Page 7

“Hi,” Jo replied. “Everything okay with your sister and your friends?”

Evelyn nodded. “Yeah, they’re heading out,” she said. “I told them not to worry about me.”

The implication hung in the air between them. Jo swallowed hard, feeling a surge of attraction but also an unfamiliar flutter in her stomach that felt a little too much like nerves. “So,” Jo said. “What do you want to do now?”

“I’m not sure,” Evelyn said, biting her lip, a small action that sent a jolt of electricity through Jo’s body. “What did you have in mind?” Hesitating for a moment, Jo was torn between her usual bold approach and a newfound desire to take things slow.

Finally, she made a decision. “How about we go for a ride?” she suggested, her usual confident smile returning. “I’ve got my bike outside. We could get some fresh air, maybe find a quiet spot to talk.”

Evelyn’s eyes lit up at the suggestion. “I’ve never been on a motorcycle before,” she confessed, and Jo’s smile widened.

“Well then, you’re in for a treat,” she said. “Come on, I’ll show you the ropes.” As they made their way out of the bar, Jo caught Mica’s eye. Her friend gave her a thumbs up and mouthed, “Good luck,” causing Jo to give her head a small shake. Mica was simply being Mica, but tonight it felt like a little too much.

The cool night air hit them as they stepped outside, a welcome relief from the stuffy heat of the bar. Jo led Evelyn to her motorcycle, a sleek black machine that gleamed under the streetlights.

“She’s beautiful,” Evelyn breathed, running a hand along the smooth leather seat.

Feeling a swell of pride, Jo looked at the bike. “Thanks,” she said. “I’ve had her for years, keep her in top shape myself.” As Jo handed Evelyn a spare helmet, their fingers brushed, making Jo feel a pull of attraction low in her body. She took a deep breath, trying to focus on the task at hand. “All right. It might be cold, so wear my jacket.” Accepting the offer, Evelyn slipped on the black leather. It was too big for her, but somehow made the woman look even sexier.

The woman pulled the jacket tighter around her, clearly loving the warmth. “Thank you,” Evelyn said, pulling up the zipper.

The urge to kiss her was strong, but Jo forced herself to relax. “Hold on tight to me, okay?” she said as she slipped a leg over the bike. “And lean when I lean. Think you can handle that?”

With a determined look in her eyes, Evelyn nodded. “I think I can manage.”

Jo felt Evelyn climb on behind her. As Evelyn’s arms wrapped around her waist, Jo had to suppress a shiver.This is going to be an interesting ride, she thought.If that’s all it takes to get me going.As the engine roared to life, Jo felt Evelyn’s grip tighten slightly. With a grin, she eased the bike out of the parking lot and onto the open road.

As they rode through the quiet streets, Jo felt the warmth of Evelyn’s chest pressed against her back and the way Evelyn’s thighs gripped her hips made a heat start to build in her body.I could take her straight to my place,she thought.Like I would normally do.For a reason she couldn’t quite understand, that wasn’t what she was ready to do. Trying not to overthink it, instead Jo took them on a winding route through the city, enjoying the way Evelyn gasped and laughed as they leaned intocurves. Finally, she pulled into a small, secluded parking lot overlooking the city lights.

After they dismounted and Jo put down the kickstand, she couldn’t help but notice the way Evelyn’s eyes shone with exhilaration, her cheeks flushed from the ride.

“That was amazing,” Evelyn said, her voice filled with awe. “I’ve never felt anything like it.”

Grinning, Jo leaned against her seat, her legs slightly apart to keep the bike steady. “Glad you enjoyed it,” she said. “Nothing quite like the freedom of the open road.”

For a moment, Evelyn hesitated, her eyes locked on Jo’s before she stepped between Jo’s legs to get much closer. “Thank you for sharing that with me,” she said softly. The air between them seemed to crackle with chemistry. Moving on instinct, Jo dipped her head, and before she could second-guess herself, her lips were on Evelyn’s, soft and tentative at first, then harder as Evelyn responded eagerly. Jo’s hands found Evelyn’s waist, pulling her tighter against her. Evelyn’s fingers grasped Jo’s shirt, making Jo groan deep in her throat. Evelyn’s mouth was everything Jo had imagined, sweet and passionate, tender and fiery all at once.

As they broke apart, both breathless, Jo rested her forehead against Evelyn’s. Her mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Desire, excitement, and an unfamiliar sense of vulnerability that both thrilled and terrified her. “Wow,” Evelyn whispered, her eyes still closed, and Jo chuckled softly.

“Yeah, wow is right,” she said, and as Evelyn’s eyes fluttered open, Jo found herself lost in their depths. She wanted nothing more than to take Evelyn home, to explore every inch of her, to lose herself in the passion that simmered between them. But something held her back. A nagging voice in the back of her mind reminded her of all the times she had done this before. Of how many times she had taken a woman home, enjoyed a nightof passion, and then moved on without a second thought.But does Evelyn deserve more than that?she wondered and then grit her teeth. She didn’t know what had gotten into her.I need to stop worrying about everything and go with the flow. This is for one night and one night only.As if to prove it to herself, she pulled Evelyn tighter against her and kissed her again.

Four

The night air nipped at Evelyn’s skin as she clung to Jo, her heart still racing from their passionate kisses under the starlit sky. Her mind was a whirlwind of emotions. There was exhilaration from the ride, desire from the kisses, and a newfound boldness that both thrilled and terrified her.

“You okay?” Jo’s voice, warm and husky, broke through Evelyn’s reverie. Blinking, Evelyn realized she had been standing motionless, lost in thought.

A blush crept up her cheeks as she met Jo’s gaze. “Yes, I’m fine,” she said. “Only processing, I suppose.” A gust of wind swept past them, and Evelyn couldn’t suppress a shiver.

“You’re cold,” Jo said with a frown.

Evelyn shook her head, snuggling deeper into Jo’s jacket. “I’m fine, really,” she said. “It’s you I’m worried about. You must be freezing without your jacket.”

With a chuckle, Jo flexed her bare, muscular arms in an exaggerated show of bravado. “Please, I’m tough as nails,” she said. “A little chill doesn’t bother me.”

Despite her words and the heat seeing Jo flex sent through her body, Evelyn noticed the goosebumps rising on Jo’s exposedskin. Without thinking, she ran her hands up and down Jo’s thick arms in an attempt to warm her. The simple touch felt incredibly intimate, and Evelyn marveled at her own boldness.

Jo’s breath hitched, her eyes darkening as they locked onto Evelyn’s. “You know,” she said slowly. “My place isn’t far from here. I’ve got a fireplace. We could warm up there.” The invitation hung in the air, heavy with implication. Evelyn’s heart raced, her mind a battlefield of desire and caution. She was in unknown territory, far beyond the safe confines of her usual life.