Winning Her Forever

by Harmony Evans

  Sonya edged out a smile. “You could be.”

  “Thank you. I take that as a compliment. Now, what seems to be the trouble?”

  She pointed to a little red convertible. “My car won’t start.”

  He hopped off his bike and whistled. “She’s a beauty, and I’m not just talking about the car.

  “That’s a pretty rare model, dating back to the late 1960s, correct? How do you happen to own one?”

  “My father gave it to me for my sixteenth birthday.”

  “Very nice.”

  He heard the pride in her voice and it pleased him. It wasn’t often that he met a woman who had an interest in cars, other than as a way of getting from point A to point B.

  “It was a bribe to try and get me to major in business administration in college.”

  “From the look on your face, I’m gathering it didn’t work.”

  “No, I majored in dance and enjoyed every minute of it.”

  “The color suits you.”

  “Thank you, I just wish it would start.”

  “Did you call for a tow?”

  She shook her head. “No. My phone is dead and besides, this requires a flatbed truck.”

  “Hand over the keys and let me try.”

  She turned toward her tiny car and then back, sizing him up. “Are you sure you’ll fit?”

  A smile crossed his lips. “Worth a try, isn’t it?”

  She gave him a keychain that had a miniature cable car dangling from it. By the weight of it, he could tell it was pure silver.

  “Okay. Give it a shot.”

  He opened the door and sat down, but his long legs wouldn’t fit. “Snug.”

  “You might want to adjust the seat.”

  “Right.”

  He pushed the seat back as far as it would go. His knees were still cramped, but the fit of his six-foot-two frame was much better. He depressed the clutch with his right foot, stuck the key in the ignition and turned.

  “Not even a click,” Trent muttered.

  “Told you so,” she said, and couldn’t help giggling. “Would you do me a favor and call for a flatbed tow?”

  “I know just the guy for the job.”

  He tugged his phone out of his jacket pocket and put it to his ear.

  “How soon can he be here?” she asked after he ended the call.

  “Five or ten minutes. He’s already in the area.”

  He got out of her vehicle and dropped the keys into her upturned palm.

  “After he’s done, I’ll be happy to give you a ride home.”

  She gave him a wary look. “On that thing?”

  Trent patted the seat. “Hey, you’re talking about my best friend. Don’t worry. We’ll both treat you with the utmost care.”

  A grateful smile crossed her face, but her eyes were still distrustful. “Thanks, but I’m not sure I’ll feel safe on a motorcycle. I’ve never ridden on one before.”

  Trent felt his heart pound against his chest, and he wondered why he felt a sudden need to change her mind. If it were anyone else, he wouldn’t have cared. Why Sonya?

  “I carry around a spare helmet, just for special occasions like these.”

  “Special?”

  “Yes. It’s not often I’m in the position to offer a trade.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Ride for ride. I give you a ride home on my sexy bike and you take me for a ride in your sexy convertible.”

  She paused and seemed to consider his offer. “Promise you won’t go too fast?”

  He held out his hand. “Deal. Let’s shake on it.”

  Sonya took it, and he loosened up a little on his powerful grip so he wouldn’t hurt her. He wished he didn’t have to let go of her hand, but he did.

  The tow truck arrived, and Trent helped the driver load up her car. When they were alone again, he opened up the case strapped to the back of his cycle that held two full-faced helmets. He picked up the spare and held it out to her.

  “Go ahead, try it on. You’re actually the first person to wear it.”

  “The fit is snug,” she said. Her voice sounded muffled and a little bit fearful behind the visor. “Like it was made for me.” Her hands trembled as she tried to fasten the strap underneath her chin.

  “Allow me.”

  He fastened the strap and then flipped open the clear plastic visor.

  “Your eyes are lovely, so to protect them from the wind and dust, be sure to put this back down again before we take off.”

  She nodded and gripped his wrist. “What do I do now?”

  He glanced back at her and grinned. “Climb aboard, hold on and don’t let go.”

  She hesitated for a few moments, and he could almost see the wheels of decision turning in her brain. He wondered if she was a risk-taker, or was she one of those women who questioned everything?

  When she settled in behind him and held on tight, he breathed an audible sigh of relief. A smile of triumph crossed his face, and he allowed himself to hope, after the ride was over, that he would see her again.

  Chapter 3

  Sonya straddled the seat and took her place behind Trent. Though her muscles were limber from years of dancing and yoga, the simple movement felt foreign to her. The rumble of the motorcycle’s engine vibrated throughout her body. It seemed to hone in on her loins, adding to her excitement.

  I must be nuts, she thought, but it was time to reclaim her life.

  She’d defied her father’s wishes and left Bay Point when she was seventeen years old. Their relationship, already on shaky ground, had deteriorated completely. Since then, she’d avoided taking risks in her personal and private life. Over time, she had suffered a few injuries due to the strenuous training and performance schedule. The decision to teach had been hard, but it was necessary if she wanted to continue in her profession. She’d also found the courage to end a relationship with a man that had run its course and was going nowhere.

