Page 7 of Just Between Us

“I’d tie you up, all right,” I say under my breath, and she slaps my arm playfully.

She might be saying she can’t follow me, but she’s now slid from the booth, and I quickly follow. Guiding her by the elbow, I head to the bar.

“Sheila, would you please tell my new friend Cassie here that I’m no serial killer. I’m even giving her drinks on the house tonight.”

Sheila’s known me all my life, running around Singing River, wreaking havoc when I was young, and not much better as an adult.

“Young lady, you’re safe with our William.” Cassie’s eyes cut to mine, gleaming with delight and she mouths “William.” But when Sheila speaks again Cassie turns back to her. “He’s a bit of a charmer, a Casanova, but he has a heart of gold. You can trust him.”

I look at Cassie, one brow lifted.See?My brow says.You can trust me.

Her eyes travel between Sheila and me, deliberating, and seems to make a decision.

“Fine.” Turning to Sheila, she says, “My name is Cassie. I’m happy to formally meet you.”

Sheila takes her hand, winking over at me then busies herself zeroing out Cassie’s tab. Meanwhile, Cassie is worrying her bottom lip, clearly still uncertain about leaving with me. Before she can talk herself out of it, I duck down and haul her over my shoulder.

“Liam! Put me down!” Cassie protests, slapping me on the ass between gasps of laughter.

“Simmer down, gorgeous.”

“Have fun you two,” I hear Sheila call to my back as I carry Cassie out the door and into the summer night air.

When we get outside, I head to where my motorcycle is parked up against the building and set her down. Her face is flushed from being flipped, and she grabs my arm to steady herself.

“You okay?”

“Of course I’m okay, but you’re a Neanderthal.” She might be calling me names, but she still hasn’t let go of my bicep. I look from her grip back to her face, and she jerks away, balling her fists at her sides.

I could flirt or say something suggestive, but right now I’m caught up by how pretty she is. There’s almost something innocent and wholesome about the way she’s peering up at me, eyes curious despite her uncertainties. Down her chest, dermal piercings sparkle from the street light, catching my attention, before it goes to her hair. It’s been set free, now a tumble of darkness halfway down her back. She brushes a strand behind her ear, pausing to twist one of the gold hoops again.

“What are we doing out here, anyway?”

Placing both hands on her shoulders, I spin her, gently guiding her closer to my bike.

“We need a night ride.”

I expect her to protest, but she just watches in silence while I unhook the spare helmet from the sissy bar. She still doesn’t say a word when I plop it onto her head and work to secure the chin strap.

“I’ve never been on a motorcycle,” she finally admits, while I buckle my own helmet. “I’m a little scared.” Cassie’s eyes are still lit up with curiosity, darting from my bike to me.

“What did you say in there?” I ask, jerking my head toward the bar.

“That I want to find myself again.”

“Exactly. Letting the wind hit you under a summer night sky is a perfect way to start.”

“Will you go slow?”

I help her climb on before getting situated in front of her. Her hands settle on my back, like she doesn’t know what to do with them. But when she slides closer and they drop to my hips, I tell myself the jolt of awareness I feel has nothing to do with her body pressed to mine. Turning the ignition, my bike growls to life, and just to show off I twist the throttle and steer us onto the street.

Over the roar, I have to raise my voice and Cassie presses in closer.

“I won’t let anything happen to you, Cassandra. Now, wrap your arms around me and hold on tight.”

That’sthe last thing he says before we’re flying down the streets of Singing River. Liam did not, in fact, go slow. He took off like a bat out of hell, while I let out a shriek, squeezing my eyes shut and wrapping my arms more tightly around his solid torso.

A thrill runs through me; unlike anything I’ve experienced before at the feel of my chest pressed firmly to his back, so close I might as well be fused to him. I’m acutely aware of every touch point, my thighs bracketing his hips, the way his muscles shift beneath his shirt as he handles the bike.