Page 29

The Noise was supposed to be the best biker bar in the area. One I hoped to visit in a few months when my ID would get me in.

“I thought you were going out with them. Everything alright?”

“Yeah, just makin’ sure you got home.”

I held my arms out. “Well, as you can see, I did. Go enjoy your night.”

“Babe?” I could hear amusement in his voice, and the corners of his lips were twitching, as if he were fighting a smile.

“What?”

“What the fuck are you wearin’?”

“A dress?”

“I got that. But it’s fuckin’ boring.”

“I’m boring.”

“No, you’re anythin’ but.”

“I am. I’m totally boring.” I opened the door. “Thank you for checking on me, Jake. It was very sweet of you. Have fun tonight.”

His arm looped around my waist as he suddenly pulled me to him. “Piper?”

“Hmm?” I mumbled, unable to form words with his body pressed to mine.

“Why don’t you kiss me like you do everyone else?”

“What do you mean?” I had no issue with kissing him. I’d totally do it.

A lot.

All over.

Do that now!

“Everyone else gets a kiss when you say thank you.”

Going up on my tiptoes, my body slid against his. I pulled him down slightly and pressed a kiss to his cheek, feeling his scruff against my lips.

I couldn’t help but wonder if maybe I was focused on the wrong thing. Sure, running my fingers over his scruff would probably feel awesome. Feeling my lips on it, though, was near orgasmic.

“Better?” I asked, happy to sound steady when I felt far from it.

“Not yet,” he answered as I yawned. “Tired?”

I nodded. “And tipsy.”

“You drank?”

“Yeah, a glass of wine. Or four.”

“That’d do it. Go get some sleep.”

I nodded, intending to do just that. Giving in to my drunken impulse, I went back up on my tiptoes. I lightly pressed my lips to his before sliding back down. “Thank you, Jake.”

His eyes went hooded, his voice huskier. “Now that? That I like.”