Page 4 (1/1)

“Da stupid What if you got hurt in jail?” Shila is ticked I’d rather take her e of tears

“I’oin’ on in your life, seein’ how you’re thousands of miles away froet you from point A to point B?” That’s when I notice the cloud darkening around us “Fuck, hold that thought It’s about to pour You okay to ride?” I stand up Shila doesn’t ainstme think of all the fuckin’ ways I haven’t had this woman before

“Yeah, I guess it’s better to have this talk back atabout our past” I take round to kill the lit end, atte to leave it when Shila says, “Aheradable” Sah school I bend down, pick it up, and put it in my pocket

“Better?” I ask, throwing a leg overup the kickstand, holding it steady for her to get on

“Much Don’t try to make any sudden movements I’ve never been on a death trap before, so you’ll have to give me the lay of the land,” she jokes, but her hand is onover,down, there ain’t a stitch of space between us

“Not much to it, butterfly Hold on, keep your ass still, and let the bike lean you so you don’t throw me or the bike off balance”

“Okay,” she says overwhere she lives Ever since I landed at the Inn, seeing Shila, I’ve been her fuckin’ Shadow Nothing will ever change that again

4

SHILA

I didn’t kno to let go of Bennett, not when I was sixteen and definitely not now As if he can’t tell by the wayhis rock-hard abs And it’s not just that either Bennett is rock solid everywhere Literally From his back to his ars

“You, okay?” he yells over his shoulder Between the deep ru a whole different shiver that I’m definitely not prepared for, and the huskiness in his tone, it’s bringing back all the feelings fro me crave Bennettwhat happened between us

“Yes!” I wince because I’ in his ear with how I’ve dipped my head The mirror on his bike attests to that, since what I see is hi up his lips in an almost smile

I move my head away fro to redee like a complete and total idiot And leave it to Bennett toit up and down It doesn’t last long, just a few short sweeps, but it’s enough to give me some faith that I’m not a total loser

We’re pulling into my place How Bennett knohere I live, I have no idea I shouldn’t be surprised, though Bennett always could get information anyway he could I remember one time, when I told him I loved him in the throes of desire I attempted to take it back, but he wouldn’t have it His wicked tongue worked until I ade loud and clear when he finally sank insideme he loved me in return

I start to get off once he’s inspot that I don’t even use because of the lack of a vehicle Which is fine I’d rather see my money in the bank, save as much as I can, and live debt free

“Not yet, butterfly” He squeezeslike even more of an idiot than I already am

“I’ like I’eneral

“Nothing to be sorry about You’ll get the hang of it It takes time, Shila” He sets the kickstand down, then nods at uide myself off That’s when I feel the first drop of rain

“I guess you were right about the weather” I tip my head back to look at the sky, a s better than hearing the rain coe in the sky loomy