Page 111 of Outcast
“Gotta protect that gorgeous head of yours,” he said.
I pulled it on, and he helped me fasten the strap, then guided me onto the upraised portion of seat behind him. There were two pegs for my feet, and I perched there awkwardly, doing my best to balance in place so I wouldn’t crowd him.
“Emory.” Gray laughed. “Pretend we’ve had sex once or twice and hold the fuck on to me.”
I gave in to the urge to lean into him, wrapping my arms around his waist. “Sorry. I don’t know what I’m doing.”
“Just trust me, golden boy. Anytime you’re unsure, grab hold and don’t let go.”
“Okay.”
“That goes for everything, not just riding.”
He shifted, the engine revved, and we took off like a shot. I sucked in a sharp breath, barely holding back an unmanly squeal as Gray turned us. We leaned with the bike, and oh fuck, were we going to fall over? We weresogoing to fall?—
The bike straightened, defying gravity, and sped up even more. I wasn’t just holding onto Gray; I was clinging to him for dear life as he got us onto the highway and blasted forward.
The wind whistled by, whipping my clothes around, the speed exhilarating.
I wasn’t really a thrill-seeker, but I had to admit, there was an incredible sense of freedom as we blew past the pool hall and tattoo parlor. Gray whizzed past cars, a little unnerving at first, but the man knew how to handle a bike.
I loosened my death grip, becoming aware of the sexy, firm muscles under my hands. Gray called over his shoulder. “You good now?”
“Yeah! This is great!”
He laughed. “Hell yeah, it is.”
I expected him to turn us around, but he drove right into town and along Main Street. I tensed for a moment before I remembered that I was wearing a helmet. No one knew it was me holding on to Gray without even an inch of space between our bodies.
My heart fluttered and skipped as we came to a stop at a red light, and Allison’s good friend Chelle glanced over at us from her little Honda hatchback. Her gaze traced over Gray’s body—not that I blamed her. Then, to my surprise, she looked me over as well, approval obvious in the glint of her eyes.
She rolled down her window. “Looks like a nice day for a ride.”
“Sure is,” Gray called.
“Too bad there’s not room for one more,” she said, her tone flirty.
“Sorry, darlin’, I don’t swing that way.” The light turned green, and we shot forward, making me gasp and clutch him tighter.
“I can’t believe she said that!” I called over the wind.
“You’d be surprised what people say when they can’t see your face,” he called back.
Gray continued through downtown, swung through an older neighborhood lined with large trees, then circled back to the highway, taking us back toward the auto shop.
He didn’t take us to the house, as I’d expected, though. He kept going, driving in the direction of Granville, until we reached an area that passed near the river. He pulled off the road, coming to a stop on the grass, and killed the engine.
“Let’s enjoy the view.”
I climbed off the bike, my legs numb from the vibrations, and Gray put down the kickstand. We pulled off our helmets, and he hung them from the handlebars.
While I smoothed down my hair, he grabbed a bag from the back of the bike. He’d stacked a couple of sodas and a bag of peanuts in it. “Not exactly a high-class date, but…”
I took the Coke from him. “This is great. Thanks.”
We walked down to the river, finding a stretch of grassy bank that wasn’t too muddy, and sat down. I cracked open my soda and took a long drink, then took a few peanuts when Gray offered the bag.
“So, what did you think of your first time on a bike?”
