Page 48 of Death, Interrupted

I smiled as I looked from the bike to him. “Are we takingher?”

Sly shot me an amused look, one eyebrow raising slightly. “That’s what I was hoping.”

I studied April again, stepping closer, my fingers brushing against the edge of the tank. The metal was cool under my hand. “You’re really letting me ride her?”

“Baby,” he said, his voice low, “I’d let you ride two more things.”

The comment caught me off guard. I wasn’t used to men trying to flirt, especially not like this. But the way he said it wasn’t gross or pushy. It was playful. Almost hesitant. I bit my lip, eyes fixed on him, testing him. “Like what?”

For a second, he froze, like he hadn’t expected me to call him out on it. A nervous chuckle slipped out of him, his hand going to the back of his neck. He looked like he regretted saying it the moment it left his mouth. “Uh…I’ll tell you another day.”

“No,” I said, stepping a little closer. “Tell me now.”

His smirk shifted into something softer, but there was still a flicker of mischief in his eyes. “It’s not appropriate,” he admitted, his tone slow and careful. “I don’t want you thinking I only think about sexual stuff when I’m with you.”

The way he said it made it clear he cared how I saw him, and for some reason, that mattered more to me than I thought.

“I know you don’t,” I said, meeting his eyes. “Tell me. What other two things would you let me ride?”

He blinked, like he was running through the answers in his head and weighing the consequences of saying either of them out loud. For my part, I wasn’t shocked by his pause. I’d read and edited enough romance books to know where a conversation like this could go, and I was honest with myself about what I liked and didn’t. What I hadn’t had with Joey was anything resembling choice or pleasure. It had always been obligation and tension, so the idea of something being offered freely felt unfamiliar and a little dangerous. Still, I wanted him to say it. To see how I felt about his words and how my body would react.

He rubbed the back of his neck again. His eyes were tight, then he let out a little, sheepish laugh and answered exactly what I’d been thinking. “My cock. And my face.”

Heat rose to my cheeks, and I turned my head to stare at April, buying myself time to react. Yeah, that felt nice. I had told him that we’d just be friends for now, but even I couldn’t deny that something was growing between us. Something real and lasting. I pursed my lips, then said, “Maybe we should start with April first. Also, I don’t have a helmet.”

He waved that aside without missing a beat, sliding his own helmet from where it hung on the bike. “Take mine,” he said. He handed it to me like it was the most natural thing in the world, then moved closer to fit it on my head. He adjusted the chin strap carefully until it sat right.

“How’s that feel?” he asked, his voice softer than before as he nudged the helmet into place. “Nice and snug?”

I nodded, surprised at how small tasks like tightening a strap felt intimate with him. “Yeah. Feels good.”

He grinned, then slapped the visor down with a quick motion that made me laugh. “Keep that down,” he ordered.

I didn’t question anything and waited for him to guide me. He moved closer to April and put down two small black bars on either side of the bike. I guessed those were where I’d put my feet.

“What are those called?” I asked, pointing at them.

“These are the foot pegs,” he said simply.

Got it.

I watched him for a moment as he swung himself onto April. He looked effortless, like he belonged there, like the bike was a part of him. That explained why he had her, I supposed. He fit the whole biker thing completely.

I lifted my visor to meet his eyes. “Isn’t it dangerous not wearing a helmet?”

He shrugged. “Yeah, it is. But I’ll go slow, and it’s not far.”

“Okay,” I said, letting the words fall.

“Visor down,” he instructed, and I couldn’t help but grin.

“That’s your username,” I teased.

He laughed, shaking his head. “Sure is. Alright, hop on. Hands on my shoulders, push yourself up.”

I did exactly that, planting myself on the small seat behind him. He leaned slightly, adjusting his balance, and added, “Watch out for the exhaust.”

I glanced down. “Why?”