AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Glancing around, I sucked in a breath at his words. If it was any other man, I may have slapped him. Gotten up to leave. Something. Nonetheless, I stayed glued to my seat and suddenly felt myself sweating.
“That’s not all I’m after. But there’s no need to sugarcoat it,” he went on, leaning on his elbows.
I opened my mouth but couldn’t find the words.
“Did I make you uncomfortable?” He asked. “I’m sorry. I am a man and you asked. Just trying to be straight with you. I must admit, seeing you again when I took you for coffee had nothin’ to do with our code.”
“I figured,” I breathed.
“Smart,” he said and changed the subject, thankfully.
Once I cooled down, the conversation flowed more smoothly than I had expected. He talked about his childhood in Knoxville, telling stories that were both fascinating and heart-wrenching. Both his parents died while he was still a teen, and he had been an only child. His grandfather, who took him in, was a biker for the Royal Bastards MC. Knox took care of him until he passed. The biker spoke of his club like a family, a concept that warmed me to him even more.
I shared tales of my family, my parents and my two brothers all out of state in Florida where I was raised before moving to Tennessee for college. Of course, I spoke of teaching, the challenges, and the victories. He asked about Emma, and I went on forever about my little darling, but I carefully steered around the jagged edges of my past relationship. I didn’t mention how I became a single mom. There was an understanding in his eyes, a recognition that some chapters were closed for a reason.
As we ordered, it was clear our tastes were as vastly different as we were. Knox ordered a burger, medium rare with fries, and I had salmon on a salad. It’s not that I was on a diet, but I didn’t eat red meat or fried foods, never really had. My tastes had never helped my waistline, though. Knox had a beer, and I had unsweet tea with a pink packet. That’s not to say that I didn’t drink. I just didn’t drink during the afternoon. After our date, I would pick up Emma and drive her home, returning to being a mom.
Even our postures were opposite. I sat up straight, bringing my food to my lips while Knox bent to his plate. His knees were wide, and my legs were crossed. Despite our differences, throughout lunch, our eyes locked often, a silent acknowledgment of the attraction simmering between us. It was disarming how my body reacted to him just being near—the way my pulse quickened, how my skin tingled. I had never been so attracted to a man ever before. Dare say not even to my ex-husband, Mark, when our love was new. Sitting across from me, Knox was like a living flame, and I was some bug, drawn irresistibly to his warmth, even as my mind cautioned me against the burn.
As we wrapped up our meal, Knox leaned back, his gaze lingering on me a moment too long, making my heart skip.
“How about we take this afternoon up a notch? It’s beautiful out, and I know just the place where the world seems to stand still. Let me take you for a ride, Eliza.” Knox smiled like the devil himself while offering.
I knew there was a double entendre in his invitation, a playful hint at more than just a motorcycle ride. The butterflies weren’t just in my chest. My cheeks warmed at the thought, a part of me tempted to say yes, to throw caution to the wind and let myself feel alive in ways I hadn’t in years. I could call Grandma and change the time I was picking Emma up easily. But reality, with its cold, grounding touch, reminded me of the stakes.
“I think I should head back,” I said, my voice softer than I intended. “But thank you, Knox, for lunch and for the company.”
This time I left before Knox could try to kiss me again, leaving him in the bistro. My drive to Grandma’s was a blur. His offer echoed within my thoughts, each thought of what might have been sending a thrilling jolt through me. Riding on the back of his Harley, back to his place and riding him. The urge almost made me feel sick to my stomach. It’d been way too long since I’d even let myself entertain the thought.
Once home, I put Emma down for her nap and headed straight for the shower, turning the knob until the water was almost too cold to bear. I let the icy stream wash over me, hoping it would quench the fire that Knox had ignited, at least for now.
As the water cooled my skin, I couldn’t help but wonder about the warmth of his embrace, about the adventures and passion his voice promised. The very thought of Knox was both tempting and terrifying.
Chapter 4
Eliza
Throughout the next week, my phone became a bridge between two worlds. Knox’s biker world and my mundane one. But of course, I loved being a teacher and my daughter Emma was my world. However, Knox was something else entirely.
With each text from him, our conversation ventured into territories that both thrilled and unnerved me. The words that flickered on my screen late into the night were daring, often pushing the boundaries of the safe, structured life I had so carefully built. Each message was like a spark, and I was drawn irresistibly to the flame, curious and eager despite my reservations.
Knox: Just thinking about that
smile of yours… it’s better than
any sunrise I’ve seen on the road ??
Eliza: You’re quite the charmer,
Mr. Knox. But tell me, do all
your sunrises come on two wheels?
Knox: Only the best ones.
Maybe I’ll show u one day
how about this Friday? ???
