by Alex Strong
Jillian tried to hide it, but Reid caught the hint of a smile on her face. “C’mon, let’s get you home,” he said.
He opened the passenger door for her, and she paused before climbing in.
“Do you think this is a sign?”
He frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Date number one, you had to…leave early. And now on date number two I managed to get us kicked out of Safeco Field. Do you think it’s a sign?”
“I don’t believe in signs. I’m assuming you don’t make it a habit to get kicked out of ball games.”
“That was a definitely a first for me,” she said.
“And while I often have to leave at a moment’s notice, it’s because of the nature of my work, nothing personal.”
“So you’d be open to going out with me again?”
“Who says tonight is over already? Hop in. I have an idea.”
Her forehead wrinkled, but she climbed in.
“Are you going to tell me what this idea is?” she asked as he turned onto the freeway.
“Are you going to tell me what the fight was about?”
“Do I have to?”
“No, of course not,” he said. “But would you be interested in going on a motorcycle ride with me?”
“A motorcycle,” she whispered.
“Yes. Have you ever ridden one?”
She shook her head.
“Would you like to?”
“Is it safe?” she asked.
“With me, it is”
“Okay.”
“So now are you going to tell me your story?”
Jillian sighed. “He’s my ex-boyfriend.”
“I heard you tell the security guard. And how did he cost you your job?”
“Well,” she said slowly, “he was my boss.”
“You were dating your boss?”
“He didn’t start out as my boss. We worked for the same company, just not together. Eventually he ended up in that position.”
“What happened? Did you guys break up and he fired you?”
“No, I quit.”
“You quit? I don’t understand.”
“I found out he was cheating on me with his assistant, so I moved out and quit my job. All in the same week.”
Reid didn’t blame Jillian one bit for going ape shit on the guy.
“But I’m still not sure I follow how that cost you your job if you’re the one that quit.”
“He won’t give me a decent reference. I keep applying for other jobs in my field, but that position was the only one I’d had and without it on my resume, I’m having trouble getting an interview. But when they do the reference check, Cameron tells them that I was a lazy employee or something. And that is why even though I have a very expensive degree in graphic design, I am working as a cashier at Safeway and living with my dad.”
“You should be talking to his supervisors. Let them know what he is doing.”
“Problem is his father owns the company. I’ve thought about suing, but I think it would be more trouble than it’s worth. I’ll figure it out eventually. I’m sure he’ll tire of this game.”
She turned to stare out the window, and Reid noticed her slumped shoulders, as though she were admitting defeat.
“Hey,” he said, and she turned back around. “I think you showed him today that he’s been messing with the wrong woman.”
She smiled. “Thanks. But just so you know, I don’t usually attack ex-boyfriends, or anyone for that matter. I guess I was caught off guard running into him like that. And especially after—”
“After what?” he asked.
“Nothing, never mind.”
“No, what were you going to say? After what?”
“Right before I had gone downstairs, Aaron and I were arguing. That’s to say that I was already in an irritated mood when I ran into Cameron.”
“Aaron told me he talked to you. Sorry about that. Don’t mind him.”
She started to say something, but they were pulling up in front of her dad’s house.
“It’s going to be chilly on the bike,” he said, stopping the car. “Why don’t you change into jeans, grab a warmer jacket, and meet me in my garage?”
She nodded and climbed out. Reid watched her walk into the house before pulling into his driveway.
As Jillian walked up to Reid’s house, he was rolling out a red motorcycle. Even she, who knew nothing about bikes, could appreciate the beauty of this machine. She had a feeling this was going to be fun.
“What kind of motorcycle is this?” she asked.
“A Ducati 1199 Panigale,” he said with such reverence that Jillian couldn’t help but smile. “Grab the two helmets off the shelf,” he instructed, pointing to the right side of the garage.
“The rules are simple enough,” Reid said when she had brought them over. “Lean into the turns with me. You don’t need to put your feet down when we stop. That’s my job.”
Jillian nodded, trying to soak it all in.
“Experienced passengers,” he continued, “will often just place their hands on their knees while riding.”
He stepped closer and placed a hand on one of the helmets she was holding.
“But you can hold onto me as tight as you need to feel safe,” he said quietly and Jillian felt a tingle sweep though her whole body. “I promise you won’t fall off the back. You’re safe with me. Got it?”
She nodded again.
“Good. Now let’s get this helmet on you.” He took the helmet from her hand and helped her put it on, tucking her hair into it.
“When we’re stopped,” he said, “you can put the visor up to talk, but once we get going, you’ll want it down to protect you from the wind. Not to mention the bugs.”
She made a face and he laughed. Oh, I’m in trouble.
“How fast will we be going?” she asked.
“As fast as you want,” he answered.
There was no stopping the childish grin on her face. Her father would kill her if he knew what she was about to do.
Reid helped her on the bike before sliding on in front of her. Jillian had always thought of motorcycles as small, because she was comparing them to the other vehicles on the road. But now that she was straddling it, the bike felt massive between her legs. Reid started the engine and Jillian’s adrenaline surged as it roared to life beneath her.
