Page 31 of Night Fury
He frowned as he sat down next to her. “I wouldn’t want you to get into that headspace. You were being held captive and I don’t think you believed you were going to make it out alive. I’d rather you feel comfortable now and never figure these out than feel that way again.”
She slumped in the chair. “I swear, did you write the book on smooth talking and how to be a Casanova? I can never win with you.”
He laughed so deeply it brought a smile to her face. “What can I say? You bring out the best in me.”
“Charmer.”
Luke pulled her into his lap and she came easily, wrapping her arms around him. “How would you feel about taking a break?”
“A break?” She tilted her head to the side. “What do you mean?”
“I would like to take you out on a date. I thought we could take my bike down to the beach, have a nice dinner, maybe dance a little. It would be good for us.”
She sighed as the warmth of his gesture ran through her. “But can we really go out? What about—”
“We’ll be fine.” He kissed her head again. “I know the area well. It would be odd for him, or anyone against us, for that matter, to be out there. Plus, there’s also a couple of immortals I know who like to frequent the restaurant. They’ll help us if we need it.”
Johanna released a breath, letting it carry the tension out of her body before she looked up at him and smiled. “Then I’d really love to go with you. I’ll go get ready.”
She kissed his cheek and caught the wide grin on his face before she wriggled off his lap and went to get dressed.
* * *
Johanna had never been on the back of a bike before and wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but the moment Luke took off she knew she’d never be the same. The feeling of the wind blowing around her as they sped off was exhilarating. She felt free, as if nothing and no one could hold her back. The purr of the machine between her legs was exciting, and the intimacy of holding on to Luke’s back while he sat in between her legs, guiding the bike down the road, wasn’t lost on her.
Johanna knew motorcycle riding could be dangerous, but she trusted Luke. Her body naturally understood what to do every time he took a turn, and he was careful with her, never going too fast, stopping too short, or cutting any corners. Like with everything else he’d done since she’d woken up in his house, Luke kept her care in mind, and it was making her libido jump off the charts.
By the time they got to the beach her legs were so wobbly she’d nearly fallen when she tried to get off the bike. Luke caught her with an arm around her waist and asked her if she was okay. She said yes, but she wanted to pummel him when she saw that damn smirk on his face. He knew! He freaking knewandhe was amused by her reaction to him. The jerk!
Still, as they walked down the beach, listening to the waves crash against the shore and the soft laughter of children surrounding them, she felt at peace. Looking up at Luke, she smiled. “Thank you for bringing me here. It’s really nice.”
His features softened with his own smile, and he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, falling into step beside her. “The smile on your face is thanks enough.”
She laughed at him. “You’re such a sap.”
“You love it.”
“I do,” she agreed, the words slipping out of her mouth. For a second, she thought to backtrack, until she turned and saw that Luke was frozen in shock like a giant, handsome statue. Laughter spilled from her at the sight, and before she knew what was happening, he picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. Johanna laughed even harder, wiggling and yelling at him to put her down.
“Not a chance in hell. I cannot believe you, teasing me like that,” he said gruffly.
“Oh my god! Are youblushing?”
Luke made a noise in his throat that set her into a whole new fit of giggles, and then his hand landed on her ass with a loudwhack!
“Luke! No you did not!”
“I did, and, actually, I’ll do it again.” He smacked her ass again, and then he gripped her flesh, kneading it in his large palms.
“Luke, people can see!” she hissed.
He shrugged his shoulders under her, making her bounce. “Sounds like a them problem.”
“You’re impossible!”
“Yes, but now that I know you love it, why would I try to be anything else?”
* * *
