Chapter 7
AUbrEY
Isat in my Curriculum & Methods lecture, my notebook open and pen ready, doing my best to focus on the professor's words.
This class was required for my major, and I usually took detailed notes, but today my attention kept drifting.
My phone rested on my lap, screen facing up, and it had been buzzing all morning with texts from Canyon.
Even simple check-ins felt intense coming from him.
Canyon
Thinking about you, sunshine.
I’d always been the girl who stayed on top of assignments and never let anything distract her from her goals, but I was struggling to keep my eyes on the lecture slides because his texts were almost as addictive as his kisses. Which I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about since last night.
“Aubrey?”
Professor Lang’s voice cut through my thoughts. I blinked and sat up straighter, heat rushing to my cheeks. “Yes. Sorry, could you repeat the question?”
A soft giggle came from the girl sitting next to me. When I glanced over, she gave me a knowing look, her eyebrows raised like she could see right through me. I offered her an embarrassed smile before turning back to the front of the room to answer.
I really needed to get it together. Canyon’s texts were throwing me completely off balance. I knew I should put my phone away, but I’d never had someone pursue me like this before, and I was surprised by how much I craved it.
The rest of the day passed in a distracted haze of more lectures that I didn’t fully catch. By the time six o’clock rolled around, I was more excited than nervous as I finished getting ready.
When I heard the rumble of a motorcycle pulling into the parking lot, anticipation coursed through my veins. I put on a pair of sneakers instead of the sandals I’d planned to pair with my jeans and got to the door just as he knocked on it.
“Hey—”
My greeting was swallowed by the press of his mouth against my lips. When I gasped, his tongue slid inside to tangle with mine. He didn’t lift his head again until his kiss left me breathless.
“Ready to go, sunshine?”
“Yeah.”
His hand wrapped around mine, and he led me out his motorcycle. Before getting on, he helped me put on a helmet he pulled from his saddlebag. Then he straddled the bike and gripped my hand to steady me while I climbed on behind him.
“Hold on tight.”
The short ride to a little beach town by the park where we met was incredible.
Between the air whipping past and Canyon’s muscular body nestled between my thighs, I didn’t want it to end.
But my stomach let out a little growl when we walked into a cute little diner I’d never been to before, and I admitted to myself that I needed food since I’d been too distracted to do much more than pick at my lunch.
As soon as we grabbed a booth by the window, the server came over and asked, “What do you want to drink?”
“Hot chocolate please,” I answered at the same time as Canyon murmured,
“Coffee for me.”
With his thigh pressed against mine since he’d slid into the booth next to me instead of across, my cheeks heated. Picking up the menu to cover my embarrassment, I absentmindedly studied it until he returned with our drinks.
“Anything look good?”
“They have corned beef on rye.” Instantly knowing exactly what I’d get, I looked up at him. “I mentioned wanting one of these in one of my texts earlier today.”
Canyon’s mouth curved into a smirk. “That’s why we’re here, sunshine. Best sandwiches around.”
I was tickled pink he’d planned our date around a random comment I’d made. His attention to detail and thoughtfulness impressed me.
The server dropped off our drinks and took our order. As we waited for our food, Canyon took a sip of his coffee. “What are your dreams after you finish college?”
It was a deep question for a dinner date, but I wasn’t surprised he asked. Canyon had made it abundantly clear he wanted to get to know me. He’d encouraged me to talk about myself for nearly all of our first date.
“I’m not entirely sure yet. I know I want to work with kids. That part is easy. But I’m still figuring out the rest.” I traced the rim of my mug with my finger. “Being a teacher is the obvious choice, but I’d like something that feels truly mine, if that makes sense.”
His bright blue eyes were focused completely on me. “You’ll figure it out, sunshine. And when you do, I’ll make room for it.”
This was only our second date, but he spoke about our future so easily, like us being together was already decided.
Maybe it would’ve scared off other women, but his utter certainty only made me fall faster.
A feeling that grew as we ate dinner, stealing bites from each other’s sandwiches as we continued talking.
After we finished, Canyon led me back outside to his motorcycle. “Thought we could take a ride. You up for it?”
I nodded, thrilled that my earlier wish for more time on his bike was coming true so quickly. When the engine rumbled to life, I wrapped my arms around his waist and held on as we pulled onto the road.
The drive was peaceful. Canyon took the quieter roads that wound past old oak trees and charming neighborhoods I’d never really explored.
He seemed to know every street, and the best part was when he zoomed down one of the canopy roads where the massive trees created a sweeping archway over the pavement.
It was incredible, just like the man who was showing it all to me.
I squeezed my arms around him a little tighter as we rode through the quiet night. Canyon treated me with such care, like I already belonged with him. And I loved it.
He pulled up in front of my apartment building and cut the engine.
“Aw,” I grumbled with an exaggerated pout.
“Don’t worry, baby. I’ll take you for more rides,” he promised. “Longer too, once you’re used to it.”
I beamed a smile at him. “Yay, thank you.”
He helped me off the bike, then walked me to my door. The night air felt cooler now, but my skin was still warm from being pressed against his back on the ride home.
When we reached my door, I turned to face him, expecting to say good night. Instead, Canyon stepped in close, one big hand sliding around my waist while the other cupped the back of my neck. Then he took my mouth in a hungry kiss that stole my breath.
His lips were firm and demanding, and I melted into him without thinking. His hand at my waist tightened, pulling me flush against his powerful body. The other stayed at the nape of my neck, holding me exactly where he wanted me.
The kiss turned deeper, and I clutched at his shirt, my fingers gripping the fabric as heat flooded through me.
His palm roamed down my side, gripping my hip, but even as the kiss grew hotter, he stayed in complete control.
Every touch felt deliberate, like he was showing what he could do to me when we took things further.
When he finally pulled away, I was breathing hard. Pressing my fingers to my tingling lips, I murmured, “Wow.”
Canyon rested his forehead against mine, his bright blue eyes dark with desire. “Not gonna come inside tonight. I need to know you’re ready, sunshine. Because once I have you, there’s no going back. Not for either of us.”
His words sent another shiver through me. The promise in them was unmistakable.
As I blinked up at him, he pressed one last kiss to my lips and stepped back, even though I could tell it cost him. “Lock the door behind you.”
I nodded, still dazed as he waited until I was safely inside. As soon as the door clicked shut and I flipped the deadbolt, I leaned back against the hard surface, my heart pounding wildly.
Our first date had been incredible, but he’d managed to top it tonight. I was glowing and completely shaken in a really good way. My whole body felt alive in a way I’d never experienced before, but I wanted to feel this again. Soon.
Every kiss, possessive touch, and word he’d said only pulled me deeper. I was more drawn to Canyon than ever and all too aware that I didn’t want him to hold back much longer.