Page 13 of Ravish

“I thought you were driving?” Why were they at her vehicle?

“I am. Keys please?” He held out her hand.

She shook her head. “Sorry, I’m the only one who drives my SUV.” She’d bought it right after she divorced Walter, and no one had ever driven it. She was going to keep it that way. “Why can’t we go in your car?”

“Because my car is a motorcycle.”

Her heart skipped a beat. “A motorcycle? Don’t you know how dangerous those are?” She slapped her hand over her mouth. It was really none of her business, and she shouldn’t lecture him.

“I’m glad you care.” He leaned down. “I’m very safe, and I never take chances. Keys.”

“Nope.” She wouldn’t give in to him. “Why don’t you follow me? That way we can keep an eye on each other.”

He stared at her, and she held his gaze. He puffed out a breath. “All right, but you follow me. What is your address?”

A compromise she could live with. She rattled off her address, then climbed into her vehicle.

Colby was right. The roads were deserted, and because of that, it only took her twenty minutes to hit the city limits. Five minutes later, they were pulling up in front of her duplex.

“Nice area,” Colby said when she climbed out of her SUV.

“Thanks.” She looked at him. He was tense, and she didn’t understand why. “My aunt owns them. She lives in the one on the right. I could never afford one of these places.” While the café was doing well, it wasn’t good enough for her to cover a mortgage on one of these duplexes. She refused to use her family’s money for anything. She’d do this on her own or not at all. A shiver slipped over her skin.

“Come on. It’s too cold for you to be out here.” He guided her to her front door. “There’s a light on inside.”

“Yes. It’s on a timer,” she said softly. Putting her key in the door, she unlocked the deadbolt and the door lock. Once it was open, she stepped inside and disarmed the alarm system.

“Alarm?” Colby asked.

“I live alone. Makes me feel better.”

“Good.” His fingers ran down her cheek. “Until later, my Lara.” He leaned down, and his lips brushed over hers, then he was jogging down the steps to his bike. Lara stood there, savoring the feel of his lips on hers.

He turned back and crossed his arms over his chest, staring at her. Lara shook her head and waved, then slipped inside her home, closed and locked the door. After a minute, she heard his bike roar away.

Until later, he said. She couldn’t wait until Monday to see him again. Hugging herself, Lara reset the alarm and made her way to her bedroom. Soon, she’d be able to play with Colby. Excitement and nervousness warred in her mind. She’d sort them out later; right now, she wanted to enjoy the way Colby made her feel.

* * * *

Colby woke early Sunday morning, which surprised him. He’d arrived home close to three in the morning, showered, then fell into bed. Now he sat in his kitchen at eight, reading the local news on his tablet and drinking coffee.

He wondered how Lara was doing. Colby’s skin itched with the need to be with her. What was so different about her? He’d been with women before, even had subs before, but Lara had called to him from the first time he saw her.

She hadn’t even realized he watched her. The first time he’d walked into the café, she’d been busy refilling coffee cups. He’d ordered and sat down. From that day forward, he’d come to the café as often as he could, usually in the mornings and he’d watched her. Lara stopped at every table, chatting with everyone before going back behind the counter. She was great with people. No wonder her business was so successful. Was it any wonder he developed feelings for her?

The ringing of the intercom system broke into his thoughts. He hit the button. “Morning, Mom. Everything okay?”

“I’m fine, honey.” His mother’s clear voice had his shoulders slumping in relief.

He’d moved into the apartment above the garage so he could have some privacy, but he still worried about his mother, even if she was just next door. “What can I do for you?”

“What? A mother can’t just call to see how her son is doing?”

Colby laughed. “Since I live next door, it seems like overkill.”

“Would you be able to take me to the farmers’ market today? I know you worked late last night.”

“Of course.” His mother was aware he’d picked up a job on the weekends; he just didn’t tell her what it was. While he was pretty open with his mother, telling her he was working at a BDSM club didn’t seem right. “What time do you want to leave?”

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