Chapter 6 #2
I take my gloves off and start replacing the tires. A lady came in with two flats and needed them changed. She asked if we could just replace all of them.
With the car already off the ground, I loosen the lug nuts and remove them. I pull the tire off, dropping it on the ground and rolling it to the other side of the room, where I set it against the wall. I pick one of the new tires I had gotten out this morning and roll it over to the car.
After squatting and picking up the tire, I align it and place it on the car. I sit down, catching my breath while slowly putting the lug nuts back on. I hand-tighten the lug nuts before I torque them, making sure they are tight.
For the next hour, I slowly change the other three tires. Gears tells me that this is the last thing I need to do before I am done for the day. I want to get it done quickly, but at the same time, I don’t want to exhaust myself too much.
“You ready to go? Gears told me that you were done,” Bear says as he walks into the shop, heading straight for me.
Picking up my gloves and quickly putting them on, I look over at Bear, only to see his back is facing me. I wonder whether Gears told him to do that.
When I walk over to Bear, I touch his back. He turns around and looks at my hands, then back at my face. He smiles and puts his hand out.
“Come on, let's get going.”
Hesitantly, I place my hand in his, and we start walking.
I don’t know why we need to hold hands, but he did tell me to give him a chance, so that’s what I am going to do, even if it makes me nervous.
I don’t want to give him a chance and have him prove me wrong because no matter what he does, I am always going to see the bad in men. It’s ingrained into my brain.
We make our way through the clubhouse and out the front door. While we walk toward his bike, all the bikers around stop what they are doing and stare. I start to fidget, the weight of their attention making me uncomfortable.
“Mind your own business!” Bear yells at the bikers.
I jump and step back at the volume of his voice. They all look away, but some of them sneak glances every once in a while.
“I’m going to get on, and then you’ll sit behind me. Have you ever ridden on a bike with someone?” he asks.
I shake my head. Excited as well as nervous, I realize that this will be my first time riding a bike.
I have always wanted to ride on one, but I never had any friends.
My ex-boyfriend also wouldn’t let me get close to anyone.
He always tried to keep me locked in the house and make me dependent on him.
The locks were on the outside of the doors, so I couldn’t escape.
He made sure he was the only one with the keys, and I had to ask him to unlock them.
“You’ll put your feet on these pegs. You are going to hold on to my waist, and when I turn, you lean with me. Don’t lean the other way or we will crash,” he quickly tells me the basics.
I nod. He grabs a helmet and puts it on me before getting on the motorcycle. I hesitantly walk toward the bike and swing my leg over. My legs spread, and his hard body presses against my center.
I wrap my arms around his waist and almost pass out. Through his shirt and vest, I can feel his abs. I pull myself against him more and lean my head against his back.
He starts the engine, and the rumble starts immediately.
It doesn’t help my suddenly eager libido and actually makes me more wet for him.
I groan as he starts driving. I try my hardest not to move my hips as we go along.
I don’t want us to crash, and I also don’t want him to know I’m turned on.
These vibrations are shredding the last bit of my self-restraint right now.
It takes us no time to get to the diner. Once he turns off the bike, I hop off and remove the helmet. If I stayed one more second on that bike with him, I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from grinding my hips against him.
“Did you hate the ride that much?” he asks, giving me a small smile.
I shake my head and look away, my cheeks heating. How embarrassing that just a little contact with him has me aching and needy like a dog in heat.
Bear slowly slides off the bike and takes the helmet from me. He places it on the bike before taking my hand. We walk toward the front door of the diner, holding it open for me. Being chivalrous, he places his hand on the small of my back and gives me a little nudge into the diner.
He guides me to an empty booth, where we sit next to each other.
“I thought it would be easier if we sat right next to each other. Me talking, and you typing on my phone. Then I can see what you type. If you want me to sit across you, I can,” Bear offers politely.
I shake my head and try to relax in the booth. He moves the menu so I can also see it.
“The waffles are really delicious. I would recommend those, but anything here is good. I’ve had about everything here,” he says.
I look over the menu. There is steak, waffles, pancakes, and burgers. The waffles do sound amazing, especially the chocolate chip ones. I lift my hand and point toward them.
“You want the chocolate chip waffles?” he asks.
I nod and give him a small smile. So far, it hasn’t been bad; he isn’t like other guys, but it has only been a couple of minutes. He could change at any time.
“Bear! Welcome back. Oh, and who did you bring with you?” an elderly lady says as she steps up to our table.
“Jean, this is Brooke. She works at the club’s garage now. She doesn’t talk, though,” Bear says.
“Nice to meet you, Brooke. I hope you like it here. Those bikers are so sweet once you get to know them. But if you ever need a change of company from the guys, I am always here. A friend of Bear’s is always welcome here.” She smiles sweetly.
Appreciation shines through my eyes as I stare at her.
“Now, what can I get for you guys?” she asks, looking at Bear.
“We both want the chocolate chip waffles,” Bear replies.
“All right, I’ll go place your orders.” She grins and spins away.
As Jean leaves, Bear turns to look at me. His eyes have a little sparkle in them, and I find myself gazing into them.
“You know, I have to tell you something about when we first came here,” he says quietly.
I look at him, confused. What could he need to tell me? Bear leans in toward the side of my face.
“I know the real reason you got off the bike so fast,” he whispers in my ear.