14. Valerie
“Ithink I am going to explode,” I murmur, never having eaten as much food in my entire life. Truth be told, I was full after the milkshake, and given I haven”t had dairy in forever, I wonder if I will regret that decision later.
“You haven’t even touched your burger,” AJ says, looking at me as though I am crazy.
“It was delicious. But it was huge.” I look at the half-eaten monster burger on the plate. He finished off his meal about ten minutes ago. I have never seen a man eat so fast, so I am guessing I wasn’t the only one who was hungry.
“Too much for you, love?” Betty says, coming to our table.
“It was, but it was amazing!” I say to her as she chuckles.
“Told you,” AJ says as he stands, and Betty clears the table. I grab my bag and scurry to find my purse to grab some cash, but I am too slow as he throws a few bills down. “Don’t even think about it,” he warns.
“I’ll get the next one,” I say, slipping out of the booth, catching a small scowl on his face at my comment. I raise my eyebrow in question.
“Never going to happen.” I chuckle at his chivalry.
“Let’s go.” Grabbing my hand, he pulls me along with him. “See you next time, Betty.”
“Thanks, Betty,” I chime in as we walk out of the diner.
“See you soon,” she says, getting back to work.
“I better get you home, Cinderella,” he says as he lifts the helmet and jacket for me again.
“I feel like a pumpkin already.” I seriously feel like I gained at least five pounds.
“You look as sexy as sin, sweetheart.” He brushes the hair from my face, and the air leaves my lungs for a moment.
“I bet you say that to all the girls who jump on the back of your bike,” I tease, smiling up at him.
“Never had any women on my bike before.” My grin falters a little at his seriousness.
“Never?” I ask, astounded.
“Nope. Never. You’re the first.” There is a soft breeze that skirts across my shoulders, and I shiver.
“Here,” he says, draping his jacket over me again. My heart is beating a million miles an hour as he stands close, dressing me as my mind remains stuck on the fact that a man like AJ has never had a woman on his bike. Except for me.
“If they haven’t been on your bike, then how do you take girls on dates?” I ask. Maybe he has another car or something. My breathing is shallow as I wait for his answer.
“I don’t go on dates.” I start to smile at his response when he looks at me.
“We just had a date,” I say, grinning at him.
“We just had burgers,” he confirms, not entertaining my teasing.
“I think you might like me, AJ…” I smile wider. This is so unlike me, but I find him so easy to be around, and I enjoy teasing this big, grumpy man. He looks at me like he is trying to decide what to say.
“Looks like that feeling might go both ways, sweetheart,” he says with narrowed eyes and the slightest tilt of his head, like he doesn’t know what to do with me. “Where’s home?” he asks quickly, steering the conversation away from us.
“Harborside. The high-rise at the…” But he doesn’t let me finish.
“I know it. Here.” He puts on my helmet, tying the strap before he gets on the bike and holds out his hand to me. Butterflies dance in my stomach as the impact of being the only woman AJ has ever had on his bike settles in my mind, and I throw my leg over and snuggle into his back. As he kicks the bike into gear, we zoom down the street, and I hang on for dear life. Sparks fly up my leg as his large, warm hand rests on my knee, and I lean in closer. I never want this date to end.
All too soon, we pull up at my high-rise and he parks the bike at the curb, switching off the engine. The loud rumble is unfamiliar in these posh city streets.
“Miss Van Cleef, is everything alright?” Victor asks from the front of the apartment building, rushing out at hearing the noise as I lift the helmet from my head.
“Hi, Victor, yes, everything is fine. This is my friend, AJ. Please let him up anytime he is here,” I tell him. That offer only extends to my friends. Even my father can’t come into my apartment without Victor calling me first. I look at AJ, and his eyebrows rise.
“You sure about that, sweet thing?” he murmurs, looking at me curiously.
“No, but it could be interesting,” I say with a smile. “Here is your jacket.” I start to grab at the collar.
“I’ve got it.” Stepping forward right into my space, he grabs the zipper. He lowers it slowly, like he is opening a gift, and I watch him as his eyes look over every inch of me. My breathing is rapid, and I can feel a light sheen of sweat across my bare skin as AJ pulls the zipper all the way down, then takes the jacket from my shoulders and throws it onto the bike behind me.
