“Even being a filthy piece of shit …” I mumble.

“Em, I’d roll around in shit then swim all the way across the fucking ocean, steal a bike to ride across the country, pilot a fucking plane, and then crash-land in your garden just to be with you.”

I try not to laugh, but I couldn’t hold it. Laughter bursts from my lungs, but I try to stop it as quickly as I can, because I shouldn’t be laughing right now. I should be mad, angry with myself for allowing him to seduce me again. Dammit.

When I regain my senses, I sigh and turn around, ready to walk out.

“Where are you going?” Chris asks, grabbing my arm.

“Back to my friend.”

“But we were having a good time together,” he says.

“Chris …” I jerk my arm free. “You know how I feel about it.”

This makes his brow twitch. I know he knows what I’m talking about. No matter how much time passes or how many times he tries to kiss me, it won’t change what happened … and that he ran away from what he did like a coward.

“Besides, it’s her birthday,” I say to break the ice. “Someone’s gotta keep her company.”

“Someone already is.” Chris points at Alyssa.

I notice she’s chatting with none other than the girl Chris was just dancing with. “How …”

But then Alyssa looks up and waves at me, and the girl next to her smiles.

“They know each other,” Chris says. “Alyssa actually invited her to her birthday as well.”

Chapter 17

Emily

“What?” My jaw drops, and I spin on my heels and tap on Chris’s chest. “She’s part of the setup? You knew that, didn’t you?”

“Your friend just wanted to give us a little nudge, that’s all.”

Angry as hell, I stomp toward Alyssa. “Seriously?”

“Sorry.” She laughs a bit. “But you have to admit, it helped.”

“So this was all a setup,” I repeat.

“Maybe … I mean, we’re friends, and I got a text from her saying she got approached by Chris before you even showed me that picture. So I invited both for my birthday celebration and look what happened …” She’s smiling like crazy, as if she’s the one responsible for getting Chris and me back together or something.

“How did you even get his number?” I ask.

“She gave it to me after texting him a bit. When she sent a picture of him, I couldn’t stop myself. I kind of asked her to play along while I set you two up …”

“You sneaky bitch …” I snap, shaking my head.

She shrugs. “This sneaky bitch just did you a favor.”

“Grr … I’ll get you,” I growl. “Somehow … you’re gonna get one hell of a payback.”

“Well, this is one birthday I won’t forget then.” She chuckles and sips her margarita. “You go have fun with Chris.”

“What? Why would I?”

She leans in. “Because you two obviously want each other.”

“But he’s a lying asshole,” I whisper back.

“Who cares? Just go along with it; maybe you’ll eventually like it.” She gives me a playful slap. “Let it go, let it go!” she sings, making me cringe.

“Okay, stop,” I say.

She dances a little to her own song. “I won’t stop singing unless you go and have fun.”

“But it’s your birthday,” I say, fighting the temptation to plug my own ears.

“Can’t hold it back anymore!” She keeps on singing.

“Okay, okay!” I say, as she twirls me around.

She pushes me straight into Chris, who’s right behind me. “Hey, beautiful.”

When my hand touches his chest by accident, my cheeks flush, and it makes me feel weird because I don’t normally get all hot and bothered by simply touching anyone, let alone Chris. Damn. It must’ve been the kiss.

“Wanna go somewhere else?” he says.

“No, we’re celebrating her birthday,” I say, clearing my throat.

“I’m fine,” Alyssa says with a smirk. “Like I said, go and have fun.”

“But,” I stammer, pleading her not to push me. I’m way too scared of where it’ll take me if I don’t hit the brakes right now.

“No buts,” Alyssa says. “I’ll be fine. I’ve got her, too.” She puts her arm around her friend’s shoulders and pulls her closer. “We’ll have plenty of fun together. Go on.”

“Yeah, Em. C’mon,” Chris says, grabbing my hand.

“Go with him,” Alyssa mouths at me, and I look back at her as Chris drags me through the crowd.

“Where are we going?” I ask him.

He glances at me over his shoulder. “Somewhere more private,” he says with a grin.

He pulls me out of the club and out to the street, and the cold makes me shiver quite a bit. Chris immediately takes off his jacket and wraps it around my shoulders. “Better?”

I nod, and he guides me toward the alley next to the club, where a bright red motorcycle stands at the ready.

“Is that yours?” I ask.

“Yeah,” he says as he gets on and leans back. “C’mon.”

“Oh, no.” I shake my head.

“What?” He frowns. “Afraid?”

“No, I’m not,” I lie, swallowing away my fear. “Don’t we have to wear special clothing for this?”

“I prefer to ride them naked,” he says with a smirk. Even though I know it’s a joke, it’s still making me blush. I can actually picture him riding that thing naked, and it’s fucking sexy. Dammit.

I roll my eyes. “I’d rather not get the police on our ass.”

“It’s only a short ride. They won’t catch us.” He bites his lip provocatively. “Don’t worry; I’ll be the only one getting your ass.”

I try not to show my shock, but it’s hard. Goddamn him, he really knows how to push my buttons. “Fine, just a short ride then,” I say.

Tiptoeing toward him, I manage to sling my leg over the seat and sit down behind him, putting his coat on properly, too. Wrapping my arms around his waist makes my heart flutter a little, especially when I feel his abs tightening through his shirt. He’s holding his breath as my fingers entwine around his belly, and I take in a short gasp when he moves. God, I can feel every inch of his strong muscles here. This makes me feel like a teenager again.

“You ready?” he asks with a gruff voice.

He pulls the handle as I say, “I guess,” making me even more anxious.

I never liked the speed these things could handle. It makes me think we’re gonna crash.

“Nothing’s gonna happen, Em. You’re as safe as can be on this baby.” He pats his bike as if it’s his girlfriend.

“Safe?” I repeat, feeling squeamish.

He licks his lips and throws me a glance. “Well, I can’t promise you that you’ll be safe around me.”

Oh, dear lord.

He rides it out of the alley and onto the street. “Hold on tight; it’s gonna be a rough ride.”

Somehow, I feel like he isn’t just talking about the bike.

He pulls the handle and off we go, shooting through the streets like a rocket. I can’t believe how fast it’s going, and at first, I’m terrified. He swerves through traffic, cutting corners when he turns, causing me to cling to his body even more. I think that’s why he’s doing it.

When we’re out of town and on a road much less crowded, he slows down a little, letting me enjoy the slight nighttime breeze. I don’t know where we’re going or how long we’re going to ride, but I have to say that it feels kind of freeing. With the wind blowing in my hair and my hands holding Chris tight, it’s almost as if I’ve had a weight lifted off me.

We ride for miles on a completely abandoned road until the town is far out of reach. He turns right onto a dusty road that’s a dead-end loop. Behind the trees, he stops, and I wonder where we are.

“What is this place?” I mumble.

“This is where I used to train, way back when we were still young. I used to come here every day with my bike and drive around in circles, always trying to increase my speed.”

“Hmm … so this place means a lot to you then.”

“Sort of.” I can hear him smile. “I come here to feel at peace.”

“Oh …” I don’t even know what to say. This must be where he left his demons. Where he tried to focus on the future instead of the past. Always racing toward something good … something better.