Chapter Twelve.
“She knows about my surprise? Now I’m extremely curious what you got me. It better not be something gross. The last time you said you got me something, it was roadkill stuffed into a bucket….”
He laughs loudly as the large, faded wooden barn comes into view. “I forgot about that.”
I scowl at him from behind. Maybe I should trip him for revenge.
He opens the back barn doors and steps inside.
“Ben, it was disgusting. It smelled so bad, I almost vomited.”
“We were ten. What else was I supposed to get you?”
“Candy?”
“Well, hopefully this’ll make up for it. Come on.”
I follow behind him, jittery down to the bone from anticipation.
He walks to a workbench behind his red motorcycle that has what must be my present on top of it.
An all-white motorcycle helmet with a pink bow on it.
My mouth drops open in shock. I squeal, unable to contain my excitement and run over to it.
“You’re going to let me ride your motorcycle?
” I squeal excitedly, jumping up and down with the helmet and turning to him for confirmation.
I can’t believe it. I’ve been begging him since we were little kids to ride, but he’s never let me.
Well unless I’m getting sexually assaulted, I guess.
I shake off the thought. No, this moment is too precious to be ruined.
When I first asked him to ride as kids, he said he didn’t want cooties on his tyke bike. Even after I showed him the cootie shot on my hand and gave him one, so we were both protected, he wouldn’t let me.
Then when he got his first automatic motorbike in our teens, he didn’t let me ride with him because he said it was too dangerous. Plus, he said he didn’t want to scare other chicks off because he didn’t want them to think we were dating.
Then finally, when he got his last adult motorbike, I asked one last time and he said no it was too dangerous, point blank. So, then I gave up and haven’t asked since. I got sick of the rejection.
He belly-laughs, watching me jump up and down and dart over to his classic red Ducati. The other motorcycle he saved me with last night isn’t in the barn, but I don’t give it much thought. I’m too excited to ride this one.
“I’m glad you like it.” He crosses his arms and one leg over the other, goosebumps trickling all over his skin from the chilly air and being half wet. I admire the seat of the bike, gliding my fingers over the beautiful black leather as small resistances from friction catch on my skin.
“What changed? Why now?”
Even Tree never rode with him.
Oh my God, I’m going to be his first official backpack.
I don’t know what to do with myself. An ease settles over me, giving my limbs a sort of lightness like I’m walking on air.
“Well, I wasn’t ever allowed to have anyone on the bike because my parents wouldn’t let me.
I obeyed their rules and proved to them I could be a responsible rider all these years.
I’ve shown I can handle a bike on my own just fine and am responsible enough to have someone on my bike if I want to.
Now that I’m eighteen and going off to college, they’ve agreed to let me make my own decisions on the matter. So, I’ve decided you’re my first.”
“Good to know all your past excuses were fake,” I laugh. “But seriously, I’m honored to pop your backpack cherry,” I wink.
He bursts out laughing again. God, his smile is beautiful. That laugh will be the end of me.
I caress more of his bike in awe, the smooth plastic making my insides buzz and start to swing my leg over.
Time to ride.
“Woah, woah, woah. Not so fast, sparkplug.”
Grimacing, I cross my arms in front of me. “Sparkplug? Really? That’s what your dad calls me.”
“Well, you’re jumping the gun here a bit.”
“But you said I could ride with you!”
My inner only child makes its entrance with my pouting. He chuckles and walks behind me. His hands cling onto me, grazing me right under my breasts and lifting up my shirt slightly as he heaves me the rest of the way onto the bike. I forgot how strong he is.
My desire for him heightens at the intimate touch, my whole body tingling. I suck both lips in, hiding my grin.
My feet swing back and forth, making me realize how high up it is when you’re on the back of a bike. It doesn’t seem that high until you’re on it and the seat leans forward a bit to push you into the driver. The leather from the seat’s cold and the shape’s more uncomfortable than I expected.
He takes my brand-new helmet from me and sits it on the workbench.
“Why’d you take my helmet? I’m going to need it on our ride.”
“Because we’re not going on a ride today, Char. It was literally just raining. You never ride in the rain or when the road’s wet. It’s too easy to crash in these conditions. I’m only allowing you to backpack in perfect conditions, so I know you’re safe.”
I pout and slide up the seat as I scootch to the front of the bike, putting my hands on the handlebars. The main seat is much more comfortable.
I understand where he’s coming from, but I’m still disappointed.
“As soon as it’s clear out and the road’s dry, I promise I’ll take you out for a ride. Okay?”
I nod and rub my hands along the sleek bright red plastic of the bike. It’s so smooth and clean; I can’t help it. He watches me intently and then looks me dead in the face, his eyes shifting back to their mischievous aura.
“Man, I wish I was my bike right now,” he says quietly with a smirk.
“Huh?” Then his words hit me. My mouth goes dry, my brain glitching from the direct implication.
He wishes my hands were running over him? I stop and move them to rest on my lap as my breath hitches, my mouth parting slightly as I try to gain my bearings.
He smiles at the realization on my face, licking his lips and flicking his tongue off the bottom one briefly. We lock eyes again but right when he takes a step toward me his dad walks in.
“Ben, I need help moving the last of the equipment out of the barn so we can put up the rest of the tables for food since it’s supposed to start raining again tonight.”
Damn his parents.
“Sure thing, Pop. Be there in a second.”
Koa, realizing I’m here, beams at me and waves.
“Ah, I see you gave sparkplug her new helmet! She must be excited since she’s already on the bike. But you’re not going now, are ya?”
“Nope, too wet out. I know the rules, Dad. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure we’re safe when we do go out, but yes, she is way too excited. I’m probably going to have to pry her off that bike to even go to the party.”
I grin at them both and stick my tongue out at Ben. I love this family so much.
