Chapter Two
Lane
The rumble of the machine beneath me as the pavement rolls by inches from my feet isn’t having the calming effect it usually does. The one I had hoped to find when I got on my bike tonight.
Instead, my mind is riddled with all the things that could go wrong for my sister, Alana and her move away from Forge Creek. I can’t help but worry about her going so far all on her own. Thankfully, she’ll be staying with a buddy of mine I served with and whom I trust with her life.
It’s the only reason I didn’t go completely off the rails when she announced she’d taken a job in Coyote Creek. Alana doesn’t have the best track record with steady employment and tends to drift through life. Worry is my middle name when it comes to the last living relative I have.
Guilt is a close second. Our parents died in a car accident when we were young, and our aunt Mary took us in. She was a sweet woman who was our father’s older sister. Things weren’t always easy, but she made room for us in her life.
I joined the army right after high school, and it wasn’t long after Aunt Mary passed from a heart attack.
That left Alana completely alone when she was only a junior in high school.
Having her live with me wasn’t an option because I was being shipped overseas.
Fortunately, a neighbor agreed to be her guardian since she was almost eighteen.
It still kills me I wasn’t able to be here for her back then. That she basically finished raising herself. She tells me it has made me more than a tad overprotective, and it’s part of the reason she’s moving.
Talk about a kick to the nuts.
My baby sister, whom I love dearly, is running away from me. All I want to do is prevent her from being hurt any more than she already has been. To keep her safe.
Is that so wrong?
According to her, it is.
Smothering is the exact word she used.
She says she loves me but needs some space so she doesn’t strangle me. Apparently moving a town or two over wouldn’t have provided enough space. No, she had to go and move several states away.
Thank God for Carter. The universe must’ve taken pity on me with her finding a job in the same town as the only other man I would trust with her safety.
He even ended up having a spare in-law suite for her to rent.
Takes a load off my mind knowing he’ll be there to stand in for me and watch over her.
With him literally owing me his life, I know there are no better hands for her to be in.
Saving his ass after he got knocked unconscious is paying off in spades now.
Not that I wouldn’t have pulled him to safety anyway.
He became my best friend while we were serving together.
Not much will bond people like walking into life-threatening situations on a daily basis.
He’s a good guy. Maybe a tad grumpy, but then I’m told most people are compared to me.
This fiasco with Alana has cast a damper on my otherwise perpetually sunny outlook.
Even with all the shit we’ve been through, both Alana and I are generally happy souls.
We know just how fragile life is. Why would we waste it by being grouchy?
A sharp corner has me leaning with my bike. There’s nothing like the rush of pavement so close to you. The freedom of not having a cage around you as you speed down the highway can’t be beat.
The tension in my shoulders and neck finally ease slightly as I focus on navigating through a series of back road curves. The road straightens and a classic metallic blue Chevy Chevelle is pulled over on the shoulder. I slow to admire the muscle car, taking note of the raised hood as I go by.
But when I see the figure bent over the engine, curves take on a whole new meaning. My dick twitches at the lush ass just barely covered by a short skirt. I downshift to slow further and pull over in front of the vehicle.
The poor woman is probably stranded out here with a temperamental classic. I can’t help but wonder how she came to be driving such a car. If she’s borrowed it from a family member or boyfriend even. It’s definitely not the practical sedan or SUV so many women drive.
Whatever the case may be, I can’t in good conscience leave her out here in the middle of nowhere to fend for herself.
I drop the kickstand of my bike before pulling off my helmet and running a hand through my shaggy hair.
Swinging my leg over to stand, I turn to come face to face with my newest obsession.
Long honey blonde locks hang heavy over her shoulders. Her arms are crossed, barely fitting over an impressive rack, which is a perfect match to the round ass I already admired.
My eyebrow arches at the scowl marring the flawless pale skin of her face. Poor woman probably isn’t in a good mood having broken down out here. I’m positive whoever she borrowed the car from is going to be in for an earful about it.
I close the few feet between us. “Hey there darlin’. Looks like you’re having some trouble. I’d be happy to help you out so you’re not stranded out here alone.”
She snorts indelicately. “Yeah, I’m sure you would, and who said I was having trouble?”
My eyebrows shoot up. “Well, usually an open hood on a car parked alongside the road in the middle of nowhere indicates trouble.”
Her eyes roll. “And let me guess, you just happen to know how to fix whatever it is that’s wrong.”
“I might,” I grunt, a bit taken aback by her sour attitude. Makes me wonder how long she’s been stranded out here. Especially since she’s looking under the hood, giving fixing the car a go. Probably has no clue what she’s looking at.
“And there’s absolutely no way someone with a set of tits like mine could possibly know anything about repairing a vehicle?”
“Well now, I didn’t say that at all.” My lips turn down. I might have fleetingly thought it, but I sure as hell would never say such a thing aloud. I may be male, but I’m not completely stupid when it comes to females, and I absolutely value my family jewels more than that.
She rolls her eyes again. “Didn’t have to. It’s written all over your face. Same as the rest of the male species.” She swings around, slamming the hood on the old car before stomping to the driver’s door and calling over her shoulder, “No assistance needed.”
The car starts with a roar, throwing gravel as she speeds off, leaving me staring after her, jaw hanging open.
What the fuck just happened?
And why the hell is my dick harder than rock?