by Candace Shaw
She exhaled even though he’d still be close by. “Well...thank you, and I’ll fill the tank up the next time we stop...” She glanced at the gas gauge. “Which may be soon.”
“No, you don’t have to do that. I invited you to come with me. Besides, your car is in the shop. Save your money.”
There he goes being nice again.
“Bryce...”
“Don’t worry about it. Just enjoy your vacation. You deserve it,” he said sincerely, grabbing his cell phone as it rang.
For the next hour or so he talked on the phone about his law firm with his accountant, and Sydney was glad his focus was off her as he discussed numbers, employees and clients. She said a little prayer that she could get through the next week without doing something she knew she wouldn’t regret.
Chapter 5
Sydney lounged on the bed in the luxurious suite at the Ritz-Carlton. They’d arrived around nine and had eaten dinner in the hotel restaurant. She was drained from their long trip and was thankful that Bryce had run into a gentleman who was a friend of his father’s. The two men had talked during most of their dinner about politics and world events. She’d excused herself when the dessert arrived—taking hers to go—and retreated upstairs to take a long shower in the beautiful marbled bathroom. Luckily, there were two bathrooms and the other one was connected to the parlor, where Bryce would sleep.
She’d received another text message from Megan during dinner but waited until she was alone to respond. Sydney sent a simple text back telling her sister that she was in Saint Louis for the night and was going to bed. As soon as she sent it, Megan called. Sydney reluctantly answered the phone and hoped their conversation would be brief.
“Hey, sissy,” Sydney said, pressing the mute button on the flat-screen television.
“Hey. Just wanted to make sure you weren’t still driving. So you’re in Saint Louis? I thought you were going to stop over in Memphis.”
“I was, but I went ahead and drove the extra hour.” She hated lying to her sister. “But I did inform Aunt Darla that I wasn’t coming.”
“Oh...okay. I just spoke to Steven, and he said Bryce was spending the night at the Ritz in Saint Louis. How ironic is that? You’re both in the same city. I guess it’s a good stopping point.”
“Hopefully I won’t run into the jerk.” She hoped she sounded convincing enough and prayed he didn’t walk in and say anything. After hopping off the bed, she escaped to the bathroom, closed the door and sat on the edge of the oversize bathtub.
“Where are you staying?”
In a place better than my house.
“Um...at some Marriott,” she said, thinking it wasn’t a total lie. The Ritz was owned by Marriott. “You know I belong to their rewards program. Gotta get those points.” She let out a fake yawn, which ended up turning into a real one followed by one from Megan, as well.
“Going to let you go. I have a big day tomorrow on set. They’re installing the kitchen appliances, and I have a feeling the refrigerator may not fit in the provided space.”
“I’m sure it’ll work out.”
“Let’s hope so. Send me a text before you leave in the morning. I’ll be up at six for hair and makeup, but I’ll call you when I can.”
After hanging up and turning off her cell phone, Sydney lay back on the bed and continued to flip through the channels watching nothing in particular. A knock sounded at the bedroom door. She sat all the way up. She was hoping she wouldn’t have to see Bryce until the morning. They’d agreed to eat breakfast at seven in the hotel’s restaurant and hit the road after that.
“Come in.”
“Hey. I’m back from dinner.” Bryce strolled into the room and sat in one of the wingback chairs by the window. She noticed his eyes divert their attention briefly to the clothes she had set out for tomorrow on the chair opposite his. A glimmer twinkled in his eyes when he noticed her black lace bra and panties flung on top.
“What can I do for you?”
His gaze landed on her face, the glimmer still present. “First of all, never ask a man who finds you extremely attractive what you can do for him. Especially when you’re propped up in the bed wearing a tank top and boy shorts.”
She’d completely forgotten what she was wearing. She pulled the plush down comforter up to her chin. “Whatever.” She tried to shrug it off but her defenses around him were becoming lower and lower with every conversation.
“You wanna go for a motorcycle ride with me?”
She glanced at the clock on the nightstand. “It’s after eleven o’clock.”
“That’s the perfect time to go.”
“It’s freezing outside,” she stated matter-of-factly. “And we’re in a strange city.”
He stood and grabbed her bra from the chair, tossing it to her. “Change clothes and grab your helmet. We’ll take my bike.”
“I’ll only go if you let me drive.”
“Not a problem,” he said with the most sinful smile she’d ever seen on a man.
Twenty minutes later, they were in the parking garage as Sydney watched Bryce back his Harley off the trailer.
“I’ll take it out through the parking garage, and we’ll switch when we get out front.” He slid his helmet on his head and drove around to her side. “You know the passenger rules, right?”
“Lean with you, don’t make any hand signals, don’t put my feet on the ground and pay attention to traffic just in case you have to brake or speed up unexpectedly. Oh, and don’t knock helmets. I hate that.”
“And the most important one is...” He paused, his eyes roaming over her figure. “Keep looking hella sexy in those leather pants.” His lazy gaze lingered on her hips as he ran his tongue over his bottom lip. “Damn, you’re fine, woman.”
