“Eggs Benedict sounds perfect. Need some protein, you know?”
She sure did. She’d been craving it herself earlier this morning. “I’ll have it right out.”
She was turning away when he caught her with a low, tentative murmur. “Any chance of me making that French toast for you someday?”
She faced him again, even as she was walking backward toward her next table. “I don’t know, Josh. But you just may.”
For the next hour, she danced around the restaurant, bringing him his food and checking in on him between visits with her other tables. His quiet flirtations kept her breathless, and she responded more and more in kind, taking on all the mannerisms of a girl who was open to more. She touched her hair and her throat and laughed, giving him a genuine smile that rarely graced her face when she was at work.
As she cleared away his plate, he brushed a knuckle against hers. “When do you get off?”
When he was touching her? Any time he wanted her to, apparently.
Her whole body filled with heat as she refocused on what he was really asking. “Not for a few hours.”
“When?”
The words fell from her lips without her permission. “Four o’clock.”
“Can I pick you up?”
She glanced around the room, not sure what she was looking for. Maybe just an escape from the intensity in his eyes. “I don’t know. My car is here, and…”
“I’ll bring you back. Whenever you want.” He hooked his finger around hers, his grin deepening into something devilish and oh-so enticing. “Later tonight. Or tomorrow. After I make you French toast.”
Her heart pounded. Another night with him would be…amazing. Dangerous and amazing.
“Okay,” she breathed.
“Really?”
She nodded and stepped away. “Okay.”
For the second time in one day, Ellen pushed through a set of doors and had to fight down every instinct not to turn right around and head back the way she’d come.
Old Ellen would have done exactly that. Would have taken one look at Josh and his leather jacket, his black riding boots and the helmet in his hands, the long line of his body leaning against that shiny motorcycle, and would have bolted. Would have asked if he was crazy.
Spring break Ellen held her ground. She forced a smile and let her gaze drift up and down his form, lingering on the parts she knew felt best beneath her palms. Quirking up one eyebrow, she looked him in the eye. “Nice ride.”
He stretched out one arm, holding the helmet like an offering. “You up for it?”
Damn it. Damn it damn it damn it.
She’d had to mention motorcycle riding among her list of ridiculous hobbies when he’d acted so bored with her real ones.
“Always,” she lied smoothly. She strode toward him with as much swagger as she could muster and touched the shiny plastic of the helmet’s shell.
“Here. Let me.”
He handed her the helmet and stepped to stand behind her. A shiver ran up her spine as her pushed her hair from her face, grazing her neck as he did so. For just a second, he leaned in and pressed a kiss to the skin below her ear, whispering, “Don’t be nervous.”
“I’m not.” Her voice came out strained.
She wasn’t nervous. Not when he was touching her like that.
With care that melted her, he fit the helmet to her head and fixed the chin strap. “Fit all right?”
She had no idea, but when she nodded, it didn’t seem to move around. He grinned and reached in to stroke her bottom lip before lowering the visor. He turned back to the motorcycle and lifted another, larger, more complicated-looking helmet from the seat and put it on before slinging one long leg over the body of the bike. He looked so good up there, so comfortable, like he was a part of the machine with his hands wrapped around the controls.
“Well?” He twisted his head to look at her and nodded toward the space behind him.
Her whole chest fluttered, and not in a good way as her nerves resurged. She was supposed to know how to do this. Silently cursing the entire time, she copied his movements, one hand on his shoulder to steady herself as she climbed on. She found the places for her feet to go, then with only the thinnest layer of air between her open legs and his body, she settled her hands on either side of his waist, feeling too hot all of a sudden, too intimate here in the full light of day.
“You’re going to want to hold on a whole lot tighter than that.” His voice was muffled through their helmets, so it took a second for her to register what he was saying. Not that he left her time to process.
He reached behind his body and gripped the backs of her thighs, sliding her forward until they were flush, the pressure between her legs maddening as they spread around him. All the air left her lungs in a rush, and when she breathed in again, his scent surrounded her. In another swift adjustment, he grabbed her hands and pulled them so her arms wrapped around him tightly. She could feel the firmness of his abs through the gap in his jacket, feel the broadness of him as she molded to him.
After squeezing her fingers once, he put his hands back on the handles of the bike. “You ready?”
“Yes?”
His laugh rang out through the air, only to be drowned out by the sudden revving of the engine. He twisted his neck one last time. “Just don’t let go.”
And then they were off.
By the time they’d made it five blocks, she’d not only not let go—she’d lost feeling in her hands from holding on so tight. It was like nothing she’d ever experienced before, the wind and the speed and the vibrations from the engine, the sensation of flying, with nothing between her body and the ground. Nothing but Josh.
When he stopped at an intersection, he put his foot down on the pavement and rested one hand over hers. “Relax, Ellen. I won’t let you get hurt.”
She loosened her grip infinitesimally. “I am relaxed.”
If only it hadn’t been directed at her, she would have loved the deep sound of his laugh.
