Page 24 of Wild Heart
Where it’s just him and me, I want to add.
Raiden gives me a pleased smile. “Your wish is my command.”
After breakfast, I grab a quick shower and meet Raiden out the back of the complex.
There’s a group of men near the bike garage, and they nod at me as we walk past. They’re respectful and friendly and not at all surprised to see me. It makes me wonder what Raiden said to them.
I slide onto the back of Raiden’s bike and hook my arms around his waist. It feels natural to hold onto him like this, as if we were meant to fit together.
The bike roars to life, and a thrill zaps through me as we pull out of the complex.
Raiden takes us further up the mountain, expertly maneuvering around the winding mountain roads. Wind whips my hair behind me, and the cool breeze of the mountain road whips at my skin. It’s exhilarating, riding like this. Like nothing else I’ve ever done, and I don’t know if it’s the thrill of the ride of the man on the bike in front of me.
Eventually we head down a dirt track and stop when it ends at a thicket of trees. There’s a crumbling wooden post, the only indication of the overgrown path that leads through the trees.
“Come on.”
Raiden takes a backpack out of his saddle bag and takes my hand in his. Our fingers link as we walk down the path.
The only sounds are the crunch of our footsteps, the rustle of leaves, and the birds singing around us. We speak quietly, talking like we’ve known each other for years. He tells me about life in the military and about the Wild Riders MC, becoming animated when he speaks about his club.
I tell him about my sheltered life, about losing my mother and life under my father’s strict gaze at the villa.
It’s peaceful, like I wanted, and for a moment, with this man holding my hand, I forget about where I am, who I am, and what my father is trying to make me do. For a while I’m just an ordinary girl, holding hands with a man who makes her stomach flip.
It feels like we’ve been walking for hours when we finally come to the end of the trail. It’s a lookout right on the edge of the cliff, a rusty railing all that stands between us and the sheer drop of the cliff face.
The valley is spread out below us. Neat rows of pine trees decorate the slopes, and the only sign of humans is the sawmill in the distance.
“It’s peaceful.” I sign contentedly. This is just what I needed. A break away from everyone.
“The other side of the hill is prettier,” says Raiden. “Where the resort and the lake and Hope is. But if you want solitude and no tourists, then this is where to come.”
“It’s beautiful,” I say, looking down at the valley.
“Sure is.” When I look at Raiden, his gaze is on me. His eyes are full of heat as he takes a step toward me.
“Is this what you want, princess? Solitude?” His hand slides around my waist as he says it and I gasp, no longer able or willing to hide my feelings for him. “Is this the freedom you crave?”
His other thumb runs along my chin, the rough texture of his callused hand making my skin heat. How can I tell him that it’s him I want? That wherever he is I’ll be happy.
“It’s a start.”
His face is so close to mine that the heat of his breath skims my cheek as he chuckles.
“You’re hard to please.”
His eyes sparkle with mirth and desire, and it’s a heady mix. All he has to do to please me is close the inches between us and press his lips to mine.
“I don’t think I am.”
I’m breathing hard as he dips his head. My eyes close as our lips meet. The kiss is firm, but his lips are soft. I sigh softly because it feels so right. This is freedom, right here, kissing this man.
He pulls away and looks down at me, and there’s conflict in his expression.
“Stop worrying about my father.”
He shakes his head. “I’m not scared of your father, Isabella.”
