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  Letting herself into her apartment, she gave him a wave and locked the door behind her. The tears had stopped falling, and she was determined to get on with her life without thinking of what could have been.

  Dropping her bags to the floor she went and sat down on the sofa. She wore her jacket, and the rain was still pouring outside.

  “You need to get out of here.”

  From the moment she’d been kicked out of her parents’ house she’d been living here, going to college. It had been two whole years since that happened. The paper was in front of her, calling for her to look at it.

  Leaning forward, she picked up the paper, and there right in front of her was an advertisement for a bike.

  Thoughts started to whirl around her head. She’d always wanted to travel, to see the world at her own pace. Opening up the paper thoughts, ideas were rolling around her head filling her with excitement. She didn’t have to stay in her apartment or even in the city. There was nothing holding her in place. Circling several advertisements, she went to bed, and in the morning her life was going to look clearer.

  ****

  Three days later Cole was back at the campus where Sandy took her classes. He was leaning against his bike feeling like the worst kind of scum. The road no longer felt the same to him. He’d been riding, sleeping in dives wishing for any way to rid the memory of Sandy from his mind. Nothing helped. She was in his system, in his blood, and there was no getting away from her.

  He’d spent the morning outside of her apartment, and she hadn’t turned up. Cole hadn’t seen her walking from one side of campus to the next. At the end of the day he knew he must have missed her or she didn’t have classes that day. Riding to her apartment he ran up the stairs and knocked on the door. A woman he’d never seen before opened the door.

  “Can I help you?” she asked.

  “Erm, I’m looking for Sandy, the woman who used to live here?” He tried to look past her shoulder. She was looking him up and down like he was something to eat.

  “Sandy is gone.”

  “She owns this apartment.”

  “And she’s rented it out for the foreseeable future. I’ve got the lease on this place for two years.” She reached out, touching his chest. “You can come in and check if you want.”

  “No, any ideas where she went?”

  “Not a clue. The only people who know her well are the two brothers who own that bar close to campus. If you want to know where she is, then go there. You’ll find her.” She stepped back inside her apartment. He hated the fact he couldn’t find her.

  “Thanks,” he said, turning to leave.

  “Who is she to you?” the woman asked.

  “She’s my life.” He climbed back on his bike once he was on the ground and gunned his machine toward the bar. A large truck carrying crates of alcohol was parked in the main parking lot. He saw Rick and Trey unloading the truck with the help of several other men. The moment they saw him, they started toward him.

  “So you’ve finally decided to turn up?” Trey asked.

  “Where is Sandy? She’s not in her apartment, and she’s not at campus. Some other woman said she rented out her apartment for the next two years. What the hell is going on?”

  Cole hadn’t anticipated it being this hard to find Sandy when he got back into her life.

  “You’re not going to find her. She’s gone,” Rick said.

  “What?”

  “Sandy left, yesterday.”

  He clearly wasn’t listening. “She’s studying at the college and working for you guys. She can’t just leave her life like that.”

  “Why not?” Trey said. “You do. You get on your bike and simply ride out. Sandy has her license to ride a bike, and that’s what she did.”

  Once again he was stunned by what he’d just heard. “What?”

  “What did you expect to happen when you left like that?” Rick asked, taking over. “You entered her life, and she fell in love with you, Cole. You offered her everything she ever wanted, and just as quickly you took it all away out of fear for wanting her?”

  Cole shook his head. “She’s got a life, a future that having me around would hurt her.”

  Rick shook his head. “It wouldn’t have hurt her. You awakened her, Cole. Before you came along she was just living, never actually taking part. She went through the motions always waiting for life to grasp her. With you, she was living and enjoying life. You took that away when you left. What did you expect her to do? Sit around waiting for you to come back to her?”

  By the time Rick was finished, he was yelling.

  “Then tell me where the fuck she is. I’m not leaving or going anywhere. Tell me where she is.” He was going to start hurting them if they were not more forthcoming of her whereabouts. Rick and Trey looked at each other then back at him.

  “We don’t know where she is. She left yesterday morning. All of her stuff is in storage. She quit college, and now she’s on the road.” Rick shrugged his shoulders. “The only thing we’ve got is her cell phone number.”

  Cole watched the other man pull his cell out of his pocket and write the number on a slip of paper.

  “This is our way of getting in touch with her. I hope you can find her and drill some sense into her.”

  Taking the slip of paper offered he stared at each man. “I’ll find her.”

  “You better because nothing good will come from her being out there on her own,” Rick said.

  Nodding, Cole pocketed the number and climbed on his bike. When he had some privacy he was going to phone her. He found a quiet spot in a diner, and he stopped, ordering some food and a coffee. Pulling out his cell phone, which he’d gotten while he was with her, he dialed the number and waited for her to answer.

  The first ring went to the voicemail, and then the second time. He ate his food, getting annoyed.

  The fifth call finally got through.

  “Rick, what is it? You’re not calling from your usual number.” She sounded breathless, and completely alive. Hearing her voice went straight to his cock. He missed the sound of her voice.

  “It’s not Rick. It’s Cole.”

