Page 56 of The Vampire's Redemption

“Because sometimes it’s more fun to try something different. Are you telling me the same vampire who’d journeyed to the New World with the first wave of vampires fears a motorcycle? Where’s your sense of adventure?”

“Who says I’m scared?” Annoyed, she swung her legs over and sharpened her senses, preparing for any surprises. Nothing. She settled onto her seat, realizing her mistake too late. Her breath hitched as her thighs touched his and her center cradled him. There was nowhere to move to put distance between them unless she wanted to fall off the back.

“Now what?”

“Hold onto me.”

Her heart skipped a beat at his grin, and she narrowed her eyes. “Is this a trick?”

“No tricks, I promise.”

He pulled her arms around his waist. Her pulsed turned frantic as her front plastered against his back. His wild ocean scent made her head swim. She bit the inside of her lip to stop herself from inhaling deep to draw more of him inside her.

As though she could hold his scent forever even if Alistair broke the mating bond.

She heard a loud vroom. The machine beneath her shook, its vibrations reaching all the way to her soul.

When the motorcycle jerked and they shot forward like diving off a cliff, she screamed.

Chapter Seventeen

Gabbywasn’tsurehowlong she sat there, frozen, with her eyes clenched shut, her nails digging into Felix for dear life, her heart pounding into her chest with the force of a war band.

But the vibrations beneath her didn’t change. Her body tilted as the vehicle tilted, following the lead from Felix, but she couldn’t summon the courage to open her eyes.

Why was this so hard? She was an immortal. She could fly, could run as fast as this thing, probably. It shouldn’t be so tough to open her bloody eyes.

Eventually, she realized the rumbling beneath her hands was from Felix, not the motorcycle. Then she heard him and her brain processed the sound for what it was.

He was laughing.

Not a polite chuckle at an evening party, but a deep belly laugh exuding joy and excitement.

When was the last time she’d heard him laugh like this? Only once or twice since she’d become a vampire. Another thing she’d never thought much of. After her death, he’d transformed into a somber and brooding tyrant, more concerned about fictitious threats to their lives than preserving their love.

No tightly leashed aggression and anger emanated from him, instead he was relaxed. At ease.

Carefree.

The fear clinging to her insides melted at his laid-back nature. Her death grip on him loosened, and she peeled open her eyelids. Darkness greeted her, until she realized she’d buried her face against his shoulder.

Gabby lifted her head and blinked at the blurring landscape. Strands of her hair, having escaped from her loose braid, fluttered wildly against her face. She’d learned, with flying, to let her gaze sweep over the passing landscape rather than focusing on one thing, and it worked the same here.

Feel better now?

Yes,she said grudgingly.

They’d left the taller buildings and busier highways behind. The road had changed from four lanes in each direction to only two. This time, when Felix leaned to the left and she followed suit, she saw the bike tilting to the side as they zigzagged between other vehicles.

Where are we going?She’d forgotten to ask before.

It’s a surprise.

Another one? Gabby’s brows furrowed. Her ability to resume thinking while moving at high speeds was returning.Are you kidnapping me?

Another laugh, throaty and so utterly male. Heat having nothing to do with the desert air curled through her. Yes, she was still clinging to him, her chest still plastered against his back. The vibrations beneath her had her craving for something else between her legs.

No, I’m not kidnapping you. Have patience.