Page 23 of Bad Witch

“Why Raiden?”

“Pardon?”

“Why did you want Raiden?”

I didn’t really know how to phrase what had led to my decision. He waited for my answer, searching my face, his expression intent. “Well, there were several factors.” We said we’d be honest. If he wanted to know, it was only fair I told him.

“Okay,” he said. “What factors?”

“First, I wanted a male who knows what he’s doing, since I don’t,” I said and ignored the way his brows shot up. “Someone reasonably attractive, and someone who wouldn’t expect more from me than what I required.”

“What you required?”

“Yes.” Why was it suddenly hard to stand still?

“What do you require?”

“An experienced lover,” I said.

The bulge in his strong throat slid up and down, and the muscles along his jaw flexed. “A lover?”

Why did he keep repeating everything I said? “Yes, I decided it was time I took a lover. I’ve lived a…a sheltered life as I’ve said, and I want to experience everything now that I’m no longer…sheltered. He seemed an adequate candidate when we first spoke, but I obviously got it wrong.”

“You can do better than Raiden,” he said, so rough it was like he was growling at the same time.

I sighed. “He’s definitely not the one. I had planned to resume my search, but the whole situation with him put me off for a while, and I’ve also been rather busy.”

“Are you saying you’re still looking for candidates?”

“I am. Do you have any suggestions? You must know a lot of people in the city.” I spotted his bike across the lot, and my belly swooped with excitement. “Are you taking me home on your bike?”

He was silent.

I turned back. “I’d so love a ride on your bike.”

He muttered something, grabbed my hand and pulled me across the parking lot. “Sure.”

He swung his leg over the seat, started that big, growly engine, then motioned me forward. He held out his hand, and I took it and slid on the back. I wasn’t sure where to put my hands, but then he reached back with both of his and pulled my arms around his waist. Oh! I’d seen other females travel like this. Now I knew why they liked it. Fender was so warm and strong under my hands. A thrill raced through me. Pressed close to his big, muscled body like this, every nerve ending inside me seemed to burst into life, as if part of me had been dormant until this moment. Maybe it was silly, but that’s how it felt.

Brick opened the gate for us as we rolled toward it. The engine roared, and Fender tore out onto the street. Adrenaline spiked through me, stealing my breath. Tightening my hold on him, I threw my head back and laughed, unable to contain myself. I felt more than heard Fender’s deep chuckle. That was wonderful as well.

He steered the big machine effortlessly, and I never wanted it to end, but it didn’t take long to get to our destination.

When we finally hit the city, I clung a little tighter to him as we turned onto my street.

He pulled up outside All the Herbs and shut off the engine. One of his hands reached back again, taking one of mine, giving me something to hold myself steady as I slid off the bike. He swung off after me and taking my hand again—he’d been doing that a lot today—we headed for the short alleyway that would lead to my door.

Oh dear. “I’m fine, you can just drop me here.”

What if he asked to come inside?

He didn’t stop, he kept walking until we were right outside my fake apartment door. He stared down at me, and as hard as I tried, I couldn’t read him.

“Thanks for the pies,” he said. “And for your help with this weapon hunt.”

That was nice. “No problem. I love to bake. Almost as much as I love to solve puzzles, and finding those weapons is a big one.”

That amber stare grew a deeper shade. “It is. I owe you.”