  Silence met his answer. He heard the sound of bikes in the distance.

  “What the hell do you want?” she asked. Her voice no longer sounded alive. She sounded dead to the world, angry.

  “I could ask you the same thing. What the hell are you doing?” he asked, wishing he could see her to know that she was okay. The open road was fine for men who could take care of themselves. For a woman it was a recipe for disaster. He’d heard and seen all kinds of shit going on for a woman who was alone.

  “What’s it to you? I’m living my life and having fun.”

  “This is wrong, Sandy. You need to get home now.”

  “No, you’re not the boss of me.”

  “Are you at Fort Wills?” he asked.

  “No, I’m not. I’m just living, Cole. I’m doing what I’ve always wanted to do, I’m traveling. I get to see the world without anyone telling me different.”

  “It’s dangerous. You’re a woman, and bad things happen to a woman on the road all alone.” Cole looked left and right watching the cars go up and down the streets, each of them carrying people with smiling faces. Right now he wasn’t even close to smiling. He was pissed off.

  “Look, you left, Cole. I understand that giving a shit is too much responsibility for you.”

  “I didn’t want this to happen. You were supposed to stay and have a happy life.”

  “In all the time we were together did you once listen to me?” she asked, sounding more annoyed than seconds before.

  “Of course I listened to you.”

  “No, you didn’t otherwise you’d have realized I was just going through the motions of life. I went to college because that’s what I thought I was supposed to do. I don’t want to spend my life reading books, studying for something I want to be. I don’t have a clue what I want to do with the rest of my life. Being on the open r
oad on this bike is a dream I never thought possible.”

  Her speech awakened something inside him. The passion he had when he first got on his bike was back.

  “Tell me where you are?” he asked.

  “No, you’re not going to take me back to a mundane life. This is my world now. You’re not taking it away from me.” She hung up, and Cole cursed.

  He had no intention of taking her away from this new way of life. Cole was going to join her, and together they could travel the world.

  Sitting back on his bike, he tried to think of all the areas where he could find her. Instead of panicking he headed east where a lot of the scenery was breathtaking. He gave Rick a quick call to let the other man know he was fast on Sandy’s tail. There was no chance he was going to lose her.

  You’ve found her. You’ve found the one woman for you.

  Gunning the engine, his blood pumped around his body, invigorating him.

  I’m coming, Sandy.

  Cole started to make plans in his hands. The future actually looked beautiful to him. It didn’t matter how long he had to travel. He would find Sandy, and then he was never leaving her side.

  Chapter Ten

  Looking at the map, Sandy blew some gum as she looked at where she was going and where she’d have to go to get where she wanted to be. She tapped her finger across the blue line, looking up as she checked out the road to see which direction she had to be. Several bikers were milling around the gas station leaving her alone. It had been four days since Cole called. After she hung up on him, she phoned Rick and given him a lot of shit for giving out her personal details.

  Popping her gum, she walked into the gas station, grabbing some water and a quick snack. The last few days had been amazing. The open road and a new hotel room every night were wonderful.

  I wonder where Cole is.

  She pushed the thoughts aside. Knowing Cole was coming after her sent a thrill down her spine.

  Taking a long sip of her drink, she walked out of the gas station and stopped.

  “Hello, baby.” Cole leaned against her bike. He wore a pair of dark sunglasses giving him that air of mystery.

  “How did you find me?”

  “GPS on your phone. I got Whizz from The Skulls to hack into your phone and switch it on. He’s a bit of a computer buff and knows what he’s doing with shit like this.” He ran his hand down the seat of her bike. “You ride on this?”

  The urge to cross her legs was strong, but she stopped herself from giving into the need. The way he touched her seat, reminded her of the feel of his hands between her thighs.

  “What else would I ride on?” she asked.

  “You’ve got yourself a really good bike and a smart mouth.”

  She shrugged, pissed, exhilarated, and happy to see him. Pleasure gripped her making it impossible for her to move.

  “Are you not going to come and give me a kiss in welcome?” he asked.

  “Why would I kiss you?”

  “You’ve missed me.”

  “No, I haven’t.” She lied with ease, hating the words as she spoke them.

  “You’re being a naughty girl. I can see how much you’ve missed me with those nipples all tightly beaded. I bet you’ve been bringing yourself to orgasm every night thinking about me.”

  Sandy stayed quiet. There was no way she was going to say anything about how she spent her free time.

  “You want to stay quiet, that’s up to you. I’m not in the mood for quiet.” He moved away from her bike. Before she got chance to say anything, his hands were all over her. “Marry me, Sandy,” he said, dropping his lips down to hers.

  She was so shocked by his outburst that she simply took the kiss.

  He’s just asked to marry you.

  Pushing him away, she slapped her hand across his face. He didn’t fight her, but she felt the other men’s gazes on her. “You think you can just propose to me, kiss me, and everything would be okay?”

  He cupped her cheek. His thumb ran along her bottom lip. She was melting, about ready to cave to his touch.

