aftershaveâsomething woodsy and distinctly memorableâand wrapped itself around her hypersensitive skin. Thoughts about possible embarrassment drifted away. He was right. She was overreacting. If she accepted this ride it would mean nothing more than a lift on a busy afternoon.
And yet she couldnât help but look forward to clinging to his back, to moulding her hands over biceps that must be carved from rock. He would be so hot, so hardâ¦more scrumptious than sheâd ever dreamed.
Reading her mind, Pace widened his smile before he made the decision for her. Relieving her of the folder, he slid it into a slimline compartment on the bikeâs side. Accepting the fact that every one of her marbles had suffered a major meltdown, Phoebe caught the spare helmet, took his hand, and swung a leg up and over the smooth seat behind the rider. The motor roared as he gunned the throttle and she set the strap under her chin.
âNow, hold on tight,â he said as the visor dropped into place. â Real tight.â
And she did, unable to hold back a whooping laugh as they shot out into a break in traffic.
Â
Phoebe Moore could be summed up in two words.
SEX. EE.
Reaffirming that truth, Pace leaned his machine into a corner and sweet Phoebe cuddled in close. Feminine fingers clutched, warm thighs pinched, and firm breasts pushed. Smiling, he gunned the throttle for an extra burst of speed.
No contest. This woman grew more alluring each time they met. She was cute, though not ditsy. Sassy, yet kind of shy. Open, but not overbearing. Hell, she was a whole lot of things. In other words, he wanted her. And, despite driving him crazy with an impressive array of excuses, the truth of the matter sparkled in her eyes.
She wanted him too.
Pace deciphered Phoebeâs flailing arm directions and slid into a vacant space outside the well-situated northside apartment block. Slanting his long legs down to steady the stationary bike, Pace felt his heartbeat slip into third as Phoebe wiggled free of her mount. Smoothing down the skirt hitched up on those heavenly hips, she removed the helmet and shook out a satiny stream of pale blonde hair. Heâd dreamed of that hair. Tonight he planned to touch it.
âThanks for the lift.â Phoebe handed back the spare helmet with an exuberant smile. âI must admitâ¦it was fun.â
A heavy throb condensed in the pit of his stomach at the thought of all the fun they would have.
He shot a casual glance around the mix of suburban weatherboards and trendy complexes huddled between towering gum trees. No graffiti. Buckets of kids. Nearby, someone had removed what smelled like a lamb roast from the oven.
âNice neighbourhood,â he said, meeting her gaze again.
âI was lucky to get a place so close to the city thatâs almost reasonable in rent.â She nodded at the adjacent park. âThereâs barbecue areas and swings close for families. Alfresco restaurants and a mall down the road, too. Itâs a good combination. Pretty and full of possibilities.â
Drinking her smile in, Pace felt his blood simmer.
It certainly is.
Bringing himself back, he glanced over his shoulder. âWe passed a Japanese restaurant on the way in.â
Phoebeâs eyes flashed with approval. âI eat there all the time. Itâs the freshest in town. Their rainbow rolls are to die for andââ She stopped, her head tilting as though she were embarrassed or disappointed with herself. âSushi isnât everyoneâs favourite.â
âIâm an atmosphere man,â he confirmed. âIf the service is good, lighting right and the company specialâ¦â He pictured them in a darkened corner, touching, kissing, and eased into a grin. âWell, Iâm usually on my way to being satisfied.â
Her eyebrows gradually knitted. âSatisfiedâ¦â she murmured, then, âI can imagine youâd want to