He settled beside her on the couch and they fell into a comfortable silence watching
the movie. Cameron was complaining about how everything always worked out for Ferris.
Ryan chuckled. “You’re Cameron.”
Quinn raised an eyebrow as she sipped her tea. “And what, you’re Ferris?”
“Without a doubt. I’m the fun one.”
“Without a doubt. I’m the responsible one.” She sighed and then smiled. “I should’ve
guessed Indy would’ve put playing hooky on my list. This is one of her all-time favorite
movies.”
“What’s one of yours?”
“Favorite movie?”
“Yeah.”
“Hmmm . . . It’s toss-up. Either
Benny & Joon
or
Never Been Kissed.
I remember Indy took me to see
Benny & Joon
and when Mary Stuart Masterson looked at Johnny Depp and said, ‘Having a Boo Radley
moment?’ I was the only one in the theater to laugh out loud. I don’t think anyone
else got it.”
It figured.
He
didn’t get it.
“Boo Radley? From
To Kill a Mockingbird
? It’s a classic.”
This woman was more intelligent than he was used to. Maybe she was out of his league.
“What’s yours?”
Her question startled him back into the conversation. “That’s easy.
Die Hard.
”
She shook her head. “Guys. Never happy unless things are blown up.”
“Yeah, well, we like excitement.” Ryan thought of the relaxed, laughing woman he’d
spent yesterday with. “How’s your list coming?”
She grunted. “There are eight items on the list. Only one is done, which happened
because you dragged me out of here yesterday.”
“What’s your plan?”
“School is over in less than a week. Then I can focus on nothing but my list.”
Ryan looked at her and remembered Indy’s advice—help with the list. “What’s the next
thing on the list?”
“What’s your sudden interest in my list?” She leaned forward and put her cup on the
table.
“I’m offering my help. What any friend would do.” Besides, he planned to be her summer
romance. He scooted closer to her.
“I need a karaoke bar and a motorcycle.” She crossed her arms and waited.
“At the same time?”
“Ha-ha. No. They’re the next two things I want to accomplish.”
He’d seen the list. She was still playing pedestrian. She didn’t want his help with
stripping naked and having a wild orgasm. “What about the second half of the list?”
Her cheeks grew pink. “What about it?”
He wagged his eyebrows at her. “I can help with all of it.”
Her laugh was a nervous flutter. “No, you can’t.”
“I’m sure I can.”
She shifted in her seat. “You can’t be my summer romance, and the other stuff goes
along with it.”
“Why can’t I be your summer romance? We’re off to a good start.”
She bit her lower lip, her habit as she considered options. She wouldn’t agree that
easily.
“You can’t be my summer romance. A summer romance ends in the fall. I don’t want to
not see you anymore.” She shoved up from the couch and flicked off the TV in the middle
of Ferris singing “Twist and Shout.”
“When you start a relationship, you don’t give it a deadline. You let it play out.”
“I don’t want to lose this.” She fidgeted and bit her lip before continuing. “I don’t
have many people I consider real friends. You snuck into a spot and it’ll be ruined
if we get involved romantically.”
Was this Quinn letting him down easy, or did she really believe this? He grasped her
hand. The simple gesture brought a smile to her face. So he was back to helping her
finish her list, including finding her a date who wasn’t a loser, but who couldn’t
compete with him. “A motorcycle, huh?”
“And a karaoke bar.”
He stood, leaned over, and kissed her cheek. “I’ll figure it out and call you tomorrow.”
After he left, Ryan mulled over the entire problem. He didn’t see an easy fix for
the mess he’d gotten himself into. He wanted Quinn. She had a valid point about their
friendship. Unlike her, he was more of a gambler.
“Hey, Griff, it’s me. I need a favor,” Ryan said into his cell phone as he drove.
“Since you’re calling from your cell, I assume you don’t need bail money.”
“I haven’t needed that since my misspent youth. I need your motorcycle.”
“I’m not giving you my bike. You’ve never driven one.”
“I mean, I need you to give someone a ride.”
“If this someone is a she, I could probably arrange it.”
Ryan kept his sigh from being audible. “Yes, she is a woman. All I need you to do
is give her a ride on your motorcycle. Fully clothed.”
