Page 49

Meredith's First Ride

M eredith

My pulse skyrocketed as Grizz made the turn into the motorcycle dealership’s lot.

I had passed the license and the skill exam, only to be disappointed when Grizz didn’t cave.

I had patiently waited for Mondays to roll around, only to be disappointed by Friday.

Today, I’d had enough joking. It was a good day for a ride, but I’d never suspected we would wind up here.

There was no way I was walking out with nothing.

He parked in the designated area, and the minute he flipped the key, I was swinging my leg over. I had my helmet off in record time, but when I went to leave Grizz in the dust, he grabbed my hand. Wrapping his other arm around my waist, he used the momentum to trap me against him.

“We’re here,” I huffed. “You can’t say no.”

“I’m not, but why? You hardly leave the clubhouse, and if you need to take a meeting, Grease rigged Aunt E’s car for you.”

“I want one, and as my husband, you’re supposed to fulfill my every whim. You know? Happy wife, happy life.” We’d talked about this. Well, I had talked and had assumed Grizz was listening.

“I don’t care if you want a bike, but you need to be safe. If something happened to you, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.” Fear crossed his face, and that was when I understood how seriously he was taking this.

Grizz was a biker, and I’d been in some close calls.

This was our life, and I had accepted there would always be danger.

I just hadn’t realized that Grizz had been coming to the same conclusion.

I wiggled my hand from his and threw my arms around his neck.

“Same goes for you. You better come home safe to me every night.” I leaned forward to kiss him, when I caught a silver SUV pulling into the spot next to us.

“Did you tell anyone where we were going? They’ll never sell us a bike if Pretty shows up begging for baby ones.” I pouted.

“He didn’t tell us.” Sabre rounded the hood and opened Grace’s car door, lending her a hand. “We were at the banquet center and saw you pass us. It wasn’t hard to figure out where you were going.”

“Mer, the track is going to work out beautifully.” Grace smiled, looping her arm around Sabre’s.

“Of course it is.” I was in a mood. After I’d finished the new garage, I’d gone back to developing the center.

Figuring out what the average room dimensions would be for a particular function.

Where to place the tracks to make sure the walls would slide.

The materials. The design had been better than anything they would have paid for, and I didn’t give two fucks what they thought. I was here for a bike.

Turning my back on the three of them, I walked towards the smaller bikes.

I was strolling the first row when the salesman exited the front door.

He headed straight for Grizz and Sabre, probably to fangirl over their club cuts.

I ignored all of them, squashing my hurt feelings as I moved down the line.

I was standing in front of a neon blue bike when a hand looped around my arm.

“You okay?” Grace asked me. “We can leave.”

“I didn’t know we were coming here, and this isn’t the fun trip I imagined.

Grizz is afraid I’m going to crash it. The sales guy bypassed me.

Oh, and while it’s fun to fuck in the tub, I’d like to make love once in a while—in a bed.

” I stomped my foot, knowing full well if I could get away with it, I’d have a meltdown.

“Ah, that’s the problem.” Grace laughed at me, wrapping her arm around my shoulder and pulling me towards her body. “Are you sure there’s no extra space to make Pumpkin her own room?”

“Nope. How would have to move, and the only available room is near Zook. I wouldn’t want a room near you. No, thank you.”

“I’m sorry. The neighborhood won’t be ready for a while, and you need space. I can talk to Sabre about switching rooms,” Grace sighed.

Grizz and I had talked about buying a starter house, but neither one of us had wanted to leave the clubhouse.

“No. I’ll figure it out. Blow up beds are waterproof, but Slip N’ Slides are not fun when you hit the sink base cabinets.

Pool float won’t work either, before you suggest it.

Grizz’s too big, and the tub is too small. ”

Grace shot me a look, but I didn’t mind. It sounded crazy, but being creative with quickies wasn’t working at the moment.

We continued to walk down the line of bikes, arm-in-arm, stopping every now and again. There were blues, greens, and every paint color in between, but I saw nothing that grabbed my attention.

“Hello, ladies.” We’d been so focused on the bike in front of us, we hadn’t seen another salesman coming. He was an older man, with gray hair and a warm smile. “Which one of you is looking for a bike?”

“How did you know?” Grace chuckled, holding my arm a little tighter.

“The new guy ran out as soon as he saw you pull in.” The man ran a hand through his short-cropped hair. “I’ve been doing this a long time. Your men are a part of the local club, which means they probably already have bikes they love. My sleuthing skills have never been wrong.”

