Chapter 8
POPPY
Ispotted Colter’s motorcycle the moment I stepped out of the building. He stood next to it with his arms crossed over his broad chest and a teal helmet dangling from his fingers.
The butterflies I was quickly becoming familiar with swirled in my belly again, and excitement rushed over me.
He dropped his arms to his sides as I raced forward, the sexy smirk I’d only ever seen him aim at me curving his lips. “Hey, baby.”
“Hi.” I couldn’t stop the grin that took over my entire face. “You must’ve been early.”
“Couldn’t wait.” He caught my waist, tugged me close, and kissed me right there on the sidewalk. Many of my coworkers were right behind me, but I quickly forgot about them as I lost myself to Colter’s embrace.
When he finally pulled back, I was dizzy, and my lips tingled.
“Been thinking about doing that all day.”
I grinned up at him. “I’m not going to complain, but it’s only been nine hours since you kissed me senseless when you dropped me off for work. Still, feel free to do it anytime you want.”
Completely unbothered by my babbling yet again, he gave me another quick kiss. “I’m gonna take your mouth a fuck of a lot, baby.”
“Good,” I whispered, my cheeks filling with heat.
“So damn sweet.”
“And you’re so dang hot.”
I hadn’t meant to say that, but I didn’t regret my mouth getting the better of me, again. Not when he murmured, “Glad you think so, baby. ’Cause you’re gonna look even better on the back of my bike.”
I bounced on the balls of my feet. “I really get to ride with you?”
“Yup. That seat’s never had another woman on it, and you’re the only one who ever will be.”
“Oh my gosh,” I breathed, blinking up at him. “I never would’ve guessed you’d say such thoughtful things when we met. But wow, you’re really good at sweet talk.”
He shook his head with a chuckle. “Only for you, baby.”
I glanced at the helmet he was still holding. “And that’s for me? You’re here to pick me up and brought your motorcycle, so I’d need to wear one if I’m riding with you. But did you go out and get that one specifically for me?”
“Of course it’s for you, baby.” He lifted the helmet in question to set it on the top of my head, adjusting the straps so it fit correctly. “Gotta make sure you’re safe while you’re on the back of my bike.”
“Thank you.” I bit my lower lip to stop myself from grinning too much. “I can’t believe you picked out my favorite color.”
“Not gonna buy you one you’d hate.”
I blinked up at him. “But how did you know?”
“You mentioned it at dinner last night.”
His explanation blew my mind. “You remembered that?”
He ran his finger down my cheek and murmured, “I remember everything about you, baby.”
Considering how much I talked, that was saying a lot. But instead of pointing that out to him, I admitted, “I’ve never ridden before, so this will be another first.”
“Want ’em all,” he grunted before reaching for my purse to put it in the saddlebag. Then he climbed on the motorcycle, used his boot to put the kickstand up, and stretched his hand out to me. “C’mon, baby. Swing your leg over to get behind me.”
I did as he said, wrapping my arms around his waist as I scooted closer.
Once he showed me how to balance properly, he started the engine and pulled away from the curb.
I was too busy enjoying the ride to pay much attention to the route he was taking, but I eventually noticed that he passed the turn that would’ve taken us toward my apartment complex.
When he stopped at a red light, I tugged on his sleeve. “Colter?”
“Hmm?”
“You missed the turn.”
He squeezed my hand. “I know.”
My brows drew together. “Where are we going?”
“Home.”
It was only one word, but my brain short-circuited as I tried to figure out whether he meant his home or something deeper.
Judging by everything he’d said to me in the throes of passion, it was the latter.
Which I was kind of banking on since he hadn’t used a condom last night. And I wasn’t on birth control.
But now wasn’t the right time to think about the risks we were taking. Or all of his dirty talk about filling me with his come. Not while I was enjoying my first ride on the back of his motorcycle. So I pushed the thought from my mind and held on a little tighter as the light turned green again.
We pulled into his driveway ten minutes later.
He parked in the garage, killed the engine, and helped me off the bike. Then he followed and took off our helmets, hanging them from the handlebars. “You okay?”
“I am freaking awesome. That was incredible.”
“Good thing you liked it ’cause you’ll be on the back of my bike often.”
“Yay.” I did a little dance, making him chuckle.
“C’mon, baby. Let’s make dinner.”
He grilled steaks on the back patio while I chopped vegetables and tried not to stare at the way his shoulders flexed under his T-shirt.
We ate outside, our bare feet tangled under the table as we chatted.
Well, mostly me because he kept asking questions and listening to everything I had to say, giving me his complete focus.
After dinner, we didn’t bother with dishes.
He scooped me up and carried me straight to the bedroom.
Our clothes disappeared somewhere between the hallway and the bed.
We lost the rest of the night in a slow, sensual blur.
He took me on my back first, slow and deep, whispering how perfect I felt, how he’d never get enough.
Then he flipped me onto my stomach, gripped my hips, and said deliciously dirty things as he drove into me until I was crying out his name.
Later, in the dark, he pulled me on top and let me ride him at my own pace, his hands guiding me while his eyes stayed locked on mine.
We eventually fell asleep tangled together, his heartbeat under my cheek again.
When my eyes blinked open Saturday morning, Colter was already up. He strode into the bedroom with coffee, fruit, toast, and scrambled eggs on a tray. He set it across my lap, climbed in beside me wearing nothing but low-slung sweats, and kissed my temple. “Morning, baby.”
“Good morning.” I sipped the coffee, made exactly how I liked it, and grinned. “You’re going to make it impossible to ever leave this bed.”
“Good.”
We ate in comfortable silence for a while, his hand resting on my thigh under the sheet. Then I set the tray aside and turned to him.
“The only problem with our plan for today is that I need to go back to my place.”
His brows drew together. “Why?”
“Clothes. Toothbrush.” I swept my hand down the length of my body. “Normal human things.”
He shrugged and pulled me against his side. “Wear my stuff. Looks better on you anyway.”
“I guess I could do that while I’m here. But I’ll at least need to go home Sunday night. I can’t wear your stuff to work on Monday.” Heat bloomed in my cheeks. “Unfortunately, you can’t keep me naked in your bed forever.”
“Watch me.”
I laughed, but the sound caught in my throat when he brought my hand to his lips to brush a kiss against my knuckles.
“Fine,” he grumbled. “I’ll take you. But only if you pack enough to stay Sunday night too.”
“Deal.”
We showered, which didn’t save any water at all because we got dirty all over again before washing up. Then we drove to my apartment in his SUV. He followed me inside, watching me like a hawk while I pulled a duffel from the closet.
“Use a bigger bag.”
“I don’t want to overpack.”
“Better to have too much than not enough.” He reached past me to roll my biggest suitcase out of my closet. “I want you with me, baby.”
There was no way to argue when he said sweet stuff like that, so I tossed enough stuff for more than a week into the bag. But I didn’t use any of it except my toiletries until Monday morning. Colter kept me too busy to worry about clothes, as he proved he could keep me in bed for hours on end.