Page 16 of Reaper

Heat rose to her cheeks. She wasn’t the blushing type, but something about the way he looked at her—like she was the only thing in the world that mattered—made her pulse race.

“Thank you,” she murmured, taking the roses from him.“These are beautiful.”

She stepped back, motioning for him to come inside while she found a vase. As she arranged the flowers, she could feel his eyes on her, and it sent a thrill down her spine.

“Ready to go?” he asked when she returned to the entryway.

She nodded, grabbing her coat.“Ready.”

Reaper surprised her by taking her to the small Italian restaurant tucked away in the heart of town. It was her favorite, though she’d only mentioned it in passing once.

“How did you—” she started to ask as they were seated, but he cut her off with a smirk.

“Had a feeling you’d like it,” he said simply, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

She couldn’t help but smile, warmth spreading through her. The restaurant was cozy, with dim lighting and the rich scent of garlic and herbs wafting through the air. They ordered wine, and Savannah found herself relaxing as they talked. Reaper was easy to be around, his deep voice grounding her, his sharp wit making her laugh.

Over plates of fettuccine and chicken parmesan, the conversation deepened. He shared stories from his years in the MC, surprising her with how much he’d seen, how much he’d endured.

And he listened, really listened, as she talked about her childhood, skirting around the darker parts of her past but letting him see pieces of the girl she used to be.

When dessert came—a shared slice of tiramisu—Savannah was already feeling the warmth of wine and his company. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt this light, this alive.

Reaper slid the plate closer to her, his fork held out.“Ladies first.”

She smirked, taking a bite. The creamy sweetness melted on her tongue, and she let out a soft hum of approval.“This is amazing.”

He chuckled, his eyes never leaving her.“You’ve got a little...” He gestured to the corner of his own mouth.

Before she could wipe it away, he reached over and gently brushed his thumb across her lip. The touch was brief, but it sent a spark through her, and suddenly the air between them felt charged.

“Thanks,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

He didn’t pull his hand away immediately, his thumb lingering against her jaw for a moment longer than necessary.“Anytime.”

****

Savannah stepped out of the restaurant with Reaper beside her, his hand warm and steady on the small of her back. The night air cooled her flushed cheeks, but the warmth inside her chest didn’t fade. The evening had been perfect—the meal, the laughter, the way Reaper’s dark eyes softened whenever he looked at her—but an ache tugged at her heart. She didn’t want it to be over yet.

Reaper glanced down at her, his gaze searching. “You okay?”

She swallowed, tightening her fingers slightly on the strap of her purse. The words hovered on the tip of her tongue, ready to disappear if she hesitated too long.

Finally, she let them out in a whisper.“I don’t want the night to end yet.”

Reaper curled his lips into a slow smile that made her knees weak. He nodded toward his motorcycle parked by the curb. “How about another ride?”

Relief bloomed in her chest, and she found herself smiling back.“Yeah, I’d like that.”

He led her to the bike, the chrome gleaming under the streetlights. As he handed her a helmet, his fingers brushed hers, sending a current of heat up her arm. She tried to ignore the way her heart raced as she slid the helmet on and climbed onto the bike behind him. She wrapped her arms around his waist, feeling the solid strength beneath his leather jacket. His warmth seeped into her, grounding her in a way she hadn’t felt in years.

He started the engine, the low rumble vibrating through her. They took off into the night, the wind whipping past them and carrying away her fears and doubts.

Savannah rested her cheek against his back, her eyes half-closed as the world blurred around them. Streetlights melted into golden streaks, and the stars above seemed to dance with every turn they took. She should’ve been afraid of how natural this felt, but instead, it felt right. Safe.

Reaper guided the bike away from the main streets, taking winding back roads that twisted and climbed into the hills above Steelhaven. The town below grew smaller, its lights twinkling like distant stars. Finally, he pulled off onto a gravel path, the crunch of tires the only sound besides the whispering wind.

He killed the engine, and silence wrapped around them like a cocoon. Savannah slid off the bike and removed her helmet, her breath catching as she took in the view. The entire town sprawled out below, bathed in the soft glow of streetlights and windows. The sky above was endless and clear, a sea of stars twinkling against the blackness.

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