“Thank you,” I say breathily. I don’t move and neither does he. We stand close, his eyes searching mine, almost calling to me. I lose my senses for a minute.
“You have a pretty mouth,” he says, his deep voice hitting me right in my core and giving me goosebumps.
“Are you asking if you can kiss me, big guy?” My lips curve into a smile.
“Maybe I am.” His answer has my teasing smile almost faltering as my heart races. I didn’t expect him to agree with me, but now that he has, my eyes flick to his, and I see the heat swirling there.
“Then I say yes.” Leaning forward, I look up at him, and my body moves before I even know what is happening. He grabs me around the neck and pulls me straight to him, our lips smashing together in a kiss that makes me whimper.
He is eager, possessive, his hold firm like he knows exactly what he wants and will not stop until he gets it. My body turns liquid in his hold, my limbs vibrating in need, so I wrap my hands around his middle, as his large hands cup my jaw, keeping each other close. I don’t think I have ever kissed a man like this, so hungrily. I part my lips a little more and his tongue dives in, the sensation pulling a moan from my chest and a groan from his. I am lost, not strong enough to stop this, because I am enjoying kissing him way too much. Pulling back slightly, I whisper against his lips.
“I want more. We should go upstairs, for privacy.” But like I can’t be stopped, I keep kissing him as needily. My nerves tingle a little at this new confidence of mine, but the way his hands hold me is unlike anything I have experienced before, and I want more. I hear a throat clear, and AJ pulls away, growling.
“Ahhh, are you sure you are okay, Miss Van Cleef?” Victor says again. Pulling back, I notice AJ giving him the evil eye, and Victor balks a little. I move my hand to rest on AJ’s chest, and I feel him relax under my touch.
“Thanks, Victor, I’m still fine,” I say, not looking at him as he steps back, sliding inside the glass door before I giggle.
“Are you laughing?” AJ’s eyes thin at me in mock anger.
“You were growling at him,” I say, my grin now wide.
“I don’t like being interrupted.”
“We can go inside?” I suggest again and hold my breath. I have never had any men in my apartment. My dating history is so bad that I usually book hotels, never wanting to get personal enough to invite them into my space. But one burger with AJ and I am ready to give him a key. I see AJ’s jaw clench and disappointment fills me.
“I can’t. I have a fight next week. I don’t fuck before I fight,” he says, and my eyes widen. Even as my thighs clench.
“Oh. Seriously?” I ask, because I am not sure if he is joking or not.
“Seriously.” He nods.
“How long do you, um… you know, train for?” I ask, intrigued.
“Too fucking long, and right now, I am finding it really hard to reject your offer,” he mumbles, and I smile as he moves his thumb and brushes it across my lower lip. Before we can say anything else, his cell rings. I watch him look up at the sky in frustration. “Fuck.”
“It’s fine. Get it. We are one for one now. I have Victor’s interruptions, and you have your phone.” I laugh, trying not to act like a loved-up schoolgirl, but that is exactly how I am feeling.
He pulls out his cell, and I see him stiffen.
“This is AJ,” he answers abruptly. I turn slightly, trying to give him some privacy, but his hand lands on my waist, keeping me close, like he is scared I will walk away from him.
“AJ. I’m in trouble. I need you to come and bail me out.” I hear the voice on the other end, and it sounds serious.
“What happened?” he barks out, and my brow furrows, but he won’t meet my eye.
“They picked me up for robbery. I’m downtown,” the other person says. I take in a breath because whoever it is sounds young.
“Fucking robbery? Levi!” AJ shouts, running a hand down his face. “I’ll be there in twenty. Behave until I get there.” Looking down at me, he releases a heavy breath. “I’ve got to go.”
“Is everything alright?” I ask, concerned, and he shakes his head. I feel him pulling away, both physically and emotionally. Whatever moment we had tonight is now over. His hand that was on my waist drops, leaving me cold.
“Everything is fine, sweetheart. I just need to go and get my young training partner out of some trouble,” he tells me as he packs away the jacket and helmet.
“Can I help?” I ask, stepping toward him.
“No,” he says sharply, and I stop abruptly. “Look. You should go upstairs. I’ve got to run.” Sitting on his bike, he starts it up, and before I know it, he has kicked up the stand and is roaring away without saying another word.