Ride Wild

by Laura Kaye

  Chapter 12

  Slider had promised himself all week that he’d finally do it, so when he woke up from sleeping on Saturday afternoon, he got dressed, grabbed a sandwich, and headed out back to his garage.

  In the center of the space sat his motorcycle, covered by a tarp.

  He pulled off the dusty drop cloth to reveal a 2009 Harley Softail Cross Bones. Man, he’d always loved this bike. And seeing Cora’s excitement at buying her first car reminded him of how fucking thrilled he’d been the day he’d bought this Harley.

  His Cross Bones was one badass-looking ride, combining some vintage styling with the look of a stripped-down custom bobber. Gloss black finishes made it gleam, even in the dark, as did the bright chrome exhaust and mufflers. It had a rough-and-tumble attitude that had been a good match for his own personality, at least once upon a time. And it had a crossbones-and-skull graphic on the oil tank and the Raven Riders’ raven/dagger/skull logo on the gas tank.

  It was a fucking piece of rolling art and some kick-ass engineering.

  And it needed a ton of TLC.

  Just one more thing Slider had neglected.

  So he got to work making his baby roadworthy once again. He gave everything a once-over inspection—brakes, chain, fuel system, valves, air filter, fluid levels. Then he tuned her up until she sang and shined her up until she blazed.

  “Looking good,” came a voice from the open doorway.

  Talk about blazing.

  Cora stood in the sunlight, her hair like a halo, her smile like the sun itself had been pulled from the sky. And it was all directed at him. He shouldn’t like that as much as he did. Nor should he like the way she looked with a pair of form-fitting jeans tucked into tall brown boots. But that shit was sexy as hell.

  “Yeah?” he said, wiping his greasy hands on a rag. He didn’t mind the dirt, not when it was evidence that he worked hard on something he loved. And that hadn’t happened in a long damn time.

  Tentatively, she stepped into his space and came around the other side of the bike. “I don’t know anything about motorcycles.”

  “Ever ridden one?” he asked.

  She shook her head, her expression full of admiration as she looked over his bike. “Never. Bet it’s awesome, though.” Her interest hit him nearly the same way her studying his body had. Heat stirred in his blood.

  Slider debated, but the words sneaked out of his mouth before he’d fully thought them through. “Wanna ride with me?”

  Her eyes went wide. “Now?”

  “Scared?” he asked, making sure there was a playfulness to his tone—despite the fact that he really wanted her to say yes.

  Cora crossed her arms and jutted out a hip. “No.”

  He came round to where she was standing, got close, close enough to tower over her. “Then ride with me.”

  He wasn’t sure why he was pushing her—scratch that. He knew exactly why the hell he was pushing Cora. Because he liked her. And staying away from her was hard as fuck. Harder than he expected, especially with her living in his house.

  He saw her fresh from bed and sleepy at night. He heard her shower water running and couldn’t help but imagine what he’d once touched. He talked to her and listened to her and watched her make his boys fall in love with her a little more every day. And he liked her. At least this way she’d be all over him, without it leading to them getting naked and sweaty. Theoretically, at least.

  “Okay. But what about the boys?” she asked.

  Five words that threatened to reach right inside his chest, because she always thought of them. Always. “We won’t go for long.”

  “Then just show me what to do.”

  Atta girl, he thought, loving that she was game for this.

  He ran inside and washed up at the kitchen sink, but on the way to the stairs, something made him stop dead in his tracks. The coat closet by the front door. He opened it. Pulled out his Raven Riders cut. Denim and leather, with the Ravens’ colors on the back and other patches here and there. He walked to the mirror by the door, looked himself straight in the eye, and slid it on.

  Damn. Damn. Where have you been all this time, Slider?

  It was his own thought, but he heard his brothers’ voices asking it. Dare and Maverick and Jagger and Phoenix and Doc and all the rest. He didn’t have a good answer for them, because the past was dead and buried. But he had now. And he had tomorrow. And those he could do something about.

  A stair creaked behind him.

  Slider turned, and found Sam standing at the banister.

