Page 115 of Savage Grace

It was only a little 300cc, but it fit her perfectly.

All the months she had been timidly practicing on my bike seemed to go out the window in an instant. This was a bike she could control, could balance without toppling over, and I watched her confidence go up almost immediately.

“It’s perfect!” she put the kickstand down, hopping off to jump into my arms and kiss me hard.

I chuckled against her lips, wrapping my arms around her and kissing her deeper. Her hands wrapped around my neck and I felt her melt against me.

The boys groaned their disgust, heading back to the ute to pack up the straps and ramp, pretty much anything to not have to watch our PDA.

If she was going to react this way every time, I would consider buying her a new bike every fucking week.

“Thank you,” she said against my mouth before wiggling out of my hold and dropping to the ground. The way she beamed up at me made my heartandcock swell, icy blue eyes glistening in the quickly disappearing sunlight.

“You’re welcome.” I tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear. “But unfortunately, you’ve gotta go park her up. It’s time for family dinner.”

“Fuck, I nearly forgot,” she nodded with a frown, hopping back onto the bike and roaring up my driveway to park next to my bike. I watched her with crossed arms and a smile, shaking my head a little at the sight of her.

She’d never even been on the back of a bike until last year. Now, she had caught the bug big time. Everywhere we went, she would insist we go on the bike. Whenever we had a free day to ourselves, she was the first one to suggest going for a ride.

And I had no fucking idea how I got so lucky.

“Can we take the bike?” she called from the top of the driveway as she gathered up her jacket and helmet that had been discarded on the ground.

I chuckled to myself.

“Yes, but you gotta put all your gear on.”

The half-hearted groan that followed made me smile, but she went inside to get the rest of her kit without argument anyway.

I said a quick thanks and bye to the guys, before fastening my helmet and kicking the bike to life, giving it a few revs to signal to Zarina that I was ready to go.

She came crashing out of the front door a few moments later, like she was summoned by the rumble of my bike, tugging on her jacket and tying her hair at the nape of her neck.

With a buzz of excitement that hadn’t seemed to fade yet, she bounced at the side of the bike while I fastened her helmet, watching her as she watched me. It had become part of the routine at this point, and one that I wasn’t sure I would ever want to let go of.

Doing her helmet up for her, tightening the straps while she beamed up at me always felt more intimate than it was. The simple gesture had become a warm little exchange between us, sometimes the favourite part of my ride.

She always looked up at me with that complete faith, a knowing look in her eyes that I was looking after her, keeping her safe.

And that look was everything to me.

So was the way that her arms snaked around my waist and her chin rested on my shoulder as we chased the sunset.

We weaved through the light Sunday afternoon traffic. Heads swivelled to shoot us concerned and suspicious glares as we entered the fancy-schmancy suburbs lined by mansion after mansion.

But when we pulled into Ren and Val’s driveway, we were greeted with nothing but waves and smiles.

The twins were hanging at the top of the steps, ready to come and climb all over the bike as soon as I turned it off.

Zarina’s smile widened even more, hopping off to grab one of the little monsters to put her on the seat in front of me for their joyride. The happy little squeals that came from the girls was infectious as I putted up and down the driveway.

“No more,” I tutted at Evie after probably the tenth lap. “It’s time for dinner.”

“One more!” she pouted, scrunching her little face up.

I rolled my eyes but relented.

“Fine,” I put on my best grumpy voice. “Onemore.”

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