by Sara Desai
“I’ll take the leather.” Daisy pulled it on, her shoulders rounding with the unfamiliar weight.
“I knew you would.” He shot Liam an amused look. “Cool on the outside. Hot on the inside.” He reached for the zipper. “Just like you.”
Liam’s hackles rose, a surge of jealousy flooding his veins. What the fuck was wrong with him today? Hamish, twenty years older, with his shirt stained and his breath reeking of smoke, was hardly a threat, but some long dormant possessive instinct didn’t care.
With a soft growl he batted Hamish’s hand away and took over zipping up the jacket.
“This one has the most aggressive riding fit,” Hamish said, seemingly unaffected by Liam’s posturing. “It protects your spine and vital organs in the event of a crash. My friend Skeeter wore one of these. He was knocked off his bike by a transport truck, flew thirty feet through the air, landed in a ditch, and after three years of physical therapy he can now lift a hand to drink a beer. If he’d been wearing GORE-TEX, he would have had no arms left.”
“Do you actually sell anything with that pitch?” Daisy walked over to the mirror. “Or do most of your customers run away screaming?”
“Only the pussies.” Hamish handed her a pair of leather pants. “You’ll need these, too. They’ll protect your legs. I got this friend Wheels. He was pinned between two transport trucks. Doc said if he’d been wearing leathers, he might have had legs today . . .” He trailed off, his eyes growing misty. “We don’t call him Wheels anymore ’cause he doesn’t ride. We call him George.”
“Give her the heaviest leathers you’ve got with the strongest armor,” Liam snapped. “Full steel if you’ve got it. I want her to be safe.”
Daisy disappeared into the changing room. Liam could still see her through the three-inch gap left by the ill-fitting curtain. With a growl of annoyance, he stood in front of the curtain, blocking the view of anyone in the store. What the fuck was wrong with him today? It was like someone had flicked on a protectiveness switch and he was seeing danger in every corner.
His phone buzzed and he checked the message. He had to read it twice before the words sank in. Kevin Mah, one of Evolution’s senior partners, wanted him to return to New York to discuss partnership. The day had finally come. It was what he’d been working toward since he’d joined the firm. It was the culmination of a dream. Proof that he wasn’t the failure his father had always thought he would be.
Moments later, the curtain rattled open and Daisy strode out, a vision of hotness in head-to-toe body-skimming black leather. She’d taken out her ponytail and her hair lay loose and wild around her shoulders.
“I’m badass,” she whispered, staring at herself in the mirror. “Look at me.”
He was looking. And he was wanting—wanting with a ferocity that took his breath away.
“Hamish! Quit gawking at my girl.” He had a decision to make. But right now, all he knew was that he had to follow his heart, and his heart was strutting in front of the mirror, wrapped head-to-toe in black leather.
Hamish snorted a laugh. “I don’t think what you two have going on is complicated at all.”
* * *
• • •
PLASTERED against Liam’s back, her hands tight around his waist, the motorcycle rumbling between her thighs as they raced south on Highway One along the beautiful Pacific Coast, Daisy wondered what the hell she’d been thinking when she’d agreed to the ride.
The fastest she’d ever gone on the San Francisco streets was the day her family had taken Sam to Oracle Park to propose to Layla. Jana Auntie had pulled her Giants hat down low and raced her van through the busy streets to get him there on time. But even that stomach-churning ride was nothing compared to the total and utter lack of control she had as a pillion rider, or the sheer terror of being perched on a wedge of suede-like material about the size of a fluffy breakfast pav.
With zero space between her seat and Liam’s, her chest was pressed firmly against his back. Not a problem when they were cruising through the city streets at 15mph. Romantic, even. But when they hit the open road and he applied the acceleration, she couldn’t hold on tight enough, terrified of toppling backward into the exposed giant rear wheel, despite the little backrest Hamish had installed for extra security.
Although her riding leathers provided protection from the wind and flying bugs, it was lacking armor where it really counted. Between the endless bumps and the relentless vibration of the Testastretta DVT 1262 engine, Daisy could only wish for a new, more padded ass.
Forty minutes into the ride, they stopped for gas in Half Moon Bay. Liam helped Daisy off the seat and she grimaced when her feet partially hit solid ground.
“She’s a beast!” Liam grinned. “Are you feeling it?”
Oh, I’m feeling it. There was no point worrying whether they’d have sex ever again because she couldn’t feel anything below her waist.
Daisy nodded, not daring to speak in case the stream of invective running through her head came out of her mouth.
“You need help with the visor?” He flipped up the visor for her and she drew in a breath of cool, fresh air. With her hands frozen into claws from holding on so tight, there was no way she could have opened it herself.
“What do you think?”
Daisy thought a lot of things, none of which she could share with Liam, who was so overjoyed that she had come with him that he couldn’t stand still. Since she couldn’t lie to him convincingly, she fell back on the next best thing. “Wow—156 hp. I never imagined how that would feel. It’s like a street-legal rocket ship.”
“More than any bike on the road.” His eyes crinkled at the corners as he unlocked the gas tank. “Are you doing okay?”
