8. Alice

8

ALICE

M y hands tremble as I apply the finishing touches to my makeup in front of the mirror. Fear and excitement swirl in my eyes as I stare back at myself.

What am I doing? Lars's sudden appearance at my office was a jarring reminder of how dangerous this man is. How completely unhinged he must be.

His confrontation with Derek left me mortified but also a little bit satisfied seeing someone finally stand up to that douchebag. The way he asserted his dominance and the veiled threats laced with a possessive edge should have sent me running in the opposite direction. And yet, here I am, getting dolled up for another date with this Lars.

The memory of our ride on the Tunnel of Love is still fresh in my mind, the way he expertly coaxed waves of pleasure from my body with his skilled touch. I squeeze my thighs together, trying to ignore the ache that's already building between my legs.

Glancing at the clock on the wall, I see it's eight o'clock. And then my doorbell buzzes, and my heart leaps into my throat. He's here.

As I step out into the cool evening air, I almost die at the sight of Lars waiting for me. He's leaning against a motorcycle with an air of casual confidence. Our eyes lock, and I can practically feel the heat of his gaze scorching my skin.

"You look ravishing, princess," he purrs, his voice like liquid sin.

I swallow hard, my mouth suddenly dry. This man is unhinged, a danger to my sanity and possibly my safety, but as he closes the distance between us, that intoxicating allure washes over me once more. I know I should turn and run, but the promise of pleasure outweighs the fear—at least for now.

I eye the helmet Lars hands me. "Where are we going?" I ask.

Lars flashes me a wolfish grin, his dark brown eyes glinting with mischief. "It's a surprise, princess."

Of course, it is. I should have expected nothing less from this infuriatingly enigmatic man.

Taking a deep breath, I grab the helmet and slide it on, hating that it'll ruin my hair. I should have known Lars would own a motorcycle. Swinging my legs over, I settle into the seat behind Lars. The heat from his body penetrates me as I press against his broad back, my arms snaking around his firm torso. I can feel the ripple of his muscles beneath his leather jacket and resist the urge to reach beneath and trace them with my hands.

Lars revs the engine, the powerful rumble vibrating through my core. I tighten my grip, molding myself against the hard planes of his back. His masculine scent—a heady blend of leather, motor oil, and pure, unadulterated male—invades my senses, making my head spin.

As we peel out onto the open road, I throw my head back in exhilaration. The world blurs around us, but in this moment, it's just Lars and me, two souls hurtling toward an unknown destination.

I lean in closer. "Where are you taking me?" I shout, my voice barely audible over the roar of the engine.

Lars doesn't respond, but I feel him chuckle. He's enjoying this, the bastard—keeping me in delicious suspense, dangling the promise of adventure before me like a carrot on a string in front of a fucking rabbit.

Well, two can play that game. Emboldened by the rush of adrenaline, I let my hands wander, tracing the contours of his lower abdomen, dangerously close to his cock.

A low growl rumbles in his chest, and I smirk in satisfaction.

"Careful, princess," Lars growls loud enough for me to hear. "You're playing with fire."

But I'm too far gone to heed his warning. Instead, I squeeze his dick, reveling in the way his body tenses beneath my touch. He lets out another animalistic growl, the sound sending a shiver of desire down my spine.

Suddenly, the motorcycle swerves, and I cling to Lars as he pulls off onto the side of the road. My heart pounds in my chest as he kicks the stand up, the bike tilting precariously beneath us.

And then he jumps off, pulls his helmet off, and turns on me, his eyes blazing with a hunger that takes my breath away. His hands are on me in an instant, pulling me off the bike and flush against his hard body. I can feel the heat of his skin, the raw power emanating from every inch of him.

"You don't know what you've gotten yourself into," he rasps, yanking my helmet off in one swift move so that his lips hover just above mine.

But I do. I know exactly what I'm doing, and I want it more than I've ever wanted anything. I surge forward, capturing his mouth in a searing kiss that sets my blood aflame. His tongue tangles with mine, hot and demanding, as his hands roam my body with a possessive intensity.

I moan into his mouth, my fingers tangling in his hair. I can feel his cock throbbing against my core, and I grind against him shamelessly, desperate for more friction.

Lars breaks the kiss with a growl, his eyes dark with lust. "Not here," he says. "I want to take my time with you later. We have a date to enjoy."

I protest as he pushes the helmet into my hands and returns to the bike, waiting for me to join him.

Wherever this wild ride takes us, one thing is certain: it will be one hell of a night.