Griffin’s laugh burst over the earpiece. “Are you sure you’re not a lawyer? You’re
always looking to close the loopholes. How hot is she?”
“Don’t worry about how hot she is.” Quinn wasn’t Griffin’s type, if he had one. Ryan
was pretty sure anyway. “I’m trying to help a friend.”
“A friend. Sure. I’m booked for the next day or so, but I think I can squeeze in a
motorcycle ride.”
“Call me later so we can set up the ride. Thanks, Griff.”
“Anything to impress a lady, huh?”
“Yeah.” Ryan hung up. He wanted to do more than simply impress Quinn. Ryan needed
time to think and plan a list of his own. Quinn would have her adventures. He’d even
help her look for a summer romance. If he could draw out the completion of the list
through the end of the summer without Quinn falling for some asshole, she’d have to
give him a chance. Summer vacation was less than three months. Quinn hadn’t had any
luck with her dates so far.
Odds were in his favor.
CHAPTER 6
A
s the last bell rang ending the last regularly scheduled class of the year, Quinn
slid the remaining essays she had to grade into her bag. She’d have to come back for
the rest of the week for meetings and in-services and to input her grades, but for
all practical purposes, the school year was over. She sighed, hooked her bag on her
shoulder, and lifted her vase of daisies. The flowers still brought a smile to her
face. They sat in the passenger seat on her ride home.
As she pulled into her parking lot, her phone rang. The caller ID read, “Ryan’s Cell.”
When did his number make it into my Contacts?
She answered while easing into her usual spot. “Hello.”
“Hey, Quinn. It’s Ryan. Are you home yet?”
“I just pulled in.” She turned off the ignition.
“Good. Your motorcycle is waiting out front.”
“Huh?” she asked, mid-reach, trying to grab the vase.
“You said you needed a motorcycle, so I got you one.”
“I don’t know how to drive a motorcycle.”
“This one comes with a driver. Griffin’s out front.”
“Uh . . .” Her thoughts blurred.
“Hurry up and take your ride. I’ll call you later.”
He clicked off before she could question or thank him. She fumbled for her keys, forgetting
her bagful of essays and her daisies.
She turned the corner of her building and stopped. A leather-clad man leaned against
a huge motorcycle. If she had to guess, it was a Harley Davidson. The man’s eyes hid
behind amber wraparound shades, but she felt his assessing gaze. His black hair ruffled
in the breeze, and his five-o’clock shadow looked permanent.
A smile cracked across his chiseled face and lines bracketed his mouth.
Figures Ryan would know a gorgeous, motorcycle-riding bad boy. Too bad Indy’s not
here. She’d be drooling
.
He stepped forward. “Quinn?”
“Yes.”
“I’m Ryan’s friend. He asked me to give you a ride.” He handed her a leather jacket.
“Put this on. When you’re riding behind me, either hold on to my waist or these handles
next to your seat.”
She slid into the jacket. It fit perfectly. What kind of guy carried a woman’s leather
jacket with him? Did he have a variety of sizes at home?
“Any questions?”
She squinted as she looked up at him. “How safe is this?”
His chuckle didn’t make her feel any better, but he pushed a helmet on her head. He
climbed on the motorcycle and extended his hand to help her board.
I can do this.
She stepped forward and took his hand. The leather surrounding her creaked. She straddled
the black seat and gripped the handles beside it, grateful she wore jeans. Her back
stiffened as she tried to stop her toes from tapping in her sensible shoes.
The driver called over his shoulder, “You need to relax a little. This won’t hurt.”
He started the engine and the vibration of her entire body caused her eyes to widen.
Her knuckles whitened on the handles, and she clenched her jaw to keep her teeth from
rattling. Motorcycle man reached behind him and patted her thigh. The simple, friendly
gesture had her rethinking. She didn’t know this man. What if he was some nut job
taking her somewhere to kill her? What if he was a maniac who planned on scaring her
spitless by weaving in between cars on the highway? She hadn’t given him any parameters.
She didn’t even know how long this ride was supposed to last. She had essays to grade.
