Page 5 of Saving You Losing Me

My mind is awash with doubts and high expectation. I can’t believe it was so easy. Our first conversation and he expressed an interest.

I float through my shift on a euphoric breeze because all I can focus on is what happens when my shift ends.

He will be waiting for me.

It’s the stuff of the wild dreams I’ve been having since I first set eyes on him. To be with a man like that is hard to imagine. He is rough, crude, sexy as hell and bad to the bone.

I am not.

I am respectable, entitled, and controlled by my parents who would shit a brick if they knew what was happening now.

A warm glow wraps around my soul, and I savor every moment of it. If nothing comes of it, I will always have this memory. What I do next is down to me and I can’t mess this up.

My heart bangs like a drum as the time passes and as I grab my purse, Alice shakes her head, her eyes flashing with jealously. “Think hard, Clara. This could end badly for you.”

“Excuse me.”

I fix her with a blank stare and she sighs. “Men like Atom are only after one thing. I’m guessing you aren’t used to that, sotake my advice that is offered out of concern and nothing else. If you fancy a dip in the dangerous end of the swimming pool, make sure you’re protected because you could be dragged under. Learn how to be a strong swimmer, honey, and you’ll be fine knowing there are many dangers lurking under the surface.”

I’m surprised how touched I am by her wise words. For a woman who must be devastated that she isn’t in my place, she makes a lot of sense and I appreciate it.

I offer her a rare, genuine smile.

“Thanks, Alice. That means a lot.”

She shrugs. ”If I can’t have him I’ll live vicariously through you. Just don’t leave anything out when you haul your ass back here tomorrow to give me a blow by blow account.”

She laughs softly and I surprise myself by hugging her. I’m not usually a hugger, but for some reason it comes naturally now.

“Thanks, Alice, but there may be nothing to tell.”

“Then make it up. Don’t shatter my illusions as well as my dreams.”

She turns away before I can reply and as I head to the door, I’m accompanied by a pang of sympathy for the rough diamond who goes by the name of Alice.

As I step out into the sunshine, I remove my shades from my purse to shield from the sun and the glorious sight waiting for me.

My heart almost gives out on me when I see the man leaning against the Harley watching my approach. He is wearing mirrored shades that hide those devastating eyes, and his hair is worn slightly longer than most and contained by a bandana. His black battered leather jacket is hiding a torso that causes me to swallow hard and his low-slung jeans make me wonder what lies beneath the waistband. I am breathless and euphoric andyet you wouldn’t know that as I saunter across and stop a short distance away.

“So, you’re here.”

“Looks like it.”

His sarcastic drawl is accompanied by a panty melting smile and I swear my legs tremble.

“I’m not interested.”

I say the words before I change my mind and he shrugs. “I didn’t have you down as a liar, darlin’.”

I shrug. “I don’t care what you think.”

I flick my hair across my shoulder and sigh. “Have I ever made out I’m interested or given you cause to think I am?”

My mouth dries when he shifts off his bike and prowls toward me, stopping just short of me, his hand reaching out and tipping my face to meet his.

With one hand he removes his shades and then does the same to mine and as our eyes meet, I can’t tear my gaze away.

He leans closer, and his breath dances across my lips, causing me to lick my lower lip inadvertently, and his eyes glisten as he whispers huskily, “You speak, but your words are empty and I don’t need to hear them because Ifeelyour interest. It’s a force more powerful than any other when two matched souls collide and if you want to play it cool, then be my guest, but it changes nothing.”

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