Like a gentleman, he insisted I stayed in my seat until he came around to help me out. My skirt was so short, I had to take special care getting out of the elevated truck in order to keep my dignity. My eyes were on him like lasers but his never wavered from my face.
“How do you feel about wine?” Finn asked when we were seated. “It’s an important part of an authentic Spanish meal.”
“I spend my days wearing coveralls and streaks of grease. The fanciest I get is a bottle of Heineken.” I laid my napkin over my lap as the hostess handed me my menu. “Before that, I was tearing up the track right alongside Matt. You don’t find too many of the finer things in my world. What about you? I’m sure you’re as much of a gearhead as me. How did you learn about this stuff?”
“Arinzano, please,” Finn said quietly to the waiter as he approached. The man nodded and quickly returned in the direction he came. “As I explained before, I spent the last two years of high school in a group home and didn’t race at all. Not only did I not have the money, the backing, or the name on the west coast, my counselor at the home insisted I take time to just be a kid and decide what I really wanted to do with my life. You know, to make sure I was following my own passion and not my father’s. When I got phased out, I wanted right back in racing, but I was out of shape and out of practice. The same counselor suggested I try racing internationally before I set my sights on Supercross. So, after some research, I found myself on a plane to Madrid with another racer, Victor Salcedo. He made sure I soaked up all the Spanish flavor I could handle and then some.”
“Does that include Spanish women?” I asked, growing intrigued about this part of Finn’s past.
“No comment,” he replied, having the decency to look sheepish as the waiter returned with a bottle and corkscrew. We were quiet while the wine was poured, but it was surprisingly comfortable. Curiosity piqued, I advanced as soon as our server was gone.
“Now, don’t hold out. You mean you didn’t have a señorita or two while you were there? A hot, sexy, dangerous racer-type like yourself? A gray-eyed blond among a whole country of exotic women?”
Finn glared at me, good-naturedly behind his wine glass. He took a few sips, in no hurry to answer the question. Finally, he broke into a soft smile.
“While I admit I enjoyed a certain amount of popularity with the fine ladies of Madrid and later Malága, I didn’t have a serious girlfriend.”
“Have you ever had one?” I blurted without thinking. I immediately regretted it, but before I could finish cringing, Finn answered.
“No.”
I nearly fell out of my chair, the single word so shocking. It shouldn’t have been. He was a racer, for God’s sake. None of them had the first idea about being a good boyfriend. Finn had to be a player of the first order.
“Nope. I never wanted the complications that came with one. Half the year, I’m not even home. What girl wants to put up with that?”
That part was true enough. This life didn’t leave a lot of room for nurturing close relationships unless you were with someone in the sport. That obviously had its downside as well. I was living proof.
I took a moment to look around, gazing at the splendor of the decor. It was warm and inviting, the open style impressive yet soothing at the same time. Though I thought I’d be out of my depth at such a fancy place, I was surprisingly at home.
“This place is incredible, Finn. Please thank your friend for the recommendation. The beauty here alone is worth the price of admission,” I gushed as our waiter returned to refresh our drinks.
“Bring a glass of the Ramon Bilbao Rosé for the lady and another Arinzano for me.” Finn’s eyes riveted on me as he continued to order our starters to the server. “If I didn’t say so before, let me say now you look beautiful tonight.”
“Thank you,” I replied, feeling a blush creep over my cheeks. “And thank you for ordering for me, again. I wouldn’t even know where to begin. What was it? Arizona? Were you being cute?”
“No,” Finn said with a raspy chuckle. “A-rin-zano. It’s a fine white wine, the one we were just drinking.”
I chewed delicately on my lip as Finn reached across the table to take my hand, rubbing it softly as his eyes met and held mine. The room around us faded away as the noise died off, allowing us to fall down the rabbit hole together. There was nothing else, nothing but that moment crystallized in time, the one when I turned my back on my good judgment and plummeted headfirst into love with Finn Hawkins. I didn’t even notice when our server returned with the glasses.