She couldn’t help but smile. “Thank you. You don’t look half-bad yourself in your jeans and leather jacket.”
An astonished expression progressed over his face. “A seductive smile and a compliment from Agent Chase? I should’ve kissed those succulent lips a long time ago,” he stated in a dangerous tone.
Goose bumps ran rampant over her skin and that darn twinge was back between her thighs. “Wouldn’t have worked,” she said, trying not to break her composure. “You caught me off guard in the hospital. I wasn’t feeling my best because if I was, I would’ve drop-kicked you.” She winked and placed her helmet on and took a step toward the bike, but he zoomed a few feet away from her.
“Stop playing with me,” she shouted. “You know I can chase after you.”
He backed up to her and lifted the visor, flashing a mischievous smile. “Really? You’d chase after me? I’ll keep that in mind. Come on. Let’s go.”
She hesitated, then threw her leg over the seat and hopped up behind him, placing her hands on his shoulders.
He gazed at her over his shoulder. “Hold on around my waist.”
She glided her hands down and secured them around his waist as her breasts mashed into his back. She backed up a little bit, but he yelled out. “Doesn’t bother me.”
He shot off, and the immediate exhilaration that she loved transpired. While it was a short distance, he exuded a power she hadn’t experienced with him and became disappointed when he stopped and got off. She sort of wished she hadn’t volunteered to drive. Holding on to him made her feel safe and secure. That was rare when she was with a man. She was more than capable of defending herself. But spending time with Bryce lately made her feel protected by him. She wasn’t quite sure what to do with that newfound realization. The more time she spent with him, the more she wanted to learn about what made him tick. What made him the man that he was; the man she hadn’t given herself the opportunity to get to know until now because she was always too busy arguing with him.
She slid her body up the seat and adjusted the mirrors. L
ifting the visor of his helmet, he approached the front of the bike.
“Have you ever had anyone behind you before?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Will you stop with all the sexual innuendos and let’s go.”
“Oh, no. I’m serious. This is my favorite motorcycle, and I don’t let just anyone drive it. In fact, you’re the first person, so just be careful.”
She kicked up the kickstand and revved the engine. “Get on or I’m leaving without you.”
Bryce rubbed the bike’s left handle and climbed onto the back, scooting all the way up to her bottom. He sensually wrapped his hands around her waist, resting his hands on her pelvis. His chest was like a brick wall slammed against her back and his strong, long legs pressed against hers.
How on earth did I form my mouth to say I wanted to drive? I can’t concentrate and I haven’t even started.
“Are you comfortable back there?” she asked. Even though he drove a motorcycle, she knew that some drivers didn’t necessarily like to be passengers. However, she doubted that was the case with him. He was more concerned about his precious bike.
“Very. You ever drove anything this big?”
“My motorcycle is about this size.”
He chuckled, and she turned around to look at him, but his visor was down. She wasn’t sure if he was serious or spewing more innuendos.
She yelled out, “I can handle it.”
He made the go signal over her shoulder and slapped the side of her hip.
“We’ll see,” he called out.
She started off slow to get used to the motorcycle. It may not have been much bigger than hers, but it was a different engine. It purred under her, and she instantly fell in love with it. She was relaxed as the cold air blew around them yet warm and secure in his arms. The sensation of raw pleasure raced through her as his embrace held her close against his chest. When she turned the corner, he leaned with her perfectly and completely in sync. He was definitely a skilled rider and driver. She rarely had passengers because most people didn’t feel comfortable and couldn’t remember all the simple yet important rules. However, Bryce seemed to know which way she was going to turn or how fast she was going to go before she even did so. He was the ideal rider.
When she turned onto the interstate, his right hand glided down her thigh and back up under her leather jacket until he reached the button on her pants and popped it open. His finger teased along her panty line, and she sped up. She leaned back into him, wanting to close her eyes to enjoy him. She pulled off at the next exit and was caught at the red light.
“Are you comfortable?” he shouted, stopping the perusal of her panty line for a moment.
“Yes,” she yelled back. She shifted in the seat until she could feel an erection through his pants.
He slid his hand farther into her panties, massaging the entire mound with his hand. He kneaded her slowly yet deeply, causing heavy waves to crash inside her. It was so much more than the sensations she’d experienced when he’d kissed her. She reached her hand back, wanting to feel his face, but remembered he was wearing a helmet. With his free hand, he lifted his visor and took her gloved hand in his, kissing the palm before placing a finger in between his lips. The warmth of his mouth seeped through to her skin and she let out a moan so loud she was sure it could be heard through her helmet. She removed her hand once the light changed to green, and he settled his arm back around her waist, holding her nestled against him.
Sydney veered left in order to zoom across the bridge to turn onto the interstate and landed at another red light in the turning lane. She didn’t want to go too far from the hotel in an unfamiliar city. Plus, Bryce’s hand in her panties caused her to lose what little concentration she had left. While she enjoyed their adventure, safety was key. She removed his hand and placed it back on her waist just as the light changed.