  Wasn’t it a bitch that he was suddenly self-conscious? That was how much he’d lost himself. “So, uh . . .” He held out his hands. “What do you think?”

  Sam nodded, his face solemn. Too solemn, Slider thought, for a boy of ten. “I think it’s good.”

  “Yeah,” Slider said. “Would you be okay if I take Cora for a spin? Twenty minutes. Thirty, tops.”

  Sam’s eyebrows went up. In truth, his whole face lit up. Cora Campbell seemed to have that effect on his boys. Hell, on all the Evans men, if he was being honest. “Cora’s gonna ride?”

  Slider couldn’t help but quirk a little smile. “First-timer, even.”

  His son nodded. “It’s cool, Dad. No worries. I’ll watch Ben.”

  With that, Slider was out the door and crossing the yard. He found Cora sitting on an overturned bucket in the sun, her back against the garage wall, her eyes closed, and she was singing along to the radio.

  He just stood and watched her. Because he couldn’t do anything else.

  Her eyes fluttered open, the green even brighter in the sunshine. “Oh!” she said, breaking into a chuckle. “What are you, a ghost? I didn’t even hear . . . you . . .” She rose, and her mouth dropped open as she took in what he wore. “Wow.” She walked all the way around him, and her fingers fell against his back. He knew the Ravens’ colors well enough that he knew exactly what she was touching. She traced the raven to where it perched on the handle of a dagger, and then followed the blade as it went through the eye socket of a skull.

  Then she stood in front of him again.

  He arched a brow and borrowed from her book of defense mechanisms. “I make this shit look good.”

  She barked out a laugh that was as sweet as it was sexy. “Someone’s full of himself today,” she said.

  Oh, hell, what he wouldn’t give for someone to be full of him today, but he kept his mouth shut. Still, she seemed to realize the innuendo that could be weaved by her words because her cheeks went pink and she rolled her eyes. “Seems like something’s put me in a better mood lately, that’s all.”

  And then those cheeks went pinker.

  Damn if Slider didn’t enjoy making Cora squirm. In all sorts of ways he had no business thinking about at all. Or wanting to repeat.

  “Ready to ride?” he asked. Because he sure as hell was ready to feel her holding him, her body molded to him, her thighs wrapped around his ass. Some bikers were more particular about who they invited into their saddle than they were about who they invited into their beds, and though Slider had never been that hard-core about it, on a certain level, he got it.

  “Let’s do it,” she said, arching a brow of her own.

  He suited her up in a lightweight jacket and a helmet, and then he pulled on a brain bucket of his own and a pair of shades. Sitting astride his bike was like coming home, and then he helped Cora on behind him. She had to sit close and tight, because he had only a slim two-seater, which he’d customized from the original solo seat so that Kim could ride, too. Though she’d enjoyed riding when they’d first been together—hell, they’d met at one of the Ravens’ race nights at their racetrack, so she’d known he was a biker from the very start—her interest in it had declined after the kids were born until she no longer wanted to ride at all.

  “This is so freaking awesome,” Cora said, chasing away his thoughts. Because she clearly wanted to ride, and that rushed a deep satisfaction through him. “I hope I don’t
fall off.”

  Slider chuckled and peered over his shoulder. “Well then, sweetheart, I suggest you put your arms around me and hold on tight.”

  Gladly, Cora thought as Slider revved the engine. She’d no more scooted flush against him and gripped his chest then he’d pulled out of the driveway and onto the road in front of his house.

  And then they were off.

  The rush was almost enough to make her forget that he’d called her sweetheart again. The endearment threatened to pull her right back into his bed, his sleep-roughened voice saying it for the very first time. Did he even realize he’d said it again?

  Cora let it go, because it felt like they were flying, even though she suspected they weren’t going that fast. But it was absolutely exhilarating, freeing, and so much damn fun. The thrill of it made her laugh and laugh, as if she were a kid riding a roller coaster that she never wanted to get off.

