Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“I know you can. Just relax.”
He reached up and fastened my chin strap, and his fingers lightly brushed against my cheek. The contact was brief, but it was enough to send a shiver down my spine. He slipped on his helmet, then eased his leg over the seat of the bike. Once he was settled, he extended his hand and said, “Alright. C’mere.”
I moved closer and took hold of his hand as I climbed on, trying not to overthink it as I settled behind him. “Now what?”
My voice sounded a little more uncertain than I’d intended, but he didn’t seem to notice. He just reached back, gently taking my hands and guiding them to his hips. “Wrap your arms around me.”
Oh, boy.
Here we go.
I swallowed, then did as he said, sliding my arms around his waist and resting my hands lightly against him. He chuckled as he said, “You’re gonna want to hold on a bit tighter than that.”
I hesitated a moment, then tightened my grip. “How’s that?”
“Better.” He turned the key, and the engine roared to life beneath us. “You ready?”
No. I wasn’t ready.
Not even a little.
But I nodded anyway and muttered, “Yes, I think so.”
With that, the vibration beneath me intensified, and in a blink, we were inching out of the driveway. I tightened my hold on him, and he let off the throttle long enough to say, “Lean with me… Don’t fight it.”
“Um-hmm,” I muttered nervously.
And just like that, we were out on the main road, weaving through traffic. My heart climbed into my throat as the wind whipped around me, and I was a little freaked out. Then, I felt it.
Him.
Solid and steady.
He was in complete control, and I started moving with him, following his every move. It was like my body had already decided I could trust him. It was just taking my mind a little longer to catch up, but it was coming, slowly but surely.
We took a turn, and the bike picked up speed again. The wind rushed past us, tugging at my clothes and slipping under the edges of my helmet. A surprised laugh erupted in my chest, and it was at that moment that I realized just how amazing this ride really was.
I adjusted my grip, and my hands settled more naturally around him. My cheek brushed against his shoulder, and I caught a hint of his cologne. It was nice. The tension in my shoulders started to ease, replaced by something lighter. I felt free.
I exhaled slowly, letting myself soak in the moment.
Into the movement, and most of all, into him.
And for the first time in a long time, I wasn’t thinking about what could go wrong. I was just along for the ride, and what a ride it was.
Half an hour later, we were pulling into a parking lot, and Walker killed the engine. The sudden quiet felt strange after the steady rumble of the ride. I loosened my grip on him and let my hands linger for a second before I pulled back. Walker glanced back at me and asked, “You good?”
“I’m more than good.” I started unfastening my helmet. “That was actually a lot of fun.”
“I’m glad you liked it.”
He eased off, then turned and held his hand out to me. I took it, using his strength to help me keep my balance as I climbed down. My legs felt a little wobbly, but I managed to keep my footing. I removed my helmet and shook my hair out. That earned me a little grunt and a shake of the head from Walker.
I smiled and took a quick look around, and I realized where we were.
“Topgolf?”
“It came highly recommended.” He hooked the helmets to the rear of the bike as he asked, “Have you been here before?”
“I’ve heard of it, mainly from the boys. Their dad has taken them a couple of times, and they loved it. But I’ve never actually played. So, this is another first for me.”
“Well, that goes for both of us.”
“You’ve never played?”
“Nope, and I gotta warn ya. I doubt I’ll be any good at it.” He grimaced. “But I figured it might be cool to try something new.”
“I think it will be very cool.”
I followed him inside and up to the counter. He handled everything with our check-in, and I used the opportunity to look around. There was a large seating area behind us with music playing, but it wasn’t blaring, and there was a tall staircase that led up to the various bays upstairs.
There were people all around, but it didn’t seem too crowded, which was a plus. I hoped it would mean fewer people would see me embarrass myself. Once Walker was done with the check-in, the waitress grabbed a couple of menus and said, “Follow me.”
We trailed behind her up the stairs and out onto one of the bays on the second floor. It was wide open, revealing the entire range and various targets marked by flags. On the side column, there was a computer monitor for signing in, and beside it, there were various golf clubs, a tee area where you stepped up to take your shot, and a high table with several chairs.