“Come riding with me, sweetheart.”
Lisa didn’t have a good enough argument to refuse. Primarily because she was dying to know what it was like. She quickly changed into jeans and a warmer jacket, wearing a long strap purse across her body, and followed Ryan’s instructions to climb onto the seat.
“You won’t go too fast, will you?”
He was busy clipping his half-helmet onto her head. He tapped the tip of Lisa’s nose.
“Trust me.”
* * *
It wasn’t quite a life-changing experience, but Lisa’s lungs felt fully inflated by the time the bike slowed down inside the Diablos’ massive compound some minutes later. She wished the ride had lasted longer, if only so she could secretly enjoy holding onto Ryan’s waist tightly.
“How was it?” Ryan asked her after climbing off the bike, unhooking the helmet from her chin.
“I think I need to learn how to drive one. It was fantastic!”
He laughed lightly and tapped a finger beneath her chin. “I’ll take you riding anytime you ask.”
She didn’t respond to that. How could she, when her mind was still swirling with images of kissing him last night?
Thankfully, if he noticed her inelegance, Ryan didn’t mention it when he led her into the building. It was nothing like she’d ever imagined and somehow cooler than she expected. It was nothing fancy, but what she saw she surmised was really expensive. From the couches to the curved bar, with a wall of liquor bottles. Down at the other end was a built-in high-tech media wall. A few guys were around a pool table, and a few more were sitting at the bar.
It felt like every set of eyes turned Lisa’s way, and she subconsciously inched closer to Ryan.
“This is Lisa,” he announced. “Be fucking nice to her or I’ll break your faces.”
Oh, God. Why did he have to announce her like that, as if she were someone important to mind their manners?
“Where is Scarlett?” she asked, covering up her embarrassment.
“Yo, probie, where is Scar?”
“She was going to the media room the last time I checked.”
“This way, sweetheart,” Ryan told her and rested a hand on the base of her spine, leading the way.
Sure enough, Scarlett and Kelly were in what looked like a home theater room. The girls were sitting with coffee and cake in front of them.
“Look who it is, with her very own escort.” said Kelly, grinning.
“Splice, did you see to Lisa’s car?” Asked Scarlett. Ah, so that’s how he knew to come to her house.
“Yeah, gonna work on it today. Need to order the windows, so it might take a few days to get back.” He directed it at Lisa.
“Thank you, I appreciate it. Just take your time if there are other cars to work on first.” She replied. “Let me know how much it’ll be.”
“I got it.”
She frowned. “What does that mean?”
“I got it,” he repeated, firmer this time.
Fine, she’d wait until he gave her the invoice. Her eyes dropped to his hand, and she remembered he’d told her last night he’d injured it. “Hey, did you get that stitched yet?”
He raised his hand with the makeshift band-aid across the side of his palm. “I will today.”
Lisa turned to Scarlett. “Is Lottie coming?”