She wrapped her arms around his midsection. He felt solid against her. She inhaled him, and this time was able to get a good breath of his intoxicating scent. Musky, with just a hint of citrus.
Reid slowly made his way to the main road and waited for oncoming traffic to clear before turning up the hill where he shot off, quickly reaching the speed limit. Jillian squeezed harder and felt him chuckle at her reaction.
He had to stop at the top of the hill for a red light and threw up his visor.
“Any idea where you want to go?” he shouted over his shoulder.
Jillian shook her head. “Surprise me,” she yelled back. She just caught his grin before he slammed the visor back down and accelerated with the green light.
Reid headed east along Petrovitsky Road that went from four lanes down to two, and the turns were just enough to be fun, but not too dangerous. As he picked up speed, Jillian could hear nothing but wind and the bike’s engine. It was white noise as she closed her eyes, shutting out everything but the exhilaration coursing through her. Another tingle, a shiver really, swept over her, and Jillian wasn’t entirely sure if it was caused by the cool air whipping around them, or the man she currently had her arms wrapped around—whom she admittedly knew very little about.
It’s the wind, she told herself. It’s just the wind.
The bike slowed as Reid came to the end of Petrovitsky, but a couple more turns and they were racing onto a highway that would take them even further from home, towards the Cascade Mountains. This time Jillian opened her eyes to watch everything go rushing by. She sneaked a look over Reid’s shoulder and saw the illumin
ated display reading a speed of almost a hundred miles per hour. This was dangerous. It had to be. But she was loving every second of it. Jillian had no idea where they were going, and she didn’t care.
At the high speed, it wasn’t long before they were pulling up to Snoqualmie Falls, just as the sun was preparing to call it a day.
Reid killed the engine and let Jillian climb off before he put the kickstand down. They removed their helmets and placed them on the bike.
“How was it?” he asked as they walked over to the covered observation deck near the base of the two hundred sixty-eight foot waterfall.
“Incredible,” she said. Her smile was contagious, and Reid found himself grinning as well.
At the lookout, they leaned against the railing facing the water. The dry summer meant the falls weren’t at their most powerful, but that made for easier conversation. The hotel next to the top of the falls caught Reid’s attention.
“Have you ever stayed at The Salish Lodge?” he asked.
“No,” she answered. “I’ve had breakfast there a couple of times. It’s pretty good.” She paused. “My parents would always book a room for their anniversary.”
Again Reid thought of the pictures on her dresser.
“You never mention your mom,” he said slowly.
“She passed away when I was fourteen. Ovarian cancer.”
“Fourteen? That must have been a rough age for a girl to lose her mother.”
“Is there ever an age when it isn’t rough?” she asked.
Reid frowned. “Not really, I guess.”
“It was pretty hard on my dad as well. Shortly after the funeral I was sent to stay with my aunt for a month. I still don’t know if it was his idea or my aunt’s, but I think it was pretty clear to everyone that he wasn’t in any shape to take care of me. And then shortly after I went home, he started taking me to the gun range and teaching me how to shoot. It was so random. I think it made him feel he could protect me better or something.”
Reid didn’t know what to say, so he just wrapped an arm around her. Jillian stood there, letting him comfort her, but then she suddenly moved herself out of his reach and turned her back to the falls.
“That was a long time ago though,” she said. “Enough about me. I feel like I’m always doing all the talking. Tell me something about you.”
“Well, I’ve never been kicked out of a ball game before,” he said, causing Jillian to blush. He loved that he could bring the color to her cheeks so easily.
“I’m so sorry,” she said.
“Seriously, don’t worry about it.” He took a step in her direction. “If it had really bothered me, I wouldn’t have left with you, and I certainly wouldn’t be here with you now.” The color in her cheeks deepened, and Reid pushed back a hair that was sticking to her cheek.
“What about your family?” she asked, changing the subject. But she hadn’t moved away from him this time. “Do you get out east to see them often?”
Reid sighed and turned his back to the falls as well.
“My story isn’t much better. My parents were killed in a car accident when I was in high school. I was in a group home for a year until I was able to get emancipated. Just barely made it into MIT, got a job with Alliance Security Systems, and now here I am.
“You didn’t have any other family?” she asked.
“Nope.”
“How sad.”
Reid shrugged. “I survived.”
He glanced at the orange sky, quickly turning gray. “It’s getting late. I should get you home.”
She nodded and they walked back.
“You ready for round two?” Reid asked as they put their helmets back on, and there was the grin that made his heart stop.
“Absolutely,” she said.
Night had completely fallen by the time they were pulling in to Reid’s garage. He shut off the engine and they climbed off the bike. Jillian removed her helmet and handed it to Reid as she ran her fingers through her hair.
Thank you,” she said. “That was exactly what I needed.”
“My pleasure,” he said, placing the helmets back on the shelf.
“So, um, how long have been riding motorcycles?” she asked.
Reid sensed she wasn’t ready to go home, which was okay with him. He wasn’t ready for her to leave either.
