Page 26 of Eight Bikers' Heir
I didn’t even have to think about my answer before nodding.
“For a long time. Probably stems from how I grew up,” I said.
“How’d you grow up?” Aisling replied, keeping her beautiful eyes on me.
It was almost hard to concentrate, but her question made an unsure feeling fill me. I didn’t exactly discuss this type of stuff with others outside of the club, but I supposed she was one of us for the next year.
“My family was pretty dysfunctional. My parents fought a lot and got divorced when I was in high school. They either ignored me or chastised me for every little thing,” I explained, more words than planned spilling from me. Something about her gentle, curious gaze got me.
“I’m really sorry to hear that,” Aisling told me. “But I bet you’ll be ten times better than your parents. You’ve helped me out a lot this morning already.”
“That’s a big motivation for me. I want the family that I never had before. Of course, the guys are my family, but this will bring us even closer than we already are,” I admitted, lowering my walls just a little bit more. It wasn’t like she was going to run and tell anyone what I told her.
“I’m starting to think you guys aren’t as scary as you come off to be,” Aisling said as she tilted her head at me in a playful manner.
I crossed my arms over my chest and shrugged.
“We’re not ones to be messed with, but we protect our own. You’ll be safe with us,” I told her.
Aisling smiled a little, her teeth catching onto her bottom lip in a manner that made my chest tighten.
“I’m feeling a bit better. I wouldn’t mind some more fresh air, though,” she said.
“Want to take a ride?” I asked.
Aisling’s face flushed at first.
“Oh! Like on your bike?” she replied.
I couldn’t help the smirk that crossed my face. Now, she had me thinking aboutthatkind of ride. A dangerous thought around her.
“What do you think?” I asked as I tilted my head at her.
Aisling smiled in a slightly nervous manner, but there was an excited glint in her bright eyes.
“I’ve never actually ridden on a bike before,” she admitted. “I mean, realistically, how safe is it?”
“With me, perfectly safe,” I assured her. “There’s nothing like tearing down the road without any obstacles around you like there are when you’re in a car. You’re completely free. Like you’re truly flying.”
Aisling’s eyes seemed to widen with wonder.
“That sounds like just what I need right now,” she said.
I grinned a little and held my hand out to her, helping her up to her feet and pausing for a moment as our eyes locked.
I could smell something sweet. Maybe it was her shampoo or the soap that was on her skin. Whatever it was, it was addicting. I continued holding her hand as I guided her outside after picking up an extra helmet for her, like losing hold of her put her in danger.
“Just hold on tight,” I said as I carefully slipped the full-face helmet on her head.
Aisling nodded and waited for me to get on my black Softail Standard cruiser before taking my arm and sliding onto the seat behind me. She wrapped her arms around my torso, pressing her body against my back.
It was such a simple, expected action, but heat stirred in my body. I had to distract myself by putting my helmet on and gunning my engine, feeling the rumble of my bike beneath me.
Aisling jumped at first, squeezing me so tightly that she nearly knocked the breath out of me. She only loosened her grip when I slowly edged out of the parking lot and hit the road.
“You good?” I called out over the rumble of the engine as I drove toward a little park that I knew of in the area. She seemed like the type of person who loved a good thrill, but I wasn’t going to put her in any danger. She was supposed to be relaxing.
“Yeah! This is amazing!” Aisling shouted, her words being followed by a laugh.