Page 75 of Falling for the Bad Boy
She traced my cheek with her palm. “Later. We have plans first.”
“Where are we going?” I’d put a little extra time into my appearance to impress her folks. Dark trousers, crisp white button-down shirt. I’d even pressed them myself once I found an iron I didn’t know I had. Must’ve been left by the previous tenant, because I sure didn’t bring it over from New Zealand.
“My parents are taking us out to Maretti’s to celebrate. I told you, my dad’s on board now.” She ran a finger around the edge of her lips, removing all traces of the pink gloss I’d smeared.
“Dinner with the folks…” My stomach clenched. I’d much rather order a pizza and have her all to myself. But if it was important to her, then it was important to me.
Her smile faded. “Is that okay? I told you upfront this time.”
“Yes, it’s totally fine. I’d like to get to know your family better. I’ve just missed you, that’s all.” I pulled her in tight for a hug.
“I’ve missed you too. Did you get all of your work for Wyatt done?”
When she told me about her meeting with her family, I’d filled her in on my last-ditch attempt to help Wyatt secure funding. I’d left out the part about his threat to force her out if it didn’t work. The numbers on paper made it clear he’d be better off moving his operation. It would take a ton of work, but if he wanted to expand and Trinity wasn’t willing to sell… that’d be his only choice.
“Almost all finished. Enough that maybe you want to come back with me tonight?” I sweetened the offer by nibbling along her neck and giving her a preview of what might wait if she said yes.
“I’d like that.” Her fingers played with the hair at the nape of my neck. “I was actually hoping you might be able to help me pull together a simple business plan too. I kind of mentioned I was working on one to my dad, and he seemed pretty impressed.”
I caught her hands and brought them around to rest against my chest. “I’d love to.”
“Thank you.” She stood on tiptoe and caught me in another kiss.
I could’ve spent the rest of the day like that—mashing lips with Trinity Ryan on the side of the road. Hell, maybe even the rest of my life. But then she broke contact with my mouth and rested her forehead against mine.
“We’d better get going.”
“Until later, then.” I grinned and reached for the helmet.
“You realize this is going to mess up my hair, don’t you?” she groaned as she fit the helmet on and fastened the strap.
“Safety first.” I thumped my fingers on top of the helmet, then held the bike steady while she climbed on.
Her thighs snugged around me, and her skirt rode up her legs. I slid my hand down one of her calves, then back up again.
“You keep that up and we definitely won’t make it to dinner,” she warned. “And this place has the absolute best tiramisu. It melts in your mouth. Honestly.”
“I bet it doesn’t taste as good in my mouth as you do.” I reached for the handlebars as her legs squeezed my hips.
“You’re impossible, you know that?” Her arms came around my middle and her cheek pressed against my back.
“Nothing’s impossible, babe.” I glanced over my shoulder as I signaled to pull away from the curb. The bike responded to my touch, shifting into gear as I revved the motor—just the way Trinity would later.
And I meant what I said about nothing being impossible. I was going to prove it. To Wyatt. To Trinity. And to myself.
CHAPTER 33
Trinity
I couldn’t remember a time when I’d spent an entire evening with just my parents. Usually the only time I saw them was when the whole family had been summoned together. But tonight? I’d actually enjoyed myself. Maybe I was growing up. Or maybe it was because Mom and Dad had finally decided to support me in my new venture. But most likely, it was because of the man sitting next to me. The man whose hand was wrapped around mine under the table while we sipped coffee and shared the biggest piece of tiramisu I’d ever seen.
“So, Trinity…” Dad leaned back from the table and slipped his arm around Mom. “When can I expect to get a peek at that business plan you mentioned?”
The business plan. I figured he’d bring that up before we said our goodbyes. “Oliver’s just helping me put some finishing touches on it.”
“We should have it ready by the end of next week,” Oliver said, giving my hand a quick squeeze.
My heart skipped half a beat. I owed him a major favor for having my back on that. Hopefully, he’d be in the mood to collect later tonight when we got back to his place.
