After quickly grabbing my things and changing, I make my way outside to see Hemy leaning against my bike. Seeing him standing in front of it causes my heart to clench in pain. It brings back too many memories of us as teens, me holding on tightly as he learned how to ride it. It didn’t take long and I always trusted him to keep me safe; a part of me still does.
He sees me approaching and walks over, placing the helmet on my head. “Give me the keys,” he orders.
I think about it for a second and almost consider making him ride on the back, but that would just look too weird to even enjoy. Hemy is definitely too dominant for that. Alpha male is what he’ll always be. Shit, it’s such a turn on.
I toss him the keys without a fight, pull my helmet on, and put my backpack on. My black boots dig into the gravel as I hop on the back and watch as Hemy jumps on the front.
I don’t know how much more of this I can take while guarding my heart.
I need to figure something out and fast . . .
THE FEEL OF HER ARMS wrapped around my waist brings me back to the past. After I learned how to ride this motorcycle for the first time, she spent almost every day on the back of it, the two of us just riding to forget. Those are some of my happiest memories.
I can tell she’s thinking about it too, because she hasn’t said a word since we left the club, and not to mention that her arms are practically squeezing the life out of me. She always did that unintentionally in the past when she was deep in thought, and man does it feel good. This is exactly what I was hoping for. If I want another chance with her, then I’ll have to remind her of the good stuff.
Riding past my block, I make a turn down the street that leads to Mitch’s shop. Mitch’s family has owned Greenler’s Mechanics his whole life. Onyx and I spent a lot of time in it, playing and fooling around, when I was working on my motorcycle or showing off my mechanic skills to get her worked up. She always did have a thing for a dirty, hardworking man. I’m sure that hasn’t changed much. At least, I can only hope.
Onyx doesn’t bother looking up until we are already pulling up to the shop and parking. I can tell from her lack of smartass remarks. That, and I can feel her chin resting against my back. I don’t think it’s intentional, but I would dare say a word at the risk of her moving it. I feel her grip loosen as she lets out a little surprised breath. “Seriously, Hemy?” She releases my waist as I kill the engine. “Why would you bring me here? I thought we were going to your place.”
Not bothering to respond, I help her off the bike and watch as she walks up to the building and stands there in silence. She probably hasn’t even thought about this place in over four years. Bringing her here is sure to get the memories flowing in. It has to. I’m counting on it. Hell, I’m having a hard time just being here with her. I could do it alone over the years, but having her here makes my chest ache. It always will until she’s mine again.
Grinding my jaw and pushing back my emotions, I grab Onyx’s hand and pull her along with me as I walk around to the back and pull out my key. I’ve been meaning to work on my Harley for a while now, but I’ve been so damn busy working on other projects for Mitch that I haven’t been able to touch it. It’s about time I get my baby running good.
I push the door open and flip on the light. I feel Onyx’s hand squeeze mine, and then she lets go and steps inside. “I haven’t thought about this place in years, Hemy.” She looks around, her face void of emotions. “It looks exactly the same.” She cracks a smile. “As a matter of fact, I think you guys are still working on the same vehicles too.”
I let my own smile take over as I watch her laugh at her own joke. Damn, her laugh is just as beautiful as ever. I never could get enough of that sound.
I step up beside her and nudge her with my shoulder. She looks up at me. “I love that sound,” I say softly.
She looks around as if listening for something. “What sound?”
“When you laugh,” I say honestly. Her smile fades as I look down into her eyes and then walk away.
I keep on walking, making my way to the back where my motorcycle is parked. It doesn’t take but a few seconds before Onyx is standing right behind me. She’s so close that I can feel the warmth from her body. I can sense her eyes studying me as I stand here.
“Why are we here?” she finally asks.
“I need to work on my bike. Why else would we be here?”
“It’s like midnight. Don’t you ever sleep?”
“Not anymore. I told you, I can’t sleep for shit without you naked and next to me.” I walk away, unbuttoning my shirt, before pulling it off and setting it on the closest car.