Page 56 of Off Limits Mogul

Rhys worships motorcycles. It’s nothing unusual for someone living in California, but he takes it to another level.

“You can ride one of my bikes, and we can drive up to Malibu,” he says.

I frown. “I haven’t been on a bike in a while. Not to mention, I don’t have any gear, and you always frowned upon riding without being suited up.”

“You remember,” he says, rewarding me with a huge smile.

“I remember everything myamazingteacher taught me.”

Growing up, I had to do everything my brother and his best friend did. For my sixteenth birthday, Rhys got me lessons tolearn how to ride a motorcycle. The lessons were great, but I much preferred when he was my teacher. Still, that present was a defining moment. I felt so grown up.

“Good girl. Noah’s bike is in remote storage. He didn’t want to leave his car or bike while he was renting the house. He left his gear and yours in my garage.”

Shock and surprise hit me at once. “He kept my gear?”

“He didn’t want to get rid of it.”

“Now I’m riddled with guilt.” I wince.

When I turned eighteen, Rhys and Noah bought me my own bike and gear. A year later, I sold the bike to move to London with my best friend. I still remember the crushing look of disappointment on my brother’s face. I suffered from tunnel vision at the time, so I didn’t have the luxury to care.

Rhys reaches for my hand across the table.

I close my eyes, relishing the contact.

“Stop beating yourself up. You were going after your dream.”

“And look where it landed me,” I say.

He holds my gaze.

“Hey, I said stop beating yourself up. You want to go for that ride or not?”

I answer with a one-shoulder shrug. “Okay.”

“That’s it? That’s all I get?”

I’m confused by his reaction. “What am I missing?”

“Yesterday, you were on my ass to do something fun.” A highly inappropriate visual flashes in front of my eyes. “Show me a little enthusiasm, woman.”

“Jeez, you’re a tough audience, Hartford.” I roll my eyes.

“Riding up the coast of Malibu straddling the finest piece of machinery money can buy is living the dream. It doesn’t get any morefunthan that,Cocoa Puffs.”

“Dimples. Call me, dimples,” I say with my best James Bond impression.

“You kill me,” he says with a laugh. “So, we’re doing this?”

“Ride, baby ride.” I punch my fist in the air.

“That’s more like it. If you’re uncomfortable riding on your own, you’ll ride behind me.”

“Sounds good.”

He looks out the window. “Since the sun isn’t beating down, threatening to melt the asphalt, this should make for a comfortable ride.”

It’s a rare gray Sunday, but I’m sure the sky will clear up in no time. This is Los Angeles after all.