“Oh.” She lowered the sheet more, then folded her hands over her chest. “Well, thanks for coming around. I had a really great time and I know that—”
Joseph leaned over her and laid a finger across her lips. “I want to see you again.”
A bright flare of happiness crossed her face, so obvious his chest went tight.
He’d probably go to hell for this. Correction, he would go to hell for this.
Christie grabbed his wrist, pulling his finger from her mouth. Her cheeks were pink, making her eyes seem greener than they were. “Y-you do? Really?”
“Yeah, really. Unless of course you don’t—”
“I do,” she interrupted, going pinker. “I’d love to.”
He smiled. “Well, I’m free tonight.” Except that he didn’t want to wait till tonight. In fact, it occurred to him that he didn’t want to leave her at all.
Unless… A thought came to him. Sunk its claws into him and wouldn’t let go. “Actually, how do you feel about bike riding?”
“Bike riding?”
“Yeah, you know. A thing with two wheels that you pedal to make go round and round.”
She hit him on the arm. “I know what a bike is, Joseph.”
“Then how about you come with me when I go ride one.”
“Me?”
“Of course you. I go up to bike trails in Woodhill Forest every Saturday morning. I could use some company.”
“You do know what time it is, don’t you?”
“Sure I do. Bike-riding time.”
She waved a hand at the clock. “But it’s 7:00 a.m.! Seven. In the morning. “
“I slept in. Normally I’m gone by six.”
Her brow wrinkled. “Are you feeling okay? You’re not sick or anything?”
“I feel fine. I’ll feel even better with twenty-nine inches of carbon fiber between my thighs.”
“You’re insane.” But she was grinning. “I haven’t been on a bike since I was ten.”
“So?”
“And I fell off. A lot.”
He laughed. “So? I’ve been known to fall off once or twice, too.”
“When you were ten, too, right?”
“Okay, so it was a while ago.” He leaned down, brushed his mouth with hers. “Come with me, Christie.” He normally went bike riding alone, the silence of the forest and the mindless physical activity good for calming his racing brain. Yet for some reason, having Christie’s company on a ride now seemed vital.
Dangerous to want her presence outside the bedroom.
But he’d made the offer now. He couldn’t take it back.
Her lashes fluttered as he raised his head. “I’m useless at physical stuff, though.”
“No, you’re not.” He touched her mouth. “At least you seemed very adept last night.”
Right on cue, she blushed. “Bike riding is different.”
“No, it’s not. Once you learn you never forget, right?”
“Yeah, but—”
“All you need is practice.”
“Joseph—”
“Come with me, Christie. I want you to.”
She stared at him for a long moment, biting her lip. Then she sighed. “Okay then.”
He tried to tell himself the small curl of emotion that wound through him wasn’t pleasure.
But he was such a liar.
…
After Joseph had left the apartment to go get “bike stuff,” Christie stood in front of her dresser staring at the clothes in the drawer and gnawing on her lip.
What the hell did you wear mountain biking?
Christie glared at the drawer full of jeans. Why had she agreed to go? What on earth had possessed her?
Because you like him. You want to spend time with him.
Oh yeah, that was why. Plus the way he’d said, “Come with me, Christie.” Just a few simple words, but they’d made her feel good. Made her feel wanted.
The little beam of happiness that shone in her heart was dangerous. And she knew she shouldn’t get too excited. Yet she couldn’t help it. Yeah, this thing with him was only supposed to be casual, but spending a bit more time with him wouldn’t hurt, right? Even if it was doing something hideous like mountain biking.
Hell, after last night, he could probably get her to do anything. Even sing. Out loud. In public.
Reaching for her oldest and loosest pair of jeans, Christie was interrupted by Dead Friends on her mobile again.
She grabbed it. Perhaps it was Joseph? He’d said he’d call her once he had all the equipment they needed.
It wasn’t Joseph.
“Hello, darling,” her mother said. “How are you?”
Oh fantastic. Mum. Christie gritted her teeth. “Fine. Did you want something?”