Chapter 14
Tori
“Wake up, sleepyhead,” Hunter says, nuzzling my neck and pulling me into his embrace.
Since our talk, things have been going great with the guys.
Hunter and I are still sleeping together while I take things slow with Flint and Cyrus.
We’ve been hanging out all together and alone.
Today, the guys have a full day of activities planned, a little date with each of them.
Starting with an early morning bike ride with Hunter.
I can tell he’s excited as he resists my sleepy seductions as I wiggle my butt against his morning wood.
“And you say I’m the insatiable one,” he chuckles playfully, nipping my ear. As much as I’d love to stay in bed all day with you, if we don’t get going soon, you’ll be late for your date with Flint, and I, for one, don’t wanna be in his bad books again any time soon.”
He’s got a point. I don’t want to be late for my other dates. I know the guys have all worked hard on their surprises for me. I only know what Hunter and I are doing because we had to buy a helmet and leathers for me, something he couldn’t do without me being there to make sure they fit.
“Alright, fine, but I get first shower.” I get up out of bed, no longer feeling insecure as he watches me.
He smiles wickedly at me. “I figured we should shower together, just to save time, of course.”
I roll my eyes but grin back at him. “As tempting as that is, you know we’ll never make it out of the house if we do.”
“True, I’m just too irresistible, it’s a curse,” he says, dramatically falling back on the bed.
I throw a pillow at him. “Cocky asshole.”.
The sound of his laughter follows me into the bathroom.
After a quick shower, I throw on my leathers and tie my hair back. Hunter emerges from the shower as I’m finishing, a towel wrapped around his waist. He lets out a low, appreciative whistle.
“Damn, you look good in leather.”
I bloom under his gaze. The more he tells me how attractive he finds me, the more I’m slowly learning to love my curves, too.
My leather pants and jacket get-up is not the sort of outfit I’d have been caught dead in before, but I have to admit, I do feel kinda sexy.
Bad ass and tough, the kind of ‘don’t mess with me’ woman I’ve always admired.
“Right back atcha, handsome,” I say with a wink. It’s true, Hunter looks even sexier in his riding gear.
His leather vest has the Ghost Riders patch on the back, it hugs his broad shoulders, and paired with leather pants that showcase his fine ass, he’s a sight to behold. He catches me watching him and pretends to clutch his pearls, scandalized. “I’m not a piece of meat, Miss Tori.”
I roll my eyes, but I hide my smile. I love it when Hunter is in a playful mood. “Come on, before I chicken out and change my mind.”
I’m only half joking. Today is the first time I’ve ever properly been on the back of a bike.
I don’t count the night they took me from home since I was so terrified that I barely took anything in.
As Hunter is keen to point out, today we’re riding for the fun of it, for the joy of the open road, rather than with a destination in mind.
Hunter squeezes my hand. “You’ll be fine. I think you’re gonna love it. But, if not, just say the word, and we’ll turn around and come right back home, okay?”
I nod, steeling my courage. “Okay.”
I trust him completely, but a small part of me worries I won’t enjoy it, that I’ll be too scared, and I know he will be disappointed.
All of the guys will be. It’s such a big part of their lives, and I know we don’t need mutual hobbies, but I still want to be able to share this passion with them.
If I hate it, I’ll feel like I’ve failed.
It’ll confirm what I’ve always feared, that I don’t belong in their world.
Hunter’s bike awaits us in the garage, over 500 pounds of aluminum, steel, and chrome.
It gleams, polished to a shine, a thing of beauty and power.
The smell of motor oil and wax hangs in the air.
He rides a Harley-Davidson, the classic kind you see in movies.
Hunter told me the make, but I’ve forgotten it, and I don’t want to ask again for fear of offending him.
It’s his prized possession, his baby. I’m pretty fond of it too, but for different reasons, I think, remembering our passionate sex on it.
He climbs on with practiced ease, tossing me my helmet as he puts his on. “Ready?”
I bite my lip, wondering how to climb on gracefully without making myself look a fool or inadvertently scratching it somehow.
Hunter doesn’t say anything, he just patiently waits for me to build up my courage.
I’m grateful for it. If he tried to convince me everything is fine or told me that I don’t have to do it, I’d feel like even more of a wuss.
If I can live with my father and survive, I can handle a little bike ride.
I climb on the back, wrap my arms around his waist, and take a deep breath as the engine rumbles to life, vibrating pleasantly between my thighs. “Let’s go.”
