Page 113 of Crow
CHAPTER20
Crow glanced over his shoulder.“Hang on.”
The muscles in Angie’s abdomen tightened. “Can’t we discuss this a bit further?”
He laughed and pushed a button on the handlebar, and the engine growled to life with a thunderous roar.
“Remember what I said: Go with the lean and don’t fight it or else we might lose our balance.”
“Okay,” she replied, her stomach roiling as she slipped her arms around his waist.
A cry of alarm pushed through her lips as the bike lurched forward and sped out of her driveway. Hanging on for dear life, Angie buried her face into his back while her legs clamped around his thighs.
The pulse of the bike vibrated beneath her as Crow weaved in and out of traffic. Numerous scents curled around her: exhaust fumes, barbecue from a passing restaurant, an overflowing dumpster, and sweetness from the Spring Snow crabapple trees dotting front yards.
Feeling a tad more relaxed, she turned her head and rested the side of her face against Crow’s back. The town’s lights disappeared behind them, and Angie marveled at the multitude of twinkling stars as if seeing the night sky for the first time. The swirling air and darkness that engulfed them reminded her of Space Mountain, the ride at Disneyland. A grin spread across her face imagining Nick seated in the car behind her, swaying and lurching through the blackness, then greeted by thousands of stars and galaxies before the end of the ride. The family had gone there the summer after her mother had died. Angie had loved the ride so much she’d made all her brothers go on it with her multiple times.
A rush of exhilaration a million times greater than Space Mountain spread through her as the bike curved around the road, climbing higher and higher.
Riding on the powerful Harley-Davidson while pressed against Crow with the night wind whipping through Angie’s hair was just as sexy as she’d imagined it. She ran her nails over the ridges of his abs, loving how they contracted beneath her touch. He looked over his shoulder and smirked, then increased the bike’s speed.
“We’re almost there,” he shouted above the engine’s rumble. “Hold on, it’s gonna get bumpy.”
Angie clutched onto him even tighter as they bounced over the rough terrain. When Crow swerved to avoid a tree branch in the road, her hands slipped lower, sliding below his belt buckle. She trembled as the subtle touch worked its way through every inch of her body. Quickly gliding her hands away, she could feel him chuckle by the vibrations in his chest.
Angie took a deep breath and the fresh smell of pine, woodsy plants, and sweet wildflowers permeated the air.
The bike came to a stop, and Crow lowered his feet and turned off the engine. Angie dropped her arms away from him and leaned back. He grasped her hand and helped her off the motorcycle before swinging his leg over the leather seat. Pulling her close, he brushed his lips across hers.
“Are you good?” he asked, breaking away.
“That was incredible. It felt like we were flying. I bet it’s even more awesome during the day.” She smiled. “I can see why you love to ride.”
“It’s everything. Night rides fill my soul with quietness. It makes me feel like I’m the only one in the world. I wanted to share this with you. Next time, we’ll go on a day ride. It’s amazing the things you see on a bike that you don’t in a cage.”
“Cage?”
“A car,” Crow replied, snagging her hand and tucking it in his as they walked through a cluster of pine trees.
At the forest’s edge, a large lake shimmered as the moonlight cast its reflection on the water, bathing the bordering evergreens and rocks that sporadically etched the shoreline. The whisper coming from the trees caressed Angie, and she squeezed Crow’s hand.
“This is beautiful,” she murmured. “So peaceful and calming.”
“I know you’re having a hard time with Abe’s death and all. I wanted to give you a salve for your mind and soul.”
A cozy, warm sensation radiated through her, and she blinked rapidly to prevent any tears from surfacing. Angie pulled her hand out of his and flung her arms around him. She hugged him fiercely, relishing the closeness. “Thank you for giving me a little slice of heaven and for caring.”
Crow drew her against him and held her tightly.
“I care about you … a lot.” He rubbed his chin against her forehead, the hint of scruff on his jawline lightly scratching her.
Passion sparked through Angie at his words, and she leaned further into him for fear of falling. She loved the solidity of his body and the softness of his touch. At that moment, she wanted nothing more than to be intimate with Crow and give in to the desire that had been growing between them ever since they’d met.
Angie tilted her head back. The naked heat in his eyes scorched her, making her heart slam into her throat.
Cupping her chin, Crow ran his thumb slowly along her upper lip and the lower. “You do something to me, woman.” His voice became husky.
A powerful wave of longing traveled the length of her body. “Do I?” she rasped.
