And her perfume. Or was it just her? Her skin? Her brightness?
Tucking my chin against my chest, I lowered my eyes. “They call me Handsome.”
With her hands drawing down my arms to the leather cuffs at my wrists, she whispered, “Handsome, is it?”
She came close to me, her hair—those sunshiny locks—whisking silkily against my shoulder.
“I’m not.” A muscle ticked at the back of my jaw.
Shiloh wasn’t gonna affect me like this. I could hook up with someone else at night’s end, take a random woman back to my place, get her off, fuck her to oblivion. Wake up in the morning—intact.
Shy and I had too much history, a past I couldn’t afford to revisit.
“You really shouldn’t be here.”
She tossed back the rest of her bourbon. “I’m pretty sure I can go wherever I want. I’m legal and everything.”
I’d never seen her as anything more than a girl before. Wasn’t about to start now.
“And you are, actually.” She picked up the hanging thread of conversation I lost track of as soon as she skimmed her fingertips back up the muscles of my arms to reach my shoulders.
I chewed ice between my teeth, hoping it would cool everything burning in my veins. “I’m what?”
“Handsome.”
Prep school pretty boy. The perfect one to take the fall because big money Daddy would always bail him out.
Until he hadn’t.
Not a shocker.
I’d been stupid.
My dad had been a hardliner.
Water under the bridge I’d never cross again.
“I heard you were disowned.” Shiloh toyed with the rim of her glass but her gaze never left mine.
Everyone in the bar paid extreme attention to our quiet conversation even though they covered up their bald interest with the usual trash-talking tactics.
“Don’t really discuss that around here, Shy.”
Aware we were being watched by hawkeyes all around, I shoved my chair back. “Say goodbye to Sadie now because I’m taking you home.”
“You didn’t used to be so bossy.”
“Welcome to the new me.” But I pulled her chair back, and when she stood only to stumble, I steadied her with my hand on her waist.
“You okay?” I asked.
Her cheeks flushed bright. “Yes.” She glanced away. “Just lost my footing a little.”
I snickered. “Not surprised with those shoes combined with the booze.”
“Complaining about the heels?”
I rubbed the side of my jaw. “Not sure I should answer that.”
My eyes slit at her as she swayed over to Sadie and the gathered crew, collecting hugs and fucking kisses everywhere she went.
An MC babe she’d never be. And I’d make goddamn good and sure of that. But the ghosts she stirred up I’d have to lay to rest again. And again. And again.
Clasping Shy’s elbow, I led her into the muggy May night. “Did you drive?”
“Uber.”
“Because that’s not shady at all.” I growled, tugging her toward my vintage Harley Panhead, slowing down when she missed another step.
“I know how much you like speed.” She fit the helmet on her head with quick motions like a pro. “I had a Vespa in Italy.”
“This isn’t a Vespa, Shy.”
Straddling the bike, she hugged me around my middle, pressed right up against my back. “Remember the first time you took me for a ride?”
“Yeah. You almost made me wipeout, and your dad had a fucking conniption.” With the motor revving, I peeled out of the parking lot. “Hold tight, Shy.”
I didn’t need to remind her. The woman—the girl, I corrected myself—seemed to have no problem slanting with every dip and curve.
As we cruised over the giant Ravenel Bridge so high over Cooper River, Shy tightened her thighs around me long enough to let go of my waist for just a few seconds, throwing her arms into the air and her head back as her free laughter floated to my ears.
She gripped me again, stronger, closer, and a thrilling sensation worked through my body as the bike purred between my thighs.
Remarkable.
Shiloh.
The thunder of my Harley echoed the thunder of high cresting waves when I tore down The Battery on Charleston Bay. Big houses—antebellum mansions—stood like fancy as fuck sentinels behind White Point Garden where Civil War canons pointed out to sea.
I killed the engine in front of one of the most well-maintained, majestic stone piles. The Chathams on one side. And fuck my life forever, my folks’ huge house on the other.
“You’re staying here?” I waited for her Shy to dismount then got off after her.
“Just until my apartment is finished. I’m redecorating.”
“You know, Tail’s pretty good with the painting and shit.” Then I wished I’d kept my damn mouth shut.
No way did I want her hanging around Tail. The dude was a known skirt-chaser and an unapologetic pussy hound.
Not that I wasn’t.
Well, chicks usually fell into my lap, no chasing needed.
I shuffled my hands through my hair.
“Come inside? My parents would love to see you again.” Shy lifted her big silvery eyes.
And I met a gaze I couldn’t turn away from.