She shook her head. “No. But I like sitting on it, and as bizarre as it sounds, I think Eddie would like it, too.”
“I know he would.” He ran his hand through her hair. “When I woke up and you weren’t there, I thought I’d scared you off with all that possessive love talk.”
“You didn’t.” She climbed off the bike and set the helmet beside it. She put her arms around him, resting her head on his chest as he embraced her. “You’ve worried about me forever. I still don’t know why you didn’t leave me in the dust.”
“Daredevils for life, darlin’. You’re a part of me. The best part of me.”
She tipped her face up with a small smile. “You don’t have to worry about my love for you. That’s as solid as the ground we’re standing on.” She went up on her toes and kissed him. “I love you, Whiskey. And I love us, so don’t die, okay?”
He nodded, his chest aching. He tried to lighten the mood, really wanting to circle back to her love of biking. “You know I can’t die, darlin’. I’d have to come back and haunt the next guy who got you in his arms.”
“As if anyone could compare to you?” She shook her head. “Not a chance.”
She looked longingly at the bike, and he knew it was the perfect time to ask her for the favor he’d been mulling over since the bonfire. “I know you’re not ready to ride, but would you consider teaching Kenny?”
“Kenny?”
“Yeah. You saw how excited he got at the bonfire. I’ve been thinking about it. If you and I didn’t have our bikes and all the other stuff we did, we could have easily ended up getting into trouble trying to catch the highs we needed.”
“Our dads would have whooped our asses.”
“Forget our dads. Doc and Cowboy would have tied us to trees.” That earned a bigger smile. “What do you think? You wouldn’t have to ride, just guide him so he learns to ride properly. Teach him about safety and sportsmanship.”
“You don’t need me for that.”
“He sees enough of me. I think it’d be good for him to spend time with you. Besides, a pretty woman makes everything better.”
She ran her fingers down his cheek, and he leaned into her touch. “Mr. Whiskey, are you flirting with me just to get your way?”
“Just being honest, darlin’. What do you think? Can you help a kid out? You could make a big difference in his life, and he obviously admires you.”
Her jaw tightened. “When would I do it? He has therapy and works with you guys during the day.”
“We’ll make the time whenever you can fit it in. It wouldn’t take more than an hour or two a week.” He kissed her forehead, hoping she’d agree. “I think it would be good for both of you.”
Worry lines appeared on her forehead. “What if he gets hurt?”
“Then we’ll get him fixed up. He’s not going to be doing flips, Billie. I just want you to teach him to ride. He needs an outlet and something to make him feel good about himself. You heard what he said at the bonfire. He wants to prove he’s good at something, and I think it has to be something other than the work he does here. I thought about showing him the ropes course, but that won’t be enough for him. The thrill of the ride might be enough, and if it’s not, you’re the best there is. You’ll know if and when he’s ready for more.”
“You’re serious?”
“Absolutely. I mentioned it to Cowboy and my dad, and they both thought it was a great idea, if you’re up for it. I’ll need to clear it with his parents, but I think it’d be a fantastic reward for him, and it will give him a sense of confidence and achievement.”
“He needs gear.”
“I’ve got gear that will fit him.”
“What if I decide to do it but then freak out or something?”
“Then I’ll step in and take over. I’m not trying to pressure you, babe.”
She looked at the bike again, and rolled her lower lip between her teeth, a flicker of light sparking in her eyes. “Just an hour or two?”
He nodded.
“If his parents are okay with it, I guess I could try it.”
“Yes!” He hugged her. “That’s my Wildfire.”
“I said I’d try it. I might hate it.”
“You might love it.” She was smiling, and he took that as a good sign.
“I might freak out.”
“It’s okay if you do. At least you will have tried, and I’ll be right there with you.”
“You have an answer for everything.”
“And you always want the last word. Come on, sweet thing. Let’s go back to bed.”
He swatted her ass, and she glowered at him. “You can scowl, but I know you still love me.”
“Careful, Devlin. There’s a thin line between love and hate,” she teased.
He pulled her into his arms, feeling higher than any stunt could ever make him feel. “It doesn’t matter how thin it is or what side I’m on, as long as you’re on it with me.”
Chapter Fourteen
BILLIE BOLTED UPRIGHT, startled from sleep by Bobbie’s shriek Saturday morning. She ran out of the bedroom and found Bobbie standing in the hallway in pink pajama shorts and a white cami, covering her eyes with one hand, her other arm extended, warding off a naked Dare, who looked amused, standing in the bathroom doorway with his hands covering his privates. Great. Billie stifled a laugh.
“I’m sorry.” Dare looked at Billie. “I didn’t mean to wake you, darlin’. I didn’t expect her to be awake so early.”
“I had to pee!” Bobbie complained. “It’s my house. Why are you guys even here? You always sleep at your place.”
Dare cracked a grin. “Billie has better toys here.”
“Dare!” Billie glowered at him.
“Ew! Is that what I heard in the middle of the night?” Bobbie put her fingers in her ears, but her eyes fell to Dare’s hands covering his dick, and she spun around. “Put that thing away! I’m scarred for life!”
Dare chuckled. “I didn’t scar you, Bobbie. I just ruined your expectations of the male race.”
“Ohmygod.” Billie laughed, because he definitely did, but she grabbed his arm, tugging him toward the bedroom. “Get in there.” She gave him a shove and closed the bedroom door behind him, turning to her sister. “The coast is clear. You can turn around.”
Bobbie’s face was red, and she whispered angrily, “A little warning would have been nice.”
“Sorry! We were…” Wanting a little fun. “We just stopped to pick up some things, but we got a little frisky, and one thing led—”
“Stop! I don’t want details!”
“Sorry!” Billie hadn’t worked yesterday, and she and Dare had gone riverboarding. They’d had a blast and had spent all afternoon either on or by the water. They’d stopped for dinner on the way home and had ended up knocking around that town. Then they’d gone to a park where they used to hang out and talked about when they were kids until after midnight. They’d been on such a high, they’d decided to get a little adventurous and pick up her toys. When they’d gotten to her place, Bobbie was asleep. One thing had led to another, and they’d played with every toy she had. Not that she had a huge collection, but she had a few good ones. She hadn’t known just how good until Dare had gotten his hands on them. Boy, did he know how to use them. Her entire body had vibrated long after Dare, and the toys, were done. She shuddered with the memory.