***
When we return home a few hours later, saddle sore and beaming from ear to ear, I’m officially in love with motorcycles. The exhilaration, the feeling of freedom, the pure joy of riding fast, it feels like flying.
Flint is waiting outside the house as we pull up, leaning casually against his bike. He smiles, a slow, sexy grin that makes my heart flutter. “Well, you look like you had fun.”
“I did, it was incredible!” I say breathlessly as Hunter helps me off the bike. I turn to Hunter and fling my arms around his neck, planting a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you for encouraging me to be brave and try it.”
“You’re welcome, it was my pleasure. Have fun, you two,” Hunter says, clapping Flint on the shoulder before tactfully heading inside.
“It’s just as well you enjoyed it, else I’d have to rethink our transport,” Flint says, pointing to his bike. “Unless you’re feeling too saddle sore? I know it’s a lot of riding for a first time. I promise we’re not going far.”
“Are you kidding? I’d love to have a ride on your bike too!” I exclaim gleefully. If this is all I end up doing today, taking turns riding on each guys’ bike, I’d be happy.
“You guys stopped for breakfast, right? Do you need anything from inside, or are you good to go?”
“Yep. We stopped at a fantastic diner with the best pancakes I’ve ever tasted. And I’m all good, we can go now.”
“Ruby’s,” he guesses correctly. “We eat there a lot. So, you had fun?”
“Yes, I loved it. I finally get what all the fuss is about.”
“Let’s hope you feel the same about our date activity,” Flint says as I climb onto his bike.
I’m almost disappointed when, all too soon, we arrive at our date.
I’d been enjoying the ride, holding onto Flint’s muscled body, feeling the contours of his chest beneath his jacket, breathing in his masculine cedar wood and citrus smell.
He rides differently to Hunter, more steadily and a little less recklessly.
Hunter is definitely the daredevil of the trio, so it’s hardly surprising.
I look up at the building we’ve pulled up to. “We’re going to a gun range?”
Flint looks a bit embarrassed. It’s sweet as he’s usually so confident and sure.
“Yes, I thought it would be a good idea for you to learn how to shoot, plus, it’s pretty fun.
But maybe I should have checked with you first?
I don’t even know your thoughts on guns…
I promise I won’t be offended if you don’t want to do it. ”
“It isn’t your typical first date, but I’m definitely up for trying it,” I assure him.
“Yeah, I’m not really a candlelit dinner kinda guy,” Flint admits. “It was this or axe-throwing.”
“Axe-throwing? That’s a thing?” I ask, eyebrows raised.
He chuckles. “It is indeed, and it’s pretty fun, we can go sometime. But I figured learning how to shoot a gun might be more useful… You know, in case your father ever sends his men after you.”
I’d already confided to Flint that I have no idea how to fire a gun, yet another skill my father didn’t feel the need to share with me.
I suppose there was probably a small part of him that worried I’d use the skill against him.
I have to admit, if I knew how to handle weapons, I’d have been sorely tempted to escape him and Spike sooner.
I appreciate that Flint is trying to look out for me and teach me how to protect myself, instead of just promising to protect me.
I like that he wants me to be independent instead of a damsel in distress.
The firing range turns out to be more fun than I anticipated.
Flint is a patient teacher, showing me how to aim and helping me to improve my stance.
I have to admit, I picked it up quicker than I let on.
I enjoyed the warmth of his strong hands over mine, the feeling of his solid presence behind me, and the tickle of his breath on my ear as he guided me.
By the time our session is over, I’m able to hit the target every time.
“You’re a natural,” Flint declares proudly.
“Only because I had a fantastic teacher.”
Flint checks his watch. “If you’re hungry, we’ve probably got time for a bite to eat?” he says hopefully. In all honesty, I’m not too hungry, but I also don’t want our date to end just yet.
“That sounds great.”
Flint takes me to a cute little Mexican restaurant on the lakefront, and we share a plate of nachos.
It’s fun hanging out with him like this.
He seems relaxed, less like the president of the Ghost Riders and more like himself.
We talk and lose track of time. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had with Flint, and I don’t want the date to end.
However, I know I still have Cyrus’ date, and I wouldn’t want to let him down.
Flint seems to realize this at the same time. “We should probably get going if we’re gonna make it back in time for you to freshen up and get ready for your last date of the day,” he says with a sigh as he reluctantly signals for the check.