“Would you like to go for a ride?”
Amanda jumped. She had not seen him standing there in the shadows. Glancing outward, she noted that his bike had not moved. He had waited for her out here in the dark, which was a bit flattering and somewhat unnerving.
“A ride to where?” she asked.
She wondered if the sound of her heart thudding in her chest could be heard all the way over to where he stood. Surely, she should be frightened, but she wasn’t. He had initially caught her off guard and spooked her, but as she stood there looking at him, she realized that what she felt now was not fear. It was excitement.
“Up the road a ways. I want to show you something.”
“What?”
“It’s a surprise.”
“I don’t think I should accept mysterious rides from even more mysterious strangers.”
“Ah, but we aren’t strangers. I’m Aspen, and you are Amanda. Remember? Besides, I’m really not a mystery at all. I’m just a guy trying desperately to get a beautiful woman to notice him.”
“Where is she?” Amanda replied.
Aspen laughed and shrugged a bit, almost bashfully. It was insanely adorable.
“Can’t beat a woman with a sense of humor, smarts and good looks. Come on. Give a guy a break.”
“I don’t think I should.”
“Roy told you to keep your distance from me, didn’t he?”
“No. I...he might have said something like that, but he didn’t say why.”
“I can tell you why, but only if you come with me. I’ll tell you whatever you want to know.”
“Ah, what the hell,” she said.
It was probably a bad idea, but all she could think about was having him wrapped around her like a tortilla wrap. It wasn’t romantic, but it was hot. For some reason, any time he was near her, she could think of nothing else but what he would feel like pinning her down and pile driving her like a wild animal. A flush settled over her as she thought about it.
“Let’s get going then.”
Amanda followed him over to the bike, where he pulled off a helmet and handed it to her. She didn’t see any signs of another.
“You aren’t going to wear one.”
“Nope. Don’t need one.”
“What if you wreck?”
“I don’t wreck.”
Amanda looked at him. He was quite serious and damned sensual with the tiniest smirk curling up his luscious lips. She wanted to kiss him right then and there, just throw caution to the wind and go for broke, but she resisted. What the fuck was wrong with her anyway? She was never like this.
“Let’s hope that is true.”
She stuck the helmet on her head and attempted to adjust the strap, unsuccessfully. He stepped closer to her, gently removing her hands and fixing it for her. His scent was intoxicating. It wasn’t aftershave or cologne. Instead, he had an earthy, masculine smell. It was like breathing in the scent of pure testosterone. She felt like she might actually swoon, a word she never thought she’d use.
“There you go. All set now. Do you have a jacket?”
“I think there is one in the car, but it’s warm enough out here.”
“It won’t be on the bike. Quite chilly with the wind blowing across you.”
“Hold on.”
Amanda managed to tear herself away to retrieve the jacket that lay in the back seat of her car, taking the opportunity to slip the paper money from her tips into her pocket and put the loose change inside her car where it was out of sight. It wasn’t that much, but couldn’t hurt to have a little cash on her in case she needed it for something, like a cab back to her car. Once again, she considered that this might be a poor decision on her part, but there was something about him that made her feel as if she could trust him.
“Ready?” he asked as she walked back over.
“Ready as I will ever be.”
“Climb on,” he told her, straddling the bike so she could climb on the back.
Amanda situated herself behind him, placing her hands on her legs and waiting for him to take off. He started the bike and reached around to place her hands about his waist. She felt a surge of electricity run through her as her breasts pressed against his back, a familiar ache in her core.
“You’re going to want to hold on,” he said.
Amanda could barely hear him above the roar of the bike, but she clung to him tightly as they slid out of the parking lot and eased down the street. The air filtered through her long hair as they picked up speed, blazing down the highway toward a destination unknown to her. She had never been on a bike before and found it both terrifying and exhilarating, though she didn’t want to be a wuss about it. Instead, she kept herself wound tightly around him as they drove along in the wee hours of the morning.