It should have been impossible to whisper sexily through two layers of protective plastic. But as he slid his palm along her thigh, he sure tried. “Trust me.”
The words echoed like they had last night. She’d trusted him then all right, let him take her how he wanted her, teaching her pleasure she hadn’t known how to take for herself. Through all of it, he’d kept her safe. All she’d had to do was hold on.
When he kicked off again and pushed the bike back up to speed, she let herself melt into him, still gripping tightly, but with a softness, too, to her arms and legs.
“That’s it, baby.”
As they sailed through the streets, he taught her how to lean with him as he cornered. With each turn, she took her cues from him more readily and sank into him more deeply.
All at once, the fear seemed to slip away, leaving her in motion, her body wrapped around that of a man she’d taken inside of her twice now. A man who’d held her and made her come, who’d kissed her and sought her out.
And she didn’t have to try to be the sexy woman from the past two nights. She was that woman.
She wanted to rip her helmet off and press her lips to his salty skin, to slide her hands down his torso and to the center of him. As she held him more sensually, she heard his groan blend with the roar of the engine. If she pushed her hands a little lower, she knew she’d find him just as hard as she was wet. Just as wanting.
His bike slowed, and for the first time in over a mile, Ellen took a good look at the world beyond his shoulders.
“What—”
They came to a stop right in front of the doors to the diner. He cut the engine, drowning the world in silence and his heaving breaths.
“Ellen, get off.”
Her chest cratered. “Why—”
He tore his helmet off and dragged her hand to exactly where she’d wanted it. Beneath her palm, his length swelled and pulsed. “Because. If you don’t get off this bike right now, I’m going to fuck you bent over
the side of it.”
Yes, please.
Before she could muster the presence of mind to tell him that, he had her waist in his hands, lifting her and depositing her on solid ground. Moving deftly, he loosened her helmet and lifted it, leaving her hair wild and mussed. The next thing she knew, his mouth was fit to hers, his tongue hot and probing as she yielded to him.
He growled and pushed her back, staring at her with hungry eyes.
“I’m not going to fuck you today.”
“Why not?”
His lips lifted on one side. “Believe me, I came here fully intending to. But I want more than that.”
More?
He grasped her hand and stared at her with that same intensity that turned her insides to mush. “Go out with me tomorrow night.”
“Out?” Her brain wasn’t catching up. “Like on a date?”
He cupped the side of her face, stroked her cheek with his thumb. “Exactly. Exactly, exactly like a date.”
Already hammering, Ellen’s heart broke into a sprint.
You can’t keep him, she reminded herself. She’d picked him up for a night of simple fun. But the racing twist inside her chest rang out a warning.
Nothing about this was simple anymore.
Still, his eyes were imploring, his hand around hers so big and warm as it rubbed her palm.
She opened her mouth. And out of it fell a shaky, terrified, “Yes.”
Chapter Four
Tuesday
Josh rapped his knuckles on the doorway leading to the living room. “Hey, Ma.”
His mom looked up from her crossword puzzle and regarded him for a few seconds before smiling. “What’s up?”
“Nothing. Just wanted to let you know I won’t be home for dinner tonight.”
She set the paper aside and stood, picking up her empty teacup as she did. “Ah. Plans with your…friends again?”
“Yup.”
“And would these friends happen to include a girl?”
She said it so nonchalantly but with the same subtle invective that had colored her question about his friends.
Busted.
“Possibly.” He grinned and darted his eyes skyward. “What gave me away?”
“Hmm. Let’s see.” She crossed the room to stand before him as she rattled off the inventory. “Collared shirt.” Her eyes traveled upward. “Effort expended on hair.” She leaned in closer. “Cologne.” Smirking, she asked, “Need I continue?”
“Nah, you’ve proven your skills.”
She eyed him for a second. “You’re not neglecting any schoolwork?”
“Mom. It’s spring break.”
“You know your father’s going to ask before the two of you head off this weekend.”
Right. The annual father-son camping trip. If only it would be as easy as neglecting his schoolwork to get out of going.
He could already feel the weight of all the uncomfortable questions, all the expectations. He pushed them aside and forced a smile.
“I promise, Mom. I’m good.”
“All right then, if you say so.” She presented her cheek for a kiss. “Have a good time.”
After a quick peck, he agreed. “Will do. Don’t wait up.”
“We never do.”
Chuckling, he headed back downstairs just long enough to grab his jacket and keys before heading out. While he’d already decided to take his car tonight, he couldn’t resist walking through the garage on his way to it and running his hands over the chrome and leather trim of his Harley. He knew every inch of her, every pipe and every fastening; he’d fixed her up from scratch, only took her out on special occasions.
Yesterday had been special, all right.
He’d asked Ellen to go for a ride as a lark, just to see how she’d react. To find out if her façade would crack. Her uncertainty had been clear, but she’d climbed on all the same, putting on a brave face that had been even sexier than the one she’d worn in the bar. He loved a girl who wasn’t afraid of an adventure, of getting her hands dirty or doing something risky.
