Chapter Twelve
Rome
I pulled my bike into Josie’s driveway at seven-fifty and stared at her front porch like an idiot while the engine idled beneath me.
Her house was a small ranch on a quiet street lined with maple trees. Nothing fancy. White siding, black shutters, a flower bed that looked like she tried to keep up with it but mostly lost the battle.
It fit her.
I killed the engine and swung my leg over the bike. The night air had cooled off enough that I threw on my black leather jacket before heading up the walkway. The porch light was already on.
Good.
She was ready.
I knocked once, then waited. A few seconds later, the door opened, and every coherent thought in my head took a smoke break.
Josie stood there looking up at me with a nervous smile. Tight dark jeans hugged every curve she had. Black boots covered her feet, and the red T-shirt she wore fit her like it had been designed specifically to make a man lose his mind.
She was curvy and soft where I was hard. Beautiful in a way that made me want to swear. The shirt showed exactly enough to make me appreciate the rest of her my imagination had to fill in.
Jesus.
I stared for half a second too long.
Josie shifted her weight. “What?”
I shook my head. “Nothing.”
“Liar.”
“You’re pretty.” The words came out rough. Honest.
Her cheeks turned pink. “You clean up okay yourself.”
I smirked. Same shit I always wore. Black from head to toe, but the way Josie looked at me made me feel like I’d put in effort.
I stepped onto the porch and didn’t hesitate. Didn’t overthink it. I slid my hand around her waist and kissed her. Josie made this tiny, surprised sound before melting against me.
God. I liked kissing her way too fucking much.
Her hands landed on my chest, then moved up around my neck. I pulled her closer and enjoyed the feel of her body against me.
The softness of her. The way she sighed against my mouth. The fact that she kissed me back like she meant it.
When I finally pulled away, her eyes stayed closed for a second, then she opened them.
That smile...
I was fucked, because I already knew something I wasn’t ready to say out loud.
I wanted her. Not just tonight. Not just for a party.
I wanted her in my life.
That realization hit me right in my chest.
“You ready to go?” I asked.
She nodded. “Yeah.” Then her expression changed. “Actually...”
I lifted a brow. “What?”
She looked down, then back at me. “I want one more kiss.”
I stared at her, and laughed softly.
I liked that she asked. Liked that shy confidence. Liked that she wanted something and said so.
“Yeah?” I asked.
She nodded, a little embarrassed.
“Aren’t you supposed to make me work for it?”
“No.” That answer came way too fast. Josie laughed.
I closed the space between us again and put my hands on her waist. My lips touched hers, and this one hit different.
It wasn’t tentative, or wondering. We’d already crossed that bridge.
Josie tilted her face up to mine, and I took my time. Her fingers slid into my hair and mine spread across her back.
I kissed her slowly, learning and memorizing.
And for a few minutes it felt like we were the only two people in the world.
Josie smiled against my mouth and I smiled back. Which felt weird since I didn’t smile this much. Definitely not while kissing women.
Eventually, she leaned back, breathing a little harder. “Okay.”
I brushed my thumb over her cheek. “Okay?”
“I’m ready now.”
I grinned. “I can think of something else we could do instead.”
Her eyes widened and then she laughed. A full laugh with her head tipped back, just pure happiness.
And Christ. I loved making her laugh.
“Party first,” she said.
“You’re no fun.”
“I’m tons of fun.”
“We’ll see.”
Her cheeks turned pink. Cute. Dangerously cute.
I took her hand and led her toward the bike.
Josie slowed. “Oh.”
“You okay?”
She nodded. “I’ve just...” She laughed nervously. “I’ve never ridden before.”
I blinked. “Never?”
“Nope.”
“Huh.”
“What?”
“I figured everybody’s ridden at least once.”
“I sell ice cream, Rome.”
“Fair.” I grabbed the spare helmet from the saddlebag.
Josie watched me carefully.
I settled the helmet over her head and adjusted the strap beneath her chin. My fingers brushed her jaw and her eyes lifted to mine.
“You’ll be fine.”
She smiled nervously. “I feel like you’re lying.”
“I’m not.” I tightened the strap gently. “Stay close to me.”
She nodded.
“When I lean, you lean.”
Another nod.
“Don’t fight the bike.”
“I wasn’t planning on fighting the bike.”
“Good.”
I stepped back and then pointed at her. “You’re precious cargo.”
Her expression softened. That slipped out, and I almost took it back, but I didn’t because it was true.
Josie mattered. More than she should this early, but there it was.
I swung onto the bike, but she hesitated. I gave her time. We weren’t in a rush. We would get to the party whenever we did, and that was fine with me. I was just liking being with Josie.
She finally climbed on behind me tentatively. Her hands rested lightly against my sides, and I looked down at them. Then reached back and grabbed her wrists to pull her flush against me.
Josie squeaked.
I smirked. “Hold on tight to me, baby.”
I felt her inhale, then her arms tightened around my waist.
Better. Much better.
I kicked the bike to life, and the engine rumbled beneath us.
Josie jerked, and I couldn’t help but laugh. “You okay?”
“Yep,” she squeaked.
Liar.
I could feel her death grip around me, and I liked it.
I pulled out of her driveway and headed toward Main Street.
We could’ve taken the direct route, but I didn’t.
I took the long way out past the edge of town, past cornfields and open sky. The sun had fully set, leaving streaks of orange fading into purple at the horizon.
Cool air rushed past us and Josie relaxed little by little.
At first she held on because she was scared. Then she held on because she wanted to.
I could tell.
Her cheek rested against my back and her body moved with mine through every curve.
Eventually, I turned onto the dead-end road leading to the clubhouse.
The thumping bass from the music hit us first. The headlights lit up the trees as we rounded the final bend and the clubhouse finally came into view.
There were more motorcycles than parking spaces and people spilled out onto the lawn.
Guys in cuts stood around fire pits, women laughed on the porch, and more music drifted from inside.
I’d been to more parties here than I could count. Got blackout drunk more times than I cared to admit. Fought. Celebrated. Mourned.
This place had seen every version of me.
But tonight? Tonight was different because my focus wasn’t the beer. Or the music. Or my boys giving me shit.
My focus was on the woman holding onto me.
I parked and killed the engine. The sudden quiet rang in my ears and Josie slowly climbed off the bike. I climbed off and watched her closely.
She pulled off the helmet and looked around nervously.
I immediately reached for her hand, and her fingers slid into mine. I squeezed gently. “You good?”
She looked up at me, smiled, and nodded.
“Yeah.”
I could see the nerves. Hell, I could feel them. I stepped closer. “You stay by me.”
She nodded again. “I can do that.”
I believed her.
I also had no intention of letting go of her hand. Not tonight.
Maybe not ever.
I pushed that thought aside.
One thing at a time.
“Let’s go, baby.”