Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 84471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
“It’s not a date. It’s a tour.”
“Yeah, right. That’s why it’s happening in the middle of the night and you’re freaking out about your outfit.”
“Okay, so I’m having a little fun with it. Is that a crime? Hanging out with these guys is getting me back my mojo, Grace. I know they aren’t marriage material, but it’s giving me all sorts of inspiration for the book, and that’s good, isn’t it?” I wiggle into my favorite boot cut jeans that show off the tiny dangling jewel in my belly button.
“Yeah, Lo, it is. I’m happy you’re happy. I know last year was rough, with Keith cheating on you and then losing your grandma. If banging a biker is what it takes to move on, then do it, but just be careful, okay? You haven’t been around much to see what it’s like.”
“Have you had any bad experiences with them?” I ask straight out. “Because if you tell me that they’ve been sexist, or racist or just plain horrible to you or anyone you know, I swear I’ll cut contact right now.”
Her whole face scrunches, putting folds in the moisturizing skin mask she’s wearing. “No. As far as I know they keep to themselves and they never threatened anyone on the street or made us afraid of them. But at the end of the day, they’re a criminal gang and if you stay near them, trouble will find you.”
“I worry about that, too,” I admit. “But I think maybe I’ve been playing it too safe and I need this to remind me I’m only twenty-four. In fifty years, this’ll be a great story I can tell my granddaughter, you know?” The summer I had a fling with the dangerous bikers in my backyard.
I grin.
“Fine, but text me when you get home, alright? I want proof of life before you go to bed or I’ll drag Terry over there so we can rescue you, and if you forget and I see a naked biker butt bouncing in your front window, I will take pictures, put it on a mug and never let you forget.”
I laugh as I check myself out in the mirror. Biker chic or basic bitch? I don't even know. “I’d deserve it.”
“Yup,” she agrees readily, before changing topics and launching into a story about her nemesis at work while I do my makeup.
The doorbell rings as I’m adjusting the wings on my eyeliner. “Oh my God, they're here.”
“Be careful, okay? And have fun.” Grace waves and smiles, but it doesn't erase the worry crease between her eyes.
“I will. Love you!” I almost run down the stairs, but pause at the front door to take a deep breath. I don't know what to expect, or what they’ll expect of me. Am I ready for this?
Only one way to find out. I draw a deep breath then open the door. On the other side I find all three of them, wearing bike leathers and jeans. Their bikes are lined up on the street. Blackout is sitting on the porch railing, while Skyhigh and Dragon are talking. They look up when I open the door, and I can tell they’re surprised by what they see.
“Damn, honey,” Blackout says, whistling low.
Skyhigh reaches out and flicks my belly button ring. “Nice, I like it.”
Dragon nods. He doesn’t say a word, but the pure, masculine appreciation in his eyes is clear.
“Right back atcha,” I say with a grin.
I don’t know where to look. When I first met them, it was Blackout that stood with me, but since then I’ve taken a shot out of Dragon’s mouth and I’ve kissed Skyhigh twice. I feel like I need to decide who I’m most attracted to, but bikers seem to have a very relaxed attitude towards sex and women, so maybe I need to do the same and just see how things go.
“You just gonna stand there?” Blackout smiles roguishly, just a little higher on one side. “I know we look good, but you keep staring like that and we aren’t going nowhere except back through that door.”
“Maybe that’s what the lady wants,” Dragon says.
Ooooh, I’m not ready for that. Not yet. “Um… can I see your bikes? I’ve been on a few scooters and motorbikes, but I’ve never actually been on a motorcycle like that.”
Skyhigh nods. “Then it’s time we change that.” He motions to a small pile near the front steps that I didn’t notice.
Dragon picks up a purple-fading-to-pink motorcycle helmet and a black leather jacket. “You fall off and the road's gonna shred that top right off you faster than we will. Put this on.”
I sniff the jacket, smelling perfume and leather. “Do I want to know whose this is?”
“One of the old ladies had some extra shit she wasn’t using,” Blackout explains.
“Old lady?” The question hangs in the air. It doesn’t exactly sound flattering.