“A while now.” He moved closer to where she was still standing by the bike. “If you ever want to go again,” another step closer, “just let me know.”
Jillian remained rooted to her spot, but the increase in her breathing was obvious to Reid. He was so close now. All he’d have to do is reach out to touch her. The thought of his hands on her skin made his own pulse quicken. His mind began picturing her naked on his bed upstairs.
“It’s getting late,” she said suddenly. “I bet you’re wanting to get to bed.”
The corner of his mouth went up. She had no idea.
“I don’t mind the company,” he said. “Unless you’re wanting to get home?”
“No,” she whispered.
It was the invitation Reid was looking for. He reached out to pull Jillian into him and his mouth was immediately on hers. This time there was no surprise, no hesitation as she kissed him back. He slowly unzipped her jacket and moved his palms underneath it to her back. Jillian’s body pressed harder against his and Reid cupped her bottom, lifting her off the floor. Their lips stayed locked as he carried her the short distance to the workbench and dropped her on the flat surface. She giggled and went to work on Reid’s jacket. He let it fall to the floor before sliding Jillian’s off. His mouth worked its way to her ear and then down her throat while a hand moved under her shirt, feeling the warm flesh against it.
“What about the neighbors?” she said breathlessly.
“What about them?” Reid murmured into her neck. The shirt inched higher.
“The door is still open.”
Reid looked out at the quiet street. “Oh, that.”
Without any warning, he threw Jillian—who giggled again—over his shoulder, and carried her into the kitchen, making sure to hit the garage door button on the way out.
The granite was hard beneath Jillian as Reid set her down on the kitchen island, but she didn’t mind. All she cared about right now was Reid’s strong and very capable hands on her hot skin. She pulled her shirt off, giving him easier access. His lips grazed her breast just above the bra, and she arched back where Reid’s arms were ready to support her.
He was kissing her lips again, and Jillian’s tongue welcomed him. If only she never had to breathe again.
Then Reid was pushing her farther along the counter, and one knee at a time, climbed up onto it. Jillian had to lay back as Reid worked his way on top of her. He sat up and straddled her for a second to remove his own shirt, and then hovered over her again.
She ran her fingers through his hair before pulling his face into hers. He just tasted too damn good.
Reid’s hand slid roughly down her torso to the top of her jeans and undid the button. And then the zipper.
Jillian whimpered as Reid traced a finger along the top of her underwear. But just as she thought he was about to go further, the finger started moving north and slipped under her bra, circling the nipple. Soon the whole breast was freed of its confines and Reid’s tongue gently licked it. Her chest rose, forcing it harder against his mouth. Again, just as Jillian thought he would keep going, Reid was slipping the bra back on, and his mouth migrated to her neck and nipped at her ear. She groaned and dug her nails into his chest in frustration.
Reid chuckled. “Is this too much for you?” he breathed into her ear.
“You really know how to drive a girl crazy,” she said.
“I’m only,” he kissed a shoulder, “getting,” the curvature of her neck, “started.”
He looked down at her and Jillian stared back at his seductive grin. It was a beautiful face, so strong and confident. Just the kind of thing to break a girl’s heart.
&nb
sp; She started to shake her head and Reid’s smile faded.
“What is it?” he asked.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m so so sorry. I can’t.”
Reid climbed down off the counter, looking thoroughly confused. Jillian felt horrible, but she knew she would just feel worse in the morning.
“I should go.” She jumped down and threw on her shirt. She looked down the hall to the front door and bolted for it.
The next morning Reid was knocking on Jillian’s front door. He’d found her jacket in the garage and had debated whether to take it over or wait until she came back for it. He still didn’t understand what went wrong the night before.
The door opened and Reid was disappointed to find Jacob, not Jillian on the other side of it.
“Mr. Sandro?” Reid asked.
“Yes?”
“I’m Reid Jackson. I live just across the street,” he said, pointing to his house.
“You’re the one who helped Jillian when she hurt her ankle.”
“I did,” said Reid. “I’m sorry to bother you, but Jillian left her jacket at my house last night and I just wanted to return it.”
Jacob’s forehead creased. “She was with you last night?”
“Yes, sir.” Reid wondered what Jillian had told her father.
“Do you know where she is now?” Jacob asked.
“I’m sorry? I thought she was here.”
The color drained from Jacob’s face. “She never came home last night.”
CHAPTER SIX
The first thing Jillian noticed was an insane pounding in her head and something cold and hard pressing against her right cheek. The next was talking in another room. She slowly opened her eyes, but it didn’t help much. Very little light was coming into wherever she was. She tried to focus on the glow in front of her and realized it was the bottom of a door. Jillian attempted to push up off what she now assumed to be a concrete floor, but it was too much for her. Laying in the dark room, she tried to remember what had happened. How did she get here? She had left Reid’s house and was almost to her door when…When what? The pain in her head suggested someone had hit her hard. But why did she feel so groggy now? Did somebody drug her? Panic started to creep in. Someone had kidnapped her. And she was still alive, so they clearly weren’t done with her.