Page 15 of Riding with the Bad Boy

I went back to lying on my back and pulled her closer. My arm went around her and held her as tightly as possible. My heart pounded in my chest. I wasn’t sure if it was fear orexcitement. I dropped a quick kiss on the top of her head and closed my eyes. It didn’t take any time at all for me to drift off into the best night's sleep of my life.

Chapter 7

Danielle

The next few days were very confusing. If I didn’t know better, Rocco had changed, too. The way he was acting, it felt as if he was the one who wanted more out of whatever was going on between us. He kept up a steady stream of conversation, telling me about his family and his life and asking about mine. He suggested road trip games that I had never heard of, and every time we stopped, he held me all night long without trying anything. If he kept this up, I wasn’t sure my heart would be able to take it.

We were packing up in order to get on the road. We had stayed just outside of Basic Plaines, Kansas, for the night and would be in Heartstone, Missouri, by this evening. It was the last stop before we reached Saddleback, and I had no idea what would happen when we did.

“So I was hoping we could stay an extra day in Heartstone,” Rocco said once we were back on Route 14. “There’s a bike I want to check out, and we’ll still get to Saddleback in plenty of time for you to get settled for the wedding.”

“A bike?”

“A motorcycle.” He clarified.

“You’re getting a motorcycle?” I didn’t remember him ever mentioning that he wanted a motorcycle.

“Maybe. My family isn’t really happy about the idea.” He shrugged. “They’re worried something is going to happen to me. Like I’ll get hurt or something.”

“It’s a fair concern.” I agreed. I didn’t like hte idea of something happening to him. Just the thought made my chest hurt and brought back a sense of loss I always tried to keep at bay.

“I thnk your family is right.” I pushed away the memories trying to surface. “You never know what can happen.”

“I’ll be careful.”

“Sometimes that isn’t enough.” I focused my attention on the passenger window. Foggy images I didn’t like thinking about played in my mind. I closed my eyes working harder to make them go away. Smiles I thought I had forgotten were replaced with Rocco’s smile. The strong hand I could remember holding was now Rocco’s. Broken words echoed through me.He’s gone. They’re both gone.

“What’s going on?” Rocco asked.

“It’s nothing.”

“Talk to me, Danielle.” He replied. “Tell me what just happened.” I closed my eyes and felt the tears I didn’t realize were there, started rolling down my cheek. “Danni?” I felt the RV slow and pull to the side. When it came to a stop, I heard the click of a seatbelt, and then Rocco was kneeling beside me. “Baby, what’s wrong?” He had my hand in his, and his other hand wiped at my cheek.

“I...I...” Did I really want to open the past and tell him everything?

“Danni?” His voice was so loving, I couldn’t stay quiet.

“There’s a reason I don’t fly.” I don’t know why I decided to start there, but that was the first thing that came out.

“Okay.”

“My parents died in a plane crash.” I pulled in a harsh breath and heard him do the same.

“What?” He squeezed my hand. “I’m so sorry.”

---