  “No, I know it’s going to take a lot longer for you to trust me, but I can promise you, I’ll make it up to you.” He kissed her once again. “Walking away from you was the worst kind of torture I’ve ever known. I thought you were a woman who’d want to settle down while I love moving around. The road is in my blood. I can’t stay in one place.”

  “I never asked you to.”

  “You had a job, college. I didn’t want to take that away from you.”

  “Then why didn’t you ask what I wanted?” She folded her arms over her chest. It was a tight fit with how close he was to her.

  “I was a fucking& coward, Sandy. I’ve not wanted a woman before, not the way I want you. I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” He kissed her lips.

  She held onto the front of his jacket, kissing him back.

  “You should make him work for it, baby.” One of the men shouted across the gas station.

  “Shut it, Bob. You were the one who told me where she was.”

  She jerked back, looking at Cole then back at Bob.

  “How?” she asked.

  “We’re all a network. I put out the word that you were mine and you were taken care of. I may be a nomad, Sandy, but I’m a nomad with contacts. No woman of mine was going to get hurt.”

  Touched by his caring, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “You were protecting me?”

  “Always. I will always protect you, even if you don’t want it.” He dropped a kiss to her lips. “You’re mine, and nothing is ever going to change that.” Cole slid his fingers into her hair. “Give me those lips.”

  “You’re an ass.”

  “So, I’m never going to stop being an ass when it comes to your safety. You’re just going to have to get used to it.”

  Looking over his shoulder she saw his bike was parked directly beside hers.

  “We’re going to do this? Have a relationship.”

  Cole started to rifle through his pockets, and he came out with a single gold band. “Baby, I’m not only asking you for a relationship. I’m asking you to be my wife.” He took hold of her hand and slid the ring on her finger.

  “I don’t know what to do with you.” He confused her, angered her, as well as turned her the fuck on.

  “Say yes, marry this ass of yours, and live the rest of your life by my side.” He cupped her face, kissing her lips. “Come on. You know you want to. I’m a pretty good catch.”

  She stared into his brown gaze, thinking over what he said. A life on the open road with Cole by her side sounded like pure heaven to her.

  “When will we get married?” she asked.

  “The next town over has a church and a registry. We can be married within the next twenty-four hours.”

  Sandy knew there was no other man for her. “No, we’re going to get married in front of Rick and Trey. You’re going to have witnesses.”

  “Then we’re heading back to your friends. Do you think they’ll throw us a party?” he asked.

  “They’ll throw me a party. You not so much,” she said, laughing.

  Wrapping her arms around his neck, she held on close. Sandy knew she should be angrier at him and make him work harder, but she had the rest of her life to make him work for it.

  She heard the catcalls and wolf whistles as she kissed Cole. Pulling away, she buried her head against his neck to hide the embarrassment at being watched.

  “Fuck off, boys. This woman is mine.”

  Sandy climbed onto her bike and looked at Cole. “Where are we going?”

  “To the nearest hotel room. I’m having you all to myself without anyone interrupting. Prepare for that pussy to be fucked.” He turned on the bike, and the beast purred to life.

  She followed him out of the gas station, totally happy with her life once again. Cole had walked away. He’d not made her feel like shit to leave; he’d simply gone. Sandy didn’t hate him. She loved him. Cole ha
d made a mistake, but now he was back in her life, and she was going to make sure he stayed in it.

  ****

  One week later

  Cole laughed as Sandy danced around the bar with Trey. The two were infectious with their dancing. There were a few visitors, but none had attended his wedding. He was now a married man. On his ring finger was the gold band, evidence of his now committed state.

  “She went too easy on you,” Rick said, handing him a beer.

  “You think she was too easy?” Cole asked.

  “Yeah. She was heartbroken when you left and now look at you. You look so fucking smug to have gotten her.” Rick was laughing.

  “Do you still have a thing for her?” Cole sipped at his beer, turning to look at him.

  “Nah, I don’t have a thing for her, but I do care about her. Trey’s happy just being friends with her. I guess I’ll deal with the situation in my own way. I really thought she was the one.” Rick shrugged. “You can’t win them all.”

  “No, you can’t.” He glanced over at his woman. She was wearing a denim skirt with a white lacy shirt. Sandy was glowing with happiness. The past week with her riding in the open road had been a dream. She didn’t bore him or nag him. In fact he struggled to keep up with her.

  Traveling the open road was in his blood, and he had no intention of losing that.

  “You’re wrong by the way,” Cole said.

  “What about?” Rick served another guy, opening up the bottle.

  “She’s going to spend the rest of her life giving me shit. I’ve got a lot to make up for. I’ve got a feeling I’m going to be starting tonight.”

  Hours later, Cole locked the door to their hotel room. “If you’d not rented out your apartment we could be there now.”

  “It’s our honeymoon, Cole,” she said, wriggling out of her denim skirt. “Let’s enjoy our time together.” She kicked the skirt away, dispensing with her panties.

  Sandy bent down at the waist giving him a clear view of her pretty, cream slicked pussy. His cock hardened, wanting a taste.

  “Do you want me, Cole?” she asked.

  “You know I do.” He stepped closer, forcing her to stay bent over the bed. “Don’t move. I want to see you just like this.”