Page 17 of Tender Wild

“Not a chance.” Miguel’s mouth quirked up at one corner. “You’re riding behind me, not on my handlebars like some kid’s bicycle.”

“Okay.” Jared grinned when he pictured himself clinging to the handlebars as Miguel sped down the road. The situation was serious, but that image was funny as hell.

“Let me call Luca about your car first.” While Miguel made the call, Jared grabbed his wallet from the passenger seat and locked the car. Not that anyone would want to steal it.

He sent a quick text to his mom. Car trouble again. Staying with a friend tonight. His finger hovered over the send button. Another lie. Guilt ate at him. After hitting send, his phone died with perfect dramatic timing.

“Great. Now I’m officially off the grid.” At least this time he knew Miguel and wouldn’t have a complete meltdown in his truck. Jared quickly pushed the thought aside. Not gonna dwell on that embarrassing moment.

“Luca will be here in twenty.” Miguel pocketed his phone then gestured toward his bike. “Ever ridden one of these before?”

Memories of his accident with Kia flashed through his mind. “Once. Didn’t end well.”

He angled his head, tone soft. “You gonna trust me, solecito?”

“Yes.” Jared didn’t even hesitate. “Just... don’t go too fast, okay?”

A quiet chuckle slipped out. “Define ‘too fast.’”

“Anything over the speed of my dying car.”

“So, walking pace?” He brushed his thumb over Jared’s cheek. “Come on, kitty cat. Trust me.”

“I already said I did.”

Miguel swung his leg over the motorcycle, patting the space behind him. “Hop on, mi solecito. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Heart pounding, he tucked his phone into his back pocket and climbed on, hands hovering awkwardly at Miguel’s sides.

“Not like that.” He reached back, gently grabbing Jared’s wrists and pulling them around his waist. “Like this. I need to feel you holding on.”

Heat crept across Jared’s chest as he pressed against Miguel’s back, thighs bracketing the wolf's hips. Every point of contact sent electricity racing up his arms, Miguel’s body warm and solid beneath them. The guy smelled like leather with a hint of something spicy.

“Ready?”

“Not even slightly,” Jared mumbled, tightening his grip as the engine roared to life, vibrating through both their bodies. He tensed as Miguel kicked up the stand and eased them onto the road, picking up speed with each passing second.

He clung to Miguel like his life depended on it—which, frankly, it did. Wind rushed past, carrying the scent of pine and earth as they accelerated down the empty road. The forest blurred into a dark smudge on either side.

Jared’s initial terror melted into exhilaration. Miguel handled the bike with confidence, taking each curve with expert ease.

“You alive back there?” Miguel called over his shoulder after several minutes.

“Yes!” Jared shouted back. The vibration beneath him, the wind whipping past, and Miguel’s solid warmth created an intoxicating mix of terror and joy. His fingers splayed against Miguel’s stomach, feeling hard muscle beneath the thin fabric of his shirt. The trip back to Blackthorn passed in a blur of moonlight and adrenaline.

Miguel’s laugh vibrated through his back into Jared’s chest. “Hungry?” he called over his shoulder.

“Starving,” he admitted, lips close to Miguel’s ear. “Our culinary masterpiece didn’t exactly pan out and that take-out didn’t fill me up.”

“Got a place in mind, kitten.” Miguel leaned into a curve, and Jared followed his movement instinctively, their bodies moving as one. The trip back to Blackthorn passed in a blur of moonlight and adrenaline. Blackthorn’s lights appeared on the horizon, growing brighter with each passing minute.

Miguel veered right at the next intersection, away from the route to Sin & Steel, the streets quieter on this side of town. They cruised down Main Street, past the occasional late-night pedestrian and cars that dotted the roadside.

A neon sign flickered ahead—a bright green lizard with a coffee cup in one hand and a burger in the other. The creature winked mechanically every few seconds, its tail curling around the words LIZARD’S DINER in swooping green-blue letters.

Miguel pulled into a small lot beside a single-story building with faded teal trim.

“Seriously?” Jared asked as Miguel cut the engine. “We’re eating at a place named after a cold-blooded creature?” He reluctantly unwound his arms from Miguel’s waist, his fingers stiff from holding on so tight. Blood rushed back into his knuckles, making them tingle painfully.

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