They made it back to the hotel moments later. She’d driven so fast she was surprised a cop didn’t pull her over, but the ride had revved her up more than the engine of the motorcycle. She parked in the empty space next to his SUV and hopped off immediately. She skirted away from him to the other side of the Range Rover, where she zipped up her pants and fastened the button.
“Syd?”
She took off her helmet. “What?” She was flustered, and she hated appearing that way in front of him,
“You all right?” he asked with concern, turning her around to face him. “You didn’t enjoy our ride?”
“Yes...and no. I lost all concentration when you were roaming your hands everywhere. While I’m not saying I didn’t enjoy it, that wasn’t very safe.” Even though she felt completely safe in his arms.
He pulled her into his embrace and pushed them into a corner that was hidden by his SUV. “We’re not on the motorcycle now.”
Bryce’s lips closed over hers, kissing her ferociously and deeply, not holding back. And she didn’t want him to. She’d longed to feel his lips and tongue again and reached up to his face, pulling him deeper into her mouth. Their moans filled the cold air, and she couldn’t distinguish hers from his. His hands left her body for a moment as he took his gloves off and tossed them on the ground. He ran his warm palms under her jacket and down to her bottom. Squeezing it hard, he brought it toward him, pressing her body tight against his.
His hands and lips on her were pure torture. Every piece of her was spiked with sheer stimulation just from his touch, no matter how slight it was. Her body shook with excitement as he lifted her, and she wrapped her legs around his waist, holding on to his manly shoulders tightly. But not from the fear of being dropped, but because orgasmic sensations had begun to wreak havoc through her, and she didn’t know how much she could handle despite the fact she’d just told him she could. However, she hadn’t expected so much wild, crazy passion from him. He was in total control over her, and she loved every minute of the hot journey he was steering them on.
His warm tongue traveled down her neck, sucking and taunting. Her moans became louder and echoed in the parking garage, but she didn’t care who heard or saw as long as he continued to ravish her senseless.
Pulling his lips from hers—his glazed eyes full of vigor—he stared her down as if he were going to tear her to pieces that very moment. Her chest heaved up and down as he set her back on the ground and ran his hands through her hair, pulling her lips to his, but he didn’t kiss her.
“You wanna finish this upstairs?” he whispered on her mouth. “We can make love all over the suite. All night...”
Fear and panic rose in her, and she shoved him back toward his Range Rover. His eyes turned into confused saucers as he held his gaze firm with hers. “Syd, what’s wrong?”
“Make love? I don’t even like you!” she shouted, storming away from him, but he followed, pulling her back against his chest and holding her hands gently by the wrists.
“And yet your kisses and erotic moans tell a completely different story,” he calmly stated.
She yanked away and picked up her helmet from the ground, sitting it on the motorcycle as she tried to make sense of what was happening to her. He was driving her insane with passion and lust. She didn’t know what to make of it.
He stepped toward her with the bike in between them. “What are you so scared of? Obviously there’s something between us.”
She shook her head. “The only things we have in common are motorcycles and that our siblings are married. That’s it.”
Sydney turned on her heel and walked in a fast pace toward the elevator. Groaning, she pushed the button rapidly. The doors opened and she stepped inside, grateful for the escape from him.
Once she was settled back in the suite, Sydney locked the bedroom door, tossed off her clothes and dived under the comforter. She hoped he wouldn’t try to finish their conversation when he returned from securing his motorcycle. She hated to a
dmit she had enjoyed the ride and their second kiss. His scent was once again embedded in her skin and it was even stronger now that she was under the comforter. She yanked it off and sat up as the suite door opened and closed. His footsteps sounded and stopped as she caught her breath. She sensed him outside of the bedroom door, but then she heard his bathroom door shut and the water from the shower.
Exhaling, she lay back onto the bed. If she wasn’t stuck with her huge suitcase and it weren’t winter, she’d have jumped on her beloved Harley, Pretty in Pink, and jetted away. Since none of that was possible, she decided that tomorrow she would put on her game face and not let Bryce get the best of her.
Chapter 6
They’d been on the road for an hour in complete silence except when Bryce had asked Sydney what kind of music she wanted to listen to. She’d shrugged and barely whispered, “Doesn’t matter” before continuing to flip through the pages in her magazine so hard that one actually ripped. He had to muffle a chuckle as she huffed and instead placed his focus on the long road ahead. Both the actual highway and the one with her.
He honestly hadn’t known what to expect that morning. A part of him was surprised she hadn’t hightailed it out of there in the middle of the night on her motorcycle. When she’d tiptoed out of her room at five in the morning, that was what he’d thought she was doing but instead, she’d pulled a bottle of water from the cooler and ducked back into her room.
He couldn’t figure out what had gone wrong. They were having a great time. The flirting and the motorcycle ride had all led up to their rendezvous on the wall. Heck, she was a hot sex kitten practically devouring him, but something made her think twice, and she’d stopped the passion that had erupted between them. He wasn’t necessarily upset about that. More than anything, he wanted to know what had caused her to push him away physically and emotionally. The truth was he was enjoying spending time with her and getting to know a different side of her.