Page 20 of Born into Blood

“I know you’re in a skirt, but you should be able to tuck it around you, and we won’t be going fast.”

When I don’t move, he adds, “Do you already own a cat?”

“No.” I look down at Pip, who looks up at me with vivid green eyes that remind me very much of the man right in front of me. I’ve always wanted a pet, but my mom always said we couldn’t afford one. With my tips, I can afford one now, though, and I don’t even have to pay an adoption fee for Pip. He’s perfect.

“Then you’re going to need supplies, and he needs to get checked by a vet.”

“It’s after ten,” I remind him.

He leans closer and gives me a wink that probably shouldn’t make me feel like I just had a mini orgasm and says, “I know a place we can go. Hop on, Lara. Your kitten’s probably hungry.”

He’s right, I know he’s right, but that doesn’t mean I’m ready to hike my leg over. I look down at Pip, wondering what I’m supposed to do with him. Luka sees my confusion and uses his foot to put the kickstand down before swinging one long leg over so he’s standing beside me. Lifting the seat, he pulls out a black backpack and gives me a smile. Slipping his arms through, he wears it backwards so the pack is against his chest and then holds his hands out for Pip.

“I promise he’ll be safe.”

I look up at him, and despite the muscles and tattoos and general dangerous appearance of the guy, I trust him. I know he won’t let anything happen to the trembling kitten in my hands, and when I hand Pip over, Luka smiles and tucks the little guy in the backpack, leaving it unzipped so he can get plenty of air.

Keeping a hand against the backpack in a gentle move that surprises me, Luka gets back on the bike and waits for me. I’m still uncertain about getting on the motorcycle, but it’s not like I have much of a choice now that he’s holding my cat. Thank god my spandex shorts were clean tonight because one of my greatest fears in life is a strong gust of wind that will flip my skirt and show my ass to the world.

“Put this on.” Luka holds out the extra helmet to me again, and this time I take it, pulling it on over my head and then letting out a surprised yelp when he grabs me by the hip and pulls me towards him so I’m pressed against his thigh. Without a word, he reaches up and tightens the strap, making sure it’s on securely. He can’t see my face, but I can see his, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d swear I was seeing desire in them. He lightly drags his thumb along my neck before letting me go.

“Climb on.”

He offers me his hand, and I take it just like I did last night when he helped me up from the floor, and the same spark ignites when I feel my skin pressed against his. Keeping a firm hold on him, I swing my leg over in a move that’s not nearly as graceful as he made it look and then just sort of freeze with my legs hanging down but unable to touch ground and my hand still tightly gripping his. I hear his laugh and feel my face heat up in the helmet.

“First time on a motorcycle?”

“That obvious?”

“Just a little.” He gives my hand a soft squeeze and then slides it under the backpack so it’s resting on his stomach. “Hold onto me and don’t let go.”

Jesus Christ, I never knew anyone could have so many abs. I’m not much for exercise. If I flex real hard, I might be able to conjure up an ab, as in a single one, but certainly not rows upon rows of them. I’m still marveling at his defined stomach when he grabs my calf and carefully puts my foot where it should be. He does the same to the other, and before he lets me go, he gives my calf a soft squeeze, and I’ve never been so grateful that I took the extra time to shave this morning.

When I bring my other hand to his stomach, because he did tell me to hang on, he puts his hands on top of mine and gives me a soft pat. Grabbing his helmet, he tugs it on and then starts the bike. I’m worried that the noise might scare Pip, but all he does is pop his cute furry head out and take a look around before ducking back inside. I feel Luka’s laugh rather than hear it and then squeeze him tighter as he drives us out of the alley.

It’s very hard to remain invisible while sitting on the back of a motorcycle in a skirt while hugging a gorgeous man who’s wearing a backpack across his chest with a kitten who keeps getting curious and poking his head out. The city is busy tonight, and I swear all eyes are on us. The only thing keeping me from completely freaking out is the anonymity of the tinted helmet. I could be anyone behind this dark visor.

I hug Luka tighter when he takes a turn, feeling his muscles flex beneath my palms when he reaches back to give my calf a reassuring squeeze. I know I’m in big trouble when my heart gives a little jump at the sweet gesture. The man I’m pressed against is gorgeous, but there are lots of good-looking people in the world, and looks aren’t enough for me. I’ve always known that I’m the type of person who needs the sweet stuff. I need a deep connection with someone before I can fall for them. That’s why I’m single. That’s why I’ve always been single. You have to put yourself out there to form a connection like that, and that goes against my invisibility rule.

But right now, Luka is laying down the sweet stuff, and I feel all my defenses crumbling like I’ve made them out of sand instead of the reinforced steel I could’ve sworn I’d used.

A few minutes later, he’s pulling into a twenty-four-hour vet clinic, and Pip is popping his head out to see what the new destination is. I reluctantly let go of the washboard abs I’m still gripping and get off the bike. He does the same and then helps me with my helmet. I straighten out my skirt while he stashes our helmets and then pulls Pip out of the backpack so I can hold him against my chest. I smile down at him and stroke his soft fur. He really is the cutest cat I’ve ever seen.

I follow Luka inside, grateful that I have my tips in my pocket so I can pay for all this. The clinic is empty, and there’s a very bored-looking guy behind the counter. Since we’re not running in here with a seriously hurt animal, he takes his time standing up and walking over to see what we want. Luka leans against the counter, looking less than pleased at the service.

“Name?” the guy asks. “Have you been here before, and what’s the emergency?”

“I’ve never been here before,” I tell him, “and there’s not really an emergency. I just found this kitten a few minutes ago, and we thought maybe he could get checked out to make sure he’s okay.”

The guy sighs like I’m ruining his night of sitting on his ass. “We only deal with urgent care situations after nine.”

Luka presses a tattooed hand against the counter, and I can tell he’s fighting to stay patient. “I’m sure you could make an exception. After all, this might be urgent. We don’t know if there’s something wrong with him.”

The guy looks like he wants to argue, but then he looks back at Luka and thinks better of it. “I just need you to fill out these forms then since you’re new.”

“Wonderful,” Luka says, giving him a big grin.

I take the clipboard, and we both take a seat. Even though there’s plenty of room, Luka sits close enough so our thighs touch, and I try not to read too much into that. He watches me fill out the form. There’s no way I can hide my information from him without it being weird, so I write in my name and address and phone number. When I write in Pip’s name, he gives a soft laugh.

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