“Me. I want a bike.” I held my hand up, like I was being selected to win a prize.

“Okay, so you’re in the right section. Keep looking, and when you find one you like, we’ll try it out.” There was a picnic table towards the front of the dealership, and he sat, waiting for us.

Grace and I continued up and down the rows. I didn’t feel rushed or awkward, and I appreciated the older salesman’s style.

“This is it,” I said, stopping in front of a hot pink bike with red and yellow flames.

“Try it out,” Grace encouraged.

The older salesman came over and helped me adjust the seat. Swinging my leg over, I settled my feet flat on the ground. I could easily balance the bike, and when I grabbed the handlebars, my posture was correct.

It was a perfect fit.

***

Grace dragged me towards the parking lot as Grizz completed the purchase. Sabre was at his side.

“Shh, just listen. There’s a clearing north of the clubhouse. They used to take girls there, so Grizz will know where it’s at. Don’t come home until the pissiness is gone.” Grace held my cheeks in her hands.

“You trying to get me laid?” I mirrored her, grasping her cheeks in my hands.

“Well, enough to take the edge off for a few days. When we get back to the clubhouse, I’ll take Pumpkin home with me. She’ll be safe, so no need to rush back.”

Tears sprang to my eyes, and I threw myself into Grace’s arms. “You’re the best sister ever.”

She laughed. “I don’t want any details.”

“Any details of what, mama?” The men had caught the tail end of our conversation. We were innocent, but we both tried to bluff our way out, which only raised their suspicions. Grace stuttered and stammered, not making sense, and when Sabre shot her a look, her cheeks went red.

“When you’re not looking, we’re moving into your room.” I covered for her quickly. I smiled widely, and that was where I fucked up. No one was buying this, including my sister, who had initially started it.

“The fuck you are,” he laughed, slinging his arm around Grace’s shoulders.

“You asked.” I rolled my eyes at him, stuck playing this out.

We spent a few more minutes in the lot before Grace made some excuse about leaving JR too long, and they left. I held in my laugh until they were pulling onto the main road.

“What were the two of you up to?” Grizz wrapped his arms around me. His eyes were suspicious as he tried to read my expression.

“Let’s go for a ride. Grace said she’ll keep Pumpkin, and we don’t have to rush back.”

“You’re so full of fucking shit.” He smirked.

“You love it. Let’s go.” I smiled widely, and when that didn’t work on him, I tried to pout. All it did was earn me a swat on my ass.

***

I had always wanted to fly, and this was the closest I was going to come. I had dressed appropriately for today, but I liked the feeling of the wind against my body. It would have been better against my skin, but I didn’t complain. I already had one set of scars. I didn’t need another.

We rode up the coastal highway, stopping every now and again to take in the view.

I couldn’t remember the last time I had felt free, and being with my favorite person made all the difficulties of the day worth it.

Stopping at an overlook, we cuddled on a bench, watching the sunset over the water in brilliant oranges and yellows.

“Are you hungry for food or dick?”

My head snapped in his direction. “Come again?”

“I plan on it. If I wasn’t afraid of being arrested for public indecency, I’d have already started.”

“I’m willing to risk it.” I didn’t have to be told twice as I sat in his lap, reaching for his belt.

Grizz threw his head back and laughed as he placed his hand over mine. “Pumpkin needs her parents, and my ass won’t go to jail because you’re desperate.”

“I’m not desperate.” I slid my hand out from his and crossed my arms over my chest, accidentally bumping a nipple. It took everything I had not to let out a moan. “You going to make it worth my while?”

“You going to do that tongue thing I like?”

I didn’t bother answering. Standing, I calmly speed-walked to my bike, putting my helmet on my head.

Safety first. I thought about speeding off, but I didn’t know where I was going, and I had just told Grizz that we both had to come home safely.

It wouldn’t have gone over very well, and I was more interested in his dick game.

***

Our helmets were on the same network, but the lightness from earlier was gone. We struggled to carry on a regular conversation. The sexual innuendos were a bit too much for our charged libidos. I had to focus on the road, and not my raging vagina. Look at the pretty scenery.

“The clearing is up here on the left. I’m going to pull in front, so follow behind me. It’s a narrow road, but it eventually opens up. If you don’t think you can do it, tell me, and we’ll stop.”