Chapter 100

He picked out new clothes for me. Tight jeans and an orange sweater with cuffed sleeves—topped off with a leather collar locked around my neck. While I liked the outfit, it didn’t make sense until I stood next to the garage watching him walk his motorcycle out.

“I’m not getting on that thing,” I said instantly.

“Yes, you are,” Killian replied.

“It’s a death trap!” I exclaimed.

“No more than any other vehicle we have,” he told me, chuckling. He pushed his sunglasses atop his head, those midnight eyes twinkling. “What happened to my mischievous princess who climbed trees half naked?”

That cocky smile of his did wicked things to my already frustrated lady parts.

“There’s a big difference between climbing a tree and getting on that.” I gestured to his motorcycle. I still didn’t understand why he even had it. “You’re not getting me on it.”

“Let me take you for one fucking ride, princess,” he said. He patted the seat behind him. “It’ll probably be the last one of the season. If you hate it, I won’t ask you again. Deal?”

I scrutinized him, which only made him smile wider. Damn man knew he was charming and disarming.

“Fine,” I relented. I was going to regret this. I just knew it.

“That’s my girl.” Killian reached for me. I slipped my hand in his and let him guide me through straddling the motorcycle behind him. He wrapped my arms around his stomach. “Hold on tight, baby girl. I wouldn’t want you to fall off.”

“That can happen?” I demanded. Immediately, I tightened my arms around him and squeezed my thighs around his hips. Damn man with his pretty smile talking me into things I shouldn’t do.

“Relax, Genevieve. I’ve got you.” He laughed, but the sound was lost as the engine roared to life. The vibrations hummed through my body while I inched closer to him. His palm rubbed over my thigh for reassurance—though no amount of reassurance could convince me this wasn’t a bad idea.

Nothing that man did could stop the loud squeal I let out as he eased out of the driveway and down the road, picking up speed quickly.

Cheek nestled between his shoulder blades with the smell of his leather jacket filling my lungs, I clung to Killian as I dared to lose myself in the sights around us. Fall looked different from the back of his motorcycle. Trees loomed overhead in a blanket of orange and gold while the forest breeze wrapped around us, but I wasn’t cold. The exhilaration of the engine vibrating through my body and the comfort of him against me was enough to warm me head-to-toe.

We took the scenic route with Killian slowing to let me take everything in. It was calm and peaceful. I understood why he loved this ridiculous motorcycle so much. It was a little vessel to a place outside of time. We were lost in nature and ourselves—just taking time to be. To exist.

To be something outside of our grief and our problems. Even if it was only for an hour, we needed it. I needed it. It left my soul rejuvenated and open.

And maybe I was kidding myself. After all, it was just a ride on a motorcycle with my husband. But it didn’t feel like that. Whatever this wonderful, serene feeling swirling inside of me was, I craved it.

From the way I felt Killian relax and loosen up in my arms, I knew he did too.