"I guess," she said. "What about you?"
"I'm between jobs."
"Oh, I'm sorry."
He shrugged. "I'm not. Right now I travel around. Riding with friends."
Motorcycle friends. A biker gang.
Was this man dangerous?
Her phone chimed and she opened her purse and glanced at it.
Where are you? Tina texted.
"I'm sorry. My friend Tina is worried about me. I just need to text her and let her know I'm all right." She tapped in her message and sent it, then put the phone away.
"Is that the blonde in the blue dress?"
She glanced across the table at him. "How do you know?"
"I saw you all sitting together. Of all those women, I assume she's the one you're close to."
"You noticed us?"
He shrugged. "A table of hot women. Why wouldn't I notice?"
She nodded. "Most people do notice Tina. She's very pretty."
"Not as pretty as you."
Her cheeks heated again. "Thank you."
She was surprised. Wouldn't a guy who wore black leather and rode a bike just snap his fingers to attract a woman? He wouldn't need to charm her.
She nibbled at her muffin, wondering what she was doing sitting here. He was probably looking to get laid tonight and she'd do since she'd conveniently been flung into his path. Telling her she was pretty to get into her pants made sense.
A yawn claimed her and she covered her mouth.
"I'm sorry. It's getting late. I really should be going."
He glanced at the clock on the wall. "It's only ten thirty."
"I had a late night last night. Then with the flight in … I'm pretty tired."
He flagged down the waitress and she brought them the check.
"You're from out of town?" he asked
Hayley opened her purse to get some money out, but he dropped bills on the table, then stood up.
"Yes, I'm here for the weekend." She followed him to the door. "What about you? Do you live around here?"
"I grew up here, but moved away a few years ago. I'm just passing through this weekend."
He opened the door and she stepped into the night.
"Can I give you a ride back to your hotel?" he asked.
Her first inclination was to say no. She could just grab a cab. But as Marianne had pointed out, Hayley might say she wanted a wild adventure, but would she ever really do it? This was her opportunity to actually take one step forward. Even if it was just getting a ride on a big, sexy machine.
At her hesitation, he asked, "I ride a motorcycle. Does that make you nervous?"
She gazed up at him. "A little." Then shrugged. "But I'm willing to try something new."
He smiled broadly. "That's encouraging." He gestured to the right. "My bike's this way."
Oh, God, he's actually flirting with me.
"So Rip's an unusual name," she said as they strolled along the sidewalk.
"It's actually short for Ripley. As in Ripley's Believe It or Not."
She couldn't help it. Images of what that might refer to had her gaze dropping to his crotch. He chuckled and her cheeks flushed.
"You've got a dirty mind. I like that in a woman."
They walked another half a block and then he turned down a narrow alleyway.
"I'm parked down here."
She peered into the alley. There were no streetlights, so it was dark and shadowy. Was she being an idiot accompanying this stranger-this dangerous-looking tattooed biker-down a dark alley? He seemed nice, but a smart rapist would put on the charm in order to lead his victim to a dark, secluded place.
"Is there another way to your bike?" she asked.
"It's okay. No one's going to accost you. I'll make sure of that." His gaze caught on hers. "Unless you're afraid of going down there with me."
The young woman-Hayley-gazed at Rip, her eyes widened. Well, fuck, of course she'd be nervous about walking down a dark alley with the likes of him. If she were his sister, he wouldn't want her taking a chance like that. But he knew he meant her no harm, and he wanted to spend more time with her, even if that just meant driving her home.
He took her hand and raised it to his mouth. The feel of her soft skin as he brushed his lips against it made him long to feel more of her. His groin tightened at the thought of kissing her, then exploring her round, beautiful breasts. The creamy swell of them exposed by her deep neckline had been teasing him all evening.
"I promise. I'll get you to your hotel, safe and sound."
She stared into his eyes, mesmerized, then she nodded.
He smiled and took her hand, then led her into the alley. A cat darted in front of them, startling her. She drew close to him, clutching his arm. The feel of her warm, soft body pressed to his side sent his hormones to alert status, but he ignored that and slipped his arm around her protectively, drawing her close. It didn't help that he kept remembering when her gaze had dropped to his crotch with obvious interest after he'd told her about his name. He was glad she didn't know that he actually got the name because his fellow bikers had caught him reading Ripley's Believe It or Not one day.
She took another step, but then stopped. "There's another problem."
"What's that?"
"Well, I'm basically barefoot, and I have no idea what might be on the ground ahead."
"Right. I'm pretty sure I saw broken glass near where I parked the bike."
"I could hobble along with my broken-Oh!"
He scooped her up into his arms and she slid her hands around his shoulders.
Oh, God, Hayley felt so tiny and light in this big man's arms. She could stay here all day, lulled in his embrace. As he walked, the gentle rocking of his body soothed her.
"We're here."
Her eyelids popped open. Had she really dozed off? The combination of white wine spritzers, a long flight in, and staying up way too late last night finishing up work, since she was taking an extra long weekend, was knocking her on her butt.
She glanced toward a big, powerful looking motorcycle parked close to the brick wall. It was black and intimidating, adorned with a blazing red and orange flame. It had shiny chrome wheels and a big, black leather seat.
"It's nice," she said as he carried her toward it.
"Nice?" He chuckled and set her on her feet beside it. "Maybe big. Dangerous. Powerful." He grinned. "But nice?"
Oh, God, he was big and dangerous and powerful. Everything she dreamed of when she thought about her wildest fantasies coming true. And here he was, smiling down at her. She already missed his strong arms around her.
She gazed into his midnight blue eyes. "I like big, dangerous and powerful." She stepped closer and flattened her hand on his hard, muscular chest. The feel of rock-solid, sculpted muscles under the thin fabric of his T-shirt set her heart thumping. "Like you."
She dropped her shoes and purse, and slid her hands over his shoulders then stroked his raspy cheek. His eyes simmered with heat as she tipped up her face, then drew him toward her. His mouth brushed hers lightly, and she flicked her tongue against his lips and slid timidly inside. He growled and deepened the kiss, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her tighter to his hard body, then gliding his tongue deep into her mouth.
She melted against him, heat simmering through her. But then he drew back.
"This isn't a good idea."
She blinked at his words. He was rejecting her?
"Don't you find me attractive?"
"It's not that."
Feeling bolder than she ever had, and determined not to let this opportunity slip away, she grasped his hand and drew it to her chest, then placed it over her aching breast. Her nipple hardened, pushing into his palm.
His dark eyes glowed like a blazing fire, glittering with sparks.
In a sudden movement, she felt herself pushed back against the building. Her breath caught as his big, solid body crushed her tight to the cold brick wall.
Oh, God, had she made a mistake? He was so big and intimidating, and right now, he looked determined and … almost feral. He pivoted his hips forward and she could feel a hard bulge against her stomach, proof that he was aroused by her. Anxiety spiked through her, and a little fear, but right alongside those feelings was a wild surge of excitement.
He grabbed her wrists and pushed them over her head, then held them tight, his striking midnight eyes locked on hers. She could feel the erratic pounding of her blood pumping through her veins.
She had never felt so alive.
God, she wanted him to take her. Right here. Right now.
His lips swooped down on hers and his tongue drove into her mouth. He glided deep, thoroughly exploring, forcing her mouth wide. The potent authority with which he mastered her sent shivers through her. She wanted to succumb totally to his powerful masculinity.
Then he released her, leaving her dazed.
"I do find you attractive. I just don't believe in taking advantage of a woman under the influence."
Before she could respond, he scooped her up and placed her on the bike.