“Garaged. I wanted her tucked in somewhere safe while
we’re gone. My bike is a lot easier to store on short notice.”
Kate threw her shoulders back and sucked in a deep breath. “Do you know what we
call people who ride motorcycles in my neck of the woods?”
Dominic’s dazzling smile spread. “What?”
“Organ donors,” Kate said, crossing her arms over her chest.
“That’s for mortals, cara . You and I are far from mortal,” Dominic
countered, scrutinizing her with a bemused look. “You weren’t afraid to go sky
diving or bungee jumping as a human, but one little motorcycle ride scares you
as a vampire?”
“Well, I never took care of anyone who made themselves into a human pancake
while skydiving. However, I can’t even count the number of motorcyclists I’ve
seen come in mangled beyond recognition after being scraped off the road,” Kate
argued.
“Mere mortals, cara . Even if we were to wreck,
and that is an impossible if, you would be just fine.”
Kate shook her head at him. “That doesn’t mean it wouldn’t hurt.”
Dominic tipped his head to one side to study her. “The Kate I knew was
fearless.”
“No,” Kate countered. “The Kate you knew was stupid.”
Dominic’s mouth quirked up into an affectionate half-smile. “You are many things, cara , but stupid is not
one of them.”
Kate raised an eyebrow at him, but couldn’t hold back the smile that teased her
lips. “Oh, really? Like what?”
Dominic pulled her to him, drawing her back against the rock wall of his body.
“Like breathtakingly beautiful,” he said, pressing a kiss to the curve of her
neck, just below her ear. “Compassionate and genuine.” His lips trailed lower. “Intelligent and loyal.” His
breath tickled the sensitive skin of her nape as his lips brushed farther
downward. “And perfect in every way.”
Kate sighed and leaned into the warmth and strength of his body.
“Do you trust me, cara ?” he whispered, the
caress of his words sending delicious shivers down her spine.
“Of course I do.”
“Then get on the damn bike,” Dominic said, nipping at her neck.
Kate gasped and swatted his chest. Dominic chuckled in response, grabbed her
wrists and dragged her to him. His mouth claimed hers in a kiss that hindered
argument.
All Kate could think about was him. His body pressed up against hers so tight. His mouth moving over hers, teasing and tempting her with the
sweetness of him. As with chocolate in her human life, Kate wanted more.
She would always want more.
Dominic broke their kiss and cradled her against his chest. “I promise, cara .
I won’t let anything hurt you.”
“I know,” Kate said. Never had she felt safer than she felt in Dominic’s arms.
She would follow him anywhere, even if it meant riding on the back of that
death-cycle.
“Fine. I’ll do it,” Kate sighed.
Dominic grinned at her. “You’ll love it, just wait and see.”
Kate knew her face betrayed her skepticism. “Sure I will.”
Dominic straddled the bike. With one final dubious look at the motorcycle, Kate
climbed up behind him. The seat wasn’t really made for two, but Kate molded
herself against his back and held on for dear life. Dominic leaned so far
forward as they started to move, Kate felt as though she rode on his back. On
the bright side, it was the perfect excuse to hug Dominic a little tighter, to
get a little closer.
Once Kate relaxed enough to realize she wasn’t destined to become today’s road
kill special, she fell in