Page 42 of Structure of Love

He cackled. “Be there in twenty.”

I blew him kisses before hanging up. I had no idea why he was going out riding with me instead of working, but hey, he was the boss. If he wanted to ditch work, that was his prerogative.

Logan pulled into my driveway after exactly twenty minutes. I loved how punctual he was. It took so much stress off me.

I skipped right up to the bike and leaned in to kiss him. I was foiled by the helmet, which he took off while laughing, and then I actually got my kiss. I intended the kiss to be sweet, but instead it got hungry fast. I had to break it up before I gave in to my deeper impulses to strip him of pants and go down on him right here.

A lecherous curve tilted up Logan’s mouth. “You seem to like me on this bike.”

“You are sexy as hell on it, which you know.”

“I didn’t, actually, until I looked at you. Your eyes told the story.”

It was hard to even explain why. Something about him sitting on his bike, sunlight glinting off his hair, the confidence he oozed, as if the world was at his feet—all of that combined did it for me. I so wanted to pounce on him right there.

Behave.

Behave, me.

GODDAMMIT BEHAVE.

Was dating supposed to mean exercising this much control? The restraint had me almost jittery, my entire body wanting nothing more than skinship with this man. My libido buzzed, irritated I was ignoring it. Or trying to ignore it. This was definitely a first for me. I was determined to get through at least ten dates before tumbling into bed, but fuck, Logan made it hard. No pun intended.

Maybe a little intended.

I tried to distract myself. “So, um, no work today?”

“It was too nice a day, and I couldn’t fathom staying indoors. My manager’s got it until the evening shift. I figured I’d take you for a ride, maybe get lunch somewhere, then show up later this afternoon.”

So he was taking part of the day off. Got it. I’d take having his company for several hours, no question.

I belatedly remembered I had something important to tell him. “I’m really glad to see you. I wanted to tell you this in person. I went low contact with my family this week.”

Logan’s jaw dropped, his surprise obvious, then he seized my hips and tugged me right onto the bike. I landed a little awkwardly, half on his thighs, but laughed and went along with it, throwing my arms around his shoulders for balance.

Logan hugged me tight, burying his face against my shoulder. “You did the right thing.”

“I know I did.”

“How do you feel?”

“Like I should have done this sooner.” I turned my face, cuddling in a little more, because despite the fact I stood at an awkward angle with my right foot holding most of my weight, I just didn’t want to move. I loved being in his arms. “No regrets. I feel freer than I have in a long time. It’s so nice to not have to worry about them and what shit they’re going to pull me into. I can finallylive.”

His arms tightened around me. “I’m so proud of you for putting your foot down. I know it’s hard.”

“It was, but it wasn’t?”

“Yeah, I get that.” He lifted his head and kissed me, soft and slow.

I hummed into the kiss, enjoying the attention very much. When he moved his head back, a noise of protest almost slipped out. Get back here! I was enjoying that!

“I think you should get a reward for putting down boundaries. How about a long ride and a restaurant of your choice?”

“I’m craving La Bistecca,” I admitted.

“Oh, the Italian place? Rock on, I love their food.”

“But I do want that ride.”