Cocky Biker(48)

Sunshine stares at me as I walk to Tonk’s bike and motion for her to join me. “This is how you ride.”





Luna





I’m uh…I can’t even…think.

Jett shows me that the left handle is the clutch, the right is the gas. The brakes are on both, they just have to be pulled, one for the front tire, the other for the rear.

“This lever is how you shift,” he instructs me as he points to the small foot peddle right in front of the one my left foot rests on. “You ever drive a stick?”

I stare at him for a second. “Uh…yes.”

“You lying?”

“No,” I whisper, shaking my head a little.

Those things he just said are ringing. But I don’t want to drop Tonk’s bike after I lied to his face. And I don’t want to die.

Well, maybe I do a little.

After what Jett Cocker just slapped into my core, I am overwhelmed and scared shitless. Seeing a mirror up this close to your psyche isn’t fun.

“Okay, so you know how you use a clutch in that? It’s the same here.”

I nod, trying to focus. “So I hold the clutch down and then pump the pedal to shift.”

“Yeah, and to switch up gears, put your foot under it and push up, one at a time. It’s a heavy pedal – this is a Harley so everything is heavy and powerful – you won’t be able to upshift easily anyway. But just be careful. We’ll take it nice and slow.”

“How long is the drive?”

Did I really just squeak?

Running my hands over the part of my hair that’s growing back, I look at him and try to act like I’m calm.

I’m anything but calm.

And he knows. This man knows me way better than I do.

Thinking for a second, he glances away. I watch his brain computing the distance. “About twelve hours. We’ll have to stop and sleep.”

“No, I can make it,” I quickly say.

He regards me with impatience and crosses his arms. “The Ciphers can make it because we’re conditioned to, but you my dear ain’t gonna fuckin’ make that drive without exhaustion. And I’m not risking your life because you’re scared of sleeping with me again and admitting how you feel.”

“Jesus Jett. You’re so smart, aren’t you?”

He nods. “Cocky, too. And you can take that sarcasm and shove it, Kitten. I’m not a fan.”

I shout, “God!” as he walks to his bike and opens his saddlebag again with his back to me. “You are infuriating!”

“We’ve got somethin’ in common,” he mutters, then tosses me a sweater. “Put this on under your jacket.” He buckles up the bag again and gets on his bike, putting on his riding glasses and helmet.

I’m so pissed off – mostly at myself and partly at him for being psychic or something – that I don’t feel afraid as I mount Tonk’s bike, and tear my jacket off. Pulling the sweater over my head, Jett and I exchange a heated, angry look.

“Tonk’s glasses are in that bag.” I reach in and grab them. The bag’s empty beside his second helmet and two pair of these things. We put everything in the hotel room.

Jett’s watching me to see if I’m going to start this beast up right, and so when the engine roars to life, I hold his eyes as a challenge.

“Good enough for you?”

Under his breath, he growls, “Bitch.”

“That’s right. I’m a bitch.”

“Forgot to tell you one thing,” he smirks. “Actually, two.”

“What?”

“Neutral is in between the gears, a half pull up on the pedal. Try it.”

I test it and nod as the bike’s gear sets. I can feel the difference. It’s not pulling at me like a wild stallion waiting for the fence to be raised.

“What’s the second thing?”

“Bitches are the best in bed.” He grins and revs his engine.

“I hate you,” I call over the rumble, but I’m stifling a smile.

“I hate you, too, baby. Now go.”

Holy hell. I mean WOW. Why I’ve never done this before today, I’ll never know. As the engine gets louder I shift up. The hog settles into a quiet roar until it’s time to do that again.

Jett calls over the rumble, riding by my side, “Since no one’s out here, slow down then stop!”

“Right here?”

He nods. We’re in the middle of a two-lane road, but this town’s population and that it’s a desert, means it could be an hour before anyone drives up.

I slow the bike and shift down, concentrating on gripping and releasing the clutch beforehand, every time. As my boots hit the pavement, Jett smiles. “You’re made for this, baby. Let’s do it a few more times, then we’ll take off.”