Ride Free

by Debra Kayn

  He pulled up to the edge of the riverbank, cut the light, and shut down the bike. He dropped his hand on the gas tank and relaxed his shoulders. If he could resist gazing into one of his mirrors, maybe he’d convince himself that it was his sister, Margarine, who rode behind him.

  Sarah’s hands remained wound around him and she laid her cheek on his back again. He groaned deep in his throat. Margarine never snuggled up to him and purred.

  “Reefer?”

  He closed his eyes and forced shallow breaths past his clenched jaw. “Yeah?”

  “I can’t thank you enough. You gave me something I’ve wanted for the longest time.” She squeezed his middle.

  She shifted her arms, and Reefer’s eyes flew open. He swiftly inhaled, and he hurried to lay his hands over hers and move them farther up. He doubted if she realized what her hands brushed against, but it sure brought junior to full attention.

  What did a person say to that kind of thank you? He didn’t have a clue.

  He grunted.

  She laughed. “You don’t talk very much.” She patted his thigh. “That’s okay. Somehow I know what you’re thinking. I know you’re going to think I’m crazy, but I know you. Okay, that didn’t come out right. Of course, I’ve never met you before, and this morning is the first time I’ve ever laid eyes on you, but I think fate or Grandfather Earth—whatever you want to call it—brought us together for a reason.”

  She moved her arms from around his waist, and he spread his legs wider to stabilize the bike. It was getting dark, and she was shuffling around.

  Sarah put her hand on his arm. “Lean that way.”

  He tilted to the left, and one of her legs brushed his shoulder. He straightened in shock and almost forced Sarah to go flying off his bike. What the hell? Did she just stand up?

  She grabbed for his shoulders, and he wrapped his arm around her legs. He tilted his head up. Darned if she didn’t smile down on him. Laughter lit up her whole face, and he knew he’d never deny this woman anything she desired in life so long as she gifted him with a view of that beautiful face.

  “What are you trying to do?” His legs braced the bike, and his arm stabilized Sarah.

  “This is my graceful attempt to sneak around and sit in front of you. Here, hold my hand.” She grasped the hand he gave her and stepped onto the gas tank in front of Reefer.

  Facing him, Sarah straddled the bike and hung her legs over his. She threw her arms over his shoulders. His hands itched to explore her body. A few women he’d known in the past thought it a big turn-on to have sex on his bike with him, and if he didn’t know any better, Sarah placed herself in the prime location for something to happen.

  “There. Now I can talk with you and see your face.” She placed both hands on each cheek and kissed the tip of his nose.

  His hands shook. To hide the way she affected him, he combed his hair back and gazed over her shoulder at the river. He stared off in the direction of the water, unable to see anything but the white caps that rolled in the glow of the moon.

  “I’m making you uncomfortable.” She leaned back.

  Her hair brushed his arms. A frustrated “humph” came from him. He inhaled through his nose and tried to visualize leaving this small coastal town. Instead of the usual excitement at the prospect of hitting the road, he became aware of the scent of coconut emanating from Sarah’s hair.

  “Relax. I only want to talk with you. You don’t even have to say much. You can grunt or nod.” Her hands played with the fabric of his shirt, and every once in a while her hand slipped and she unknowingly skimmed his belly.

  “What’s supposed to happen here, Sarah? What do you want of me?” He grabbed both her hands and held them between their bodies—and away from the part of him that screamed for attention.

  “I don’t expect anything from you. I told you that back at the reservation tonight. The next few hours, or even only the next ten minutes is for us. I don’t expect a phone call tomorrow, or for you to park your bike outside my apartment. I’m not that kind of person.” Her gaze never left his face.

  “If that’s true, you’re different than any woman I’ve ever known.” He squinted.

  She flopped back and laid across the tank, her arms spread wide over the handlebars, and giggled. He grinned at her tinkling laughter.

  Sweet Jesus, give me strength.

  “Oh, Reefer, you have no idea.” She lost the smile on her lips and stared at the stars. “Have you ever been alone and gazed up at the sky?”