He’d been the one risking life and limb, though, trying to drive while under the influence of her scent, her breath, her touch.
God, but she’d almost killed him, clinging to him the way she had. A hundred times on the way home, he’d cursed himself for not taking them to her apartment and carrying her upstairs, driving into her right there on her entryway floor. She’d cleaved to him so tightly, pressed those hot hands to his abdomen in a way that made his skin scream out for more, more, more.
But three times was a pattern, and he’d seen a future he didn’t like spread out before him. If he’d given in and just taken her again, without ceremony or discussion, it would have doomed them. And wanting more wasn’t just about wanting her body.
He wanted the seductress in the high heels and short skirts, all right, the one that oozed sex and confidence. But he wanted the girl in the plain sweaters with the loose waves that fell over her face, too. The one that hid in the last row of the lecture hall but who always knew the answers. The one that dissected a pig all by herself, looking kissable even in a rubber apron and goggles and gloves.
He wanted her to want more than a fuck from him. He wanted her to remember him. To know him.
And this was his chance—his chance to prove to her that he was worth more.
He patted the seat of his bike twice for luck, then let himself out. His car was parked in the turnaround as usual, and he gave it a quick scan to check that it was clean inside before climbing in. He considered taking the motorcycle again, but he figured he’d pushed her—and his self-control—enough the day before. Besides, the early spring air could still get chilly at night, and he was hoping one of her skirts might make another appearance.
In that respect, he wasn’t disappointed. When he finally pulled up in front of her building, she was waiting outside, looking like a fantasy, all long, bare legs and windswept hair, her lips pouty and shiny. He double-parked and got out, striding toward her with a smile stretching the edges of his mouth. Meeting her on the curb, he swallowed hard before resting his hand on her waist and leaning in to brush his lips against her cheek. It felt presumptuous and intimate to put himself so close to her, but she didn’t pull away. His throat grew rough, and his heart surged.
“You look beautiful,” he murmured, kissing his way toward her ear.
She hummed and touched his chest, tilting her neck and giving him more of herself to kiss. “You look nice, too.”
“Thanks.” He pressed his lips once more over her pulse point, then stood up straight and slid his hand to the small of her back. “After you.”
He held his breath as they made their way toward his car. She let him hold the door for her and glanced up at him as she folded herself into the seat. Her skirt rose up on her thighs, and from this angle, he could see down her shirt.
He closed the door and took the long way around to his side of the car, forcing a few long, hard breaths before climbing in beside her. The instant they were closed inside that space together, all his efforts at calming himself were for naught. He’d been inside her twice, but sitting there like that, going out like normal people, felt like another thing entirely. He glanced over at her, only to find her gazing at him, her expression easy and sure. And she looked so beautiful.
Out of nowhere, he said, “Thank you.”
Her laughter rang out like bells. “For what?”
“For agreeing to go out with me.”
She reached over and put her hand on his knee. “Thanks for asking.”
“Right.” He couldn’t help grinning. He’d asked, and she’d said yes. “Right.”
With that, he turned the key in the ignition and positioned both hands securely on the wheel.
It was a quiet ride over to the restaurant. At some point, she asked where they were going, and he grinned, kept his eyes on the road and told her she’d find out soon enough. It wasn’t as if he was really keeping her guessing. In a little college t
own, there weren’t all that many options, and when they pulled up in front of his favorite Italian place, there was a smug tilt to her mouth.
“You’re okay with Italian?”
“Love it.”
He got out and went around to her side of the car. He wasn’t in time to get her door for her, but he could at least take her hand as she stepped out. The whole walk across the parking lot, he didn’t let it go.
Inside, the usually bustling restaurant was unusually slow, just like everything else was when classes weren’t in session, and before long, they were seated across from each other in a quiet booth in the back. As he perused the menu, Josh kept darting his gaze over to Ellen to take in her face. She read with her full attention, and in spite of the make-up and the styled hair, she looked so much like the girl from the other side of the lecture hall that it made his chest tight. Finally, she put down her menu and smiled at him.
“Figure out what you want?”
She nodded, licking her lips and gazing at him. “I think so.”
“Good.” He stared right back, as caught up as ever in her.
The sound of a throat clearing broke the moment. Josh looked up to find a waiter hovering, his expression clearly questioning whether he should stay or go. Josh folded his menu up and nodded. Once they’d placed their orders, the waiter retreated just as quickly as he’d come, and Josh was left alone with Ellen.
For a minute, all he could do was stare.
She was the first to glance away. “So…” she said.
“So.”
“This is us. On a date.”
“That it is.” Just the thought made him smile. He reached across the table and held his hands out, silently asking. She hesitated, gaze down, but then placed her palms in his. “I really am glad you’re here.”
“Me, too.” Only her eyes still weren’t meeting his.
“Hey.” He squeezed her fingers. “Look at me?”
Take What You Want Page 4
