Where did Connor want to take her? Andwhy?
Getting on the back on this man’s motorbike would have been unthinkable even yesterday but suddenly it was a minor detail in whatever else was going on.
Kate had no idea at all what it was all about but, astonishingly, amidst the emotional turmoil of this whole day and the confusion it was ending in was a feeling that this was, in some way, very simple.
Going off to some unknown destination with Connor, on the back of his bike, felt… right.
Her nod was as crisp as his had been. ‘I’ll just fetch a jacket.’
* * *
They left the city and headed west.
Kate had never been on a motorbike before. At first it was terrifying. All she could think of was how little protection they had between their bodies and the other vehicles around them. Then she was far too conscious of the black tarmac beneath them that was going past so fast she couldn’t even count the broken white lines that marked the centre of the open road they were soon on. She could feel the wind whipping the parts of her body that were exposed.
And the part that wasn’t? Well… that was in close contact with Connor’s body. Her arms were around his waist, hanging on for dear life. There was a thick layer of clothing and leather between her breasts and Connor’s back, but she could swear she was aware of his warmth and she was grateful for how solid he felt as the reality around them passed in a blur.
The ride seemed to go on for a very long time and slowly Kate could feel her terror ebbing. She could feel how relaxed Connor was as he tilted when they cornered and she could sense how responsive and powerful the motorbike was. A trickle of something like excitement bubbled up inside her. She – Kate Graham – was doing this. Riding at high speed on a motorbike. Doing something daring. Different.
Getting a life?
It was then that Kate began to take some notice of her surroundings, and she finally realised where they were heading. As the brightness of a late summer’s day began to fade into dusk, they were getting closer and closer to one of New Zealand’s most famous beaches.
Piha.
Famed for its scenic beauty and great surf. That it could be a dangerous beach to swim at didn’t deter many thousands of people from visiting this beach at regular intervals but, despite having been within its reach her whole life, Kate had never set foot on the black iron sands.
The sand glistened in the evening sunlight with the tide well out. There were really two beaches here, the north and south stretches, divided by an ancient formation known as Lion Rock because it looked like a lion resting on the sand. Kate recognised the famous rock instantly as Connor took the bike down the access road. She still had no idea why Connor had brought her here and she definitely didn’t expect to have to climb the rock, but apparently it was important.
‘We’ll have to hurry,’ Connor said apologetically. ‘Or we’ll be too late. Are you up for it?’
Kate took in a good lungful of the wonderful sea air. ‘Bring it on.’
Connor set a brisk pace across the sand but slowed as they began the track leading up the lion’s back. Kate caught the frequent glances that were assessing how fit she was. She must have made the grade because Connor picked up the pace, walking just half a pace ahead of her.
It made her feel good that she could keep up with him. Being so far from the city in such an astonishingly beautiful part of the country should be making her feel even better, but Kate still felt confused about why she was here and there was a nagging sensation that she had backed herself into a corner. They were miles from anywhere. Connor could say anything he wanted and she couldn’t even walk away if she didn’t like it.
What on earth had she been thinking to put herself into such a vulnerable position?
Connor stopped so abruptly Kate banged into him.
‘Sorry.’
‘No worries. I shouldn’t have stopped like that but this looks like a good spot.’ He stepped off the track. ‘Be careful. Wouldn’t want you slipping.’
No. They weren’t that far from the dramatic cliffs that must represent part of the lion’s mane when it was viewed from the right direction. It was a spot that gave a great view of the surf below, where a number of surfers were making the most of the last daylight. Connor didn’t go far off the track. He chose a smooth rocky area just protruding from the short tussock, dropped his leather jacket that he’d peeled off during the climb up the hill and sat down. Kate sat down on the uphill side of his spot. It made her slightly higher. Maybe it made her feel slightly more in control.
Connor said nothing. He shaded his eyes with his hand and watched the surfers. For a long moment Kate found herself watching him, still wondering what the purpose of this expedition was.
He looked tired, she decided. His face was very still and his jaw looked dark with a day’s growth of beard. He’d been wearing a black T-shirt under the leather jacket and it left his arms bare. She could see the curve of his muscles just under the sleeves and the skin looked so smooth. Free of the dark scatter of hair on his forearms.
The hand that wasn’t shielding his eyes from the glare of the lowering sun was resting on the thigh closest to Kate. A large hand but the fingers were long and beautifully defined. A powerful but clever hand. Kate couldn’t help remembering what that hand had felt like on her back, guiding her expertly though complicated dance moves.
With a jerk of effort she lifted her gaze and managed to focus on the expanse of the beach and the surrounding hills. After another long moment Kate found herself also watching the activity in the surf far below.
The surfers sat on their boards, riding the swells beyond where the waves were breaking. Time and again they let waves go by that looked huge to Kate. She didn’t understand what they were waiting for but then a wave came that was better in some way and there was frantic movement as the riders paddled furiously to position themselves and stand up on their boards.
And then it was a joy to watch as they skimmed sideways along the wall of water, being chased by the curling lip of the breaking wave. The sky behind them was changing colour and a faint pink tinge began to strengthen and take on streaks of yellow and orange brilliance. Several surfers headed for the shore but one was still out there and produced the longest ride Kate had seen. Not only that, they were also treated to a show of talent with the rider doing some spectacular turns and a final flip that had him airborne against the glow of the sunset.
