Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 83970 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83970 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
“What’s this for?” I ask taking the leather from his hands.
“We’ll be on the highway for a bit. It’s a layer of protection,” he explains as he helps me shrug it on. “You look beautiful,” he whispers in my ear as he folds down the collar. “Nice touch,” he says pointing at the cowboy boots I’d splurged on earlier in the week.
I smile because come on; the man just noticed my shoes.
“So,” Kid says from the doorway.
I dip my head so Diego can’t see my smile, and I hear him chuckle behind me as I walk toward the motorcycle. “Do what you gotta do, but don’t go far.”
Kid is giddy at the news, bouncing on the balls of his feet as he turns and goes back into the house. Diego tries to keep a straight face as he walks up to me. He manages, but just barely.
“Where are we going?” I ask as he pulls a helmet from the seat and begins to strap it on my head.
“You’ll see,” he says with a wink before putting his own helmet on. I wait for him to climb on and then I swing my leg over and climb on behind him.
The vibration of the engine between my legs is heaven and torturous hell all rolled into one. I wrap my arms around his waist and lean my cheek against his back as he begins to drive slowly down the driveway.
***
“This is beautiful,” I tell Diego as I climb off of the bike and pull the helmet off of my head. I know my hair is a complete wreck, but the view from the top of the mesa he’s driven us to pulls my focus away. “You can see for miles up here.”
I turn in a panoramic fashion from left to right trying to take in every inch of the landscape, knowing I’m missing more than I’m seeing.
“There are some pretty terrific views like this in Denver as well,” he says stepping in behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist.
“Bobby didn’t… I never really got the chance for anything like this while I lived there.” I sigh, inwardly chastising myself for bringing him up. The last thing I want to do is ruin my time with Diego by bringing up that asshole.
“Good,” he whispers near my ear, placing his chin on my shoulder. “I’d rather you experience it all with me anyways.”
I nuzzle my cheek against the stubble on his face, loving how it slightly abrades my skin while his arms hold me protectively. This simple embrace is the epitome of Diego Anderson; protective and safe while still a little rough around the edges. Hard and soft all at the same time. The perfect mix of everything I never thought to imagine I could find in a man.
If I had to take the years of abuse all over again so I could end up right here at this moment with him, I’d do it in a heartbeat. I close my eyes and let my other senses reach out and take in the moment. The light woodsy smell of his skin mingles perfectly with the earthy scent of the red dirt surrounding us. His soft, even breaths harmonize with the sound of the wind blowing through the valley below us.
“How opposed are you to exploring a little bit?” I open my eyes when he pulls an arm from around me. I follow the tip of his pointer finger as he points to a small trail leading through the sparse vegetation.
“I’m not opposed at all,” I say excitedly.
His grin at my response is contagious. “Seriously?”
I knit my brow at him. “Just because you found me in the city doesn’t mean I can’t handle a little hiking.” I reach up and plant a quick kiss on his lips. “I grew up on a farm, handsome. Try and keep up.” I start down the trail without another look back.
I hear him rustling with something on his motorcycle, and I get ahead of him a little, but he quickly catches up, and I see he’s wearing a small backpack. He’s come fully prepared even though he had his doubts about whether or not this would be something I’d be interested in. I wonder absently what he would’ve done if I’d not been agreeable to traipsing around the desert getting ridiculously sweaty.
Chapter 24
Kincaid
“This is by far the best first date I’ve ever had,” Emmalyn says slightly out of breath as we stop to rest on a small pile of boulders.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself.” I watch as she pulls her phone out and swipes through her photos. “You have any memory left on that thing?”
She sticks her tongue out at me and continues to look at her phone. She’s taken at least a thousand pictures it seems. I watch in awe as the simple sight of the photos on the screen of her phone brings the most beautiful smile to her face. I pull a bottle of water from the backpack, take a quick sip, and hand her the bottle.