A thrill goes through me at his words. I can’t remember the last time I went anywhere without Cody. But he’s become such a part of me I don’t know if I can. “I can’t leave him.”
“Yes you can. For two hours, that’s all.” There’s a determined expression on Luke’s face, making me wonder what he’s got planned. I still can’t believe it was him that organized the women into a schedule and spoke to Barrels about the job. He’s done so much for me and I’ll never be able to repay him, although I can think of a few ways I’d like to.
I still can’t get the image out of my mind of Luke’s muscles straining as he works out. He’s sex on wheels, and he doesn’t even know it.
I glance down at my baby, my world. He’s been my sole focus since he was born six weeks ago. I guess it can’t hurt to leave him for a few hours. He’s gotten used to Danni, and once he’s fed, he’ll be ready for a sleep.
“I’ll get Cody down first.”
Luke nods. “I’ll meet you out front.”
“Where are we going?” I don’t have any clothes apart from the few things I came with. They’ve been fine for lounging around the clubhouse, but I have no idea what Luke has planned.
He grins. “It’s a surprise. Wear your jeans and a sweater. I’ve got a jacket for you.”
Twenty minutes later, I follow Luke out the back of the clubhouse and across the parking lot to the bike shop.
This is where Luke works. I’ve visited him before when I take Cody out for walks. Usually he’s on the adapted rolling platform that means he can keep low to the ground and work on the bikes that come into the garage.
Today he’s waiting next to his adapted bike. It’s a beautiful-looking contraption. The bike is a Harley with thick wheels and low handlebars. Luke’s attached a side carriage with a fold down ramp.
“Welcome to my chariot.” He grins when he sees my expression.
“We’re going on the bike?”
“Yup. I’m taking you out for a ride.” He holds up his Wild Riders MC jacket. “Put this on.” I take the leatherjacket off him and slide it on over my sweater. It smells like leather and bike grease and a rich scent that’s all Luke.
“I’ll get on first.” He rolls up the ramp, and with quick movements pulls himself out of the chair and onto the motorbike.
He leans over and folds his chair up, securing it in place with safety ties.
Along the side of the bike and the side attachment are painted red and orange flames. I can see why Luke got the road name Chariot. He looks like a Roman god sitting tall and proud.
“Come on up.” He gestures for me to get on, and a thrill snakes down my spine and there’s a tug on my core.
I can’t believe I get to ride next to this man, the proud warrior.
I climb onto the side extension, and Luke pulls a lever to raise the ramp behind me. There’s a folded down seat and I go to pull it open, but Luke puts a hand on my arm to stop me.
“You’re riding on the back.” He indicates the seat of the bike directly behind him.
My pulse kicks up a notch as I slide onto the bike behind Luke. There’s no way to not touch him as I wiggle into place. My hips snap into place behind him, and my chest pushes up against his back.
There’s a lot of me, and he might not have considered how cozy this was going to be when he suggested I ride pillion.
“Put your arms around me, Isla.”
Or maybe he did. I’ve seen the way Luke looks at me and the kindness he’s shown. When I first arrived I was too caught up in my own situation to notice, but over the last week, I’ve noticed Luke very much.
And when I slide my arms around his waist, I notice the little sigh of pleasure that matches my own. It feels good to touch him, to breathe in his scent of leather and bike grease. I bump up against his hard back, and for the first time in a long time, it feels like there’s something solid holding me up.
Luke starts the engine, and we cruise out of the parking lot. Bit Rate comes out of the club headquarters grinning like a fool and waves us off.
We take it slowly, heading further up the mountain on the windy roads. The snow from Christmas has cleared, but the air is cold, and I snuggle against Luke for warmth.
As we ride further away from the clubhouse and from my baby, I begin to remember that other part of me. That part that isn’t just a mother feeding and caring for her newborn. The part of me that’s a woman clinging onto the back of a hot guy on a motorbike.
We ride for about twenty minutes before Luke turns down a dirt road. We take it slowly until the road opens out onto a small parking lot and a picnic area.