  He cleared his throat, trying to concentrate on what she was saying and not on the sandy brown skin on her stomach that her shirt didn’t cover. “Yeah.”

  “My whole life I’ve searched that same sky. I gazed into darkness, but I connected with something much bigger that let me know I had a place in this world. I learned someone walked the earth beside me, but hadn’t shown himself to me yet.” She sat up. “I believe that person is you.”

  He shook his head in denial. “Sarah—”

  “No, don’t say it.” She placed her finger on his lips. “Remember, I told you I expect nothing from you. These are my thoughts, the dreams I’m made from.” She tapped her chest with the palm of her hand. “I know this ends tonight, but I want this moment to last me a lifetime.”

  “I don’t get involved with someone not from the biker lifestyle, at least not seriously. I’m sorry.” Now that he’d spoken the words, a sense of guilt hit him.

  “I figured. I actually know quite a lot about bikers.” She grinned. “Plus, if you shirked your beliefs, I’d think less of you.” She stole a quick kiss. “You, Reefer, are the real deal.”

  He let his chin fall to his chest. “You don’t deserve someone that can’t give you everything. You have no idea how much I want you. But, I can’t get involved with you.”

  “I have no other way to convince you differently.” She lifted his head. “You’ve given me so much, just by being with me tonight. Letting me ride with you.”

  He searched her eyes. She humbled him.

  Ever gentle, he pulled her to him and claimed her mouth. He wanted to kiss her slow and long. He wanted to remember every detail. The way her bottom lip was fuller than the upper. Perfect to nibble on.

  Her tongue came out to taste him, and he let her take control. The tip of her soft, velvet tongue teased and played with his in a classic game… Tag, you’re it.

  Consumed with how her mouth tantalized him, he somehow ended up with his hands cupping her breasts. His thumbs strummed the sensitive nipples. Senses in overload, he pressured her for more, and she gave him one hundred percent.

  He lifted her up and set her down against him, belly to belly, his arms pressing her tight against him. He broke away from her mouth and, with one hand on the back of her head, tucked her into his arms and held her. Someone needed to stop the insanity, but he wasn’t willing to let her go quite yet.

  His hand stroked her back. Her heart hammered against his chest, matching his beat for beat. Her body was much smaller than his, and yet, she seemed emotionally strong and confident. Her trust in him was touching, and for the first time in his life he damned the inability to open up.

  “I wish…” He sighed.

  “Don’t spend your life regretting what you can’t do.” She lifted her head, smiling at him through the liquid pooling on her bottom eyelids. “Let’s not say a word. When you’re ready, you can take me back to my car, kiss me, and without uttering a word, ride away on the wind.”

  He swallowed.

  “No regrets, but a memory to last a lifetime.” She brushed the corner of her eye with a finger.

  He ran both hands over his face and cleared his throat. “Let’s go for that ride.”

  Sarah untangled her legs from around him and swung them off the bike. Before she could hop off, Reefer wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her against him, so her back pressed into him. He whispered in her ear, “I believe you wanted to drive.”

  “Seriously? But, my feet don’t
touch the ground.” She stretched her legs out.

  “Put them on top of my feet, and mind your legs so they don’t hug the engine. It gets pretty hot.” He waited for her to straddle the bike again and get her feet into a comfortable position. “You’ll feel my left foot move on the ride, so pay attention.”

  She nodded.

  “The clutch is on the left handlebar. I’ll help you squeeze when it’s time to shift and my left foot will go down. You’ll have to steer, and remember to lean into the curves.” He nuzzled her neck. “Are you ready?”

  “Yes!”

  The excitement in her voice made him smile.

  “Okay, push that button.” He pointed.

  The engine roared to life.

  “Good girl,” he yelled over the noise. “You turn the right handle grip toward you to make the bike go. You’ll need to baby it to keep control of the motorcycle.”

  He covered her hand with his and, with the bike in neutral, let her rev the throttle. Her ass wiggled between his legs.

