“Didn’t anyone teach you to drive better?” I snarked in reply as I gestured toward my soaked attire.
Callum Blackwood’s gaze raked over every soaked inch of clothing as he took in my appearance, before his eyes met mine again, and an eyebrow arched in question.
“You’re walking through a rainstorm, but are blaming me for your soaked appearance?”
“No,” I spat the word back. “I’m saying you shouldn’t be allowed to ride a motorbike if you can’t avoid puddles.”
He huffed a dark laugh as I stood there in the pouring rain, before he crossed his arms across his chest, looking me over once more. “And what?” His voice was a light tease as he spoke. “You think you could drive better in the rain?”
I let out a breath as my eyes narrowed on him. “With my eyes closed.”
He hopped off the bike then, cutting the engine as his gloved hand extended in a gesture. “Let’s see it,” he said, a dimpled smirk showing as he stood in the darkness, the street lights reflecting from the rain droplets on his helmet as he waited for my response.
“W-what? Now?” I shook my head as I began to walk away.
“You have a better idea?” he taunted. “Plus, it’s pouring, and I’m assuming you’d prefer to get home before every inch of you is soaked to the bone.”
My eyes narrowed as I studied the male before me. This was a stupid idea . . . Idid notneed to prove I could drive a bike to this male. I wassupposedto be staying away from him. He was a guard for Solis Court. He was off-limits.
And yet . . . “Fuck it,” I replied before I stepped forward and slid onto the seat of his motorbike. I revved the engine as the rain beat down around us, tightening my hands around the handlebars of the bike as a wave of excitement coursed through me.
It had been far too long since I’d sat on a motorbike . . . since before my father was killed.
It was a reckless decision . . . stupid really. And yet, my foot kicked back, and I was nearly about to press the gas when I felt Callum slide behind me.
“What thefuckdo you think you’re doing?” I half-cried as I turned my neck to stare at him.
He huffed an amused laugh as he looked at me. “You can’t seriously think I’d let you drive off with my bike . . .withoutme.”
My lip turned down as I looked at him, because well,yes.I had fully expected that.
“I don’t trust youthatmuch yet, starlight.” His voice was a rumble as he cocked his head, waiting for me.
“Well, I don’t trust you either.”
“And yet, you’re about to drivemybike.”
I scoffed. “Only to prove to you that you suck at driving in the rain.”
“Prove away,” he said with a grand gesture of his hand, which had me kicking the bike into gear in what I prayed was a fast enough movement for him to lose his seat.
It wasn’t.
I felt the rumble of his chest as I tore through the street, flying through the light as I cut across the slick pavement of the Nox District. The roads were coated with a mixture of wet sand and potholes filled with rainwater, yet I flew through the streets, knowing these roads like the back of my hand.
I left out an excited shout as I raced toward my apartment, feeling the wind whip around me as I rode far too fast through the district, ignoring the pelting of rain as I felt alive for the first time in years.
The bike rumbled beneath me as I leaned into a curve, the tire spinning slightly before the bike straightened out and I flew through the next light without stopping, knowing that thestreets on this side of town were nearly always free at this time of night.
I was drenched to the bone by the time I skidded to a halt in front of my apartment along The Wall a few minutes later, my heart racing from adrenaline as I cut the engine and twisted my body.
“See,farsuperior driving. No innocent bystanders splashed.”
He huffed a laugh. “I don’t know if I’d agree with you entirely. But fine, no innocent bystanders were splashed. I’ll give you that.”
I slide off the bike, making my way to the door.
“Why’d you let me ride your bike?” I questioned as I looked over at him.
