Page 19

Jace is a better man than I am, giving me an opening instead of holding a grudge, and I do need to talk to him, to explain myself and beg forgiveness for keeping a secret that clearly hurt him.

But I can’t get into it now. I might not be able to do it until we leave, because as long as we’re in Katah Vista, I want to spend every free moment I have with Lennon.

“Of course we are.” Lennon passes behind him on the way down the hall to his office and I jump up from my seat. “And I’ll tell you everything and answer any question you have. Just not yet. I have to… I’ll be right back.” I trot after the man whose attention I need to have on me.

I’m being a shitty friend, and I can only hope the fact Jace and I are basically family will save us in the end.

But right now it feels like I need to have eyes on Lennon just to be able to breathe, so even though Jace deserves better, I can’t give that to him.

Not when I feel like I’m on the verge of having to make a major life decision, and I don’t know what I’ll choose.

Lennon’s door is nearly shut when I reach it, but I wedge my foot between it and the frame, forcing him to pull it open to see what’s wrong. I brush past and shut us inside, pinning him between the door and my chest.

His full lips are parted in surprise, and I take advantage, pressing my mouth to his and sliding my tongue inside as I massage his ass with my hand.

“What was that for?” he gasps when I let him come up for air.

“I’ve been watching that juicy ass of yours hustle around all morning and had to get my hands on it.”

“Well now that you’ve got your handful, get back before anyone catches us.” He shoves at my chest with an eyeroll that’s designed to hide the smile he’s trying to fight .

“You afraid they’ll think we’re having too much fun in here?” I don’t budge. Instead, I step forward and trap his hand between us.

“Exactly.”

“Fine, I’ll go. After you agree to play hooky with me tomorrow.” I’m using Blake’s words to give me the upper hand, but I don’t feel the slightest bit guilty about it.

“I don’t play hooky.” Lennon pats my chest, a silent hint that I should move. I stay put.

“If you don’t agree then I’m not leaving your office.” I lean forward and kiss his neck, savoring the faint stubble against my lips.

“How can you skip a day of filming?” He tries another angle, though he tilts his head to give me better access to his neck.

“Trails will be muddy after the rain,” I say between kisses.

“Just because you get a day off doesn’t mean I do.”

“When’s the last time you took a day off?” I run my tongue up his neck until I reach his ear.

“I don’t know.” His shoulders lift sky high as he shivers, and I try not to laugh.

“If you can’t tell me that it’s been way too long.”

“Why are you so concerned with my work habits?” He slides his hands from my chest to my waist, lifting his eyes to mine.

We barely know each other, but somehow Lennon can already see through me.

“Honestly, seeing Ryder got me thinking how short life is, and talking to Blake made me realize we both spend too much of the time we have working.”

Lennon snorts, shaking his head back and forth. “You ride a bike for a living.”

“Which means I rarely ride for fun.” I step away and pace the room.

“There’s always a goal, mastering a new trick or getting the right shot.

I love it, yeah. But I never take a break.

I think I’ve earned a day to do whatever the fuck I want.

I don’t want to do it alone, though.” I stop and look for his reaction.

“Why not play hooky with your crew?” He watches me skeptically.

“I see them every day. Besides, you’re sexier.” I step to him again, running my hand over his jaw. “I’d much rather look at you all day than them.”

“You can look at me all night. That’s how this is supposed to go, remember?”

“I remember, and I do plan to look at you all night.” I trace my thumb over his lip. “But I need a break from it all—riding, the guys, everything. Don’t make me do that alone.” I brush my mouth across his, barely making contact. It earns me the little whimper I was hoping for.

He takes a shaky breath. “If I say yes, will you let me get back to work?”

“I suppose.” I hide my triumphant smirk with a gentle kiss.

Yeah, taking advantage of our chemistry may be a cheap way to get what I want, but everything I said about life being short was true. Shit happens, especially in my line of work, and knowing I’m still lucky enough to be alive makes me want to live that life to the fullest. Starting with Lennon.

“Fine.” He exhales heavily. “I have to be here to take the morning delivery, but I’ll get Beck or Randy to cover me the rest of the day. Now scram.” He shoves me away with a coy smile, and this time I let him.

I steal another quick kiss before heading back out to my seat at the bar, the goofy grin on my face fading slightly when I realize the guys are all gone.

But I can’t find it in me to chase after them, to go make things right with Jace, when I feel the clock ticking on my time with Lennon.

Besides, I didn’t actually expect my hooky proposal to work, and now that it has, I need to make some plans.