Chapter 6
ARLO
It’s late in the afternoon by the time we finish our leisurely lunch.
Leisurely because I insisted on drawing it out by getting Maggie’s father the tasting menu from the brewery.
We’ve talked over the finer points of ale versus bitters and I’ve shown him around the bar, focusing on the vintage bikes we’ve got on display.
Turns out her dad’s an enthusiast and an easy man to talk to.
He’s got the same softly spoken mannerisms as his daughter and the same quick intelligence.
We’ve come back across the road so I can show Jim the bikes on display, and Debbie’s voice carries from where the girls are sitting at the bar.
“I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with wearing a chef’s hat, but it will give you split ends. It’s not good for the hair to be squashed down all the time.”
While I love chatting bikes with Jim, it’s time to rescue my girl. No wonder she doesn’t talk much with her mother always at her.
“Where are you staying?” I ask, not caring that I cut into Debbie’s tirade.
Debbie looks at me and back at her daughter. “We’re staying with you, aren’t we MeMe? I didn’t book a hotel.” She turns in her seat and calls across the room. “Jim, did you book a hotel?”
Jim shakes his head and goes back to studying the pictures hanging on the wall.
“I thought you wouldn’t mind having us at your place. We haven’t seen you in so long. But if you don’t want us there, I’ll find a hotel.”
She sniffs, and Maggie puts her hand over her mom’s quickly. “It’s okay, Mom. You can stay at my place.”
I’m beginning to see why Maggie comes across as shy, living under the shadow of her mother all the time. She’s too nice for her own good. But it gives me an idea.
“That’s settled then. You can follow us on my bike.”
Maggie gives me a look like she wants to throttle me, but Debbie’s too busy fluffing her hair to notice. “Come on, babe. The bike’s out back.”
Maggie stares at me for a long time and I give her a wicked smile, not sure if it’s the term of endearment or the bike that’s got her rattled. Either way, I like seeing the fire in her eyes. It makes my dick twitch thinking about her simmering energy in the bedroom.
I hold my hand out, and Maggie ignores it as she slides off the bar stool. Her parents follow us out the back to the courtyard.
I snag Maggie’s hand and clasp it firmly in mine. She digs her nails into my palm, but I don’t let go. She wanted me to play her boyfriend, so I’m doing just that.
Her parents get into their car, and I lead Maggie over to my bike. As soon as we’re out of earshot, she drops my hand.
“What are you doing?” she hisses, her eyes sparking fire at me.
“Giving them a show and getting them off your back. It’s what you wanted, isn’t it, babe?”
“Don’t call me that.” She crosses her arms in front of her chest and marches in front of me, her short legs working overtime in her huff.
She stops in front of a large road bike and grabs the helmet.
“I’ve never been on a bike before.”
A thrill goes through me. I love that I’ll give her her first ride. “You’ll be fine. But that’s not my bike.”
“Damn.” She puts the helmet down in a huff and follows me to my Harley Roadster.
I pull my spare helmet out and give it to Maggie. She slips it on her head but hesitates before getting on the bike.
“Come on.” I pat the seat. “Hold onto me, and you’ll be fine.” I lean toward her until my breath is tickling her ear. “I’ll take it slow for your first time.”
She dips her head, and a pink tinge blooms on her neck. I love making my girl blush.
It’s her parents pulling up in their car that makes her get on the bike. Her hands hold the side of the seat, and I take them in mine and bring them around the front so she’s clasping me around the middle. The action makes her body slide forward and press into me, just where I want it.
“Awww.” Her mom rolls down the window and holds her phone up. “I’ve got to get a picture of you two.”
I give her my best grin as she takes a couple of pictures, keeping Maggie’s hands clasped to my body so she can’t pull away.
“I’ll get you for this, Arlo,” she mutters, which makes me chuckle. “No more dessert for you.”
I laugh harder. “Oh babydoll, you are dessert.”
Before she can make a sassy comment, I rev the engine and pull out of the compound. Maggie clings on to me, and I take it slow until I feel her relax. It’s a beautiful afternoon, and the view is stunning as we wind down the mountain road.
“So, where do you live?” I ask into the comms system. Maggie startles, and I chuckle.
“There are comms in here?”
“Yup. How else am I going to hear your beautiful voice?”
I can practically hear her eye roll. “You can stop pretending now, Arlo. My parents aren’t around to hear.”
“I’m not pretending, baby.”
She sighs like she doesn’t believe me. She thinks I’m messing around, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to make this shy girl mine, and I’m not wasting it.
“23 Hildon Drive. The block of apartments.”
She chooses to ignore my comment, which is fine for now. She’ll come around later when I have her in my cabin.
I know the address. It’s a back road of Wild, and it doesn’t take long to get there.
We pull up out front of the shabby looking apartment block. The gate is hanging off its hinges, and there’s litter strewn across the courtyard.
“You live here?” It’s so different than my cozy cabin nestled in the woods.
“Yeah.” She sticks her chin out defiantly. “It’s cheap.”
It looks cheap. And too damn run down for my woman. I’ll move her out of here as soon as I can. As soon as she agrees to be mine.
Her parents pull up, and we head to her ground floor apartment.
Despite the run down exterior, Maggie’s made the inside of her apartment homey.
The walls are a light lavender color, and the place smells of berries and chocolate.
The small kitchen is crammed with her cooking gear, and recipe books take up every spare surface.
There’s a bed in one corner and a couch in the other.
“You two can have the bed, and I’ll sleep on the couch.”
Her mom looks around in dismay and Maggie looks down, clearly preparing herself for a lecture. But for once it doesn’t come. Maybe her mother’s finally at a loss for words.
I had no idea Maggie was living in a place like this. She twists her hands as she looks around, clearly embarrassed.
“It’s all I need,” she says simply. “It’s perfect for a single woman.” Her mouth snaps shut as she realizes her mistake.
But Debbie’s too sharp. “Will you be moving in together soon?”
Jim holds his hands up. “There’s no rush, sweetheart. You don’t have to move in until you’re married.”
He looks at me pointedly, and behind the calm and quiet exterior I glimpse the same fire that Maggie hides.
“We’re not getting married,” Maggie says quickly, gaining a sharp look from her mother.
“Not yet,” I say, grabbing Maggie’s hand in mine. “But I want you to know, my intentions toward your daughter are serious.”
Debbie beams, and Maggie gives me a dirty look.
“Let’s give these two some space, babe.” I pull her toward the door before her mom can ask any more awkward questions.
“But where are we going?”
“You’re staying with me for the weekend.” Excitement flashes across her face before she rearranges it into a disapproving look. She’s trying to stay cross with me, but her defenses are weakening.
Debbie claps her hands together. “We can go to a hotel; I don’t want to put you out.”
“It’s not putting me out. We stay most nights at my place anyway.”
Jim scowls at me, but Debbie beams. Maggie looks like she wants to kill me, but she puts on a smile and follows me outside.
“We’ll see you two tomorrow.” I wave as we shut the door.
As soon as the door’s shut, Maggie throws my hand down and strides to the bike. I watch the sway of her angry hips. She’s coming to my cabin. Now I just need to figure out how to get her cute ass into my bed.