Ariana didn’t know what had come over her. She should have just said no, she wasn’t going to get on that thing. But something inside her had to know. She couldn’t explain it, and she couldn’t define her need. Something swept over her, aside from incredible fear, as she waited at the curb and Vince pulled the rumbling machine up beside her. Heart pounding, she shouted over the noise, “What now?”
Vince smiled. “Put the goggles on, and throw your right leg over behind me.” She did as he instructed, feeling awkward. He leaned back and said over his shoulder, “Now, get settled, and wrap your arms tight around my waist. I don’t want you falling off the back.” He laughed, but Ariana didn’t particularly find it funny as she pictured him doing a wheelie and dropping her on the pavement.
She clutched at him for dear life, and strangely, this felt more intimate than when they had sex. She was pressed against his back, and unlike getting laid, she had to put complete trust in his ability to keep her safe. She didn’t like giving up control, especially to do something she had sworn she never would.
To his credit, he didn’t push the accelerator, but easing them out to the exit, and when he turned onto the road, he drove just as gently. She doubted he rode this way on his own, but she was grateful he wasn’t trying to scare the shit out of her right away. He increased his speed gradually as they continued, and stray hairs blew out of her clip, flying around her face in the brisk wind that felt fresh on her face.
He turned a corner, and the bike leaned. Ariana nearly panicked as he leaned with it, and she had to lean with him. She was sure they were going to skid across the ground any second, crushing their legs beneath the heavy bike, but he righted it and sped down the street. Overwhelmed, Ariana looked from side to side, noticing the buildings they passed streaking behind them. She’d never noticed how quickly the world went by in a car, and now, she wondered just how fast he drove. But it didn’t matter; he held steady, and she loosened her hold on his waist just a bit so air could flow between them and cool her.
The sensation made her throw her head back, and for a moment, she didn’t seem to be connected to the ground. The machine that vibrated beneath her disappeared with the road, and the wind carried her body. She closed her eyes and imagined clouds floating beneath her, and it made her laugh out loud.
The bike slowed, and she came back to earth. They were at a red light, and suddenly, she was terrified. What the hell am I thinking? This was so stupid. She could have been killed at any moment! And yet, a little voice at the back of her head reminded her that this was living. If she was always scared of the consequences of life, how could she really live?
Despite her terror, Ariana was almost disappointed as Vince pulled back into the dealership parking lot and stopped beside her car. Feeling awkward once again, she dismounted and pulled off her goggles, then reached to try to smooth the mess of hair that had come out of its clip. With a teasing grin, Vince reached up and tucked a stray strand behind her ear. “So, what do you think?”
Ariana didn’t want to say she’d truly enjoyed it, but she couldn’t lie. She nodded. “I think I get it now.”
He stopped the engine so they didn’t have to shout and pulled off his sunglasses. “Do you?” His eyes twinkled.
She shrugged. “As much as a non-biker can, I think. Yes.” Ariana thought about inviting him over. Something about that ride had aroused her. But her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she scowled as she dug it out.
As she stared at the text from Sal, the world spun, and she felt faint. She needed to sit down.
Vince was off the bike and grabbing her. “What is it, Ariana?”
She shook her head. “I have to go.”
He nodded, not even questioning her. “Are you okay to drive?”
Not really. “I’ll be fine. I’ll call you later.”
Vince hesitated as she went around to the driver’s side of her car. “I may or may not be available, but if I don’t answer, I’ll call you back as soon as I can. I might be on the road or out of town.”
Ariana gritted her teeth. “What you should be doing is taking care of your leg.”
“Take care of yourself, Ariana. I’m taking care of the leg, I promise.” He closed her door and waved, and Ariana sat with the engine running while she watched him drive away.