“That’s one of the benefits of being self-employed. I control my schedule. As a matter of fact, I want to wait until next week to do the second tattoo session.” He stroked her jaw, near the swollen lymph node. “If your body is already fighting an illness, I don’t want to tax it.”
“Besides the hangover, I feel fine.”
“Sorry. I won’t knowingly take chances with your health.”
He could tell she was disappointed, but she nodded because it was a sound assumption to make.
Seth started to open the Chinese food containers but stopped. “By chance, did you remember to bring a change of clothing?”
“I did. Yoga pants, a T-shirt, and sneakers.”
He put all the hot Chinese takeout boxes back into the paper bag. “I have an idea. Something to get your mind off of your troubles. Change out of your work outfit and into the other clothes. We’re taking a ride up to the lake. The food should stay pretty hot in the saddlebags.”
Jayne’s face lit up at the idea and Seth wanted to give himself a high-five. That was exactly what he’d hoped for. She closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around his waist. He buried his nose in the silky mass of her hair, breathing her sweet scent, and listened as she let out a long breath and relaxed noticeably in his arms.
They parted just enough for her to look up at him. She was silent for a few seconds as though she was collecting her thoughts. “Thank you, Seth. I was bracing myself.”
“Bracing for what?”
“For you to begin pulling back from me.”
“Why would I do that?”
“Given my medical history and my past experiences with relationships while being sick. It wasn’t just Mike that pulled away when I got really ill the last time. Friends pulled back too. Some people just don’t handle the news well. I don’t think they consciously meant to withdraw, but it happened. People who’ve never dealt with life and death don’t know how to react to that kind of news. It scares them.”
“I’m not scared. And we don’t know for sure that there’s anything wrong yet, either. Think positive.”
“I’ll try.”
Brave words from this beautiful woman, given her past. “Come on. Daylight’s wasting. I’ll load up the bike while you change.”
He made sure the studio was locked up and then went out the back door to secure the food in the saddlebags. He heard the door creak and smiled when he turned and she was there, her hair brushed out and flowing down her back, the strands shimmering in the fading light. She held out an elastic band. “Will you braid my hair for me?”
Hell, yes. “With pleasure.” There was nothing he’d love better. She glanced at him as she turned her back and he indulged himself for one short moment, eyeing her lush shape up and down before running his fingers through her hair. She let out a ragged sigh as he sectioned the long locks and began plaiting them. He leaned forward and watched her profile as she closed her eyelids and let her head tilt back with the slight tugging motion of his hands. Pleasure was written all over her face and his cock hardened at the sight. He held back a groan as he took his time, some deep part of him filled with satisfaction at easing her stress…giving her what she needed.
When he was done, he helped her with the helmet and smiled broadly as he looked down at her legs and feet, clothed in snug, stretchy pants that came to her shins and shod in little sandals.
“What?” A rosy blush tinged her cheeks.
“Climb on the bike and let me have your sandals.”
“Oh. Okay.” Her smile and the way she bit her lower lip as she realized what he was doing made funny tingly things happen in his chest region. He liked making her happy, a lot. Getting her wrapped around him on his Harley was a win-win situation for both of them. His cock stiffened a little more as though agreeing.
Down, boy.
She climbed on and held up her foot to him and let him slip the thong sandal from it, giggling when he tickled her arch. After claiming the other one and stowing them in the other saddlebag, he climbed on, started the bike, and put on his helmet. She snuggled close against his back, and enjoying the feel of her plush breasts pressed against him, he nearly forgot their destination. He grinned at her soft gasp when he reached back and slid his hands under her legs and lifted them to wrap around his hips.
“Lord have mercy,” she whispered inside the helmet as she wiggled against him, getting comfortable.
Suppressing a chuckle, Seth replied, “I turned on the mike inside your helmet so we can talk if you want to on the way. That all right?”
“Perfect.” She squeezed him with her thighs as he settled her feet between his legs. He’d wanted to do that ever since their first ride on July 4th.