Ride (Alpha Male Romance): In Between the Covers (Carolina Bad Boys #3) by Rie Warren Read Free Book Online Page A

“I’m trying to make it easier for you.”
    My belly flip-flopped. “You are. You have no idea, Jase. I’m here on scholarship. That’s why I can’t let up on my studies.”
    “If anyone’s going to be a success, it’s you.” He withdrew his hand to tap the tip of his nose. “I can sense these things. And you never have to worry about asking me for anything. I promise.”
    A warm sense of security—something I’d never felt before—settled over me. He was so sincere one moment, so unbearably teasing and sexy the next. I almost never knew what to expect from him, but I always wanted more.
    “Wait a sec. If you don’t get your money from your rich parents, where do you get it?” I asked the question that began burning a hole through my brain.
    His nostrils flared as his expression closed down. “That’s not something you need to know about.”
    “Oh, God. You’re not a drug dealer are you?”
    His loud bark of a laugh rattled my bones. His eyebrows hooked up, as did one side of his mouth. “Really, Ave? You think I’ve got a meth lab set up somewhere?”
    “Well, you are always out most of the night . . .”
    “Ave, Ave, Ave.” He slowly shook his head. “And here I thought you had a better opinion of me,” he said with mock disappointment.
    “I do! I’m just—”
    “You’re just like a dog with a bone, is what you are. Drop it, precious.” It was an order spoken in the most coaxing tone.
    I sighed. “Fine.”
    “Good.” He grabbed my hand and looked me over. “You’ll do.”
    “Um. For what?”
    “Let’s go for a ride. I need to get out, and as you said, you work too hard. Time for you to have some fun.”
    “A ride?”
    “On my bike.” He smirked, and with that quirk of his cherry-red lips something clenched inside me.
    A ride on his bike, not his . . . uh . . . cock.
    A blush splashed across my cheeks in record time, which amused him all the more. He chuckled.
    “I’ve . . . I’ve never been on a motorcycle before.” I fumbled for words.
    “Awesome. I do love a virgin.”
    I tugged my hand free and punched him on the shoulder. “Not funny, wise guy.”
    “Bullshit. It was pretty funny. And I’m serious. I love first-timers.” Leaning real close, he whispered, “Whaddya say, Ave? Lemme pop your bike cherry?”
    Heat skimmed the surface of my skin when his warm breath brushed the side of my neck.
    “Okay.”
    “Hey, no skirts on the bike, kinky girl.” His eyes twinkled. “Put on those jeans I like so much, unless you plan on giving me a peepshow.”
    I gave him a show all right. It was my middle finger as I marched upstairs to change. His dirty chuckle made me smile. It was far better than him shutting down or shutting me out.
    I thought about spiting him just because by wearing a pair of ugly jeans, but I relented. I even added a tight light blue thermal top to go with the tight jeans I’d worn to the frat party. I stuffed my feet into the hiking boots I wore in the winter.
    When I joined Jase downstairs his appreciative whistle filled my belly with butterflies. He placed a leather jacket on my shoulders.
    “This will swamp me!”
    “Just think of it as one of your sweaters, only better. It smells like me.”
    The coiling heat was back inside my tummy. I sniffed the collar and felt the heavy weight of well-used leather over my shoulders. It did smell of him—sunshine and open roads. Freedom and a hint of spiciness. The scent of tobacco lurked, but I didn’t mind. The heady smell was perfectly Jase, and being wrapped inside it made me feel like I belonged. That maybe I belonged with him.
    He towed me out the door and placed a helmet on my head.
    Lifting one leg over the motorcycle, he held out his hand. “Just hold onto me, precious. I’ll make sure you don’t get hurt.”
    With the first rumble of the Harley between my legs and Jase’s hard thighs pressed to the insides of mine, I felt something amazing. I felt free. Wrapping my arms around his stomach, I