My cheek was pressed to his leather.

The sun was rising on a day after a night when I’d had zero sleep.

Neither did my biker.

But after he told me he’d loved me since high school, we got through my tales of lunacy, he’d divested me of my tube top in a way I knew I was dipping into my savings, going back to that store, and buying every color, then he made love to me on the couch, he’d asked me if I wanted to ride.

It would be our first time together on his bike.

So I’d obviously said yes.

My ride with Snapper was amazing.

My ride with Joker was everything.

Suddenly, the wind quit whipping my hair as he slowed then pulled over, throwing out a boot to idle at the curb.

I stopped being lost in all Joker and his bike were giving me and lifted up to look around.

I did this just as Joker let out a long, low whistle.

Then I saw where we were and my arms convulsed around him.

“Fuck, Butterfly, bumper to bumper,” Joker muttered as we both stared at his father’s truck. “Nice.”

I smiled.

Then I pressed close and lifted up so my lips were to his ear.

“You know, I love you too.”

He kept his eyes to the truck and asked, “No shit?”

I squeezed his stomach so hard he grunted.

Then he twisted his head, looked at me, and when he did, he was smiling, his teeth brilliant white and beautiful against the black stubble he was growing for me.

“I know you love me, Carrie,” he said softly.

“Good,” I whispered.

“Kiss me, baby.”

I pushed forward and kissed Joker on his bike at the curb by his father’s house. I kissed him hard. I kissed him deep. I gave him my tongue and kissed him wet.

He took it and kissed me back harder, deeper, and wetter.

When we broke it, I kept his gaze and said, “I’m feeling ill. I may have to take the day off.”

His eyes smiled as his lips muttered, “My good girl, playin’ hooky.”

“Just this once,” I whispered.

“Best get you home so we can get you to bed.”

I wanted that but even so, I gave him another squeeze. “We can do that, but before, can we ride a little longer?” I tipped my head to the side. “Please?”

“Whatever you want, Carrie.”

I smiled.

Joker touched his mouth to mine.

He turned to face forward.

I put my chin to his shoulder.

He pulled out.

The wind started whipping my hair.

And there it was, it came immediately.

As the sun rose in the Denver sky, both of us got it at the same time, together on the back of Joker’s bike.

We were free.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Do Better with That

Carissa

I GOT OFF Joker’s bike first.