Page 29 of Mac

“So, thanks for your help today. I can’t believe how much we got done.”

“The place is looking good.” Our hard work had paid off, and it was starting to look like a home.

“Yeah, it is. I think this is going to work out.” She sounded surprised.

“So, you’ve decided you’re going to stick around a while?” From my conversation with Viking, it sounded like she still hadn’t confirmed what her plans were.

“I think so,” she said as she leaned on her forearms against the porch railing, mirroring my position.

I looked over at her and was hit with a sudden and unexplainable need to slam my lips on hers and make her mine. Just then, the front door opened, and her father walked out.

“We’re about done in there. Zeke and TJ are putting a few things away, then we’re all going to head out,” he said to his daughter.

“Thank you so much for everything today.” She turned and hugged Viking.

The shocked look on his face made me think this may have been the first time she had done that.

“No problem at all,” Viking said, hugging her in return. “If you need anything, give me a call, okay?”

“Will do,” she responded with a smile as her dad, and a few other guys, started down her front steps.

“Oh, before I forget, Wolf and Mac are going with you next weekend when you celebrate your birthday,” he announced over his shoulder before he got to his bike.

“What?” she said, confused. “Why?”

He got behind his bike, gunning the engine. “I’m not comfortable with my barely legal daughter hanging out down there without someone watching out for her.”

“I don’t think that’s necessary.”

“I do.”

She looked like she was about to argue but when she looked at me, I shook my head a little. “Fine. But they better not keep Evelyn and me from having fun,” she said in a huff.

Viking just shook his head and laughed.

I couldn’t contain my laughter, even as Kate stood there and mumbled something about not needing a babysitter.

I was going to tease her about the many wayswecould have fun together when I saw her watching the bikes as they drove away.

“Want to go for a ride?” I asked.

I’d never had anyone ride with me before, but this was something I wanted to share with her.

“Really?” She looked both hesitant and excited.

“Yeah. Go inside and put on a pair of jeans and a jacket, then we’ll head out.”

Suddenly, a huge smile broke out across her face, and she ran into the house like her ass was on fire. A couple of minutes later, she was following behind me as we walked to my bike.

Once there, Kate hesitated for a minute. “What’s up?” I asked.

“Uh…” she replied as she stood staring at my bike. “I don’t know what to do.”

I handed her the spare helmet I kept in my saddlebag. “You don’t have to do much. Just hold onto me and don’t fight against the movement of the bike,” I explained.

When I looked at her, she was biting her lip again. It looked seductive as hell. She took a fortifying breath and got on the bike.

Wanting to take her somewhere I knew she would enjoy, I drove to one of my favorite spots along the Colorado River. It was far enough away from the more touristy areas but still had a beautiful view.