“I’d like to stretch those legs a bit myself,” I muttered into the helmet.
"You good?" he asked, those amber eyes scanning my face as I flipped the visor up on my helmet.
"Yeah," I said, working to keep my voice steady despite feeling like I'd been vibrated to pieces in the most delicious way. "Just getting my land legs back."
The corner of his mouth twitched in what might have been the ghost of a smile.
He swung his leg over the bike with that fluid grace that made my mouth go dry, then began filling the tank. I tugged my helmet off and raked a hand through my hair, then took the opportunity to stretch, painfully aware of how my body had stiffened from holding one position for so long.
"Aiden!" Marcus called, spotting me from across the lot. "You made it!" He bounded over like an enthusiastic puppy, eyes bright with excitement. "How's the ride with Mr. Sunshine here?"
"Amazing," I admitted, unable to keep the smile from my face. "I had no idea what I was missing."
Marcus grinned, glancing between me and Cash with poorly disguised interest. "You look good in leather. Doesn't he, Cash?"
Cash grunted noncommittally, focusing intently on the gas pump as if it required his complete concentration. Marcus winked at me, clearly enjoying Cash's discomfort.
"Come say hi to everyone," he said, dragging me toward the group by the convenience store. "Silas was taking bets on whether Cash would actually show up this year."
I let myself be pulled away, conscious of Cash's eyes following us across the lot. Silas greeted me with a nod, his usual stoic expression softened by the relaxed atmosphere of the trip.
"Surviving the ride?" he asked.
"Loving it, actually," I replied honestly. "Cash is a great rider. And pretty sexy. I’d spend all my time curled up against his back if I could."
Dylan laughed and clapped me on the back. “I feel that. Man, he’s got muscles for days. I’m glad he hasn't scared you off yet."
"He’s not so scary, just quiet," I said. "And I enjoy riding with him. Though I might not be able to walk straight after all this vibration."
Liv snorted from where she was adjusting something on her bike. "Now there's an image I didn't need."
Heat rushed to my face as I realized the unintentional double entendre. "I didn't mean—"
"Sure you didn't," Dylan teased. “Nice helmet, by the way.”
“Cash got it for me,” I said. “Or… I think it’s for me? He didn’t actually say.”
“Helmets are kind of personal,” Marcus said. “I’m sure it’s for you. That spare you were wearing didn’t fit too great, and it didn’t have the communication device.”
I blinked. “Communication device?”
“Yeah. This button right here.” He tapped the part of my chin that Cash had been fiddling with earlier. “Looks like it’s set to switch on when you talk.”
“Oh,” I yelped, thinking about the way I’d been teasing Cash on the bike. And talking about my erection. Oh shit. I glanced his way, but he wasn’t looking at us. Wait, had he heard that entire conversation? I frantically tried to remember what I’d said.
Unaware of my panic, Marcus handed me a bottle of water from the small cooler they'd brought. "Take off that helmet and drink up. Dehydration's a bitch on long rides. And make sure to run inside and use the bathroom. Give Cash a water, too."
I accepted the water gratefully, then went inside and grabbed a few snacks for both of us and used the bathroom, still wondering if my radio had been on that whole time.
By the time I got outside, some of the group had left, but Cash didn’t seem to be in a hurry. He'd finished refueling and was now checking something on the bike, strong hands moving with practiced precision over the machine. I gave him the water, and he chugged it, his throat working in a way that was almost pornographic.
“Um, so we have radios on our helmets?” I asked, fiddling with mine.
His mouth tilted up, and he nodded.
“You could maybe just forget about all that stuff I said about you giving me a hard-on. You know. Like… I was babbling and teasing you because I didn’t think you could hear me.”
Cash’s smile only got wider. Wider than I’d ever seen him smile, and Cash smiling was a thing of true beauty. It made butterflies take flight deep in my stomach. As I secured my helmet, he reached out and flipped the mic on once again.