Page 43 of Spock’s Snare

“I figured you’d say that.”

She puts on the helmet and climbs on behind me. Her arms slide around my waist, and I wait until she settles against my back before starting the engine.

Riversedge Apartments is only a few miles away. When we pull onto the site, Rush and Hawk are already talking. I pull up next to the office. Chloe doesn’t wait for me. She jumps off the bike and rushes to the office.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN: CHLOE

The moment Spock brings his bike to a stop, I release him and scramble off the back like the leather seat is on fire.

It isn’t.

I am, though.

My legs feel unsteady, and I’m not sure whether it’s from the bike’s vibrations, the adrenaline of flying down the road with nothing between me and the pavement, or the fact that I spent the entire ride pressed against Spock’s hard body.

The most humiliating part is that it wasn’t even that long of a ride.

We crossed the highway and traveled a short distance to the Riversedge Apartments, yet every nerve ending in my body is buzzing. My breasts ache from being pressed against him, and I can still feel the heat of his body between my thighs.

I yank off the helmet and shove it at him before I do something reckless. Because all I want to do is drag him into my office, strip him down, and climb him like a tree.

The image comes far too easily. Spock naked. Those powerful arms wrapped around me. His hands gripping my hips while I—Nope. Not going there. Absolutely not.

I step away before he can see what that ride has done to me.

“Everything okay?” he asks. His voice is low and smooth, and it slides over my overheated skin like a caress.

“Fine.” The word comes out too fast. I clear my throat and try again. “I’m fine.”

I risk a glance at his face, and the knowing smirk causes my cheeks to heat and my pulse to quicken.

I gesture toward the half-finished apartment building, pretending I’m deeply concerned about concrete, framing, and electrical work. “I just want to check the progress.”

Spock glances from the building back to me. “Sure.”

He doesn’t believe me.

I don’t care.

Rush beat us here. He’s already off his bike and talking to Hawk.

I don’t wait for anyone to say anything else. Turning on my heel, I march toward the temporary office with as much dignity as I can manage on trembling legs.

Once inside, I grab my hard hat from the hook by the door and jam it onto my head. It won’t cool me down, but at least it gives me something to hide beneath.

When I step outside again, Spock, Rush, and Hawk are gathered near the bikes. Hawk is already talking, probably giving them an update on everything that happened while we were gone.

Spock is watching me.

Our eyes meet.

Heat flashes through me all over again.

I immediately turn and disappear into the safety of the building. The temperature drops the moment I step inside. Without the late-afternoon sun beating down on me, the cooler air should feel like a relief. It doesn’t. My skin is still overheated, and every step reminds me of the motorcycle vibrating beneath me—and Spock’s body trapped between my arms and legs.

I need to get myself under control. Fortunately, I have work to distract me.

I pull my work tablet from beneath my arm and make my way through the first floor, checking each unit as I go. Most of the framing is complete. The plumbing rough-ins appear to be where they belong, and the electrical boxes I can see are mounted at the correct heights. Several units have drywall up, although the seams haven’t been taped yet.