“Do you really want me to take you somewhere?” he asks.
I gesture to his side. “Are you okay to go somewhere?”
He shrugs. “I’ll be riding around, regardless.”
“I don’t want to go back to the country club,” I admit. “And I’m not ready to go home. Other than those two places, I have no idea where I want to go.”
Dax offers the helmet. “I have a place in mind. That is, if you won’t freak out again mid-ride.”
I take the helmet. “Where are we going?”
“Nowhere near the clubhouse.”
I slide on the helmet. “Okay.”
He slides off his leather jacket. “Here, take this. You’ve been shaking this whole time.”
I take a step backwards. “No, it’s okay.”
He pushes his tattooed arm out further. “Just take it.”
Inadvertently, I shiver again. I grasp the jacket and murmur a thank you, somewhat exhilarated by the fact I have no idea where I’m going.
Dax throws a leg over the motorcycle and revs the engine in preparation. I slide my arms into his jacket. I could fit another set of arms in the sleeves, and the waist could wrap around me one and a half times. Trying not to inhale lingering cigarette fumes, I zip up the jacket and then climb on behind him.
When I hug my arms around him, he remarks, “Try not to cut off my air supply this time.”
A nervous chuckle hiccups out of me. “Sorry about that.”
Dax revs the motor again and takes off from the side of the road.
Seven
Daxridesfurtheroutof town, hugging the edges of Mountains Road, which is notorious for sharp bends and winding curves. I keep my helmeted face planted against Dax’s back, barely opening my eyes. However, they’re forced open when I feel the bike descending.
“Huh?” I mumble as the bike skids down a dirt track.
I hug Dax tighter, and he wheezes in response. I want to apologize and loosen my arms, but fear keeps me locked. I relax only once the motorcycle comes to a stop.
Dax turns off the engine and pats my hands, which are still intertwined around his gut.
“You can let go,” he teases.
I squeak and unlatch my hands. I yank off the helmet and slide off the motorcycle, giving him room to move.
When he gets off, he takes one look at his bulky jacket bulging around me and sniggers. “Looking good, Sassy.”
I sigh and unzip the jacket. “You can have it back.”
He lifts a hand, shrugging. “No, you keep it. It gets pretty chilly out here at night.”
Dax moves to the rear of the motorcycle and retrieves my purse from the trunk. He hangs it on the handlebars, because I’m mesmerized by the view. He has brought us off the road and closer to the ravine. There are no streetlights or headlights to brighten the area, instead leaving the job to the bright moon and magical stardust above. They highlight the striking mountain edges, casting shadows in navy, gray, and forest green. Further into the ravine, the lake reflects the spectacular view.
“Wow,” it breathes out of me. “I haven’t admired a view like this in such a long time.”
Dax takes a seat on a clump of rocks. “This is my favorite place in all of the mountains.”
I smile, but it quickly fades when Dax habitually checks his pocket.
