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Lore laughs, puts her hand in mine, and swings her leg over the bike, settling in behind me. Her hands find their way to my waist, fingers gripping the fabric of my jacket as she presses herself close.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve ridden on the back of a bike.”
Twisting in the seat, I look over my shoulder at her. “Really?”
Lore nods. “Yep. The last time I rode was with you.”
With a kickstart and the flick of my wrist, she roars to life, a powerful purr that vibrates through our bodies. Lore’s warmth pressed against my back feels so right, something I haven’t felt in a long time. As we race through the empty streets, the wind whipping past us, I revel in the sensation of freedom.
In this moment, with Lore’s arms wrapped around me and the wind in my hair, I feel alive. Complete. And I’ll do whatever it takes to hold on to this feeling, to protect the fragile bond that has blossomed between us. Because deep down, I know that Lore is my missing piece—the one thing I’ve been searching for all these years.
The neon lights of the motel flicker as we pull into the parking lot, casting an eerie glow on the cracked asphalt. Lore points to where her rental is, and I park behind it.
“Thanks for the ride,” she says, hopping off the bike before I’ve barely come to a complete stop. Her legs are steady, and she stands tall, the wind dancing through her hair.
I can’t help but wish she wasn’t so eager to leave my side.
“Anytime,” I say, trying to sound casual.
The truth is, I want more time with her to get to know her better and understand the secrets buried deep within her eyes.
“Can I interest you in a drink?”
Not needing to be asked twice, I kill the engine, and silence settles over the small parking lot.
Lore digs through her purse and finds the key to her room. She fumbles with it in the lock but gets the door open. Once inside, she flips on a light. The walls are painted an optimistic shade of yellow, trying to breathe life into the old bones of this motel. A large, queen-size bed sits against the far wall, the bright red comforter neatly tucked around the edges, accentuated by a couple of crisp, white pillows. The carpet beneath my feet is slightly threadbare but clean like it’s been vacuumed meticulously every day for decades.
As I step farther inside, I notice more details that add to the place’s charm—a rickety wooden desk adorned with a kitschy lamp and a rotary phone, a dresser topped with a small television that must be older than me. The curtains are drawn, giving us a sense of privacy.
I close the door behind me and stare at Lore. “Man, they don’t make ‘em like this anymore.”
Lore laughs. “There’s a reason for that.” She looks around the room. “But it’s very clean and not hugely expensive.”
Opening the mini refrigerator, she looks at me and says, “I’m afraid all I can offer you is water or Coke.” A yawn escapes her, and she shakes her head.
“You’re tired. I should go.”
Lore sits on the edge of the bed, the springs squeaking beneath her. “Stay.”
“You’re beat.”
She tilts her head to the side and smiles. “I am, but I don’t want you to go. Stay with me. I’ll sleep better if you’re here.”
“I can do that.”
Kicking off my boots, I unbuckle my jeans and let them fall to the floor, then take off my cut and T-shirt.
Lore stands. “I’m going to brush my teeth. Be right back.”
I reach out and flick the light switch, surrendering the room to shadows, but the bathroom light spills into the space, revealing just enough to prevent me from tripping over my own feet. Moving closer to the bed, I pull back the red comforter and top sheet and climb in, my weight causing the mattress to squeak beneath me.
“I’m done,” Lore announces, and I look up to see her standing in the doorway.
She’s dressed only in an old, worn T-shirt, the fabric hanging loosely around her body, reaching midthigh. Her legs are bare, and I can’t help but let my eyes wander over the smooth expanse of skin, drinking in the sight of her. She pulls the bathroom door but doesn’t close it, so the room still has some light, then saunters over to the bed. I scoot over and hold up the comforter and sheet.
“You look beautiful,” I tell her honestly, my voice low and husky as I reach out to touch her arm.
She smiles, unable to conceal the pink flush that spreads across her cheeks. “Thank you,” she murmurs, slipping beneath the covers and curling up beside me.
