Waking the Beast(9)

“I’m surprised no one stole it.”

He glanced back at her as he used the keys he’d tugged out of his pocket and popped open a storage bin under the seat. “It was inside. I just moved it out. They must have been afraid of the same thing.” He pulled a black helmet free and tossed it to her. “Put that on.”

He straddled the bike, his back blocking his movements until the thrum of the Harley’s motor filled the air.

“Hurry up, Abby,” he prompted her, raising his voice to be heard over the bike. “Helmet and jump on.”

She quickly put the helmet on and fastened it as she eased on the bike behind him. She’d never ridden on a motorcycle before.

“Hold tight,” he urged as he took off.

She wrapped her arms around his waist and clung to him like a monkey, her breasts plastered against his back, her head tucked against his shoulder.

It was a few minutes before she felt safe enough to blink her eyes open and lift her head a bit to glance around. She had no idea where they were at first. Then she recognized the bar. He paused for a moment in the alley outside the back door. She swore she saw him sniffing before he shook his head and pulled away. He drove a bit further before creeping slowly into another alley and doing the same thing.

“What’s your address?”

She gave it to him eagerly. She wanted her journals, her research, her laptop, and another sweatshirt. All of it was awaiting her at her apartment.

He pulled into the lot of her apartment building, but merely slowed down long enough to do that deep inhale again. A rumble sounded in his chest, and she felt it vibrate through his back against her before he took off again. The next stop was a bank.

“Wait here,” he ordered as he sprinted inside.

She was shaking and doing her best not to. What was going on? Why hadn’t they stopped at her place? And had he really given a cat-like grumble that shook his chest? Or was her imagination working overtime?

He was back just as quickly as he’d left and they were off again. He didn’t say anything. Just drove and there wasn’t much she could do but cling to his back and watch the city fade behind them as Utah headed out of town. Her butt and thighs were groaning by the time he pulled into the parking lot of a motel. Not to mention, her bladder was begging for a restroom.

“Wait here.” He gave the order again as he walked into the office, leaving her on the bike.

“Wait here,” she mimicked in a very unflattering tone. She sat and waited and waited some more, before jerking the helmet from her head and shaking her hair loose. “Sure. I’ll just sit here on the bike, Utah. No, I’m good. Thanks for asking. Bathroom? No, my bladder is lined with lead and can hold water like no one’s business. Am I sore from the ride, you ask? Why no, no, I’m not. I’m sure I could ride for hours longer before the feeling is completely gone.”

A throat cleared, and she glanced up to see Utah looking at her with a spark of humor in his eyes. She just glared, but had a feeling the full brunt of her displeasure was lost on him.

“We’ll stop here for the night. Grab some food and sleep. And talk. I need some answers, Abby.”#p#分页标题#e#

He needed answers! He had no idea!

He stopped in back of the motel and parked the bike. Thankfully, he helped her off. She swore she was still vibrating in places that really didn’t need to be vibrating while Utah was touching her. Her legs were shaky, and he frowned down at her in concern.

“I’m sorry, Abby. I didn’t think.”

“I’m fine.” She forced her legs to move as normally as she could manage as she walked beside him to the door of the room he’d gotten them.

He inhaled and seemed satisfied, at least enough that he swiped the card and pushed the door open. The room at least smelled clean. She did a quick scan and headed toward the bathroom, shutting the door firmly behind her.

“I’m going to run next door and grab some burgers and fries. Don’t leave the room. I’ll be back.”

She ignored him as she turned on the sink faucet to cover the sound of her peeing. Just in case he was waiting out there for her to answer him. When she finished, she washed her hands and splashed some water on her face before using the hand towel to dry off.

He was gone when she opened the door. They were going to need to have a talk about him ordering her to stay while he left. She wasn’t a pet, and she wasn’t going to be treated like one. She took in the huge bed in the middle of the room and did her best to ignore the fact it was the only one. There was a dining style table and two chairs over by the window and a bedside table with a phone on the side of the bed closest to the window.