Page 48 of Maddox
A what? With me?
Biting my lip to hide my smile, I ask, “Where?”
When he winks, I rock back on my heels. That fucking wink kills me.
“You’ll see,” he rasps, and I shiver, goosebumps dancing across my skin.
This hot as fuck man wants to take me somewhere on his bike. Holy shit. How can I say no?
With a little thrill, I take his hand. His eyes light up as he pulls me in and our chests brush before he says, “Safety first, princess.”
After that, he reaches behind him and produces a helmet. Meanwhile I study his face, all screwed up in concentration while he helps me strap it on.
My pulse thumps when he gives a little tug and points to where I need to set my feet. When I nod, he mounts the bike and takes my hand to help me get on behind him.
I can’t freaking believe it! I’m on the back of a biker’s motorcycle.
“Hold on tight,” he says, tugging on my arms and I smile when my chest brushes his back.
Although it’s the middle of November, he’s warm enough for both of us and I tip my head back to look at the stars as he revs the engine only to squeal when he peels from the lot.
His shoulders shake from his laughter and warmth spreads through my limbs as I shout, “Where are we going?”
Squeezing my hands wrapped around his waist, he moves them a little farther up his chest and says, “You’ll see.”
I feel a little thrill when I flex my fingers and his muscles contract. It’s empowering to know that I can make him feel the way he does me with just a smile.
The drive clears my head and although I’m pleasantly buzzed from the ride, I’m also more relaxed than I’ve been in quite some time.
A few miles outside the downtown area, we pass a small park, and I gaze at the broken down jungle gym, my good mood fading.
Mom used to take me to that park once or twice a year, but she never actually let me leave the vehicle. Instead, I played with whatever toy she suggested I bring along while we sat there for no apparent reason at all.
Sometimes she would read from a book while I watched her fingers dancing across the pages. Other times she was quiet, almost contemplative and I would search for a way to bring her back to me.
Where did she go when she got that lost look on her face?
This was our norm until one day, she did exit long enough to speak to a man who approached the car. My memories are too fragile to remember his face, but I do recall the tension lining her body as she waved her arms in the air.
This is just one of the many things that I never understood about my mother, and I find that more and more I want to know the events that made her who she is today.
When we pull up to an overlook adjacent to the lake, I snap from my thoughts.
Maddox helps me dismount before following. While he fiddles with something in one of the bags attached to his bike, I swing the helmet in my hand.
When curiosity inspires me to look over his shoulder, he taps me on the nose and says, “No peeking.”
Once again, I hide my smile as he sets the helmet on his bike, tucks the blanket he pulled from the bag under his arm and grabs my hand before pulling me down a trail.
Although my heart beats in anticipation, I’m still uneasy out here alone with him in the dark and when I slow, he turns back, his dark eyes glittering as he says, “You okay, princess?”
I search his gaze and the trees surrounding us before whispering, “Where are we going?”
Sensing my unease, he squeezes my fingers and says, “Just a little farther. Okay?”
I don’t want to ruin this, whatever it is, so I nod and suck in a breath when he smiles.
As soon as he turns, I touch my swirling tummy and shake my head.Don’t catch feelings, Delaney.
