Page 130 of Kings Don't Break

“Not sure any of the guys would be interested in participating in that. Or any of the town leadership would want us to.”

“You could be on it,” she teases. “The women in town would love it. We could call the float the Panty Dropper.”

“Mama, shush!” Korine gasps through a laugh.

A couple people nearby have glanced over in curiosity at Sunny’s comment. She brushed them off, paying them no mind as she pokes an elbow into my ribcage again and mutters, “Think about it.”

Once the main part of the parade’s over, the town migrates toward the park where the festivities continue with a live performance from a local band nobody outside of our county has ever heard of and barbecue food to snack on. Sunny spots Sydney and beelines over to talk her ear off for a few minutes.

Just the two of us, Korine makes the most of the moment. She loops her arms around my neck and thanks me for another great evening out together. I’m too distracted by how plump and sweet tasting her lips look. I swoop in and cut her off with a kiss.

“My pleasure,” I growl afterward, squeezing her hips and nuzzling her neck. “I scheduled Yara to work overnight. She’ll be watching over your mother if you’re okay with that.”

Korine’s eyes sparkle, understanding my suggestion. “I’ll have to see if Mama’s okay with that first.”

I bark out a chuckle. “Okay with it? It was her idea. She said you need more fun in your life.”

“That does sound like something she’d say.”

“Is that a yes? Be careful what you’re agreeing to—you’ll be mine for the next twelve, thirteen hours.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

My thumb traces the swell of her cheek only to end up tucking hair behind her ears. I’m amused at the spark she’s giving, the hint of mischief that reminds me of the many times we spent together through the years. All of ’em that’ve led us to this point.

“Let’s go find Sunny.”

* * *

The sky’s a huge blot of ink by the time Korine’s mounting my bike and I’m revving the engine. She clutches her hands to my abdomen, her arms tight around my sides as we blast off into the dark. Her every breath heard and felt pushed up so close against me. Things I savor and take in.

The sounds and feels of Korine McKibbens, my dream girl. My best friend since the time I was a kid. The one person I’ve always sought in the dark times… and the girl who I’ve always been willing to destroy the world for.

We ride for miles ’til civilization falls away and it’s the open road that’s keeping us company. The night stretches long into the distance with the cool air blowing across our skin. In a few weeks spring’ll be over and the breeze in the evening won’t feel half as refreshing on the skin.

The moment couldn’t be better. Korine snug against my back. My grip on the round top handlebars of my bike as we enjoy each other’s company.

Riding my bike ’til we’re ready to stop. A bike we worked on together in the shop. Once again, Kori showing off her skills as she helped me make upgrades and enhancements, casting me that bright smile of hers as she wiped her hands clean of motor oil.

Just seeing her in the garage makes me hard. Makes me want to bend her over my bike…

Eventually, we stop miles outside of the Ludic County line. Far beyond Pulsboro and other towns like Boulder and Wheaton. I pull onto the shoulder of the highway and then off-road onto a pasture that probably leads to somebody’s farmland.

We pull off our helmets and stretch our legs. Korine couldn’t look more appetizing in a leather motorcycle jacket I’ve gifted her—complete with her own personalized club rocker stitched onto the back—and jean shorts that show off how toned her legs are. It’s like Christmas night all over again as she shakes her windswept hair out of her eyes.

I grin and step to her. “How was the ride?”

“Smooth,” she answers, smirking sexily. “I enjoyed the fine tuning we did on your suspension. It really made the difference long distance.”

I chuckle, giving a subtle shake of my head. Korine rests her hands against my chest and peers up at me with curiosity.

“What’s that laugh for?”

“Count on Korine McKibbens to think about the technical aspects of a motorcycle ride.”

“I am an engineer!”

“Yeah, you are. And so fucking sexy.”