“Imagine that,” I said, honestly taken aback.What were the odds that this woman would walk into this bar and need my help not once but twice in the same night?
“Well, I mean, if you don’t mind?”
“I don’t mind.”I pointed out my bike at the end of the first row.“Wait there.I’ve got to get you a helmet.”
She gripped her purse strap a bit tighter.“A motorcycle?”
“Yeah?”What did she think?I came here in a Camry?
“But...I’ve never ridden a motorcycle,” she explained nervously.
Something about being the first man to get her on a bike made my blood run hot.I tried really hard not to think about another type of ride I would like to give her.Instead, I promised, “You’ll be safe with me.”
She bit her lip again and nodded.“Okay.”
“Wait here.”I pointed out the spot.“I’ll be right back.”
I headed back into the bar, grabbed the extra helmet I kept in the office and waved at Margie who grinned knowingly.I ignored her riotous laugh as I left, certain she would be the first to harass me for information about my lady friend tomorrow.
Outside, I foundherstanding next to my bike, her fingertips moving over the leather seat as if petting a wild animal.I looked over her outfit.Jeans, black boots, a wine-colored top with short sleeves.It was simple and modest but somehow effortlessly sexy, especially with those big gold hoops dangling from her earlobes.
“What’s your name, doll?”I beckoned her to step closer with a flick of my fingers.
“Melissa.”She didn’t hesitate.She moved right where I wanted her.She glanced from hands to my face.“Yours?”
“Shane.”I gave her my actual name.
Her eyebrows rose, and she daringly traced the discolored patch on my cut.“Who is Slinger?”
I grunted, not wanting to get into all that right now.“It’s me.”I swept the long strands of loose dark hair behind her ears, relishing the sight of her hair falling around my thick silver rings.“But not to you.”
She didn’t say anything as I placed the helmet on her head and carefully fastened it under her chin.I fought the urge to stroke her silky skin when I was finished.
“What’s an exile?”She pointed to the patch under my original Calaveras MC emblem.
“You always this curious?”I enjoyed the way she wasn’t afraid to ask questions.
“I’m a librarian,” she said matter-of-factly.“Finding answers is kind of my thing.”
“A librarian?”I repeated, thinking this night could not get any weirder.“I guess that wasn’t your Bible study group then.”
She rolled her eyes at me.“We’re a book club.”
“A book club that goes to outlaw biker bars?”
“Just this one.”She glanced back at Margie’s and grimaced.“I think we’ve cured ourselves of that curiosity.”
I suspected there was a good story there, but I would wait to ask her.I needed a reason to keep talking to her once I got her home.That seemed as good a topic as any.
Wanting to keep her safe, I gave her a quick rundown of the bike and how to ride safely behind me.She paid close attention, asked questions, and then nodded dutifully.“I think I’ve got it.”
I slung my leg over my bike and started it, letting it roar to life.I gave a little jerk of my head, indicating she should hop on, but she frowned at me.“What about your helmet, Shane?”
“Don’t have one.”
She gave me that disappointed teacher look—and God help me, it made my dick throb.Sent a rolling burn of heat right through my belly and into my groin.
She sighed dramatically and approached from my left as I had instructed.“Well, I guess that’s okay this time, but you really should get a helmet.”Very gently, she dragged her rose-colored nails along my scalp, gliding right through my short hair.“You’ve got a nice head.Be a shame to crack it like an egg.”
