Adoring Ink (Montgomery Ink #6.5)(4)

Yet there was something about Holly … something that should worry him.

Instead, he shot her a quick text, asking where he should pick her up and telling her what she should wear for the back of the bike. Screw it all. He'd figure out what he was doing along the way. Because Holly was special, and just once, Brody wanted to see if he was special, too.





Later that night, Brody pulled up to Holly's cottage home and turned off his bike. He slid off his helmet and shook out his hair, nervous, like he was a kid picking up his date for junior prom. Not even senior prom since he figured he'd have been a little more mature by then.

Not that he'd gone to either prom, but whatever.

And once again, his mind was going strange places.

He got off his bike and made sure both helmets were secure before walking up her sidewalk to her front door. He hoped this was a good idea. He didn't want to mess everything up, but he couldn't not take her on a ride tonight. The others might think he wasn't good enough and that he needed to be careful, but they weren't there right then.

He'd show them that he wasn't a careless playboy who threw women away. Sure, he flirted. A lot. Sure, he dated. Enough. Sure, he'd never had a serious relationship. But he wasn't a womanizer. Wasn't an asshole. He didn't sleep with every woman he took out on a date, and he didn't throw them away when he was done with them. They walked away at the same time he did, mutually sated and finished with whatever relationship they'd had.



       
         
       
        

He didn't want to think about how Holly might be different.

Couldn't think about it.

Brody knocked on the door and caught his breath as she opened it. She stood there, her soft blonde hair flowing just past her shoulders. Her eyes were wide, a little innocent with a spark of something else he understood in their depths. For some reason, he could imagine flowers in her hair as she danced in the sunlight.

And now he knew he was going insane.

Flowers in her hair? Really? He wasn't a damn poet, and this was so not like him. Maybe he should have said no or not even offered to take her out in the first place.

"Brody? Is what I'm wearing okay? I can change if I have to. I didn't know how cool it would be tonight or if we were getting food or something. I'm usually a better planner, but I'm kind of throwing some things to the wind apparently."

He blinked and looked down at her fully. She wore a dark brown leather jacket over a top he couldn't see, as well as tight jeans that clung to every sexy curve. And damn she had the best curves ever. Perfect for his hands to grip as he slid in and out of her wet heat. He cleared his throat as he took in her matching brown boots and looked up at her face again.

"You look good."

It had come out as a growl, and her eyes widened.

"Uh, thanks. You look good, too." She smiled softly, and he relaxed marginally even as his cock hardened. Yep, this might be a mistake, but it could be a mistake worth making.

"So, I thought we could go on a ride around the quarry so you can see the lights and experience how it feels to be on the back of the bike. Then we can grab something to eat if you want."

She licked her lips, and his gaze went straight to them. Shit. "That sounds good." She let out a breath. "I know this is crazy, but I just really wanted to do something different, you know? And I never just go out with random guys, especially ones I just met, but the others know you, so I felt, I don't know, safer."

He smiled then and held out his hand. "I'm not going to hurt you, Holly. I want to make sure you get to do the things you want but might be too scared to do." He knew all about being too scared, and he didn't want that kind of life for her.

She slid her smaller hand into his. "This is so weird, but I honestly can't wait."

He laughed and pulled her toward him on the porch. "I've been called weird before so that's okay."

She winced. "I meant the situation. Not you. I mean, you could be weird, and I just don't know it. That's not okay. And that's why I'm about to get on the back of a motorcycle with you even though I have no idea what I'm doing. Because today has been one crazy day." 

"Tell me about it. Lock the door, and let's get to it. I have a feeling once you have the wind on your face and the feel of a bike beneath you, all those worries are going to go away." At least, that's how it worked for him.

"I hope so."

As soon as she'd locked the door, he headed them both toward the Harley. "Let me help you with your helmet." She nodded as he made sure it fit correctly and the straps were tightened under her chin. "Feel good?" Another nod, and he handed her a pair of special night glasses that would help with the glare and protect her eyes from the wind. "Now I'm going to get on, and you're going to put a hand on my shoulder and swing your leg over so you straddle the bike behind me."

She did as he asked, and he had to hold back a groan at the feeling of her warm body pressed against his. This ride just might kill him.

"Now, wrap your arms around my waist."

She did so and laughed. "Well, if this isn't a way to get girls to hold you close, I don't know what is."

He winked over his shoulder and patted her hands. "You know it, babe. I really just wanted you pressed against me."

She rolled her eyes, and he laughed. "Whatever, Brody."

He explained where they were going again as well as a few other things she needed to know.

"Hold tight," he said with a grin, but he was serious. She squeezed him, and he held back another groan. Yep, this woman was going to kill him, and he just might like it. He started the bike, and she let out a little gasp but didn't sound alarmed.

"Ready?" he called out.

She patted his back before locking her hands again. "Ready!"

Then they were off.

Until the end of his days, he would never forget the sounds of pure glee and wonder she made as he drove her through the residential roads. She squeezed him tightly when he went faster before becoming more comfortable. The night was absolutely perfect for this kind of ride as well because she would be able to see the stars when she looked up as soon as they got away from the main city lights.

They'd driven for almost an hour before he pulled off at the top of a large hill next to the foothills of the Rockies. This would be a perfect view for her, and it would give her some time to stretch since she wasn't used to riding like that.

"So, what do you think?" he asked as he helped her off.

She rubbed her butt and laughed. "I'm going to be sore, but it's the best kind of sore."

His mind once again went to dirty places, and from the blush on her cheeks, so did hers.

"Did you have fun?"

She nodded and looked out into the wilderness, her gaze enraptured. "Yes. I mean, just wow. I've known people with bikes, even dated a guy with one, but we never went out on it because of snow and work and every other excuse I could come up with."

She was probably talking about Jake, and for some reason, that annoyed him. He wasn't prone to jealousy, but right now, he didn't want her to be thinking of her ex.

"Would you want to do this again?" he asked, his voice a growl.

She looked over at him and nodded. "Riding a motorcycle? Yes. Riding with you?" A pause. "Yes. I mean, if you want to."

Knowing he might be doing something stupid, he turned to her and cupped her face. She licked her lips once again, and it took everything within him not to kiss her right then. "Any time you want to ride, just ask." Something else came to him, and he blurted the next part without thinking. "And, Holly? I want to show you more. Not just riding with me. But all the adventures you said you wanted to do. You'll have to explain them to me a bit, but I want to show you things. Have fun, and just do stuff you haven't ever done. Will you let me be part of this with you? Will you let me show you that adventure?"



       
         
       
        

"Why are you doing this?" she breathed.

"I don't know exactly," he answered honestly. "But I want to. Is that enough? At least, for now?"

"I think … I think this might be exactly what I need."

He lowered his head so his lips were right above hers. "And this? What about this?"

"I think you need to show me to make sure."

His thrill seeker seemed to have more to her than the innocence she portrayed, and that was perfect for him.

He held back a laugh and kissed her. Her lips were soft and smooth beneath his, and all he wanted to do was deepen the kiss and keep going, but he fought the need for more and pulled away to rest his forehead on hers.

"Now?"

"I think that is one adventure we can cross off the list."

He laughed. "But what if I want to try it again?"

"Practice makes perfect, right?"

So he kissed her again, aware he could be making yet another mistake but not caring. He'd make sure she had the time of her life, and in the process, he'd get to spend time with her.

Once again, he just hoped he wasn't making a mistake. Because if there was one thing Brody Deacon was good at, it was making things worse when he didn't mean to.