"I'll take you home."
She shakes her head fast. "I don't want to go home yet."
"Alright. We're heading back to Perdition. Come with us?"
I lead her over to my bike. She stops beside it, looking from the seat to me.
"First time?" I ask.
She nods. "Ever."
I grab the spare helmet. "C'mere."
She steps closer. I settle it over her head, careful with her hair, my fingers brushing the soft strands near her cheek as I fasten the strap. She goes completely still.
"There. Not too tight?"
She shakes her head. "No."
"When I lean, you lean with me."
"Okay."
"Wrap your arms around me. And hold on."
Her cheeks turn pink. She gives a tiny nod.
"If you get scared or you want me to pull over, tap my side twice."
"I will."
I hold her gaze another second. "I've got you, Buttercup."
Something in her expression softens. "I know."
I swing my leg over. She climbs on behind me. For a second she doesn't know what to do with her hands. Then they settle around my waist—tentative.
"A little tighter," I tell her.
"I don't want to squish you."
A laugh slips out. "Buttercup… You couldn't squish me if you tried."
She laughs softly, then her arms tighten. Warm. Right.
I start the bike. The engine rumbles. She jumps a little.
"You okay?"
"Yeah."
We ease out behind the others. I keep the speed easy. Every corner she leans with me. Her grip shifts, and every time it does something settles in my chest.
She's here. Not because anyone made her. Because she wants to be.
By the time we roll into the compound, I almost wish the ride wasn't over. I park and kill the engine. She slides off, pulls off the helmet, and hands it to me. Her hair's wild. She tries to smooth it down, looking shy.
"It looks fine," I say.