“Ari-Arinzano? I’ll remember it. I have to ask, though, why not order the same thing for me again?” I asked as I twirled the stem of my glass between my fingers. Finn lifted his, showing me the perfect golden color, like bubble-free champagne, intense and bright even in the low lighting of the restaurant.
“Because this,” he answered before slowly putting his glass to his lips and taking a deliberately slow sip, “is far stronger than I think you can manage for your first time.”
I nervously picked up one of the hunks of hot bread our server left, smearing it with butter before taking a delicate bite as I listened to Finn speak more authoritatively and confidently than I’d ever heard him. My heart raced with excitement over how poised he was in an environment so foreign to me.
“I guess you were listening when I said I didn’t drink very much. Good to know you’re not planning on getting me drunk,” I joked nervously.
“The night is young, Kenni,” he replied with a wink, taking bread for himself while we waited for the starters. “There’s a different wine for each situation. Rosé, like I ordered for you, is good with almost anything, but especially as a pre-meal beverage or with pasta. So, lift your glass. Now’s the part where we toast to a long life together.”
“Has anyone ever told you you’re cocky, Finn? I agreed to this date under duress. You all but kidnapped me. Let me ask you something... Why are you so sure we’re meant to be together?” I asked haughtily but secretly swooning inside.
“You don’t think we are?” He paused to give me the sexiest smirk, dismissing my accusation. “First of all, I didn’t kidnap you. You’re free to stay or go. I’ll even pay for the Uber if you want to leave. Second... proposing? Are you trying to tell me with that dynamite dress, the expensive makeup and perfume, probably your best jewelry...you did all that just to come to dinner with a man you don’t even like?”
I sat in silence, unable to able to argue. Finn waved a hand at me, feigning dismissal, but the mirth in his eyes confirmed he was just kidding around.
“Oh, and third... I’m not cocky. I’m confident—the consummate lion king. I can be elegant, fierce, or even protective, but I won’t ever be a lamb.” The strong line of his jaw caught my attention as he stared at me carefully.
“Be that as it may, Hawk, thank you for bringing me to such a beautiful place. You told me to dress up, so I had to borrow a dress from Holly. You said to be fancy, so of course, I wore the clothes, makeup, and perfume. Did you think I’d come in my greasy coveralls?” I answered his questions with my own. Smiling as I picked up my drink, I lifted it to my lips and mouthed the word “cocky” one more time.
“Of course not. I just wanted to give you a taste of something different tonight... but you know, riders love getting dirty, so if that appeals to you more...” He shrugged far too nonchalantly for my taste. “You think I’m cocky to offer you something you’re not used to?”
Just then, our waiter returned with a serving tray filled with assorted meats and sausages, which I assumed was whatever Finn had ordered. I had no idea what any of it was, but judging by the delectable scent, I was ready to devour it all.
“Bon appetite,” Finn said as he offered me a small taste of one of the sausages.
“Fair enough. And you’re right, you’re a rider, so the only question that remains is… just how dirty do you like it?” Unable to keep from flirting back, I winked at him before changing the subject yet again. “Thank y
ou for sharing this with me. Why don’t you tell me about your time in Spain? Is it like racing in the United States?”
Inhaling deeply, I watched him reach for a piece of thinly sliced meat, his eyes glancing away for a moment but instantly returning to mine. I followed his lead and took a slice, cutting off a delicate bite.
“The racing is similar,” Finn continued, not yet noticing my reaction. “But the rest is very different. Spaniards have such a different and rich culture. You can find art and history everywhere, enough to inspire any artist.”
I chewed as I listened to Finn, surprised when the delicious flavor hit my tongue, making me moan in pleasure. “This is probably the best thing I’ve ever tasted.”
“No,” Finn said with a chuckle and a quick hand to keep me from cutting another bite. “You eat it with your hands, sweetheart. Never cut Iberian ham. I am glad you like it, though. It’s like prosciutto, but the flavor of Iberian ham is much more intense.”
“You eat it with your hands? Ham? Really? I thought you were just being gauche for my benefit. Am I at least allowed to bite the slice, or should I roll it up and stuff it in my mouth?” I asked sarcastically.