The motorcycle eased forward a few inches. He was Ryan’s friend, so he should be safe.
Quinn released the handles and closed the gap between her body and the driver’s. Her
arms circled his waist and she felt another chuckle rumble his diaphragm.
They sailed out into traffic with her eyes closed. The vibration of the motor under
her proved to be calming. She slowly opened her eyes and the city whizzed by. Everyday
sights became smudges of watercolor. They zoomed up the onramp to the Kennedy expressway.
Her heart sped and her stomach rose to her throat.
It was too early for rush hour traffic, so the lanes were pretty clear. The sun warmed
her arms as the black leather absorbed the heat, but the wind cooled her interlocked
fingers. She wiggled her fingers to restore circulation.
The abdomen she held was solid. She imagined it naked. The thought made her realize
his hips were nestled between her thighs. She took a slow, even breath.
No wonder so many people think motorcycles are sexy
.
At the next exit, they rolled down the ramp and back onto the streets of Chicago.
The crowded avenues slowed the motorcycle’s pace.
A bead of sweat trickled down her back and her head itched. She wished she were brave
enough to ride without a helmet. It must be a fabulous feeling with the sun on your
face and wind whipping your hair.
That
would be freedom. Or total stupidity, her sensible side answered.
The motorcycle turned the corner in front of her building and her heart sank. It was
like watching a roller coaster edge up the last hill. Like a five-year-old, she wanted
to scream, “Again! Again!” Instead, she waited for him to cut the engine.
When the motor stilled, Quinn inched her butt back, pulling her body away from motorcycle
man. Twisting his torso, he extended a hand to help her dismount. She tugged the helmet
from her head. Her hair stuck to her scalp, and running fingers through it only coated
them in sweat.
She handed the driver the helmet. “Thank you for a great ride.” “No problem.” He started
the engine.
“Wait. Your jacket,” she called as she unzipped the leather.
“It’s yours. Ryan sent it.” He revved the engine and sped away with the helmet strapped
to the rear seat.
Quinn stood for a moment and watched as he turned into a speck far down the street.
Nerves hummed throughout her body. Her leg muscles tingled. Like spasms after an orgasm.
She took an unsure step toward her building. Her weak but excited legs held her up,
so she continued.
In her loft, she slid the leather jacket off and folded it over her arm. The scent
enveloped her and she inhaled.
Way better than new-car smell
. She laid the jacket on the arm of the couch and picked up the phone.
She needed to share her excitement with someone. Although Ryan deserved a thank you
for the ride and the jacket, Quinn dialed Kate’s number. She knew it had been Kate
who added the motorcycle to the list.
“Hello?” The yelling and banging in the background nearly drowned Kate’s voice.
“Hi, Kate. It’s Quinn. What’s going on?”
“Hey. Nothing. Hold on.” Shuffling ensued and Quinn knew Kate took the phone into
hiding. “Sorry. The kids decided to do a last day of school parade with every noisemaker
they could find.”
“Sounds like fun.”
Not.
“Just wait. You’ll get your turn eventually. What’s going on with you? I haven’t heard
from you in a while.”
“Oh my gosh. You should’ve told me how great motorcycles are.” Kate laughed. “Who
did you find to give you a ride?”
“One of Ryan’s friends. Now I know why you were so eager to cut class in college to
ride around with what’s-his-name.”
“His name was Derek. He introduced me to many, many wonderful things.” Her voice floated
away for a moment. “But your first motorcycle ride . . . You never forget it.”
Quinn stretched out on the couch. “God, it was almost as good as sex.”
“Now that’s something you should try.”
Quinn rolled her eyes. “I think I have. Maybe not often enough, but—”
“I mean sex on the motorcycle, engine running.
So
hot.”
“Listen to you. You’re a mother of three small kids. You’re not supposed to talk like
that,” Quinn teased.
“They can’t hear me and I’m not dead. Like I said, Derek introduced me to wonderful
things.”
Quinn sighed. “Before you get lost in reminiscing about Derek, I need to let you go.
I have to get my bag and stuff from my car. I think it’s safe since the feeling in
my legs has returned to normal.”
“I need to check on the kids anyway.”
“Thanks for putting it on the list.”
