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By the time they arrived at the café, Juliette felt a wave of nostalgia, but the wind in her face washed away any thoughts that might have brought her to tears. Now, it was time to embark on a longer ride.
Chains could sense her nervousness and asked if she was alright with going on a longer ride. “I’ve never felt better,” she replied. Chains raised an eyebrow, unsure if she was being truthful, so she added, “Really, I can’t wait.”
She climbed back onto the bike, her arms wrapping around Chains’ waist. He revved the engine, and they took off, the wind whipping through their hair as they sped down the open road. The landscape blurred together into a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes that seemed to mirror the whirlwind of emotions Juliette was experiencing.
As they rode, she found herself clinging more tightly to Chains, her body pressed against his back as they leaned into each turn. The tension in her shoulders began to dissipate as she focused on the sensation of the wind on her face and the steady rumble of the engine beneath her. The world around her faded away, leaving her with a sense of absolute freedom.
Chains felt her relaxing against him and couldn’t help but smile. He knew this was precisely what she needed – a taste of simplicity and joy that came from living in the moment, free from the burdens of her past. They stopped at a scenic outlook, gazing at the breathtaking view. Juliette leaned against the railing, her eyes shining with wonder. She had lived in the area for so long but had never visited this lookout point to see the world beyond her small, self-created universe.
“I never knew life could feel like this,” she whispered, her voice filled with awe. “It’s like everything else just… disappears.”
Chains stood beside her, his hand gently resting on her shoulder. “That’s the beauty of it,” he said softly. “Out here, you’re free to just be. No worries, no clutter – just you, the road, and the world.”
As they stood there, looking out over the rolling hills, Juliette felt something within her begin to shift. The fear and anxiety that had plagued her for so long seemed tomelt away, replaced by a sense of peace and clarity she hadn’t experienced since her younger years.
She sensed Chains looking at her, and as she turned her head and wiped a tear from her eye, he seemed to understand her emotions. Instead of speaking, he smiled, tenderly wiping a tear from her cheek with his thumb before bending down to place a soft, warm kiss on her lips. She closed her eyes and melted into him, feeling the warmth of his embrace. With their arms wrapped around one another, she found herself falling ever deeper for this man.
As they cruised down the rural roads of Jefferson Parish, with the sun casting a warm golden glow across the landscape, he glanced over his shoulder and smiled at Juliette, who sat with her arms wrapped securely around his waist. They stopped at a roadside shack, the scent of spicy crawfish and freshly baked bread wafting through the air.
“Ever had a crawfish po’ boy?” Chains asked, grinning as he removed his helmet.
“Probably too many for my waistline,” she joked. He laughed, glancing at her slender waist.
“What about a Crawfish Banh Mi Po’ Boy?” he asked.
Juliette shook her head. “I’ve never heard of that.” She’d noticed when they arrived at the shack that the name above the door was in a foreign language. She didn’t know what it was, but Chains explained that it was Vietnamese. “A Crawfish Banh Mi Po’ Boy is a fusion of our traditional po’ boy with the flavors and elements of a Vietnamese Banh Mi sandwich.”
“It sounds delicious,” she said.
“You’re in for a treat,” he replied, guiding her to a picnic table beneath the shade of a large oak tree. They placed their order and clinked their beer bottles together before diving into their meal.
“Mmm…” she murmured. Chains paused, the crusty baguette piled high with marinated crawfish tails, crisp cucumber slices, thinly sliced jalapeño peppers, cilantro leaves, pickled carrots, and daikon radish halfway to his mouth. He had never heard anyone enjoy their food with such an erotic sound.
He bit into his sandwich, swallowing the mouthful almost without chewing while listening to her.
When she opened her eyes after finishing her bite, she smiled and pointed to the corner of his mouth where the spicy Sriracha mayo had oozed out. He let his tongue come out and lick it up, and she couldn’t help but lick her own lips, thinking about the taste of him she hoped to share later.
Everything she discovered about Chains was unexpected. Here was this rugged biker, covered in tattoos, who’d proven to be a master in the bedroom and a connoisseur of cuisine. How did he become so well-rounded while leading what seemed like such a simple life?
* * *
“So, tell me about yourself, Chains,”Juliette prompted between bites, genuinely interested in getting to know the man who had unexpectedly entered her life.
He took a swig of beer, his steel-blue eyes meeting hers. “Well, I’m a wrecker by trade, but I’ve got a side hustle buying and selling stuff like that antique chest you bought. Most of the things I sell are more like ornaments, not necessities. But when I find something useful, like appliances or furniture, I try to help those in need, even giving it away for free if they can’t afford it.”
As Chains spoke, Juliette marveled at their similarities – their love for repurposing items and helping others. Him with his side-hustle and her at the thrift shop where she worked. Yet, there was a stark contrast between them: Chains put his finds to good use, while Juliette hoarded hers, benefiting no one.
Chains leaned back, his gaze drifting off as he continued sharing his story. He spoke of his childhood in Louisiana, a time marked by both joy and hardship. He had moved from one foster home to another, but despite the instability, he had discovered his passion for motorcycles from one of the families he had lived with. Their garage was filled with gleaming bikes, and Chains had spent countless hours there, learning about engines and the thrill of the open road.
He went on to tell her about his hobbies, like playing pool in dimly lit bars, the sound of balls clacking against each other in a satisfying rhythm as he honed his skills. He also shared his love for cooking, describing how he would experiment with different ingredients and flavors, creating dishes that would make people’s mouths water and their hearts grow content.
As he spoke, Chains’ eyes lit up with excitement when he talked about his dreams of traveling the world. He envisioned riding his motorcycle through winding mountain roads, exploring small villages, and experiencing the diverse cultures and cuisines of different countries. He imagined the wind in his hair, the freedom of the open road, and the endless possibilities that lay before him.
Juliette listened intently, her eyes sparkling with curiosity as she absorbed Chains’ stories. She found herself drawn to his openness, his willingness to share the highs and lows of his life, and the dreams that fueled him. It was rare for her to meet someone who could speak so candidly about their past and their passions, and it made her feel a connection to Chains that went beyond their shared love for motorcycles and the mysteries of the bayou.
When their meal was finished, Chains hesitated before broaching a more delicate subject. “Juliette, I hope you don’t mind me asking, but when we…uh, made love, I didn’t think to use a condom. I don’t know what came over me. I just wanted to make sure you’re using contraception.”
Juliette smiled, appreciating his concern. “You don’t have to worry about that, Chains. I’ve got it covered.”
