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She hesitates, eyes flicking to the bike like she’s not sure. Maybe it was the hitman conversation. Can’t blame her for that one. Truth is, if she knew the shit I’ve done, she’d probably be three counties over by now.

Selfish and desperate to spend more time with her, I scoff and head toward my bike, climbing as the rain pours down heavily. “You coming?”

She climbs on tentatively, as though she’s still unsure of her decision, but we both know she knows what she wants. I saw it in her eyes. I felt it in her stare. She wants to see where this night with me will take her, and that makes two of us.

When she’s on the bike, I shove the helmet back into her hands and fire up the engine. “Hold on tight.”

“Wait.” She taps my shoulder. “Why don’t we ride over to my shop? We can hole up in there until the rain clears.”

“You don’t like getting slammed by rain while you ride? Where’s the fun in that?”

She lets out a breathy laugh. “Fun isn’t exactly what I’d call that.”

I smirk, revving the engine. “Then you’ve been riding wrong.”

She doesn’t respond, and I’m not sure what I should do. Her friend’s house was the plan, but the idea of heading over to her shop sticks. Maybe because it makes sense or maybe because it means a little more time with her, even if I don’t know why I want it like I do.

“Shop’s closer,” I say, like it’s more logical. “Less time in the rain.”

She hesitates, fingers tightening slightly around my waist. “Okay.”

I don’t give myself time to think about why I suddenly feel lighter. I just kick the bike into gear and tear out of the lot, the rain slicing across my face as the engine roars. In less than two minutes, we’re pulling up next to her record store and she’s hurrying up the steps to unlock the door.

She’s shivering, her fingers fumbling in the slight light as she works the key into the lock. The rain drips from her hair, sliding down her face, catching in the hollow of her throat.

I should just leave. I should let her go inside, dry off, and disappear into whatever life she’s got waiting beyond these doors… but I don’t. I continue on with the delusion rattling in my head. The one where she and I spend a night together doing all the filthy things I’m sure the banker wouldn’t do.

I kill the engine and swing off the bike, the scent of rain and asphalt thick in the air. She gets the door open, pushes it inward, and the warm glow from inside spills onto the wet pavement. Hesitating in the doorway, she looks back at me like she’s got something to say but doesn’t say it.

I nod toward the inside. “You gonna stand there all night?”

A flash of a smile flickers across her lips. It’s fleeting, barely there. “I could say the same to you.”

I’m not sure why I’m hesitating. Maybe I’m afraid to ruin her. She’s so sweet, so innocent, so perfect. I’d bet she’s never seen a dark day in her life. What business do I have showing her mine?

Unfortunately for her, that doesn’t stop me.

When I’m finally inside, I shut the door behind me and peel off my jacket as Nicole fumbles in the back for something.

“I’ve got some spare clothes back here. I know I do. Not sure I have anything your size, though.”

“I don’t need spare clothes. The rain will quit soon enough, and we’ll be out on the road again.”

There’s quiet for a moment before she returns wearing an oversized flannel with her bare legs on display, taunting me.

Fuck! Now this is just cruel!

“I have this.” She hands me a dry pair of pajama bottoms and a T-shirt. “Everything is new. I’ve been stockpiling for Christmas.”

“And who were these supposed to go to? Tell me I’m wearing the banker’s Christmas gift. That might get me off.” I laugh, already feeling the weight of my terrible sense of humor.

“Oh, wow.” She narrows her gaze in what looks like disgust, but I swear there’s a hidden smile. “That’s just wrong.” She pauses. “These were for donations. I try and give to the shelter every year, so I grab things on sale when I can. You can use the backroom to change.”

Of course she’s so sweet she’s collecting donations year-round. I really should save her from me and leave right now.

“I don’t need the clothes. It’ll stop raining soon. Plus, you ever peel off a pair of wet jeans then try to put them back on?”

She smiles. “You can ride over to Sienna’s in the flannel bottoms. No one will see you. It’s dark outside.”