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Whew. “Yes, that’s fine. I’ll have it ready.”

“Thanks! You’re a gem!”

She hung up, and I stuffed my phone into my purse, not paying attention to the crowded parking lot or the sudden high-pitched screeching sound that made my head snap up in time to catch the motorcycle grinding to a halt a few inches from where I stood.

I sucked in a breath as my eyes widened, backing up a few steps and nearly stumbling in my haste. Pissed and fueled byadrenaline, I opened my mouth to yell at the stranger to slow down when I locked onto a set of stormy gray eyes that were as familiar as my heartbeat.

My jaw dropped. I didn’t expect this. I didn’t anticipate seeing my foster brother again after twelve years.

Blinking, I closed my mouth, staring as he watched me, not at all bothered by the fact that he nearly ran me over. Oh, God. He was here. Right in front of me. No longer existing in my dreams or memories of the past.

Rain. In the flesh.

He straddled his bike, tall and intimidating, as he gripped the handlebars of his motorcycle with black leather gloves. I saw the vest he wore and noticed the tight black shirt underneath. Dark denim over thick, muscular thighs. Shitkicker boots. Colorful ink on his bare arms.

And, wow, that smirk that haunted me since I was a little girl.

“Rain,” I breathed.

He didn’t blink. Didn’t move. “Hop on.”

What?

I shook my head, backing up a step. I wasn’t getting on this death machine!

“Angel, hop on the back of my bike. We need to talk.”

His angel. I never forgot the nickname he gave me.

“No.” I wasn’t sure he could hear me over the engine.

“Katrina,” he growled, sounding more vicious than the iron beast he rode. “Get on. Now.”

Shit. I slung my purse across my torso and ignored the people glancing our way. My gaze briefly slid over the pavement, and I noted the black skid marks from his tires. He really did almost hit me.

Disgruntled by that knowledge, I shot him a dirty look before I hiked my leg and ungracefully climbed on, nearly colliding with him. I was out of practice, awkward, and embarrassed. I’donly ridden with Rain when we were teens, which was reckless enough. I shouldn’t be doing this now.

His chest vibrated with laughter as I slid my arms around his waist, tucking my body close to his because this scared the shit out of me. I remembered how fast his Harley could go on the open road. Rain loved the speed and freedom. At one time, I did too.

“Hold on tight,” he ordered before pulling back on the throttle. We lurched forward, rumbling through the parking lot of the library and merging onto the street.

I had no idea where he was taking me. I tried to ask, but he acted like he couldn’t hear me. I tapped his shoulder, but he shook his head, grabbed my hands, and held them against his stomach.

Sighing, I knew what he meant.Don’t ever let go.Rule number one. He taught me that many years ago. My safety relied on my ability to keep my bottom on the seat and my hands on his body.Wow, that has so many meanings now.

It wasn’t until he rode through my neighborhood that I began to realize our destination. When he pulled onto my driveway, I dropped my hands as he parked. The shock of the truth took hold as I realized he knew where I lived. The engine shut off, and silence engulfed us. I didn’t move as he stood, lifted off his helmet, and hung it on the handlebars.

“Katrina.”

I lifted my chin, meeting his gray eyes that felt more like quicksilver now as they swept over me, heating with something I couldn’t begin to understand.

“Come on, angel. I’ve got lunch.”

Lunch?

He moved behind me and opened his saddlebags, pulling out paper bags with a sub logo on them. “You need to eat.”

I did. Somehow, it didn’t seem important. “You’re here.”