I blinked slowly, letting my swollen eyes adjust to the light in the room. When I rolled over, I realized the other side of the bed was empty and let out a small sigh. I didn’t know what I expected—that the stone-cold biker would’ve had a change of heart? That the man who wrote about Rae with such admiration and passion would see me in a similar light?

Nice one, Neve.

I looked at the clock and was surprised to see that it was already eight-thirty. Reluctantly, I slid out from under the warm sheets and padded into the bathroom to get ready for the day.

I took my time washing and drying my long hair before pulling on another outfit that didn’t belong to me. Today’s shirt featured the word ‘Juicy’ in large letters across the chest area.

Classy.

Maybe the men would allow me to shop for myself and I could buy clothes that didn’t have adjectives on them.

I walked downstairs, lost in thought. I had a couple of loads of laundry that needed to be done—I was also going to have to make a grocery list. I opened the door to the refrigerator while tapping a finger to my lips. If I got moving, I might have a little time left over to read the journal.

“Mornin’.”

I clutched my chest and spun around. “Jesus, Charm. I thought everyone had left.”

He was leaning up against the kitchen cabinets, with a cup of coffee in his hands. “The men are gone—I have business around here today.”

I nodded. “Okay. Just tell me where you need to be and I’ll stay out of your way.”

Disappointment filled me. If he was hanging around, it meant that I wasn’t going to be getting any reading done.

“You’re my business today, Neve.” His eyes narrowed as if he expected me to challenge him.

I closed the refrigerator and turned to face him fully. “Me? What kind of business could you have with me? I told you I’d stay out of your way. And if this is about last night, I’m sorry. I’m peachy now though. See?” I twirled in a small circle and pasted a smile on my face.

He downed the rest of his coffee and placed the cup in the sink next to him. “Ain’t about last night. You need to get used to being on a bike. I figure now’s a good time to learn.”

I moved around him and poured myself a cup. The first sip scalded my tongue, but I kept drinking. I hoped the caffeine would reach through the fog and help me understand this shift in him.

He watched me impatiently. “Is that a yes or are you ignoring me now?”

I set the cup down on the counter. “I don’t really have a choice, do I?”

Charm scratched at the back of his neck. “You’ve always got a choice. I just thought since I had time…”

His voice trailed off and we stared each other down. “What about the stuff I’m supposed to do around here?”

“It can wait.” His tone implied that it was his final answer on the matter.

I nodded. “Am I okay in what I’m wearing? Should I change?”

His shoulders dropped as he relaxed. “You’re good. Let’s go.” He walked outside, leaving the door open behind him. I jogged after him as he strode across the gravel and out to a large metal building.

“Wait here.” He disappeared inside and I kicked rocks with the toe of my shoe. What did he have hidden in there that he didn’t want me seeing?

Charm came back out a few minutes later, pushing a baby blue Harley. He tossed me a spare jacket. “Put this on. I’m gonna grab you a helmet.” He grabbed one and tossed it over to me, before going over and messing with something on the back of the bike.

“Okay, let’s go over the rules.”

I snorted with sudden laughter before slapping my hand against my mouth. “I didn’t think bikers had rules,” He glared down at me. “Sorry. Continue.”

He pointed back to the bike. “See these? These are footpegs. Keep your feet on them at all times. Always get on from the left side—just throw your right leg over and then slide up into the seat. Your hands should be on my hips,” I sucked in a breath and his eyes narrowed. “Somethin’ wrong with that?”

I shook my head. “No, I just thought there were handlebars or something.”

It was Charm’s turn to laugh. “There are—for me. Motorcycles turn by leaning, so lean the same direction I do. The best way to do that is to look over my shoulder in the same direction as the turn—your body should always be in line with mine.”

My mind went haywire during the last part. He wasn’t smiling though, so a ‘that’s what she said’ joke would’ve probably been in poor taste. Probably.

C’mon, Neve.

Think of mangy dogs and elementary school signage.

“Anything else?” I choked out.

He nodded. “Yeah. If I brake suddenly, use the footpegs to keep from sliding into me. And if you see animals, tap me on the shoulder. If they’re on the right side of the road, right shoulder. Left side of the road, left shoulder. It ain’t rocket science. Oh, and don’t get any bright ideas about leaping off the damn thing and we’ll be golden.”

I looked back at the bike. What seemed like a thing of beauty a minute ago, now seemed like a steel deathtrap. In my dream, I hadn’t had to worry about wildlife or leaning the right way, I just held on and enjoyed the ride. “I really have a lot to get done today. Maybe another time.”

I attempted to hand him the helmet, but he kept his hands at his side. “You scared, Sweetheart?”

I laughed weakly. “I’m thinking I’d be better off with the coke. That’s all.”

His mood darkened instantly. “You can wait and learn with Gunner or you can go with me now. It’s your choice, but one way or another, your ass will be on the back of a bike.”

“Great.” I slipped the helmet on, while cursing him under my breath. He grabbed the chin strap and tightened it. Knowing he wouldn’t see, I stuck my tongue out at him from beneath the visor.

My maturity level was on par with that of a kindergartner right now.

“Let’s go.” He climbed on and started the bike up and I kept my left foot on the ground, while extending my right leg over the seat, doing exactly what he’d shown me. He turned toward me. “Hold on tight. If you get scared or want me to stop, hit me. Don’t do something stupid that’ll get us both killed though.”

I nodded and reluctantly gripped his hips as the bike moved forward. I would’ve been lying if I said that my muscles weren’t taut with fear those first few minutes. The roads up here weren’t straight. They were winding, meaning that there was a lot of leaning involved. I kept a death grip on Charm until my body got used to the movements. It was a little like riding a roller coaster and I began to feel giddy.

I stopped focusing on the flaming skull on the back of Charm’s vest long enough to appreciate our surrounding and my hands relaxed slightly as he expertly navigated the twists and turns, the wind whipping through his hair.

Gradually, I became aware of the vibrations from the bike and those pesky feelings of lust fought their way to the surface again.

Nope.

Not going there.

I’d seen the picture in his room. I’d read their life story. As much as I wanted to believe that he’d had his own version of unrequited love with her, it was obvious that they’d worked things out by the time she got sick. She’d been pregnant, for crying out loud.

Charm was crazy about her.

What kind of person would ruin that?

I might have been a lot of things, but a homewrecker was not one of them.

Not me.

I just had to reign in my feelings and focus on the task at hand–which was friendship.

Period.

End of story.

Anything else was madness.