Page 23 of Embriagado
I snapped my eyes to the sound of Ariyan’s voice. So angry, I’d forgotten where I was. Shit. Slowly, I turned to look at him.
“Sorry about that… Some friends of mine are just—” I sighed. “Never mind. I’ll just get out of your way.”
But before I could move, Ariyan stepped closer and reached for my arm. “You seem distressed. Is there any way I can help?”
Just then, I got a text message with the address, and fuck. It was the other side of town.
“Not unless you have a chopper hiding somewhere,” I grunted, eyes locked on the screen.
“I might not have a helicopter, but I do have a bike.”
Shocked, I stared at him, at a loss for words.
He smiled.
“Need a ride?”
6
SANTIAGO
“Fucking hell, you ride a Ducati?”
Walking ahead of me, Ariyan placed his hand on his bike, slowly smoothing it down from the fuel tank to the black leather seat.
“Nice, isn’t it?” He glanced at me over his shoulder.
“Nice?” I got closer. “It’s gorgeous. Didn’t think you were a rider, though.”
“Is that so?”
Rubbing my hand over my jaw, I nodded. “Thought you’d drive a Lambo or some shit.”
“Not my style. Here—” He tossed me a helmet, and I caught it. “—put this on.”
“What about you?” I asked, noticing there was only one.
“I’ll be fine.”
“Nah.” I clicked my tongue, handing it back to him. “Ain’t no way we’re risking that pretty face of yours.”
He looked at me, one brow raised, before taking the helmet.
“Suit yourself.”
He put it on, and as he did, I took another minute to appreciate his bike.
“Red, though? I thought you’d go with white.”
Mounting his sweet bike, Ariyan turned the engine on, and the beast roared to life, the sound echoing around the parking lot like the belly of a hungry beast.
“There’s always an exception.” He nudged the helmet’s glass shield up, amber eyes locking with mine. “Besides, a bike should only ever come in red.”
“I wouldn’t know. I ride the fucking bus.”
Snorting a laugh, he cocked his head. “Come on, let’s go.”
I couldn’t have moved faster, practically running to get behind him.