“Careful. Your face might get stuck like that,” Koa chuckles, winking.
I stick my tongue out at him next and cross my eyes. He laughs and slaps his hand on the barn door.
“Alright I’ll be in the west barn waiting on ya. Don’t take too long.”
As soon as he’s gone, a strong hand grips my waist, and another hand lands under my chin pulling me upwards. Ben’s face no longer shows humor, only a longing intensity.
I don’t know if I’m breathless because I forgot to breathe or because of the desire in his smoldering expression. He nips me on the nose with his teeth, making me scrunch it, then dips down, pressing his lips gently on mine, pulling my body as much he can toward his.
My arms lay slack at my sides, my body completely frozen. I don’t know what to do with my arms or my body. I’m in complete shock…and ecstasy. My body’s on absolute fire, a burning desire quickly filling me up for him everywhere.
The world falls silent, my inner soul drawing a blank as I’m all consumed by this moment. I can’t think. All I can do is stay still and let him lead.
He lingers on my lips for a second more before pulling back just enough to exchange glances and then crashes his mouth onto mine more intensely. He’s as breathless as me. I watch him lean into me, eyes closed, his brows furrowing like it’s almost painful.
He’s so handsome and vulnerable. If I could frame that facial expression and look at it forever, I’d be happy. I sling my arms around his waist and wrap his shirt in my fists, embracing him back.
His kisses are so hard it’s like I’m giving him life. Like if I pull back, he’ll fall into a black abyss without air and never resurface until I come for him.
After a few more strong kisses, he loosens his grip and steps away, putting his hands in his back pockets. His v-cut and abs rise and lower in beautiful definition from his panting, like he just ran a few miles, while he stares me down.
“I’m sorry. I just had to. I’ve been wanting to do that for far too long, and I couldn’t wait any longer.” His mouth lays partly open, that expression of want still on his face like he’s about to crash himself into me again.
“I-I-It’s okay,” I stutter just as breathlessly, my brain still empty of everything but him and that kiss.
“I wish I didn’t have my party tonight. I don’t care to spend the rest of the night with anyone but you.”
The flush in my skin sets my temperature to feverish levels, sending the throbbing below into overdrive. I attempt to get off the bike and instead of gracefully landing on my feet, I plummet off the side as my foot gets stuck on who knows what, causing me to land on the concrete.
Oh. My. God. Kill me.
This is so embarrassing. I totally ruined the mood.
He rushes over. “Are you okay?”
I start laughing to play off the embarrassment even though my wrists and hips are killing me from the bruises already there that slammed into the concrete.
“Uh, yeah. I’m fine.”
“I bet that didn’t help your bruises, but I’d say ten outta ten landing for style,” he laughs back, reaching down to help me.
I reach out for him to pull me up but he squats down and picks me up under my knees and arms instead, setting me up straight.
“You could’ve just pulled me up by the wrist, you know,” I say brushing myself off, but totally swooning underneath the surface.
“I didn’t want to hurt you. If I pulled you by your wrist that’d hurt you from… prior injuries,” he says cautiously.
His concern’s so attractive. I’ve never had anyone be this protective or caring over me. Yes, my parents protected and cared for me, but in a different way.
This. This is something entirely unknown to me. It feels more primal. More instinctive.
“Thank you.”
My body moves on its own and wraps my arms around him.
I stand on my tippy toes, nuzzle my nose against his and kiss him again, wanting more.
He reciprocates, wrapping his arms around my waist and presses hard into me.
His body’s as hot as mine. Is he on fire inside too?
It’s like I’ve been lit up from the lightning shooting through me and I’m melting from the heat of it.
He pulls away quicker than I want him to.
Does he not enjoy it? Is he regretting it already?
“Stealing kisses, already huh?” He smirks, smoldering intensely.
“I…I’m sorry,” I reply, feeling foolish.
He nips my nose again with his teeth. “Don’t apologize.
If I had it my way, I’d stay here and kiss you the rest of the day,” he stops talking and kisses me on the cheek.
“Here.” He then grazes my neck with his fingers and rubs his thumb gently along the side before kissing me there, causing molten lava to stir in my core.
“Here.” Lastly, he kisses me on the mouth and bites my lower lip.
“And here.” He pulls away, keeping his palms on my cheeks.
“But I gotta go help Dad in the barn. Plus, you’re supposed to help my mom, remember?
The party will be here before we know it.
Don’t worry though. I’ve got another surprise for you after the party if you’re feeling up to it. ”
He tilts my chin down and kisses my forehead before taking a step back.
“Another surprise? Is this one a dead animal in a bucket?”
“Haha, no, but I think you’ll like it. It’s not as good of a surprise as the bike helmet, but it’s pretty up there if I do say so myself.”
“I mean, your kiss was better than the bike helmet,” I mumble sheepishly. I can’t believe I admitted that. I need a hole to hide in.
“Good to know you’re not just using me for my bike.”
“I’ve known you for years. If that was all I was after then I would be known as a champion of patience, and you know that’s not true.”
“True. True. Alright I’ll catch up with you after a bit, Char.” He winks.
With that, he walks out of the barn, the muscles in his back rippling with each step as he takes off to help his father.
I slap my palms over my mouth and shriek loudly, bouncing on my toes. I can’t believe what’s happening to me right now!
How the hell am I going to get through this party without grabbing him and kissing him every chance I get? How am I going to face his parents? Is he going to tell them about us?
A million questions swirl around now that the shock’s wearing off.
I wish we could run away and spend the night together somewhere and just enjoy each other and figure out what this is.
“Okay, get a grip, Char,” I say out loud, steeling myself. Don’t let your lizard brain control your life right now.
I force myself out of the barn to find Joan and help her set up tables and food, trying but failing to ignore all the lustful thoughts flying through my brain.