“Just a little stiff.” She forced a smile through the mind-numbing pain shooting through her thighs and ass. Was it supposed to hurt this much? Although she wasn’t a fitness freak, she kept in shape with running and dancing, and once she’d joined an intense kickboxing class with Layla where the former drill sergeant instructor took it as a personal affront if they didn’t work hard enough to puke.
“The place I want to take you for coffee is another half hour or so through Redwood Park. Then I thought we could go up through Woodside and get back on the 92.” His smile faded the tiniest bit. “Or we could go back . . .”
“Go back? Are you kidding?” She pumped a fist with feigned enthusiasm. “I’m all in.” Her feet tingled as the feeling came back in an excruciating wave of pins and needles. “I’ll just hit the restroom and I’ll be good to go.” Gritting her teeth, she forced her feet forward, one after another, riding leathers creaking, inner thigh muscles quivering when she tried to force them together.
“Daisy? You sure you’re okay?”
She waved over her shoulder. “Peachy. I’ll be back in five.”
Alone in the restroom, she pulled out her phone and searched for blogs about the XDiavel’s pillion ride. All the glamorous black-and-white promotional images featured thin, beautiful smiling women in skintight leather, perched high on their miniature seats, looking relaxed and happy as their hair—unfettered by the inconvenience of a lifesaving helmet—fluttered in the breeze.
Maybe that was her problem. She had too much ass.
* * *
• • •
THIRTY minutes of pain and suffering later, they pulled up in front of a small wood building that looked to be a cross between a mountain chalet and a log cabin. Worn wooden steps led up to a sunny deck that overlooked the road, and carved wooden statues flanked the front door. Motorcycles filled the parking areas along the sides and on the street out front.
“Everyone comes here.” Liam pulled off his helmet, his eyes dancing with delight. “Families, bikers, hikers, equestrians, writers, musicians, Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, locals—”
“Mmm-hmm.” Afraid to open her mouth in case the tooth-rattling
ride had broken her crowns, she pried her fingers off his jacket, and contemplated how she was going to get off the seat. Pain had morphed into agony only five minutes into the second leg of their ride, and instead of enjoying the scenery, she’d shifted her focus to staying alive.
Using force of will alone, she managed to get off the bike. Far from being a relief, standing was worse than sitting, her muscles protesting the change of position, thighs locked apart in the indelicate pose of appearing to have wet her pants.
“Let me help you with that.” Liam parked the bike and helped her take off the helmet. Fresh mountain air rippled through her sweat-soaked hair.
“Liam!” A tall woman in tight black leather walked toward them, striding along all easy and loose, sleek dark hair fanning behind her like she hadn’t just done the same tortuous ride in a five-pound frizz factory helmet. Her thighs came together when she stopped in front of them, like normal thighs were supposed to do. She gave Liam a hug, murmuring something in his ear that made him chuckle. Daisy could have sworn she’d been in the promo picture for the XDiavel.
“This is Tanya Weber,” Liam said. “She and a friend founded Empower Ventures. Their venture team focuses on investing in female-focused industry disruptors. We’ve known each other for years.”
“In every sense of the word.” Tanya gave him a nudge and they shared another laugh.
In every sense of the word . . . Daisy felt a cold stab of jealousy at their intimate moment. It didn’t make sense. Her relationship with Liam wasn’t real. But the more time she spent with him, the more the line blurred and she didn’t know where she stood.
“Daisy is a senior software engineer for an exciting new start-up that’s focused on menstrual products,” Liam said. “She’s in line for a promotion to product manager. The company couldn’t run without her.”
Daisy grimaced. “I think that’s a bit of an exaggeration.”
“Take the compliment,” Tanya said. “Liam doesn’t throw many around . . . At least, he didn’t use to.”
At least, he didn’t use to . . .
Was the bitch purposely trying to goad her with little reminders about her shared past with Liam? Daisy’s teeth gritted together. Well, she got the message. Tanya was a cool, bike-riding, smooth-haired venture capitalist ex who clearly wasn’t suffering in any way after her journey. She was probably so tough she didn’t need any padding in her seat. Maybe she just sat on a board or the bare steel frame.
Liam ran a hand through his hair, ruffling the dark waves into a sexy tangle. Was he subconsciously grooming himself for Tanya? Or was he just too warm? “What are you riding now?”
“Triumph Street Triple 675. I got rid of the Ninja. Not enough power.”
“You like the naked styling?” Liam asked.
Tanya smirked. “Naked is my thing, as you know too well.”
Naked is my thing . . . As you know too well . . .
Daisy tried to shut off the snarky voice in her head, but something about Tanya set her possessive teeth on edge.
“Do you want to join us inside?” Liam asked. “We’re going to have a coffee before we finish the loop.”
Say no. Say no. Say no.
“Sounds good.” Tanya took a few steps and looked back over her shoulder. “Do you need a hand, Daisy?”
Only to slap you.
“I’ll loosen up a bit and meet you there.” She forced a smile, rocking her hips from side to side like she rode pillion every day.
By the time she’d lurched her way to Liam and Tanya inside the café, her back was covered in sweat, her jaw ached from gritting her teeth, and her muscles were trembling. Thank God she’d made the effort. Tanya was standing a little too close to Liam for comfort, and she had a hand on Daisy’s man.
