Page 62 of Sentinel's Kiss

“I can’t believe you’re dating a guy like that.” Tasha leaned over her knee and painted her toes.

“Have you seen him?” Ashley said.

“Oh, don’t get me wrong. He’s hotter than Fireball whisky in the desert, but doesn’t he scare you?”

“Josh? No. He’s a teddy bear.”

“If teddy bears wore leather and chains. My mother would shit if I brought him home for dinner.”

So would mine.Fortunately, they wouldn’t have to have that discussion for a few weeks. And Ashley was pretty sure she could convince him to tone down the biker routine. She couldn’t picture him in a polo shirt and khakis, but maybe a long-sleeve shirt to cover the tattoos. At least for the first meeting.

“Can I borrow your cute yellow sundress for my date tonight?”

“Sure.” Ashley shrugged. “Mi closet es su closet.”

“Thanks.”

They both looked up at the roar of the motorcycle pipes. “You’re braver than I am.”

“See you tomorrow.” Ashley ran out of the house, slinging on her backpack, which had her change of clothes in it.

Josh barely slowed to a stop before Ashley leapt on. He handed her a helmet and tapped open the two-way radio.

“The mike is voice activated. Can you hear me?” his sexy, deep voice purred into her ear.

Ashley wrapped her arms around him. “Loud and clear. How fast can this thing go?”

He chuckled and revved the bike, giving Tasha, who was standing in the doorway, a salute before taking off fast.

Squeezing him tight, Ashley felt the sweet adrenaline pulse through her. She laid her cheek on his back and closed her eyes. It was nice to give up control and just feel the speed as they coursed down the road.

“How’s your dad?”

“Stable.” Ashley sighed. “He’s going to be all right. They’re going to keep him until Monday, just to make sure, and then he’s got a very detailed recovery plan. He’s going to hate it.”

“I’m glad he’s going to be all right.”

Josh’s voice echoed in her helmet. It was hard to hear him over the roar of the bike and the wind. They zipped in and out of traffic. Her heart pounded as he took them low around a curve, gunning the engine to dart faster on the straightaway. It was a gorgeous night for a ride. The darkness added to the adventure with the lights of the signs and the brake lights of the cars blurring as they whizzed by.

The stress of the day faded away and the emptiness inside her filled up with the zing of excitement through her veins. She was being careful, for her dad’s sake. Josh was in complete control of the bike and that was as much of a turn-on as it was exhilarating to let go and give him control of her too.

“Want to go for a drink?”

Ashley considered it. It would be nice to actually have a real date, but to be honest she wanted him all to herself.

“Not unless it’s at your place.” Ashley slid her hand down his chest to his thigh.

“Have I mentioned you’re the perfect woman?”

“We’ll see if you’re still saying that a month from now when you’re real sick of my crap.” She gave a half laugh, but she was serious.

After Brett died, there was no one who lasted a week with her. Either she got bored or they got freaked out by her antics. Josh was the only one who had ever come back for more. All too soon the ride was over and they pulled up in front of his apartment. Climbing off the bike on shaky legs, Ashley took off her helmet.

“How’s my hair?” she asked when he took his off and put them on a bench by the door inside the apartment.

“You look gorgeous. What can I get you to drink?”

“Do you have any girly drinks?”