Book Girls Belong to Bikers

Part 2

We end up spending the next 3 days together. I'm now on my way to meet her in the cafe where we met. We both have work to do and decided we could do it together there. She's writing out the c****x of her biker romance book so I'll be on hand for any technical questions like I have been the last few days. She's jokingly been calling me her “consultant.” The c****x will feature some pretty fancy trick riding when the male lead redeems himself and saves the heroine in dramatic fashion. She asked me if this action she was envisioning is even possible. It technically is, but I informed her it really wasn't realistic. She decided she didn't care and was writing it that way anyway, ‘it's escapist fiction after all’ she explains. I think back on these last few days in Cassie's company as I make the now familiar ride from my hotel into downtown.

It's been fun, easy. I'm starting to really like this town. And a certain little authoress in it. She's gotten comfortable enough on the back of my bike that she leans the side of her head against my back and doesn't hold my abs in a death grip. Not that I minded that. But her trust is sweeter. We rode up all the mountain roads, catching views of the city and valley. We've talked about everything under the sun. How I got into motorcycles, how she made the leap from avid reader to the writer she is. She lets me put my hand on the small of her back when we're entering places. She's let me pay for dinner. We smile and we laugh and she's so easy to talk to. The only hitch is whenever I get close to her and the air between us crackles and I want to lean in for a kiss she gets as skittish as a wild pony and finds a distraction. I get it. She can't hide her emotions on her face to save her life. She likes me, but she's a good girl, clearly not the one night stand/weekend fling type and we haven't addressed the elephant in the room which is my original plan to skip town.

The truth is I've already stayed longer than I intended. I haven't told her that though. I actually work remotely for the very reason of having the flexibility to travel as I wish. I can hardly blame her for not wanting to accept my affections when she thinks she might

wake up the next morning and find me gone. 3 days in might seem pretty early to have the “what are we and where do we see us going” talk but given the circumstances I think it's necessary. I need to know if there's any point in me sticking around. Here's hoping I haven't completely misread her or I'll be packing my saddle bags this afternoon and moving on.

I'm anxious to see her and mulling over when I should ask her the big question, “Do you want me to stay?” as I open the door to the cafe. She's sitting in the same spot facing away from the door and toward the counter so she doesn't see me at first. This time there's a guy standing next to her table and chatting her up. I pause inside the door to size up the situation. He looks like some kind of gym rat/sports baller. He's got a small duffel with him and his to-go cup in hand. I tune into the convo just in time to hear him say “I'm Jared by the way” and he reaches his hand out for a shake. I move before I have a chance to stop and think. I walk straight to Cassie cutting slightly in front him as he pulls away from the handshake and I say loudly,

“There's my girl!” And give her a kiss on the forehead. I don't wait for a reaction as I swing around the table and take my seat. I fix my eyes on “Jared” with a smug little smile. He seems to take a full minute to recover and respond but it is probably only a matter of seconds in reality. His mouth is parted at first in surprise, then his eyes narrow at me, sizing me up. Likely some primal male instinct is twanging inside him wanting to challenge. Then his lips flatten into a thin line and he gives me a little nod. He concedes! He turns to Cassie and says,

“Well it was nice meeting you, have a great rest of your day.” And he turns to walk out.

My eyes follow him until he hits the door but I don't have long to preen in victory because when I finally look to Cassie, she's not smiling. Her jaw is dropped and she just stares at me. Oh no. My heart sinks. Is she upset? Did I offend her? Have I been mistaken in thinking something was growing between us and she's just been being nice to the guy from out of town who's helping her with her book? Have I overstepped? But then she slowly breaks into that dazzling smile I've come to love and says,

“I can't believe you just did that!” I'm feeling a little relieved by her expression but her words still make me unsure.

“What do you mean?”

“You just coming over and claiming me to scare off another man. That is like straight out of one of my books!” her smile is downright giddy.

“Should I take it, you approve?”

She doesn't answer with words but gives me a suddenly shy little nod while biting her bottom lip.

“That's it.” I say as I pat my thighs with my hands and stand. I swing around the table to the chair next to hers. I throw my arm over her shoulder and pull her into my side as my other hand turns her face to me so we're inches apart. “Book girls belong to bikers. End of discussion.”

I close the distance between our lips and she meets me halfway eagerly. She's not skittish now. It's the sweetest kiss I've ever experienced. Unrushed but full of all the kinetic potential of two souls who've only just found each other but can see the road ahead in each other's eyes. In this kiss, I find my answer. I know I'll be staying in this town a lot longer than I had planned when I rolled in.

The End