don’t think so,” I say as I step closer so I’m standing between his legs. “I’m ready if you are.”
Levi smiles as he pushes himself to stand, towering over me as our bodies press together. I take a small step back so he has room to climb onto his bike before he extends a hand out to me.
“I’ll help you on,” he says as I slip my left hand into his. “Just put your left foot on that peg there and swing your other leg over.”
I do as he says, dropping onto the seat behind him. Making sure my feet are comfortable on the pegs, Levi leans forward and sets his hands on the handles. He turns his head back to look at me and I hear his voice in my helmet as he asks, “You ready?”
I nod and he starts up the bike, and I wrap my arms around his middle, interlacing my fingers together. When he pulls out of the spot, my grip tightens slightly, but being pressed against him in this way settles the nerves that are threatening to erupt.
We cruise through the streets, weaving in and out of cars that are going too slow, but he never goes over the speed limit. I separate my hands and rub my thumb on his chest, and I feel his breath hitch for a moment.
I smile to myself as I continue the movement when he takes his left hand off the handle and straightens slightly, resting his arm against my knee, and I feel the butterflies in my stomach take flight.
If someone had told me a week ago that I’d be riding on the back of a motorcycle with a man that I had been matched with, I would’ve said they were crazy.
I never expected to feel this way this fast, but Levi has made everything so easy, so natural.
I knew I was being slightly irresponsible with it all, leaving my heart wide open for him when I was keeping my own secrets as if nothing would happen.
It was like I was a high school girl in love.
But this freedom, this feeling, was something I wanted to grab with both hands and never let go.
Levi has made me feel more in the week that we’ve been together than I’ve felt in ages.
I’ve felt heard, wanted, and admired. I’ve felt like my feelings were being cared for.
I was comfortable and laughing and happy—genuinely happy—for the first time in a long time.
However, despite all of that, I still find myself hesitating, fighting the urge I feel to go all in.
Because even though all those things, all those feelings, were what I wanted, it still has only been a week—and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, a lot can change in a short amount of time.
Who knows what tomorrow or the next day will bring?
Who is to say that this feeling will last?
No matter how much I may want to succumb to this, may want to throw caution to the wind and fully enjoy myself for the first time in years, I can’t—I have to protect my heart at all costs.
And yet, part of me feels like this was inevitable, us coming together. That it wouldn’t have mattered what was going on in my life, he would’ve walked into it and turned my world upside down. So, who am I to fight that?
Maybe I’m starting to believe in fate, after all.