“You ready?” he asked, his gaze shifting over me in a way that made my toes curl.
I walked toward him, and he helped me with the helmet. He smelled fresh and masculine. I was aware of everything about him as he secured the band under my chin and snapped it in place. He handed me a pair of dark-tinted glasses, and I immediately wondered who had worn them before me.
He straddled the bike and motioned for me to get on. I climbed on behind him and rested my hands on his waist.
“Hold on tight,” he said, and I did as asked, my heart pumping from a mixture of fear and excitement as he started the bike.
We pulled away from the curb, and I was aware of the fact that my thighs were pressed against his. Everything about riding behind him was intimate. My anatomy was flush against his back, and I was reminded of the sexy dream all over again. Leaning against him, I held on tighter. He didn’t get on the throttle too much, and I became more comfortable as we ate up the miles and drove down the road that followed the river. Taking a left off the main road, we rode past a tree-lined paved road that ended at a gorgeous park with a waterfall that reputedly brought out local hikers and tourists. Today being a weekday, there were few people around.
He took off his helmet before helping me remove mine. Setting them both on the motorcycle seat, he took my hand and we walked along a gravel pathway.
Excitement rippled along my spine, especially when he continued to hold my hand.
I watched him from the corner of my eye. Brax continued to surprise me. I guess I was looking for the bad boy I had heard Kara talk about. I admit that I was curious about the girls he had been with. Kara had sent me a picture of one—a trampy looking brunette with tattoos. Another was a blonde who looked like the typical girl next door. Apparently he didn’t have a type.
He squeezed my hand, and I smiled up at him.
I heard the water hitting the rocks before we rounded a bend to see the amazing waterfall. I stopped for a second and just took it all in. After living in the desert for so long, I had forgotten how beautiful my home state was and how much I had missed this part of it. To think I had grown up here and had never been to this beautiful little park was something I was glad I was finally rectifying with someone I really enjoyed spending time with.
Brax urged me closer and helped me manage the rocks until we were on a grassy knoll, the mist of the waterfall coming within a few feet of us.
“Thank you for bringing me here,” I said, the happiest I had been in a very long time. It was nice to get away from the house and home improvement, if only for a little while.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
I nodded and glanced at him, expecting him to be staring at the falls…but he wasn’t looking at the falls. He was looking at me, enjoying my reaction.
Going up on my tiptoes, I kissed him. I have no idea what possessed me to do that. He looked equally as stunned.
His lips were soft, his body hard as he suddenly pulled me close. I hesitated for only a second. My arms looped around his neck and I pressed into him, wanting more of what he offered.
I was the one who deepened the kiss, my tongue teasing the seam of his lips, urging him to open. And he did, with a groan that gave me goosebumps. There was a part of me that wanted to take him by the hand and lead him into the trees and have my way with him. Yet there was the other part that told me to be careful, to be cautious with this man who had the ability to shatter my fragile heart.
Long fingers cradled the side of my face, and I was stunned by such a sweet, caring reaction. Why did I assume that Brax Mitchell couldn’t be gentle? He had already surprised me in more ways than I could count.
I hesitated and he kissed me back. This time he deepened the kiss, his mouth demanding.
I smothered a groan. I had forgotten what it felt like to be desired.
In the distance I heard a cough, but I didn’t want to pull away.
However, Brax pulled away a second later, his green heavy-lidded eyes shifting from me to someone beyond my shoulder. He visibly relaxed, smiled, and nodded at someone behind me.
I didn’t look. I rested my forehead against Brax’s shoulder and laughed under my breath while he hugged me tight to him.