| |
I had lost track of how many times I had tapped his shoulder left or right. We were in the middle of nowhere, driving down a dark, two-lane road.
An hour ago, I had climbed on the back of Six-Gun’s bike with no destination other than to just ride.
I reached down and tapped his leg.
“Turn around?” he called.
“Yes,” I shouted over the roar of the bike.
Six-Gun slowed to a crawl and pulled over on the shoulder.
“Everything okay?” I asked.
“You tell me, doll.” He twisted in his seat and looked at me. “Butt numb?” he laughed.
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Well, yeah. I’m not exactly used to riding on your bike for more than ten minutes.”
Six-Gun smiled. “Just make sure I’m near when you try to stand up. Your legs are going to be like Jell-O once we get back to the clubhouse.”
“Something to look forward to.” I shifted on the seat and grimaced. “Yeah, I’m pretty sure I’ll need you to carry me in.”
“Whatever you need, doll.” He turned back in his seat. “I’m here for you.”
By the time we made it back to the clubhouse, my whole lower body was numb, and I was ready to fall asleep.
Six-Gun parked by the front door and turned off the bike. I normally was the first one to get off the bike, but that wasn’t about to happen.
Six-Gun managed to get off and offered his hand to me. “Let’s get you to bed, doll. You might be sore tomorrow from the ride.”
Oh, great. Something to look forward to. I placed my hand in Six-Gun’s, and he helped me off the bike. I tried to stand, but my legs gave out, and I gripped his shoulders to keep from landing on my butt.
“Easy there, Memphis,” he said softly. His hands landed on my waist, and he held me steady. “You think you can walk?”
This was so dumb. I couldn’t believe I couldn’t walk after a couple-hour ride. I apparently wasn’t made for the biker life. “I think I should be able to walk. Just don’t leave me.”
“Never.”
The word sounded in my head.
That was a big word.
Six-Gun helped me into the clubhouse where a couple of the guys were watching TV. I could tell their interest was piqued by the fact Six-Gun was basically carrying me into the clubhouse, but I took Mitzy’s advice and decided not to care. I managed to get some feeling back in my legs by the time we made it to my door and walked a little bit straighter.
“This is me,” I chirped lamely, as if he didn’t know which room was mine.
Six-Gun opened the door and reached in to turn on the light. He helped me through the door, and I plopped down on the edge of the bed.
“Please tell me I’m not that big of a wuss, and you’ve had this happen before.” Seriously, this was crazy.
He chuckled and nodded. “Been there before, doll. It’s more like after an eight-hour ride I can’t stand or walk, but I know what you’re going through.”
I lifted my foot. “Well, since you know what I’m feeling, then please take pity on me and take off these shoes. I’ll ignore the fact it takes eight hours for you to feel like this, and I started to go numb, not even an hour into our ride.” If he didn’t take my shoes off, then I was going to be sleeping in them tonight.
He chuckled and pulled off my tennis shoe. “You did good, doll.” He dropped the shoe on the floor and tugged off the other one. “You want to get changed?”
I wiggled my toes. “Yeah.” I looked at the bathroom door. “But it’s so far away.” I was being a baby, but seriously, my butt was numb.
Six-Gun moved to my dresser and pulled open the top drawer. “Tell me what you want.”
“Well, probably more than panties and a bra,” I laughed. “Try the next drawer down. There should be a pajama set in there.”
Six-Gun shut the drawer and opened the next one. He held up a pair of plaid shorts and a matching shirt. “This?”
I nodded, gingerly stood, held out my arms for balance, and managed to not fall on my butt. “You bikers must have butts made of steel.” I slowly walked over to Six-Gun and grabbed my clothes. “I think I can take it from here.”
“I’ll hang out just in case you hit the floor.” He moved over to the door and leaned against the wall.
“Suit yourself.” I shuffled into the bathroom and shut the door behind me. Once securely inside, I dropped the clothes on the sink and leaned against the vanity. My eyes took in the woman in the mirror who was staring back at me. My hair was windblown and a rat's nest. My cheeks were flushed pink, and my eyes shone brightly.
I guess a two-hour motorcycle ride suited me.
I quickly washed my face and changed clothes. The tingle of the numbness had almost faded, and I could feel my legs and butt again.
Six-Gun stood straight when I walked out of the bathroom and looked me up and down. “That was quick.”
“I just put my pajamas on and washed my face, Six-Gun.” I dropped my dirty clothes in the hamper and opened the mini-fridge next to my bed. “You want something to drink?”
I didn’t mind staying at the clubhouse, but I wasn’t exactly a fan of having to go out into the common room every time I needed a drink or wanted a snack. I ordered the mini-fridge off the internet and remembered the shocked look on Six-Gun’s face when it was delivered. I guess they didn’t get deliveries like that too often.
“Nah, I’m good, doll.”
I grabbed a bottle of water and set it on the nightstand.
“I’ll let you get to sleep. I just wanted to make sure you didn’t fall over or anything.”
I laughed and sat on the edge of the bed. “I think I’m good now. It was touch and go for a second there.”
Six-Gun nodded and reached for the door handle.
“Thank you,” I called. “For well, everything. It was nice just to drive tonight. And talk.” It wasn’t like we had talked about anything important, but I guess I needed that. I always felt pressure to say more than I wanted to. Six-Gun didn’t make me feel that way.
Six-Gun nodded. “Anytime.” He slipped out of my room and closed the door behind him.
I grabbed the bottle of water and twisted off the top. That was not how I had seen the night ending. He didn’t hit on me. He didn’t make me feel like I was less. He just let me be.
I took a drink and set down the bottle, then turned on the small TV and flipped off the lights. I crawled under the covers and pulled them up to my chin. My eyes were heavy as I watched a late-night talk show and zoned out. Most of the time, I laid in bed for at least an hour, trying to find sleep.
Tonight, I wasn’t having that problem.
I fell asleep within minutes and dreamt of motorcycle rides and men who treated me right.