AllFreeNovel
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“California is great. What’s not to like about nonstop sunshine? But Montana is big sky country. It’s beautiful up there, and so many things to do outdoors.”
“So you’re an outdoorsy kind of girl? Hiking and shit like that?”
I nod. “Yeah, shit like that. River rafting. Rock climbing. Camping and hiking. All of it. I mean I grew up on the Colorado River, so there’s that.”
“So…you’re an adrenaline junkie?”
I frown. “Not at all. Case in point, your motorcycle.”
He waves me off. “You’ll love it before the day is over. I guarantee it.”
I finish my sandwich and the onion rings while eyeballing Diesel with wariness. “Doubtful.”
He wipes his mouth and tosses the napkin down with a smile, a challenge gleaming in his eyes. “Wanna bet?”
I shake my head. “No. Growing up in a casino town, the last thing I wanna do is throw away money on gambling.” Riverbend isn’t Vegas, but I’ve seen more than enough gamblers down on their luck to know I want no part of that life.
“Another thing I now know about you,” he says with a proud smile. “We don’t have to bet money, Cassidy.”
“What then?” I ask, my heart racing.Please don’t let him ask for a kiss.Not that I’m opposed to kissing him. I’m not, but guys betting on kisses are just gross.
“Dinner. If you love being on my bike by the end of the day, you let me take you out for real.”
I think about it carefully. Spending time with Diesel is no hardship, and I’ll be leaving Angel Harbor as soon as my truck is ready to go, so there’s no risk of getting too attached. “What if I lie?”
“You won’t be able to, not if you really love it. Which you will. So, what’s it gonna be, Cass?”
I hate that I like it when he calls me Cass. “Okay. You have a bet. And if I win?”
“Think about what you’d like,” he says, standing to toss our trash. “Don’t think too hard, though, since you’re gonna lose.”
I laugh and follow him out of the deli. “So cocky.”
“Just confident,” he replies, smiling as we walk back to his bike. “I’m going to be your official tour guide today. Consensually, of course.”
“Of course.” I roll my eyes, accept the helmet, and let a biker too good-looking for my peace of mind take me all over the free world on the back of his motorcycle.
I can hang on to my attitude and pretend that I don’t want to see more of the town he calls home, but what I’ve seen so far only makes me want to see more.
The place isn’t polished or pretty, but it’s got a solid, no-nonsense vibe. Parts of it are a bit rough around the edges, but it doesn’t feel dangerous. That’s a relief, especially since I’m on the back of a motorcycle, out in the open for any troublemaker to target.
My eyes roam over the local bars, small boutiques, and nightclubs that look like they’ve hosted their share of stories. This town isn’t about being charming or quaint—it’s real, lived-in.
Soon, the residential part fades into an industrial zone. Diesel rolls the bike into a parking lot surrounded by a bunch of buildings, all looking pretty much the same, and kills the engine.
I take a look at my surroundings because I’m a smart girl who knows how to stay safe even when I’m doing questionable things, like letting a handsome biker take me wherever he pleases. The building in front of us looks like a repair shop, and my eyes land on the sign above: Ace Motors.
“Over there is Angel Harbor Choppers, which is sales and service of these beautiful machines.”
“You work here and at Morgan International? So you have two jobs?”
He laughs. “Technically, more than that. Everything you see behind this fence belongs to the Reckless Souls MC, which means I do whatever is necessary. Mostly, I fix anything with an engine.”
“So you’re in a biker gang that also owns a Harley dealer and a repair shop?” My confusion is obvious.
“Not a gang, a motorcycle club. And yes, we own Morgan International, Angel Harbor Choppers, as well as Ace Motors and a dozen or so other businesses in town.” His lips curl into a knowing smile.
“So this is like your headquarters or what?”