“No problem. Thanks for the quick trip down memory lane.”
Quinn disconnected and went to her car to grab her bag and rescue her daisies from
suffocating in the heat.
She settled back on her couch and took note of the many ways Ryan had insinuated himself
into her life—daisies on her table, leather jacket on her couch, postcard stuck to
her fridge. He was suddenly everywhere. Her cell phone rang. Ryan. As if she needed
to punctuate her previous thought.
“Hi, Ryan.”
“How was the ride?”
“Fabulous. Exciting and scary and . . . I don’t know, hard to explain.” She suddenly
felt fifteen babbling to her first boyfriend. “Thank you for arranging it. The jacket,
however, is too much.”
“Does it fit?”
“Perfectly, but that’s not the point.”
“Sure it is. It’s a memento. Are you free for dinner?”
“Yeah. Where do you want to go?”
“That was easy.”
“I have a huge stack of papers to grade, but I’m too pumped to even think about them.
I need to wind down first. Plus, I owe you for ditching last week.”
“Excellent. I’ll be there in thirty minutes.”
“I’ll be ready.”
I’ll be ready?
What was she thinking? She needed to shower and dress. Her legs muscles may have
stopped tingling, but her whole system hummed.
Ryan had a hard time waiting the entire half hour. Quinn sounded so excited; he wanted
to see her face.
She buzzed him up without answering the intercom. Her door stood wide open. He’d have
to talk to her about the unsafe nature of doing that. He went in and closed the door
behind him.
“I’ll be down in a minute,” her voice floated down to him.
He surveyed the living room. His daisies sat on the table and the leather jacket lay
on the couch.
“Are shorts okay?”
“What?” he asked.
“Can I wear shorts, or do I need something less casual?”
“Shorts are fine.” He enjoyed seeing her bare legs and hoped sandals would accompany
them.
Moments later, she flew down the stairs wearing black shorts and a tank. She wore
no makeup, but the smile brightened and colored her face.
“So tell me about your ride.”
“I don’t know if I can describe it.” She paused and closed her eyes. A hand went to
her heart. “I was scared. Borderline terrified.”
Ryan moved forward and touched her arm. “I told Griffin to take it easy. What did
he do?”
“Nothing. Really nothing. He didn’t even speak much. It was . . . I don’t know.” She
spread her arms in front of her and stared at the empty space. “This big hulk of a
machine I had no control over and I had to trust a guy I’d never met.”
Her eyes rose to meet his. “It was fabulous. The noise, the vibration, everything
blurring by. It—” She stopped and closed the gap between them.
Her hands reached his shoulders and she brought her face to meet his. Her lips grew
hot on his mouth. Her fingers curled into his shirt to pull him closer as her tongue
darted into his mouth.
His right hand splayed on her lower back, pressing her close, as their tongues danced.
His left hand tugged at the hem of her shirt. He needed to feel her hot skin. As his
fingers brushed the bare skin above her hip, she nibbled on his lower lip. Blood pounded
and his brain shorted out.
Then she stepped away.
He stared at her. “Wow.”
“Yeah, that sums up my ride. Thanks for arranging it.” She turned to the front closet.
“What are you in the mood for?” As she asked, she bent over to reach for something
in the closet.
His dick twitched to answer what he was in the mood for. He was ready to take her
right there on the floor. Instead, he answered, “Pizza?”
“Sounds good.” She straightened and slid her feet into a pair of strappy sandals.
Her toes poked out in vibrant pink, screaming for attention.
He rushed past her and held the door open, hoping she wouldn’t notice his hard-on.
He’d been friends with plenty of women, some of whom he’d even slept with. He’d never
walked around sporting wood as often as he did with Quinn. It wasn’t natural. He needed
to get laid. In the meantime, he’d have a nice dinner out and enjoy Quinn’s company.
Unless, of course, he could convince her they could enjoy more of each other’s company
naked.
Quinn sat in the car and fidgeted like a nervous ball of energy, so unlike the quiet,
always-composed Quinn he usually saw. When he pulled up to Sorrentino’s Italian restaurant,
she popped the door open and jumped out before he even had his keys out of the ignition.