Page 119 of Watching Her

“I’ve never been on either one,” she admitted.

I grinned as I slipped on the helmet. “Then I guess you’ll soon get to experience both. The question stands. Can you trust me?” At this point, I was surprised that was possible.

She’d all but accused me of killing people. My surprise had been her reaction. What I’d learned from everything Kingston had shared with me about the lengths she’d gone to with her father had provided everything I needed to know about her strength, her resolve, and her ability to see past typical rules and laws.

Did that making killing people who betrayed me acceptable in her mind? Likely not, but she understood being willing to do anything to save someone she cared about.

However, it was a story she needed to tell me if and when she was ready.

Although, I was keenly aware Carrington Jacobs was prepared to use the scandal against her. That much I had the advantage of knowing. What remained in the shadows were his plans on destroying Tempest.

But she knew more than she’d been willing to tell me.

And why? Because she wanted to protect me. Now all I wanted to do was to wrap piano wire around his neck.

What both Penelope and I craved was closeness, but also the ability to let go without reservations. I’d come to that conclusion only while sharing pizza. A simple act yet one that had altered my viewpoint. The woman had more power than she could comprehend.

She fiddled with the helmet while studying me, her answer when she secured it on her head. “Alright. But if you kill me, I’m going to be pissed.”

“I have no intention of allowing anything to happen to you. Climb on behind me.” I swung my leg over the bike, twisting and patting the seat behind me.

She chewed on her bottom lip before moving closer.

I started the bike, revving it for her benefit.

“Keep your arms tightly wrapped around my waist,” I commanded. As soon as she clasped her hands together, I left the garage, heading down the long driveway. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had anyone riding with me.

If ever.

There were several firsts with her, an awakening of my senses and they were all electrified.

As I rode through the property, taking the backroads that also doubled as horse trails, she pressed her face against my back. The heat of her body kept me on edge as much as the words she’d offered lingered in my mind.

She didn’t know just how resilient she was. In learning about what she’d gone through, I’d felt a sense of kinship more than before. Not that she wasn’t a much better person than I was because she was truly a decent, loving human being. More because she’d been able to look past what most would consider dangerous and reprehensible to see the man inside.

More than I’d been able to do or cared in doing. That’s why I didn’t mind sharing parts of myself that my father would chastise me for.

“You never divulge your secrets to anyone, especially those you dare care about.”

His statement had remained locked in the shadows of my brain. Knowing my mother had been purposely kept in the dark about so much of his involvement with the Carpella Crime Syndicate, I was even angrier than I’d been with him before.

Secrets between lovers were necessary, but those with someone who’d captured your heart led to despair. What I was determined to do, even if it meant losing her, was to protect her. She’d already balked at my interference, which was another reason I craved the woman. But she couldn’t keep me from ensuring her safety.

With the minutes ticking away, the sun had created the perfect shimmer across the lush greenery and dense forests. I could sense the moment she’d relaxed, enjoying the ride as much as I did. Only when I slowed the bike did she lift her head.

Only a couple of minutes later, I pulled into a clearing, bringing the bike to a stop. Immediately, I jerked off my helmet, taking a deep breath as soon as I did.

I heard her whispered exclamation from behind me as she removed her helmet. The feeling of her long strands of hair skimming my cheek forced my cock to stiffen.

“This is magnificent. We’re still on your property?” Her tone held surprise.

“We are. This spot is one of the reasons I bought the place.” I got off first, not asking as I lifted her onto the ground. Her eyes never left mine and the way her long fingers dug into my arms allowed me to grasp she was still uncertain of me.

How could I blame her?

Penelope grinned, the anxiety fading at least enough she pulled away from me. I stood where I was, watching as she moved toward the edge of the brook. I waited before I moved beside her, and we stared out at the water together.

“Nature has a way of making anything seem beautiful,” she said in a quiet, reserved voice.