She leaned against the railing to wait and tipped her face up to the starry sky, wondering if she’d done the right thing by confronting him. Diesel didn’t come to Dixie’s rescue when guys got handsy with her. He stepped closer, but he let Dixie handle things herself. Why couldn’t he do that for her? Minutes passed in peaceful silence, broken only by the sounds of the cars driving by, the balmy air hugging her skin. Her phone vibrated, and she sighed as she read the message indicating her Uber had canceled.

The door opened behind her, and she felt the wooden floorboards dip beneath Diesel’s weight. “Where’s your car?” he asked as he locked the door.

“It’s in the shop until Sunday.”

He stepped beside her. “I’ll take you home.”

“It’s okay. I’m ordering an Uber. The last one just canceled.”

“You’re not getting in an Uber with some stranger. Let’s go. Get on my bike.”

She put a hand on her hip, her gaze lingering on his chest and biceps straining against his T-shirt, before she realized she was staring and broke her trance. “Why do you think you can tell me what to do all the time?”

His dark eyes held hers, the muscles in his jaw bunching as he walked down the steps to his bike and grabbed the helmet. “You think I’ll let you get in the car with a stranger after what happened tonight?”

“I’m fine.” Okay, maybe a teeny-tiny part of her was nervous about it, now that he brought it up.

“You think you’re fine. But that sliver of doubt you’re feelin’? Guys sense that shit.” He motioned to the bike. “Get on.”

She crossed her arms and lifted her chin, holding her ground just for the point of it.

“Jesus.” He set down the helmet and walked over to the steps. When she didn’t move, he reached up, grabbing her by the waist, and lifted her off her feet, carrying her to his motorcycle, despite her flailing legs and hollering.

“Diesel! Put me down!”

He plopped her onto the bike, ignoring her complaints, and stuck the helmet on her head. He climbed on in front of her, reached behind them with one massive hand, and pushed her forward, so her inner thighs were against his ass. He grabbed her hands, wrapping them around his thick body. “Hold tight.”

“This is kidnapping, you know. You’re too big to hold on to. I have to cancel the Uber…”