“Look,” Finn demonstrated, taking a slice between his thumb and forefinger, and lifting it to my mouth. My breathing picked up as he lowered it onto my tongue, then caressing my lower lip with this thumb. I chewed slowly, any remnants of resistance falling away as his eyes held mine. Not for the first time, a shiver ran through me, and goosebumps ran along my arms.
The sound that came out of me was something close to a moan. Finn smiled as he used a tiny fork to pop a cube of cheese into his mouth before taking a sip of his wine.
“Rolling it up into a bite-size piece also works,” he said after he swallowed his food, picking up another piece and rolling it. He offered it to me with a smile, but him feeding me had been so sensual, I just opened my mouth, and he didn’t fail me.
“I knew I’d have you eating out of my hands before long. What’s next?”
“What do you have to offer?” I asked, visions of him serving me in bed, completely naked, coming to my mind as our waiter returned for our order for the next course.
I was doing my best to show my most confident, self-assured side to Kenni, but inside... she had me wound up tighter than any woman had ever made me before. My desire for her had become a palpable need, one I was determined to satisfy. I already knew one taste of her would never be enough, so I was going to put the full force of my charm, every drop of Alpha Male blood in my veins, into making sure she was beneath me before the sun came up.
“Dorada a la Sal for the lady. I’ll have the sirloin steak. To drink, bring us a bottle of Pesquera Reserve, twenty-sixteen, please,” I ordered, glancing at our waiter just long enough to be polite as I placed the order for the second course.
“What are we having?” she asked, head cocked in the most adorable way. I could see the trepidation in her eyes. For all she knew, I’d just asked for monkey brains.
“It’s a salted fish. You’ll love it.” I was eager to see if she enjoyed the meal. I genuinely wanted to treat her to a special night and sharing myself through my love for all things Spanish was the best way I knew how to do that.
“What if I don’t like fish?” She tried to sound imperious and put out, but the gleam in her eyes gave away her anticipation.
“Then you’ll start tonight,” I replied easily, then chuckled, hearing her startled laugh. “Trust me! It’s good, Kenni. I’d never steer you wrong, you can count on that.”
“I really want to believe it, Finn.” I wasn’t sure, but I thought I saw those beautiful eyes begin to glisten as she whispered. I held my breath, trying to prepare myself for anything. “I really do.”
“Kenni, I can’t promise I’ll never hurt you or make you mad, but you can believe I’ll always have your best interests foremost in my mind. Not only that, I’ll stand with you, right or wrong. I made the lion comment to make you laugh, but that’s really me—strong, proud, protective. I’ll give you all those things.” I reached across the table, taking her hand in mine, and lifted it to my lips, placing a kiss on her palm.
With my eyes locked on hers, I stood, moving to her side. Leaning down, I placed the gentlest of kisses on her berry-colored lips, her jaw slack as I hovered over her. I contemplated scooping her up and driving straight back to my house, but I had more seducing to do. I wanted this night to end with Kenni feeling like the princess I thought she was.
Our food arrived in no time, and I was pleased when Kenni raved over her meal. She confessed she really adored seafood, raving over the Dorada a la Sal. My steak was perfectly
cooked, tender, and juicy. We spoke little as we made short work inhaling our food, but our eyes rarely left each other. I was ensnared by her beauty, the fierce look in her eyes that sent my blood boiling with sexual heat, and the glimpses of the gentle tilt of her lips as she smiled, melting my heart.
Each of our plates was nearly clean when we both sat back, stuffed. Kenni patted her belly while sighing heavily.
“I don’t think I’m going to be able to go out with you again if this is what I can expect.” She groaned, her hand now rubbing back and forth over her abdomen. “My waistline won’t be able to take it.”
“Don’t worry,” I replied with a wink. “I’ll make sure you work it off… with me.”
Kenni fluttered her eyelids comically and placed her napkin on her plate. Resting her elbows on the table, she looked at me carefully.
“I can’t eat another bite, so if you have dessert on your mind, you better order it to go,” she said, completely sidestepping my obvious proposition.
