Page 19 of Knuckles

I can understand why people like riding, I really can, because I’m getting the same feeling that I get when I draw – freedom.

I go to close my eyes again and just enjoy the ride, not caring when we’ll get to wherever he’s taking us, but quickly open them when he stops at the side of the road, and my eyes widen seeing nothing but darkness surrounding us.

Oh god, he’s going to leave me here, isn’t he?

Was this his plan all along?

I feel him gently rub my hand before he pulls them away from his, and ever so slowly, Knuckles climbs off his bike. I look at him with shock and a hell of a lot of confusion.

Okay so he’s not leaving me here…

He eyes me sitting on his bike before he nods his head like he’s realized something, and he points out, “You relaxed.”

I swallow hard and look at the bike before I look back at Knuckles, and I admit, “It gives you the same feeling that I get when I’m drawing or painting.”

He half smiles that makes my heart flutter before he nods to the handlebars and says, “Scoot forward,” and I swear my mouth has just dropped to the floor.

“You’ve got to be kidding?” I choke, and he just smirks, and instantly I’m shaking my head and say, “Not even twenty-four hours ago you were calling me a whore, I am not scooting forward and riding your bike.”

“You will, and you are, and you’re not a whore, I said that shit outta anger now move forward before I make you move forward,” he states, and I narrow my eyes.

This man is confusing as hell.

“I’d like to see you try! I’ve told you once, I’ll tell you again, I know how to fight,” I snap, and the jerk just smirks wider.

I open my mouth to rain hell on his ass, but he moves quickly before I even have a chance to react.

One moment, he’s pissing me off, and the next, he’s behind me, shoving my whole body forward, making me gasp and grip the tank before I fall off, and then he’s climbing onto the back of his bike.

I gasp and go to climb off, but again, the man who can run circles around men in the ring catches my hands and places them on the handlebars, and my breathing quickens.

Whether that is because of his closeness or because he wants me to take control of his bike, I don’t know but either way the man has the lost his mind.

“I-I don’t know how to ride a motorcycle, Knuckles,” I choke, seeing he won’t let up each time I try to remove my hands, andhe squeezes them in support before I feel his breath against my ear that sends shivers down my spine.

“I’ll keep control of the bike, I just want you to feel the freedom from the front, and when I feel like you can ride without my support, I’ll let go. You’ve got this, fireball,” he murmurs, and I swallow hard.

“Why do you call me that?” I try to stall, and his chest rumbles against my back as he chuckles, and I realize I love that feeling.

Crap, I want to lean back into him.

“Because you’re ambitious and very feisty, especially where I am concerned. You have a heart, Kodi. I’ve seen it, but you can also kick ass when needed. Now stop stalling and turn the ignition,” he murmurs, and I swallow yet again.

My head is telling me to tell him to piss off, but my body, which seems to be in tune with him, turns the ignition with the help of his hand that doesn’t let the top of mine go, and the machine rumbles beneath us.

Oh god, this is really happening.

“Okay, I’m going to throw the kickstand back,” he mutters before doing as he said, and I gasp, feeling how heavy the machine is, making him chuckle. “The front brake lever is here,” he mutters as he shows me using his hand over mine on the right of the right handlebar, “and the rear brake, is down here, on the right footpeg,” I nod so he knows I’m following and he mutters, “Good girl,” and my clit pulses as I shiver because okay wow but ignoring my reaction to his words, he explains, “The front left foot peg is your gears,” I look down and nod to see where his foot is, “The shift pattern is sequential, push down for first gear, and click up for second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth gears. Neutral is a half-click up from first. You still with me?”

“I am, but uh, are you sure about this?” I stutter.

“Yes,” he says seriously, “now, gradually release the clutch to the friction zone while gently applying throttle, I will ensure thebike is balanced until I think you are ready to take control of the machine but head towards the overview,” I feel him kiss my head that has my heart fluttering yet again, “Start in first gear, and use the friction zone to smoothly move forward for a few feet before fully releasing the clutch.”

Taking a shuddering breath, I do as he said and pray I don’t wreck his very expensive bike.

***

“Alright, I want you to put pressure on both the front and rear brakes together smoothly and keeping the bike upright and straight and then pull in the clutch as you slow down, downshift to first gear, and use your left foot to support the bike when you stop while holding the rear brake,” Knuckles says against my ear forty minutes later as I pull up near the bench overlooking the town and I do as he says all while my hands shake.