Chapter 13

This couldn't be real. Was he just trying to say the right things because he thought he was going to get in my pants? Was this some kind of ploy? It was a weird one if that was the case.

After I rambled on, he offered some ideas about organizing a fundraiser and rallying the community. I saw him in a whole new light. For the first time since news of the library's impending doom had broken, I felt a ripple of hope. This stranger, suddenly not so strange anymore, was standing beside me with a shared goal. I wanted to believe his words were not just empty promises. He seemed serious.

As we finished our meal, the plan started to take shape. We discussed reaching out to local businesses for donations, creating flyers to raise awareness, and organizing a petition to present to the city council. The more we talked, the more convinced I became that we could make a difference. I was no longer alone in this fight. Together, we would save the library.

My phone buzzed with a notification from Karen. "Sorry," I said, not wanting to be rude.

"Go ahead."

I opened the message from Karen. She had created a group chat with me and Rylee. It was a link to a rental property. I sighed but knew it was inevitable. I couldn't pretend it wasn't happening.

I clicked on the link and was met with images of a modern house, complete with a sparkling white kitchen, cozy living room, and swanky black and white bathrooms. It was undeniably beautiful, but it left me feeling cold.

I slipped my phone back into my pocket and offered an apologetic smile when Archer noticed my frown.

"What's up?" he asked.

I hesitated, unsure if I wanted to burden him with my problems. But he'd proven to be a very good listener with some pretty good ideas.

I sighed. "It's just my living situation."

"What's with your living situation?"

"My girlfriends and I rented a house," I explained. "A big house. There were five of us but two have moved out and are married or almost married. So, it's just the three of us and the rent is too much. We have to downsize."

"I'm sorry."

"My roommate, Karen, sent us a link to a rental property she wants us to check out. It's nice and all, but it just feels wrong. It's within our budget and I should be excited about it, but I just can't be happy about moving."

"Why?"

I couldn't help but smile. "I guess I don't like change. I'm probably going to lose my job. I'm losing my house. Everything is changing."

Archer nodded in understanding, his expression thoughtful. "Change can be scary," he said. "But sometimes, it's necessary. Leaving your comfort zone is part of life. You never know what's on the other side if you don't take a leap of faith. It can be terrifying, I know. But sometimes, the most unexpected turns in life lead us to where we're meant to be. Maybe this new place will bring you new opportunities, new friendships. Who knows? You might actually like it."

"I guess you're right," I said softly. "Maybe it's time for a new chapter. But I really like our house. We made a lot of good memories there. With my two friends finding love and starting new lives, it just feels like everything is changing so quickly."

I took a drink and realized I was pouring my heart out to a total stranger. I couldn't believe I was telling him all this stuff. Why would he care about my living situation?

"Remember how you felt about riding my motorcycle?" he asked, a playful twinkle in his eye.

I smiled, knowing exactly where he was going with things. "Yes."

"At first, you hated it. But then, you were having fun. Right?"

I couldn't help but smile. The rush of adrenaline and excitement was still fresh in my mind. "Yeah, I guess so," I admitted. "But I'm not sure a twenty-minute ride on the back of your bike is comparable to moving into a new house."

"It's all about perspective," he said. "You have the power to change the way you approach this change. You can choose to embrace new experiences and grow from them or fight it tooth and nail and make yourself miserable."

I chuckled, unable to resist teasing him. "How many self-help books have you read?" I asked.

He grinned, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Let's just say I had a good chunk of time on my hands a few years ago. Gave me plenty of time to catch up on my reading."

"You really enjoy reading," I said.

"That surprises you?"

"I'll admit you are not my typical patron." I smiled.

"I do love to read," he said. "I read a lot. I read just about everything. I just like it."

"Me too." I nodded.

He paid the bill, and we walked out of the restaurant together. I looked at the bike, kind of like I would look at a snake. It was the old fear bubbling up. I reminded myself I already went for one ride and survived. I actually enjoyed it.

A few guys approached his bike, looking it over with obvious admiration. Archer stepped in front of me. "Excuse me, gentlemen," he said.

"Is this your bike?" one asked.

He nodded. "It is."

They started asking him questions. He politely shooed them away. "I'm sorry, I'm out with my girl," he said. "We're headed out."

To my surprise, they complied, nodding in understanding before dispersing into the night. I watched in awe as Archer helped me with my helmet, his movements confident and sure. When he called me his girl, a rush of warmth flooded through me, leaving me with a thousand butterflies fluttering in my stomach. I said nothing, but the words lingered in the air between us, charged with meaning. It felt like he was staking a claim on me, which I never expected. I certainly never expected to like it.