  Every once in a while, Slider grinned back at her, and if the genuine pleasure in that smile hadn’t been devastating enough, the total package of him right now was an absolute killer. The shades and matte black helmet over the five-o’clock scruff. The badass Ravens’ cut layered over a long-sleeved black T-shirt. The chunky black motorcycle boots. And, damn, the bike.

  It was like sex on wheels. That had been her first thought when she’d walked into Slider’s garage. It was sleek and aggressive, sexy and cool, utterly masculine, and looked fast as hell, too. Seeing him stand behind the machine, it totally fit—this man and this bike. And it was as if a new piece of the puzzle that was Slider Evans clicked into place.

  And he wanted to share it with her.

  “Okay?” he called.

  “Can we go faster?”

  He laughed. He actually laughed. And then did exactly as she asked.

  Before long, they’d skirted around the Ravens’ big tract of land, and then Cora recognized where they were. The twisting rural road that Dare lived on. Sure enough, that was his destination. The bike tilted as he pulled into the driveway next to a two-story, log-cabin-style home, and they found Dare on his knees working on his bike.

  “I just need five with Dare. You mind?” he asked.

  “Not at all. Gives me the chance to see how Haven is settling in,” she said as he helped her off the bike. When she removed the helmet, her hair was a wind-blown mess, but she just shook it out and laughed. No sense worrying about it when they still had the ride home yet to do.

  Wiping his hands on a rag, Dare got to his feet. “Hey,” he called in that super serious way he had. Cora couldn’t decide if it was funny or really freaking endearing that Haven had ended up with such a gruff and frankly intimidating man when she’d once been so shy it was almost painful, but it just went to show how far her bestie had come.

  “Hey,” Slider said. The two men clasped hands, and Dare’s gaze was all over Slider’s cut, the bike, her.

  That expression seemed like Cora’s signal to give them some privacy. “Haven inside?” she asked. When Dare nodded, she made herself scarce. “Knock, knock,” she called, as she knocked and opened the front door at the same time.

  “Cora?” Haven called from upstairs.

  “Yep. I can’t stay long though. Where are you?” she asked, making her way up the steps.

  Haven stepped out into the hallway. “Hey. I was just unpack—” She blinked. “What are you wearing? Is that a motorcycle jacket?”

  Cora grinned. “Slider took me for a ride.”

  Haven’s eyes went wide. “Slider’s on his bike?” She rushed for one of the front windows. “Wow. Wow, Cora. What is going on?”

  “He’s . . . I don’t know, he seems like he’s doing better. Not sure what he and Dare are talking about though, but Dare looked pretty surprised to see Slider wearing his vest.” The two of them had their faces pressed to the glass like little kids.

  Haven turned toward her. “No, I mean, what is going on with you and Slider?”

  Cora could’ve smacked herself in the head, because she’d walked right into that one. “Weelll . . .”

  On a gasp, Haven smacked her arm. “Shut up!”

  That made Cora laugh. “I didn’t even say anything.”

  “You didn’t have to. But now you totally have to,” Haven said, grabbing her hand and dragging her back into the room she’d originally stepped out of—Dare’s bedroom, by the masculine look of it. Though Haven’s things were all over it now, too. And actually seeing Haven at home in such a nice place—a place that was hers, now—was almost enough to make Cora a little misty. “Turnabout is fair play, missy. You made me spill all my secrets about Dare when we first got together, and now it’s your turn.”

  They plopped down on the corner of the bed. “It’s complicated.”

  “Story of our lives,” Haven said with an eye roll.

  Wasn’t that the truth. “Okay, well . . . I like him, and I think he likes me. And wesortahadsex but we can’t do it again because I work for him and neither of us are really in the best place for a relationship.”

  Haven’s eyebrows were up at her hairline. “You had sex with Slider?”

  “Twice. Well, twice in one morning.” Downstairs, the front door opened, and voices and footsteps filtered in.

  “I can’t believe you had sex with Slider!” Haven said excitedly.

  “Ssh!” Cora said, and then she dropped her face into her hands. “It was so good, Haven. Like, so so good. I can’t freaking stop thinking about it. And he sleeps across the hall from me now. It’s so distracting.”

