Here's a taste of Carli's Kills. Jake still thinks Carli's suffering from PTSD...and she might be...so after a second conversation where they learn a bit more about each other, he invites her on a midnight picnic to his favorite spot in the area.
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"You can hold my waist, if you want," he chuckled. "I promise not to take advantage if you don't."
She laughed. "Didn't want to seem too forward."
"You never rode a bike, before?"
"Ten-speed."
"Yeah...this is a little different."
She slipped her arms around him and he set the bike in motion. Smooth and easy. Nothing crass like the hogs, the night before. Just another light thrum...and in moments they were whispering down the road.
Carli almost gasped at the gentleness of the wind as they zipped along. The tenderness of it. The elegance. She looked to the left to watch dark scrub and even darker mountains in the distance almost appear to be pacing her in ways that seemed too real to be right. To her other side, the space was more open, the dark cacti and bushes extending all the way to the end of the world so they could meet the sky. Looking up revealed the deepest, blackest velvet gleaming with stars enough to put the overwhelming lights of the LA basin to shame. And with it all was the soft silence, punctuated only by the gentle engine as they sped along.
Without thinking, she lay her chin against Zeke's left shoulder. Strong and yet so welcoming. The leather of his jacket seemed to rejoice in her presence...and the smell of him...the casual masculinity of him...she felt close to drunk from just breathing him in.
He wasn't solid around the waist; she could feel a bit of a tummy, even through the jacket. She could also make out his belly button was a little innie...and feel the top of that buckle and wonder how he kept it from cutting onto him. On top of this, she noticed he did not cringe or tremble at her touch. No discomfort. Just him as anchor to keep her on the bike.
But the emotions running through her were intensifying. This moment...this pinpoint of time...she felt as if it were poetry. Like it was the world as it should be. One person connected to anther and surrounded by peace and understanding. Clear wind caressing them both. One pressed close to the other in a way that grew more and more sensual as the ride continued. It made her almost happy.
How long had it been since she was with a man? And not just one used to scratch an itch, but one she felt was worth being with? Liam? Her laughing Aussi, who'd been named after that Irish actor and had a lot of his look and attitude, but with dancing eyes and a perpetual grin instead of that sad sack aura. Probably came from being raised in Brisbane instead of Dublin.
She had joined his Aikido classes in LA, and watching him demonstrate his moves was like watching art come to life. She also knew from the start he was ten years her junior, and was seeking a career in Hollywood...but was finding that since Covid all doors were closed to newcomers unless they came with more than just a nice face. And Liam's was very, very, very nice.
Oh, was he ever nicely built. Trim and easy, walking like a panther instead of a lumbering ox. She had suffered a few too many of those. But Liam? Liam had been like a cat that loves to curl itself around your neck and shoulders, and just sit there, purring...especially after sex and just before sleep.
Initially, she had thought he would just be fun for a night, so had put out the hints of interest. He picked up on them and asked her to stay after class, one day...and three months later they were still an item. But then he'd got a part in one of the Marvel Universe films shooting in Australia because him being from there would help the production with its tax breaks, so had packed up and moved home.
Yes, there had been a number of bed partners since then, but she had missed Liam. His hands knew where to go to drive her wild. His lips had always done exactly the right thing. His body next to hers had felt real and alive instead of perfunctory. And drawing her fingers along his lightly tattooed back, and that ass with the perfect tan line from surfing, just the right amount of hair on him to caress and not tickle...no one had pleased her nearly as much, since...since...a year ago?
Jesus...had it been that long?
She looked at the back of Zeke's neck, what she could see between the helmet and jacket collar. Tattooed on one side but not the other. Skin clear and clean and smooth. Hair cropped close so you could even see the base of his skull. Liam's hair had been too long, and brushing it up or to the side only made that area look dirty and ill-kempt.
She wanted to touch Zeke's neck, but something told her this would not be viewed with a positive light, by him. True, he had invited her to hold him close, but he had also set up other barriers, and for now it was best to respect them.
For now.
This amazingly lovely, beautiful, elegant ride would be enough, for now. Free and alive and not a care in the world. No past to hold them, only an unknown future of promise and grace.
If only it could last forever.
Much too soon, Zeke slowed the Harley and turned to pass through a dilapidated gate onto a dirt road. Carli could just make out they were approaching an outcropping of rocks in the near distance. She felt lost but not the least bit unsure. Something told her to the right was the east, so they were heading north. At a slower speed, yes, but still rumbling along as if on a magic carpet.
She looked back over her shoulder at Loki to find he was watching her, still wary, his eyes all but screaming, You try one fucking thing wrong with my boss and I'll rip your throat open.
She chuckled and thought, Don't worry, puppy. My blood lust was satisfied, today. And I got a feeling your boss will be safe from me.
At least, I hope so.
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