As he puts down his tools and notices Lizzie at my side, his smile widens. When I glare at him with a warning, his eyes register in surprise, but he says nothing, and I let out a low breath.

“Great, mate. Cheers. This is Lizzie; she’s doing the interview I told you about for Nitrous magazine.”

He nods in recognition and turns to Lizzie. “Good to meet you, Lizzie. I hope we’re meeting your expectations, and the boss is looking after you?” Spud wipes his hands down his shirt and extends one for her to shake.

“Actually, the boss here”—she aims a thumb in my direction—“is taking me out on his bike. I’ve never ridden one, and apparently that needs rectifying.”

Spud’s eyes expand into saucers. I never take women out on my bike. Ever.

“Cool. Well, enjoy.” Spud speaks to Lizzie but keeps his inquisitive gaze fixed on me.

As I guide Lizzie over to the reception area Spud turns away, a shit-eating grin plastered on his face. I grab a spare helmet and pass it over to Lizzie.

“Here, hold this a minute. I’ve just got to go get my helmet and jacket from the back office.” I turn on my heel and stride off in search of my things.

The back office is the only room not viewable from the workshop. As I enter, I turn and quietly close the door. Leaning back against it, I let my head drop back with a satisfying thud. What is it about this woman that’s affecting me so hard? What makes her so different from the others? I can’t figure it out. Many women have tried, and failed, to attract my attention for more than a couple of hours. Shit, sometimes just minutes. But this woman isn’t even trying and she has it, undivided. And for some crazy reason I want more time with her.

I take in a deep breath and let it out. I can’t take long, but I need a little timeout to gain some perspective and restraint, which seems to vanish into thin air around the woman waiting for me. Running my hand through my hair, I give one last deep sigh, then grab my gear, a spare jacket, and head back out into the workshop.

I take the chance to observe Lizzie without her knowledge, and the sight has me stopping in my tracks. She’s fucking stunning and totally oblivious, which just enhances her beauty. She stands with her fingers curled tight around the helmet I gave her, shifting her weight from foot to foot. Nervousness rolls off of her. Caramel hair falls around her shoulders, itching for me to grab it. I flex my fingers in response.

I take a look over at Spud. He’s watching the scene before him play out from the corner of his eye. His blue eyes meet mine, the shit-eating grin still on his face as he winks at me and turns away. Smirking at Spud’s reaction, I stride back over to Lizzie.

“Apprehensive?” I tilt my head and study her, waiting for her answer.

“Terrified would probably be a better word to use.”

I can’t help but laugh at her dry response. “Here.” I pass her the spare jacket. “Your coat isn’t suitable for riding on the back of a bike. I know it’s mild out, but the wind will still whip through it. Just leave your things here. We won’t be long.” I point back in Spud’s direction as I wink at her. “He’ll be here all day.”

Nodding her thanks, she places the helmet and her belongings down on a side bench. She buries herself inside my jacket, and it strikes me how good she looks engulfed by it. Rubbing a hand over the back of my neck, I try to pull myself together. She’s just a woman, it’s not like I haven’t come across the species before.

“I think it’s a little big.” She gives a nervous laugh.

“Nah, it’s perfect. Come on.” I grab her helmet and head out into the car park.

I glance back to ensure Lizzie has followed and not chickened out and find her right behind me. On reaching my bike, I lift my leg and straddle her. The relaxation is almost instantaneous, and I smile at the feeling. Turning to Lizzie, I realise she’s frozen, her eyes wide and her mouth agape.

At first I think it’s in fear, but her eyes sparkle and colour creeps up her neck. I give her a lopsided smile. Her breath catches and a heated look flitters across her face. I know that look. I’ve seen it a hundred times. Desire. She’s fucking turned on. The need I’m trying to restrain burns deep in my stomach and my cock throbs in response.

I pat the seat behind me. “Up you come then.”

She tentatively steps up to me. Without thinking, I reach out to move her hair behind her shoulders, and my fingers tingle at the contact with her skin. Her nervous eyes flick to mine as I raise the helmet and place it onto her head. I wish she’d say something. Our eyes lock instead. I could get lost in those eyes for days, they’re the perfect storm, and they’re holding my gaze. She’s like the human version of crystal meth, and I’m fucking addicted. I can’t look away and she’s the one to break eye contact. I hold my arm out for support as she slides onto the bike behind me.

I return my gaze to the asphalt before me, my focus front and centre. Lizzie being pressed up against my back feels like… home. It’s such a weird sensation to have. My body thinks hers is where it belongs. Like it’s found its mating piece of the jigsaw. I draw in a long breath as I pull my own helmet over my head, releasing it in a rush. I reach back, grab Lizzie’s arms one at a time and wrap them around my waist. My whole body becomes hyperaware; my nerve endings burn with her proximity, yet a sense of complete calm washes over me at the same time. The whole reaction unsettles me.

For a brief moment I want to be that guy. The protector. The saviour. I want to be the first thing she sees every morning. I want to hold her when she cries, and I want to be the reason for every smile that passes over her beautiful face. She’s a total stranger, and yet…

I want her to be mine.

I stamp hard on the thoughts running riot in my mind.

I’m not that guy.

I press the ignition and tweak the throttle, which gives a satisfying grunt. And I make sure to check she has her feet securely on the pegs before gunning out of the car park.

The minute we’re on the road, I’m in my element. Her arms wrap tighter when we hit the first corner, then relax a little. I could get used to this. Her heat surrounding me, her touch, they both centre me. I gun the throttle harder as we hit the Mad Mile, a long stretch of open road, and she nuzzles deeper against my back. She feels familiar—comfortable. I need to get away from her because I like it way too fucking much. We ride a few more winding lanes and head back to the workshop.

The ride doesn’t last half as long as it should. I know those roads like the back of my hand. I could have kept going. But unable to deal with the unusual thoughts flooding my mind about hearts and flowers, we come to a standstill outside Ignition. My feet hit the ground and I run through the ritual of turning off the bike. Her arms are still bound tightly around my waist and I don’t want her to let go.

I have no idea what’s going on with me.

She shifts behind me and her grip loosens, my urge is to hold on tighter, but I let her dismount. As soon as we lose contact, my heart rate increases, and panic over not seeing her again builds in my stomach. I hang my head for a fraction before pulling off my helmet and turning in her direction.

As she lifts off the spare lid, her hair falls over her shoulders, and I chuckle at the markings on her forehead and chin caused by the helmet.

Her lips slightly quirk and she’s unable to meet my gaze. She’s still nervous.

“How did you like that?” I reach for a stray hair strand caught in her lips and brush it away; my fingers graze her skin a beat longer than needed. I enjoy touching her. Her lips part and her eyes settle on mine, then her mouth creeps into a shy smile.

“I loved it. Thank you for giving me the experience.”