  With the clutch in, he kicked into first gear and placed his mouth in the groove of her neck beneath her ear.

  “Alright, Kitten, let’s make this baby purr.”

  Chapter Five

  By the time Sarah spotted the outdoor lights from the reservation, she controlled everything on the motorcycle, except the gears under Reefer’s foot. His hands lay against the bare skin of her belly under her shirt, and occasionally his head came down to kiss the side of her cheek during the trip back to her car.

  With her concentration on the road and the pressure to keep the speed under control, she kept herself from dwelling on having to say goodbye to him. She didn’t want to walk away, but she must. He needed time to figure out if he was willing to find her again. Her faith that things would work out gave her the confidence that he’d realize she was worth the risk of getting to know better. Although, she hoped he didn’t take too long.

  She let off the throttle, leaned, and turned the bike into the parking lot. Reefer’s hands landed on top of hers, and he brought the bike to a stop beside the other motorcycles. For a few seconds, neither of them moved. She believed their separation would only be temporary, but she still hated leaving after she’d finally found him.

  Her hearing returned after shutting off the engine , and the noise from the crowd filtered over. She lifted her chin and hopped off the motorcycle. She’d need to break away and be the strong one.

  “Thank you seems like such an inadequate thing to say, especially when you’ve given me so much today.” Sarah gazed over at the activities.

  With so much more to say, but knowing that the time wasn’t right, she kept her distance. She closed her eyes and exhaled through parted lips. Keep it simple, and he’ll come back.

  She plastered a smile on her face, turned, and stepped over to Reefer. She ran her hand down the side of his cheek. Her smile wobbled.

  “Goodbye, Reefer. Thanks for the ride of a lifetime.” With tender emotions that boiled to the surface, she showed him how deeply he affected her with a kiss that hinted of what her heart screamed. She backed away, afraid he’d try to touch her and she’d fall into his arms.

  She ran into the crowd, away from Reefer, and searched out Bill Crowley. She spotted him over at the food table, sitting in a lawn chair, a blanket thrown over his legs.

  She weaved through the crowd, sharing smiles with those she knew, and hurried over to Bill’s side. She squatted down beside his chair and rested her hand on his arm. She hated to ask, but someone needed to take care of her father.

  “Bill, I ran into Da earlier. I’m afraid I didn’t help matters. Can you have someone check on him tonight?” Sarah bowed her head. She wished her da’s condition improved, and that he could handle having her around. Asking for help never sat well with her, especially when it came to family.

  “Of course, Sarah. You know I will. Don’t worry your pretty head. Enjoy the night and say an extra prayer for little Browntail.”

  Bill patted the top of her head, reminding Sarah of all the times in her childhood he did the exact same gesture. Like years past, she appreciated knowing the leader of the tribe cared about her.

  “Thank you.” She kissed his cheek and rose. “I’ll come back, and you have my number…”

  Bill nodded. “Drive carefully, my child.”

  Sarah stopped at one of the contribution boxes placed out for the Browntail family. She extracted the cash she’d shoved into her pocket earlier and slid it into the slot on the box. Her problems seemed silly compared to a child fighting for life. Deciding to call it a night, she patted the box and sent a wish for the powwow to have been a success.

  She kept to the outside of the crowd and hurried over to her car. She didn’t glance in the direction of the motorcycles or try to catch a glimpse of Reefer. He needed to sort out what he wanted in life, without any pressure from her.

  Once on the main road, she drove automatically, her thoughts replaying the day and the surprising turn of events. He’ll find me one day. That’s all there is to it.

  ***

  Reefer stood beside Knuckles, the man who’d raised him after his own dad passed away, and gazed out to the parking lot. Why did he have the desire to sprint across the gravel and beg Sarah to stay with him? He narrowed his eyes and studied her every step.

  Away from him, she hurried about her business. Those beautiful shoulders of hers pushed back to bear the weight he imagined she carried with having a drunk for a father. Earlier, he’d wanted to whisk her away from her father’s house and erase the moment of embarrassment from her mind.

