Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 72617 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72617 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
“You have, but your mind is a hundred miles away.”
“I was just thinking about my crazy day.”
“Is that why you can’t sleep?”
“Partly, but it’s nothing new.” I sat up and reached for my boxers. I slipped them on as I told her, “I should get going and let you get some sleep.”
“No, I’m fine,” she argued. “So, what do you usually do on nights like this when you can’t sleep?”
“I don’t know... Watch TV or take a ride.”
“A ride sounds nice.” Her lips curled into a smile as she said, “We should go.”
“You serious about that?” I pulled on my t-shirt and grabbed my jeans. “It’s going to be chilly.”
“Absolutely. That’s what coats and toboggans are for.”
She tossed the covers back and scurried to the bathroom. After cleaning up a bit, she came out with a towel wrapped around her. She collected her clothes, then returned to the bathroom. In a blink, she returned to the bedroom wearing a pair of jeans and a hoodie. She smiled as she said, “Let me grab my coat, and I’ll be ready to roll.”
“You sure about this?”
“Of course.” Her eyes were bright with excitement. “I haven’t been riding in ages.”
“Okay, let’s do this.”
I pulled on my boots and put on my cut, then followed her into the living room. She already had on her coat and gloves, and she was slipping on her hat as she asked, “Do you have a hat and gloves?”
I didn’t respond.
I just gave her a look, and she quickly shook her head. “Of course, you do. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“You ready?”
She nodded, then grabbed her keys and walked over to her front door. She gave the deadbolt a turn, but it didn’t budge. “Damn.”
She bumped the door with her elbow and gave the doorknob a tug. “Troubles?”
“It just sticks sometimes.” She tried turning the deadbolt again, and this time, it released. “It just needs a little love.”
Mia giggled, then headed down the stairs. I followed after, and when we got down to my bike, I offered her my spare helmet. I kicked my leg over the seat, then helped Mia climb on behind me. Once she was settled, I started the engine and asked, “You all set?”
“Ready when you are.”
Mia’s hands clutched my sides as I slowly backed out of the parking lot and out onto the main road. She was no novice at riding. She’d ridden a hundred times with her brother and father, so she knew exactly how to move her body with the flow of the bike. And from what I could tell, she loved riding just as much as I did.
Being on my bike had always given me a rush. Absolutely nothing beat the feeling of riding a six-hundred-pound, two-wheeled machine. I loved having the wind in my face, even when it was freezing-ass cold outside. It made me feel alive and free.
All of my senses were magnified—I became one with the road and the world around me. It was an incredible feeling. As we drove down the old country road, I was worried that Mia might not feel the same, but then she leaned forward, her lips close to my ear, and shouted, “I’ve missed this.”
“You aren’t too cold?”
“No, I’m good!”
I nodded, then continued towards Port Angeles. When I sped around a curve, I could feel Mia's grip tighten around my waist, her trust in me evident. She was the first woman to ride on my bike, and I was surprised at how much I liked having her there—even more than I cared to admit.
After a few more miles, we arrived at my secret spot. It was the perfect place to see a breathtaking view of the moonlight on the ocean. We parked and dismounted, and as we stood there side by side, Mia whispered, “It’s beautiful.”
“I thought you’d think so.”
“I had no idea this place even existed.”
“I came across it a few years ago. I like to come out here when I need to clear my head.”
“Well, it’s the perfect place for that.” She glanced up at me and smiled. “Thank you for bringing me here.”
I found it odd that she was thanking me. It was me who should’ve been thanking her. She’d taken a shit day and turned it into one I wouldn’t soon forget. I don’t know what it was about this woman, but she’d caught me under her spell, and without even trying, she’d made me feel things I never thought I could feel.
I didn’t know if I should hold onto her and claim her as mine.
Or run like hell.
CHAPTER 12
Mia
It was well after midnight when we returned from our bike ride. Wrath walked me up to my front door, and I could tell by the look on his face that he was about to leave. I didn’t want him to go, so I said, “It’s late. Why don’t you just stay here and head back in the morning?”