I gazed up at him, his eyes dark and focused as I tried to see him. Like really see him. He was such a mysterious man, with layers I couldn't wait to peel back.

"What?" he asked when he noticed me staring.

"I'm just trying to read you," I admitted.

He chuckled, a playful smile on his lips. "Like a book?" he asked, his tone teasing. "Any luck?"

I shook my head. "Not even a little. I don't know what to think of you."

"I like to keep people guessing," he said with a wink. He pulled on the leather jacket he had kept in one of the bags on the side of the bike. "Do you want to wear this?"

"I'm warm," I said.

He put it on, zipped it up and climbed onto his bike, looking effortlessly cool as he mounted the seat.

Damn.

The man was as sexy as sin. I got onto the bike behind him, feeling a thrill of excitement. I wrapped my arms around him and settled in for the ride.

"You're already an expert," he remarked over his shoulder, his voice filled with amusement as he started the engine.

This time, the vibration of the engine was thrilling. It promised excitement. I held on tight as he accelerated away from the curb and peeled out into traffic, the wind whipping through my hair and laughter bubbling up from deep within me.

Maybe he was right. Maybe leaving my comfort zone wasn't such a terrible thing after all. I leaned against him, appreciating the warmth of his body. I inhaled deeply, smelling the leather and his very unique scent.

"Want to go for a ride?" he asked.

"Sure!"

As we sped off into the night, the city lights blurred into streaks of color around us. The cool wind kissed my skin, sending shivers of exhilaration down my spine. I couldn't help but let out a laugh, feeling the freedom of the open road wash away my worries.

Archer guided the bike with expert precision, weaving through traffic effortlessly. With each twist and turn, I felt myself growing more attached to him, to this newfound sense of adventure that he had brought into my life.

I noticed people noticing him. I felt like the luckiest woman on the planet just then. The women sitting in their cars were ogling him. I didn't blame them. And here I was, clinging to him and getting to enjoy the ride of my life.

"I'll take you home," he said when we were at a light.

I nodded and gave him the directions to my house. He seemed to know the city well. I actually felt safe with him. That was about the last thing I would have thought I would feel with him.

By the time we reached my house, darkness had fallen. He cut the engine, and we were plunged into silence. My legs were tingling once again, for so many reasons.

"Thanks for the ride," I said as I climbed off. I pulled off the helmet and quickly smoothed my hair down, not that my fingers could tame it.

"You're welcome," he said. "Did you have fun?"

"I did. Thank you for dinner. I guess it was the pick-me-up I didn't know I needed. Thank you for hearing me out."

"Absolutely. And I meant what I said. I want to help try and save the library." Archer insisted on walking me to my front door.

"Thanks again," I said.

But before I could unlock the door, he caught my wrist and pulled me back to him, his eyes dark with desire. "I've been thinking about this all day," he murmured before leaning in and capturing my lips in a kiss that left me breathless.

When he pulled away, a satisfied sound escaped his throat. "Perfection," he whispered. "Better than I expected." With a final smile, he turned and walked back to his bike, leaving me standing there, flustered.

Now, it wasn't just my legs tingling. My lips were tingling as well. I touched my fingertips to my mouth. I couldn't believe he had actually kissed me.

I walked into the house, locking the door behind me. I heard his bike start up and quickly moved to the window. I watched him ride away, my heart pounding in my chest. My thoughts raced as fast as his bike. I wasn't sure if my thighs were tingling from squeezing so tight on the motorcycle or because he had stirred up feelings inside me that I had never experienced before.

I floated through the house, still reeling from the unexpected intensity of Archer's kiss. I found myself pacing my room, unable to shake off the rush of emotions that coursed through me. His intoxicating scent lingered in my mind, mixing with the thrill of the ride and the heat of his lips on mine.

The undeniable chemistry between us was unlike anything I had ever experienced. I wondered if that was what Jenny and Lauren felt. Part of me wanted to go all in with this guy. But another part of me hesitated, wary of diving headfirst into something so unknown and unpredictable.

One dinner did not make a relationship. There was still a lot to learn about him. I wasn't sure if what I was feeling was just the thrill of a new adventure or if it was really about him.

But I did know I was going to at least give him the benefit of the doubt. If he did come into the library and want to talk about that fundraiser, I was going to have a very open mind.