Her thoughts changed a bit as he slowed and began to turn down what appeared to be an old dirt road. They were in the middle of nowhere, and this didn’t look good. For the first time since deciding to get on the bike, her thoughts were doubtful. When he finally stopped, in front of a cabin she could only describe as “rustic”, and that was being kind, she wondered if she shouldn’t just demand to be taken back home.
“It’s okay, Amanda. I won’t eat you,” he said. “Unless you want me to.”
A chill ran through her. On the one hand, the thought of that was damned sexy and sounded incredibly inviting. For all she knew, though, he might mean it quite literally. There didn’t appear to be a soul to hear her scream out here.
“Where are we?”
“My cabin.”
“You live here?” she said.
“Not exactly a palace, huh? You’ll be surprised by it though.”
“Why did you bring me here?”
“Why did you want me to bring you here?” he asked.
“I don’t think I did. I thought we were just out for a ride.”
“I can take you back now if you like.”
Amanda was torn. A part of her screamed that she wasn’t safe way out here alone with a stranger, but another part of her wanted to be here. She wanted him, even if it was just for this one night. It was something she needed right now, just mad passion with no other thought than having the climax she so desperately needed by some other means than her own hand or the one vibrator she kept hidden in her bedside stand.
“No. I’ll stay,” she replied.
He nodded and helped her off the back of the bike, lifting her up as if she weighed nothing. It once again occurred to her how strong she was, but rather than being afraid of that strength, she found herself wanting to feel more of it in very explicit terms. She couldn’t help but note that he didn’t have to unlock the door. It was a good sign that this was both a safe place from others and that he had nothing to hide. Still, her heart raced as she followed him inside.
“Wine?”
“No. I think I’m good.”
“It’s okay, Amanda. I’m not going to roofie you,” he said with a laugh.
“I didn’t,” she began to say.
“I know you didn’t say it, but you thought it. It’s far enough. Men are assholes and do shitty things to women, but I’m not one of those men. I just want to spend some time with you, get to know you.”
“Why such interest in me?” she asked.
“What do you mean? Why wouldn’t I be? You’re stunning and though I’ve not had a chance to talk to you at length, you seem intelligent and articulate.”
“I don’t know what to say. Thank you, I suppose.”
“You’re welcome. Now, wine?”
“Yes. Will you be joining me?”
“No. I might need to take you home later.”
“I don’t think you will,” she replied.
Amanda felt bold as he stood there looking down at her, observing her face for a moment. The wine was temporarily put on hold as he leaned in and kissed her. It was deep and passionate, leaving her breathless as he pulled away.
“I’ve been dying to do that since I met you.”
“Why did it take you so long?”
They both laughed, and he shrugged, turning away to walk over to the small kitchen area separated from a breakfast table by a long counter and opening up from both on one end to a sizable living room. The cabin was deceptively larger than it appeared from the outside, but still cozy and simple. The decor showed off a masculine flare with its earth tones and assorted automotive and motorcycle memorabilia.
“Have a seat and I’ll bring over the wine. Are you hungry? I think I have some cheese and crackers or something around here if you are. I don’t keep a lot of food in the house. I usually eat on the run.”
There was something about the way he said it that gave her the impression it had a deeper underlying meaning and the slight smile on his face only enforced that notion.
“I’m not hungry. Wine will be good enough,” she told him.
Perhaps it was the wine, or maybe she was just incredibly in sync with him, but after a while it felt like she had known Aspen forever. It didn’t take much thought to accept his offer when he asked if she wanted to stay.
“I’d love to,” she replied.
“Great. I’ll make up the sofa and you can take my bed.”
“Oh, okay,” she replied.
He was a gentleman. Who would have thought that of a big rough biker? She would play the part of a demure house guest and accept his proposal then.
“I’ll get some blankets and a pillow from there and let you have the room then,” he told her.
“Thanks.”
Amanda sat on the sofa for a moment, watching his broad shoulders and tight ass walk away and then she stood up, adjusting her clothes and walking into the bedroom with determination. Aspen was standing in the doorway of the closet pulling a quilt from the top shelf. She stepped inside and shut the door behind her.