"How'd you get my number?"
"Nothing's secret anymore with the Internet. What've you been up to?"
"Not much. Work and school."
"Sounds dull."
"Not really."
A strained pause spread between them.
"You want to go out to dinner tomorrow night?"
She exhaled loudly. "Not really. I know where it'll lead, and I don't want it."
"Fuck, baby. You must think I'm a horny dog who can't control myself. Or are you afraid you can't control yourself?" He poured a shot of whiskey in his glass while he waited for her to answer.
After a long pause, she said, "You flatter yourself too much, but then all men with big egos do. Believe me, I can control myself just fine. Even if you were the last man standing, I'd be able to control myself."
"Then going out to dinner with me should be no problem."
"I'm not sure you'll behave."
He chuckled. "I'll behave just fine. No worries. It'll give us a chance to talk and find out some stuff, like how in the hell you ended up in a bike repair shop. I really want to know. I've been wondering about it since I first saw you working on Banger's bike."
"You could have fooled me. You were so pissed that day, I didn't figure you'd ever want to talk to me, let alone know anything about me."
"It just took me by surprise. I never ran into a chick who fixed bikes. You intrigued me, and you still do." He heard her breathing over the phone and he pictured her sitting on the couch, the TV on mute, debating with herself. "It's just fuckin' dinner. We both gotta eat. We'll be in a public place."
"All right," she said hesitantly. "I'll go, but if you try anything I'm going to smack you hard, and I won't care if we're in public. Got it?"
"Sure."
"I mean nothing. Nada. Not grabbing my hand. Not rubbing against me. Not even a kiss on the cheek. Nothing. Okay?"
"Yeah, I get it." A half-smile danced on his lips. "I'll pick you up at seven."
"I'll meet you at the restaurant."
"Meet me? No fuckin' way."
"Then it's off. That's the deal."
"Babe, do you think you'll ever agree with me on anything?"
"Probably not. So I'll meet you and if you don't like it, we don't have to go to dinner. No big deal." She yawned.
He forced a laugh. "Let's meet at Big Rocky's Barbecue at seven tomorrow night. Do you know where it is?"
"I'll find it. See you tomorrow night."
When he ended the call, he placed his head against the wall; a wave of anticipation washed over him, and he felt better than he had in days. Replaying their conversation, he had to smile. She was by far the most stubborn, aggravating, and aggressive woman he'd ever known, and he was fuckin' crazy about her. How in the hell was he going to be able to keep his hands to himself all night? He'd have to be extra good, but if she wore her rose-patchouli perfume, there was no way he could keep away from her.
He smiled devilishly, finished his whiskey, stretched out on the bed, and switched off the lamp. Throttle would sleep well tonight-he was back in with his spirited woman.
* * *
Throughout dinner, they talked about losing their parents, living in small towns, and of course, about Harleys. He was impressed on how much she knew about motorcycles; if it weren't for her seductive scent and hip-hugging dress, he'd have sworn he was talking with one of his brothers.
As they laughed and talked, occasionally her knee would casually bump against his, or her hand would briefly brush his, and her touch would magnetize him. It took every ounce of self-control he possessed to act like being out with her was no big deal.
"Have you seen Cowboy lately?" His muscles tensed in anticipation of her response.
"You mean Riley? No." He relaxed, a slow smile forming on his lips. "I just went out with him a couple times. There was nothing there."
"He didn't seem like your type."
She looked at him, and the smoldering flame he saw in her eyes made his dick twitch. "He didn't stand a chance. All I did was compare him to you."
"And, of course, there wasn't any comparison, was there, babe?" He held her gaze, an unspoken connection forging between them.
She shook her head, and her blue eyes looked as wild as the ocean during a storm. "None at all." Then she leaned over and kissed him hard.
"Fuck, baby," he groaned as he pulled her closer to him, his tongue pushing against the seam of her lips, demanding to delve into her mouth. Then she pulled back and took a sip of wine. He tugged her back to him, but she resisted. "What's up, baby? You teasing me?"
"Maybe." She licked her lips.
"Watch it. You're playing a dangerous game that's gonna get you fucked."
She laughed and he wanted to cover her mouth and swallow all sound from her. Everything about her that evening sent him into overdrive; she was driving him crazy with her scent, her eyes, her laugh, and her damn lips on his. She knew the effect she had on him, and she loved seeing him pant and stare just like a fucking novice. And he fucking loved it.
"Would you like anything else?" the waiter asked, breaking the crackling sexual tension between them.
Sitting back in his chair, Throttle took out his wallet. "No." He handed a hundred-dollar bill to the server. When the young man left, Throttle finished his beer and turned to Kimber. "Let's go listen to some music." He wanted to have her in his arms, her firm body pressed so close to him it'd be like they were fused together.
"I have to be at work early."
"I'll tell Hawk to excuse your tardiness." He slid his finger lightly up her arm, loving the way her skin pebbled under his touch.
"I really can't, but I'd love to go to Red Spot Creamery for ice cream. Have you ever been there?" He shook his head. "Oh man, it's the best ice cream ever." Her sparkling eyes made him laugh. "No, really, I'm not joking. Hands down, the best I've ever tasted."
"Then we better go so I can try it out. What's your favorite flavor?"
"They have so many and they're all homemade. I love their toffee ice cream, but for the summertime they have this awesome orange ice cream with fudge ripples. It's to die for. But then I love their pistachio with chocolate chunks. They're all so good."
Squeezing her close to him, he kissed the top of her head. "Fuck, you keep acting so goddamned cute, and I'm gonna have to fuck you in the back room."
She drew away after giving him a quick embrace. "Let's go."
He followed her to the ice cream shop, a line of people spilling out onto the sidewalk when they arrived. After twenty minutes, they placed their order-orange with fudge ripples for her and strawberry for him-and sat on the white parlor chairs outside.
"Isn't this the best?" She held her cone close to her mouth, licking away at the melting ice cream.
"It's good." I want you licking my cock instead of your fucking cone.
"I'm glad you like it. The strawberries in yours are fresh when they're in season."
"Do you have stock in this place?" he joked. Her laugh sounded like tinkling bells and it hit him in the groin. He couldn't believe he was fighting a hard-on in an ice cream place packed with families and awkward teens on dates. She fuckin' pulls me in every time I'm near her. How the hell does she do that?
"Maybe you could tell the guys about it. I bet they'd love to try some of the flavors, especially since it's been such a hot-as-hell summer."
"I don't think so." Like he could really see Banger, Rock, Rags, and the other brothers sitting their asses on the uncomfortable iron chairs licking a cone. Hell, if any of the brothers saw him with his ass there, they'd have a fucking field day with all the teasing. They'd think he was pussy-whipped for sure, but he didn't give a shit what they'd think. To his surprise, he was having a damn good time with Kimber, and he hadn't squeezed her tits or ass once. He was enjoying talking with her and hanging out with her, and even though he wanted back into her sweet pussy, he wasn't thinking about it the whole time. It'd been a long time since he'd enjoyed talking with a woman. The chicks he banged were just there for pleasure-his and theirs-and nothing more. Kimber was different from any other girl he'd ever been out with; she was confident, made him laugh, had a brain, and she captivated the hell out of him.
When they finished their cones, she rose from the chair. "I've got to shove off. I have a long-ass day tomorrow with work and school. I had a good time. Thanks." She smiled warmly as they walked to their bikes.