  Family should stand together, support one another through good times and bad. But, if she lived in a home where alcohol abuse happened daily, who supported Sarah? His gut tightened at the thought that she relied only on herself.

  Knuckles laid a hand on his back. “You doin’ okay?”

  Reefer shook his head to clear his thoughts. “Yeah, no worries.”

  “Where did your pretty lady go?” Crowbar sidled up next to Reefer. “Thought you’d be gone for the night.”

  “Nope.” Reefer backhanded Crowbar on the chest. “Should have stayed away in the first place.”

  He still gazed out at the parking lot, although Sarah’s car had left a few minutes ago. “Look, I’m hitting the road and going back to the motel. I’ll see you all on the sunrise.”

  He marched to his bike and shoved the memory of Sarah snuggled up in front of him, her hair flying wild, and her cute little ass pressed against him to the back of his mind. No, what he needed was a good night’s rest and to forget about a certain sexy Native American lady.

  He pulled out onto the highway back to Astoria, kicked the bike into fifth gear, and let the speed blow away his discomfort. This late at night, except for a car or two going the other direction, he owned the road.

  Four miles outside the reservation, he passed a lemon-colored car pulled over to the side of the road. He swung into the nearest lot, hung a quick Louie, and got back on the highway. Sarah drove a car the same color.

  Not the type of person to leave a stranded woman, especially in the dark, he slowed, rode across the other lane, and parked in front of her car.

  Sarah sat in the gravel beside the rear passenger tire pumping the handle of a car jack. She didn’t turn or break her rhythm. He removed her hand and jacked the car off the ground. At the rate she worked, she’d be there all night.

  With the tire off the ground, he picked up the jack and removed the lug nuts from the wheel. Sarah brought over a temporary mini tire, half the size of a regular one.

  He raised his eyebrows and took the tire from her. He hoped she didn’t have far to go, because this tire wasn’t meant to go long distance, and he doubted if any tire shops in the small town were open twenty-four hours.

  “That tire doesn’t look right, does it?” Sarah stood behind him.

  He continued to tighten the lug nuts. “It’s a temporary tire. You’re only supposed to travel a few mil
es to the nearest tire shop.”

  “I guess I’ll take the car to the shop in the morning.” She picked up the tire jack and carried it to her trunk.

  He stood and brushed his hands off on the thighs of his jeans. He carried the blown tire to her trunk. If he used his brain instead of his dick, he’d ride away now that the car was driveable.

  “I’ll follow you back to your place and make sure you get there with no problems.” He stalked over to his bike without giving her a choice.

  Sarah got back on the highway, and Reefer pulled out behind her without glancing at the driver’s side of her car.

  I’m an idiot. ‘I’ll follow you,’ blah, blah, blah… How pathetic can I get?

  He stuck close enough to keep her taillights in view. She moved along the streets of downtown Astoria and came to a stop in front of a two-story apartment complex. He stayed on his bike, but cut the engine. He’d play it cool, and nothing short of a freak tsunami would remove him from the Harley.

  Sarah opened the back door on her car and leaned in, giving him a nice panorama picture of her sweet ass. His hands itched to trail along her sides, from her waist down to her hips, but he clenched his jaw to toughen up. Not for the first time today, she tempted him to go back on his word.

  With her arms loaded with a bag and her windbreaker, she approached Reefer. Her eyes had lost the shine from earlier, and she appeared tired. He wanted to kick himself for his part in her more subdued mood.

  “It seems like I’m always thanking you.” She bit down on her lower lip and gazed over his shoulder at the top of the apartment building, before drawing her attention back to Reefer. “’Night, Reefer. Sleep well.”

  She walked around his motorcycle. He swung off, wrapped his arms around her, and planted a kiss on her that explained everything he struggled to tell her with words.

  Her mouth opened and met the urgency that coursed through his body. He gave her an hour’s worth of sex in a kiss that lasted no more than ten seconds. His chest heaved, and he stepped away.