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“You’re Easton, right?” I ask, looking down at the helmet, my favorite color, wondering how he knew.
He nods and smiles. “This time.”
“Are you sure this is safe?” I ask, taking a mental snapshot of him leaning against that cherry-red bike.
“I won’t let anything happen to you,” he promises, his blue eyes shining like diamonds before he closes his visor. All I see is my reflection staring back at me.
I take the helmet and slide it over my head. It’s a perfect fit. Easton snaps the kickstand up and mounts it. I lift my leg, sliding behind him, scooting forward until my breasts press against his back.
“This is un-fucking-believable,” I mutter, shaking my head as I carefully snake my hands around his strong body.
Then, I hear him audibly chuckle from a speaker in my helmet. “Agreed. Hang on.”
He wasn’t supposed to hear that.
Excitement takes over as we zoom away.
“Of course they’re linked together.”
“Yeah. So we can chat if needed.”
I can hear the smile in his voice. I can already imagine the look on his face.
He slows at a stop sign, and his firm hand grips my thigh as he looks both ways. My heart pounds so fast that I swear I can hear it inside the quietness of my helmet.
Experiencing the city like this in the late afternoon is incredible. I look up at the buildings, taking it all in as we cruise by. I hold him a little tighter, wanting to get lost with him and live in the make-believe, even if it’s only for a year. I have nothing to lose andeverythingto gain.
“What book are you currently reading?” he asks.
“Fifty Shades,” I tell him.
“Lie,” he says.
“Stalker.”
He chuckles, but doesn’t deny it.
“Well, joke’s on you. I’mintothat shit,” I tell him with a laugh. “I’d be the worst person to try to kidnap. I read too much.”
“What am I going to do with you?” he asks.
“I think you’re gonna make me your wife.”
“Mmm. I think that’s still to be determined.”
His words come out in a deep rasp, and I can only imagine that devilish smirk on his bastard face. I’m only sad I don’t get to experience it.
12
EASTON
Birthday countdown: 37 days
Since meeting her: 9 days
Company takeover: 44 days
We arrive at the small Italian restaurant my grandfather and I frequented when I was a boy. The idea to start the company that changed my family’s life came to fruition inside these walls; sharing this place with her is fitting.