  “How good was it?” Haven whispered, sending them both into a fit of giggles.

  “So good. Like, super good. Extra amazingly good.”

  Haven put her arm around Cora’s shoulders. “He invited you on his bike and took you for a ride. And he’s doing better since you moved into his house. I mean, hell, Cora, from what Dare said, Slider hadn’t touched his bike since before Kim died. All that with what you told me, I’d say just give it time and let whatever is going to happen between you happen naturally.”

  Cora blew out a breath. “How’d you get so good at giving advice?”

  She bumped their shoulders. “I learned from the best.”

  “Speaking of the best, my extraordinary baker friend, any more word on when you’ll start at Dutch’s?”

  “I met with him yesterday and showed him my new menu. He thinks he can have everything ready for the changeover in two weeks, three tops.”

  “Oh, Haven, that’s so awesome. I can’t wait to come sit at the counter and order up all your goodies.”

  Haven laughed. “You don’t have to do that, silly. You can get them any old time.”

  “Ready when you are, Cora,” Slider called.

  They went downstairs and exchanged some small talk, along with a promise to get together for dinner that put that surprised expression on Dare’s face again, and then they were back on Slider’s bike and heading home.

  Only this time, Slider kept his hand pressed against hers over his heart.

  The gesture made Cora feel like her heart might just beat right out of her chest. Because this like she felt for Slider Evans was getting stronger every day.

  Chapter 13

  It was the first time that Cora got to handle one of the dogs that her new job at the animal shelter became real. Well, not job job, but even though it wasn’t paid, it still felt important to her. Because it was a step toward figuring out her future, and at almost twenty-four, that wasn’t something she’d had the chance to do nearly enough.

  Her first furry friend at the shelter was an eight-year-old basset hound named Bosco, a beautiful red-coated old man who’d been left behind by his family when they moved across the country. “How could someone do that to you?” she asked as she stroked his long, silky ears. “You’re so handsome and so sweet.”

  He leaned into her pets with a satisfied grunt.

  Bosco was the first of the dog walks she got to go on, and it was no hardship at all walking dogs outside in the early Octo
ber sunshine, a breeze blowing through her hair, and a grateful companion at her side. She enjoyed herself so much that she already worried how she’d wait till Thursday to return. And her five-hour shift was nearing its end way too soon.

  “Good first day?” the shelter’s director of operations, Maria Colter, asked when Cora came back inside. In her mid-fifties, Maria had shoulder-length salt-and-pepper hair and a smile that had immediately put Cora at ease during her volunteer interview.

  “It really was,” Cora said. “How do you avoid falling in love with them all?”

  Maria winked. “You don’t. At least, I don’t.”

  “I don’t think I will, either,” Cora said.

  “Probably means you’re in the right place. I’m glad you’ve joined us, Cora. Many of our volunteers are retired ladies looking for something to do once a month or high school kids needing a few community service hours, and both are very welcomed, of course. We need every single pair of hands. But it’s exciting having someone here because they’re exploring working with animals as their career.”

  The online application had required a statement of interest, and Cora had shared her goal of one day becoming trained to do this work for real. Hearing Maria take her dream so seriously gave Cora an incredible boost of confidence in it that she really appreciated. “Well, I’m a long way off—”

  Suddenly, the door to the veterinary clinic pushed open. “Maria, we’ve got another one,” Dr. Josh said, his dark face set in a scowl. Dr. Joshua Pierce was the shelter’s director of veterinary medicine, a young guy in his thirties with a nerdy-but-cute look and the biggest smile Cora had ever seen. Well, normally.

  “Damnit. Every Monday . . .” Maria’s tone was part worried, part angry.

  “Is everything okay?” Cora asked.

  Frowning, Maria hesitated. “This might be a lot for your first day . . .”

  “I have time, if you need help,” Cora offered. A glance at the clock told her she had seventy-five minutes until the boys’ bus reached their house. Whatever this was, she really wanted to assist and learn.