“Have you found a table yet?” Daisy put her arm around Liam’s waist, pulling him into her side and forcing Tanya to drop her hand from his shoulder.
“It’s not looking good.” He put his arm around her shoulder. “I’ll have to get you a motorcycle as a wedding present and we can ride out here together when it’s not as busy.”
Daisy bit back a smile. Liam knew what was going on and he’d just made it clear where his loyalty lay.
Tanya’s gaze flicked from Liam to Daisy and back to Liam. “You two are engaged?”
“Best decision of my life,” Liam said, pressing a kiss to Daisy’s sweat-covered temple.
“What happened?” Tanya’s smile faded. “I thought you didn’t do relationships.”
Another squeeze. “I just hadn’t met the right person.”
Daisy gave Tanya a smug but sympathetic smile.
“Congratulations.” Tanya’s face smoothed to an expressionless mask. “It doesn’t happen for all of us.” She looked over Liam’s shoulder. “I see a table. I’ll go and grab it.”
Still walking like she’d wet her pants, Daisy held Liam’s arm as they followed behind her. “She seems nice,” she said lightly. “I take it you two were together at some point.”
Liam chuckled. “Briefly.”
“It seems like she wants to be together again.” She nodded at the people who were throwing amused glances their way. So what if they were laughing? They’d all been in her position once upon a time.
“Are you jealous?” he asked in a teasing, slightly hopeful tone.
“Of course not. Don’t be ridiculous.” She tossed her hair. “She doesn’t look half as good in her leather pants as I do, and she’s only got half the ass.”
Liam slid one hand down and squeezed her bottom. “Damn right. You’re the sexiest woman here.”
“You just like me in leather.”
“I like you out of leather more.” His smile faded when she lurched to the side. “Why didn’t you tell me you were so stiff? You can barely walk.”
“I walked over here just fine.”
“Because you were jealous.” A slow smile spread across his face. “Of Tanya.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
His eyes softened and he turned, pulling her against him. Leaning down to brush his lips over her mouth, he said, “You care.”
“Maybe I fake care because we’re fake engaged.” Her pulse kicked up a notch as he nuzzled her neck.
“Maybe you really care even though we’re fake engaged.”
Feeling bold and brave in her biker leather, she said. “What if I did care? What would you do about it?”
“I’d take a shortcut home,” Liam murmured. “And then I’d take advantage of the fact that you can’t close your legs.”
* * *
• • •
IT was everything he had imagined and more. Sunny day. Blue sky. Open road. His bike purring between his legs. And Daisy on the seat behind him. Arms wrapped around his waist. Legs tucked up against his hips. Chest resting against his back. He wanted it to go on forever. Not just the ride, but them.
She was his humraaz and he was hers, but he didn’t want to keep secrets any longer.
It was time to tell her how he felt. He loved her. He loved her quirks and eccentricities. Loved her eclectic clothes and fancy shoes. Loved her schedules, lists, and plans. He loved her passion for trivia and all things Marvel, the fact she could hack a game and own it, and that she was the smartest woman he knew. And he loved how dedicated she was to her family, how she adored and respected them, but wanted her independence, too.
He heard the high-pitched rev of an engine behind him. Tanya shot past, a blur on her red Triumph. If it had been any other day, he would have hit the throttle and chased after her. But he had Daisy with him, and he wasn’t in a hurry to get home. This was their last date, and that meant they were almost at the end of her dating plan. Only one thing remained—the meeting with her family. And one huge obstacle—her dad.
He had a speech all planned out. An apology. A partial explanation. He would
show Mr. Patel that he’d turned his life around. That he wasn’t the man who had disappeared in the middle of the night. That he loved Daisy. And it wouldn’t be a lie.
He could only hope she loved him, too. That when their fake relationship ended, she would want to start something real.
Or maybe they already had.
He rounded a corner and saw a truck barreling toward them, trying to overtake a vehicle in the oncoming lane.
Heart pounding a frantic beat, he made a split-second decision and drove onto the shoulder, pumping his rear brake as they hit the gravel. The bike skidded, heading for the concrete retaining wall. Liam released the handlebars and, in one fluid motion, he twisted, grabbed Daisy, and threw them both off the bike. His body hit the ground with a teeth-rattling thud. He rolled and rolled until the world began to fade. He reached out his arms, but Daisy was gone.
• 26 •
LIAM had no idea how long he’d been sitting on the chair outside Daisy’s hospital room. It could have been an hour or a day or a week. All he knew was that he couldn’t leave. Not until he knew she was okay. Not until he’d said goodbye.
Bent over, elbows resting on his knees, head down, he stared at the floor. He was vaguely aware of people going in and out of Daisy’s room. Old and young, family and friends, nurses and doctors. Her family had rented a function room somewhere in the hospital where they could gather and support each other, sending people two at a time to her room so she wouldn’t be alone when she awoke. He figured they must have brought enough food to feed an army. Every hour or so, someone would offer him a plate, but he couldn’t eat. Daisy couldn’t eat. Why should he?