  When she moved back to Bay Point, she’d vowed to find a way to forget about her past and get back to focusing on her new life. If part of the process was a motorcycle ride from her instructor, then so be it.

  “Get a little closer, will you? I don’t want you to fall off.”

  She touched her helmet and scooted forward, keeping their bodies only a couple inches apart. She placed one hand and then the other on each side of Trent’s waist. Her lips lifted into a tiny smile. Holding on to Trent from behind felt safer somehow. He couldn’t see the pleasure on her face, and she didn’t want him to know how much she enjoyed touching him. Once again, she wished she could slip her hands under his shirt so she could finally feel his skin.

  “All set,” she said loudly, so he could hear her over the engine.

  Without warning, the motorcycle lurched forward, crushing her breasts against his back. Her arms looped around his waist and briefly settled on the tops of his hips, before she jerked them away.

  “Hold on,” Trent commanded in a gruff tone without looking back. “I don’t want any accidents.”

  “I will, and there won’t be any, as long as you go slow,” she retorted.

  “I have to start moving in order to slow down, don’t I?”

  She couldn’t respond. She was too busy trying to resist the urge to lay her cheek against the middle of his back, where the leather stretched over his shoulder blades.

  He glanced over his right shoulder, a slight grin on his lips, as he revved the engine again. “Are you scared?”

  The delicious thrum of the motor against her inner thighs and the challenge in his voice made her close the gap between their bodies.

  “Not a bit,” she assured him, even though her heart was in the pit of her stomach.

  “Good, because I would never hurt you.”

  At his words, her
heart melted. His body heat radiated through his clothes, and his masculinity draped around him, heavy and comfortable. She sensed she could snuggle up in his arms, fall asleep and not have to worry about a thing.

  How she wished she could sweep everything that kept her up at night away from her mind, replace them all with a man that would sweep her right off her feet. She wasn’t looking for it, but she never stopped hoping for a second chance at love.

  She inched even closer, until her... She could feel his abdomen tense up.

  Oh, my, she thought, with a lick of her lips.

  His muscles were deeply ridged. It was as if she could climb a mountain and grab on to them so she wouldn’t fall.

  “That’s better,” he said in a gruff tone. “Hold on as tight as you’d like. I won’t mind.”

  She nodded, inhaling the scent of his leather jacket. She had visions of him wearing it, and nothing else.

  “Would you like to join me for a burger? It’s way past my dinnertime and I’m starving.”

  She pursed her lips. “I thought you were going to take me home.”

  “I will, right after we eat.”

  She gave him a reluctant shrug, even as her curiosity to learn more about him was getting stronger.

  “I don’t have much choice, do I? You’ve got me captured.”

  He turned around. “I get the feeling that if you didn’t want to be here, you wouldn’t be.

  “Then again, maybe it’s just fate,” she interjected.

  He grinned and revved the engine. “You can tell me where you live when we get to the restaurant. I’m shy and I don’t know how to make conversation.”

  She didn’t ask him where they were going, allowing him to take the lead and surprise her. The college was located east of Bay Point in a residential neighborhood, and the dining options were limited to fast food and strip-mall takeout.

  She figured the most likely destination was downtown Bay Point, which, much to her delight, had been revitalized in recent years with an influx of new restaurants and shops. Most of which she’d been too busy to try.

  When they reached Magnolia Avenue, which led west to downtown Ocean Avenue, Bay Point’s version of Main Street, Trent hooked a left and continued east. The road and the area was unfamiliar territory to Sonya, but she felt perfectly safe with Trent.

  Tiny stars were just beginning to pop in the twilight sky as they rode silently through the moist autumn air. She wanted to open the flap of her helmet to smell the fresh air, but she didn’t dare let go of Trent.

  What does a man think about when he’s totally alone? Wearing his helmet made her feel close to him, even though his thoughts and feelings were unknown to her. She was glad to have it.

  About ten minutes later, they turned onto a gravel driveway. The roadside bar had no sign. Motorcycles and pickup trucks cluttered the parking lot. In the windows were colorful neon images of a martini glass, a bottle of champagne with the cork exploding and a frothy mug of beer.

  In spite of the place’s quirky appearance, Sonya’s anticipation grew as Trent angled his cycle into a space. Before she knew what was happening, he was off the bike, and she took his hand as he assisted her.

  She removed her helmet, handed it to him, and he put them both in the case and locked it.

  She brushed her fingers through her flattened curls to bring them back to life.

  The front door of the bar opened, and a man half walked, half stumbled out on the raucous notes of a classic rock tune from a jukebox.

  He held the door open for the couple. “Enter, beautiful ones!”

  Sonya blushed. Although she appreciated the compliment, the guy was obviously drunk.

  “Thanks, man,” Trent said, a smile on his face. “Do you need a ride home?”

  “Nope. Rocky took my keys and called me a cab.”

  Trent patted the guy on the shoulder. “Good. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”

  They stepped over the threshold and heads turned.

  “Hey, Rocky, got a table for two weary travelers?”

  The bartender nodded and pointed to a dark corner. Many in the attractive, diverse crowd shouted hello and waved in their direction as they walked to the back of the restaurant.