“I don’t want you to miss out on some truly exquisite cheesecake...” My eyes riveted on Kenni as I tried to tempt her.
“In that case, you need to get two orders to go.”
“I knew you’d see things my way,” I replied as I lifted my hand to signal the waiter.
***
Once back in my truck, two large takeout containers held in Kenni’s hands as she sat next to me, humming some unidentifiable tune, I tried to think of a way to prolong our evening. I drove aimlessly, but soon she began giving me directions back to her place, assuming I was lost.
“Would you like to come up?” Kenni asked as I parked in front of her apartment building. “Matt’s out for the night with his buddies. I don’t expect him home until tomorrow afternoon.”
I didn’t need to be asked twice. Hopping out and rounding the truck to help her to her feet, our leftovers forgotten, I took her hand as she led the way into the complex and up to the second floor of the three-story building. With every step, my heart pounded, the hair standing on the back of my neck. My cock swelled uncomfortably against my zipper, and my mouth went dry.
She leaned against the door, looking at me as she twisted the key in the deadbolt lock. In that instant, all the pieces of my life—past, present, and future—came together in my head. Entirely on instinct, I reached for her, pulling her into my arms.
When our lips touched, I felt the same frisson down my spine, I felt whenever I touched her, but there was an undercurrent of fire more intense than before. Kenni had never been an unwilling participant, but I’d always had to coax her or surprise her. This time, she buried a hand in my hair, pulling me as close as she could before planting her other hand on my hip and curling her fingers into one of my belt loops.
If I’d been waiting for a signal, it wasn’t going to get any louder. I reached down to cup her shapely ass, hauling her against me and encouraging her to wrap her long legs around my waist. Supporting her frame with one arm, I twisted the knob and pushed the door open without breaking our kiss. Once inside, I tore my mouth from hers and looked urgently around the dim room.
“Where?” My voice, rough with need, grated through the darkness.
Kenni just pointed over her shoulder toward an even darker hallway before dragging my face back to hers. I knew I needed to slow things down, to take my
time with her, but I was operating on pure animal drive, no real thought of anything but the moment and how sublime it felt.
I staggered forward and fused our lips again. We were wild and passionate, trying to get as close as we possibly could, yet it never seemed to be enough. Our clothes were a barrier between us, so I gently slid Kenni down my chest, dropping her feet on the floor, so I could whip my shirt over my head. Kenni turned and led me into the first room on the left, closing the door behind me. I turned, dropping my shirt as I saw her leaning back against the door, her dress falling from her fingertips. She stood there, in a sleek, strapless nude bra with cups so thin, I could make out the darker pink tone of her nipples through the fabric. I cleared my throat as my eyes traveled down the length of her body to a thong so tiny, I wondered why she bothered. It, too, lacked any embellishment, obviously a functional item, yet still sexy as fuck. I groaned when my cock swelled larger, my hand absently drifting to my waistband as I toed off my shoes. My stare never left her body. Biting her lip, I watched as she reached behind her back and released the clasp of her bra, allowing it to slip off her body.
Her breasts were perfect—not too big, not too small, a perfect teardrop shape crowned with blushing peaks so delicious, my mouth watered. As one, we moved forward, our lips crashing again as we awkwardly fumbled the rest of the way out of our clothes.
I feverishly hauled her up, wrapping my hands under the tight muscles of her ass, and pressed her back against the door. I was nearly out of my mind, the need to claim her primal and instinctual, impossible to deny. Balancing her between the closed door, my body, and one of my arms, I reached for my cock. With little fanfare, I centered myself and drove inside her sweet pussy. I groaned as her tight, velvety heat enveloped me, welcoming me as if I’d always been meant to be there. I vaguely thought I should slow down, ease myself into her lovingly, but my hunger ruled me, demanding satisfaction. I swallowed her cries with a kiss as I withdrew and thrust back in hard. Again and again, I hammered into her body, making the thin bedroom door rattle in its frame.
Ride: A Driven World Novel Page 8