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He gave me a knowing grin and chuckled.
A sliver of disappointment went through me when our drinks were finished and Caleb was getting to his feet. Part of me wished I could spend a little more time with him.
“Come on,” he said. “Let’s get you home.”
Sighing internally, I picked up my backpack and followed him. He led me through the hallways until we reached the exit doors directing us to the parking lot at the back of the building.
Caleb walked toward the lone bike parked among the cars. A moment later, he unhooked a helmet and handed it to me.
Suddenly, a new kind of panic flared inside me. I’d never been on a motorcycle before.
“Need help?” he asked, taking the helmet out of my hands.
Before I could say anything, he placed the big, heavy helmet on my head and deftly hooked the strap under my chin. A soft smile lit up his striking features as he stared down at me.
“Caleb?” I whispered.
“Hmm?”
“I have never been on a bike before,” I said in a low voice.
He sniggered and gently knocked the top of the helmet. Bending down so his eyes were at my level, he whispered, “There’s just one thing you’ve got to do.”
“Really? What?”
“Wrap your thighs around my waist and hold me tight.” He winked, straightened up, and walked up to his bike. “Come on.”
He mounted the bike, his long legs easily going over the side of the machine as he seated himself and arranged my backpack at his side. I followed after him, awkwardly trying to climb behind him. After a bit of struggle, I got on.
“Hold onto me tightly,” Caleb instructed, catching hold of my wrists and pulling on them so that my arms were wound around his waist. “Don’t let go,” he reminded me as I laced my fingers together, tightening my hold over him.
“Don’t worry,” I said in a low, grim tone. “I’m latching onto you like the clingiest octopus you’ll ever see.”
“What? An octopus?” His deep-throated chuckle reverberated through me as I held onto him. “All right, then. Hold on tight.” He stepped on the gas, making the bike vibrate hard. My thighs squeezed against his as I held onto him with all my might.
“Here we go!” With that, the bike shot forward, the revving sound of the powerful engine roaring in my ears. My shriek of half terror and half thrill joined the noise as we crossed the vast, sprawling grounds of the hospital yard in a matter of seconds.
Caleb slowed down as we neared the main gates leading out of the hospital but once we crossed it, he increased the pace, making us go shooting down an empty street.
The strands of my dark auburn hair streamed out behind me as the howling wind rushed past us. I could feel the power of the engine vibrating under my thighs as we moved at heart-pounding speed.
All my inhibitions fell away as I began enjoying the ride. It was amazingly freeing to have the wind roaring in my ears as we passed through the deserted streets.
Caleb was an expert rider. He maneuvered the bike with precise smoothness, weaving through the few cars on the road so we could pass them by.
Soon, we reached the dilapidated building that housed my apartment. Caleb brought the bike to a halt.
My hair settled around my shoulders. With the glass visor pulled down over my face, the sharp, cold wind hadn’t affected my face or eyes.
My arms felt stiff from holding onto him. Loosening my grip, I climbed off the bike just as awkwardly as I’d gotten onto it, feeling the stiffness in my thighs as well.
Caleb dismounted gracefully, looking even more beautiful with his wind-swept dark strands falling over his eyes.
I struggled with the strap of the helmet until he came to me and easily unhooked it, taking the helmet away from my head.
“Are you okay?” he asked, looking at me closely.
“Yeah,” I said, looking toward the apartment building. “I’m home.”