  Sonya nudged his elbow and he leaned in so close she could smell his aftershave. “Do you know everyone here?”

  He put his arm around her as they shuffled through a glut of people dancing. “No, but they know me, apparently.”

  Sonya wasn’t sure if that was good or bad. Could it have to do with him being a so-called heartbreaker? She made a mental note to ask him later.

  Trent pulled out one of the old bentwood chairs so that she could be seated first, impressing her with his old-school chivalry. The table was scarred with a variety of initials carved into the polished wood, and a couple of quotes that made her cheeks get hot.

  “Are you sure we’re going to get out of here alive?” she asked, only half joking.

  “You are perfectly safe here with me. I got you here, didn’t I?”

  She arched a brow and folded her arms.

  “I didn’t have much choice, did I?”

  He reached over and lifted her chin with the pad of his thumb.

  “Yes, you did. And in my opinion, you chose wisely.”

  A waitress came by and dropped off a couple of menus and two waters, heavy on the ice.

  Trent sat back in his seat as the woman stood there pen in hand. “Everything is good here, but I prefer the veggie burger and fries. Sound good?”

  Sonya made a point to peruse the selections, even though his choices were not unlike something she’d choose for herself on a Friday night of fun when she didn’t have a performance.

  Before she could nod in agreement, Trent gave the waitress their orders and Sonya reluctantly gave up her menu.

  When they were alone, Trent frowned, as if he’d just realized his mistake. “I’m sorry. I should have given you more time.”

  Sonya tapped one finger on her lips. “Let me guess. You’re the kind of guy who acts first and begs forgiveness later.”

  “Bingo. Would you call that being arrogant or bold?”

  “Will I get an F if I tell the truth?”

  “No, but will it make you feel better if I told you this was the first time I’ve ever taught a class? I’m making this up as I go along. You won’t tell, will you?”

  She shook her head. “I guess we’ve both had a rough first day.”

  “I do want to thank you for suggesting the hardware store field trip. It really makes sense.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  An attractive man in a green-and-white button-down shirt and blue jeans stopped by their table. Without asking, he dropped in the space next to Sonya and turned toward her.

  “Excuse me, beautiful. I don’t mean to intrude, but I’ve got an important question for your man.”

  Before speaking, he’d taken a second to wave his left hand, the one bearing his gold wedding band, in front of her face. In her opinion, he was either very devoted to his wife, or feeling guilty for cheating.

  Her eyes caught Trent’s and he gave a rueful shake of his head as he introduced them.

  “Don’t mind this clown, Sonya. Dario is an old buddy of mine that I allow to tread on my last nerve,” Trent replied good-naturedly.

  “When are you going to lower the prices on those homes in that new development of yours, Waterson, so that guys like me can afford them? I’m tired of my wife nagging me about it.”

  Dario’s face registered no emotion, so Sonya couldn’t tell if he was joking or serious.

  Trent, on the other hand, seemed as uncomfortable as she had been when she’d first walked into the bar, like a stranger among friends.

  “How much do the homes go for?” she asked.

  “They start at a m
illion and go up from there,” Trent replied in a nonchalant tone.

  “The base price of a Waterson home gets you four walls, a doorbell and that’s about it,” Dario replied.

  Trent leaned back in his chair and shrugged his shoulders. “Welcome to the world of custom homes. Everything is an add-on.”

  Though Trent’s words sounded good, his friend didn’t appear convinced. In fact, he looked even angrier.

  “You know that I don’t set the prices. My brother and my father do. I just build the houses to spec, on budget and on time.”

  “You’re starting to sound like a salesperson. You know I’ll never be able to buy one of your mega mansions, especially now.”

  Dario slammed one fist on the table and she jumped. A trickle of sweat ran down her spine as bad memories flooded her brain.

  The tables were very close together, and Dario was blocking her only way out. The sense that she was trapped made her light-headed, and she knew she needed some fresh air right away.

  She braced her right hand on the table and tried to stand up. “Excuse me, please.”

  Trent’s palm closed over her hand, and she hitched in a breath. The warmth from his skin forced her to concentrate on his touch, instead of her panic. He mouthed the words, It’s okay, motioning with his chin for her to sit back down, so she did.

  Trent leaned in close and lowered his voice. “I’m sorry you were laid off from your job recently, but I’m a regular guy, just like you.”

  Dario folded his arms. “Who are you trying to convince? Me or you?”

  Trent caught Sonya’s eye before speaking.

  “Don’t go spreading this around town, but I believe we’re looking into building homes with a lower price point. If that happens, you’ll be the first to know. We’ll be hiring local workers.”

  Trent’s words diffused the tense situation, and the men shook hands. Dario tipped an imaginary hat toward Sonya and then left.

  “Was that guy a friend or an enemy?”

  Trent glanced over at the bar, where Dario saluted him with a full mug of beer, and back at her.

  “I wish I knew.”

  “So guys have frenemies, too?” she chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.

  “Yeah.” He paused. “Can I ask you a question? You nearly hit the ceiling when he pounded on the table. I’m sorry that Dario’s actions startled you.”