Breaking Even (Sterling Shore 5)

Personally, it always pisses me off, because I can barely go a few hours without seeing him, which reminds me how much more I care about him than he cares about me.

He comes toward me after picking up a helmet, and he fastens it to me, double checking to make sure it’s safely secured, and then he presses a sweet kiss to my lips before putting his on.

He throws a long leg over his bike, looking too sexy and graceful for words, and I come to join him on the back. As much as I’d like to punish him and deny his demand to drive me, I can’t. It feels too good to be pressed up against him.

I hide my grin as I say, “I’m doing this under extreme protest.”

He just laughs while cranking up the beast, and it roars to life as my arms go around his waist. I get as close as I can while propping my feet on their designated perches, and he rubs my hands with his before he takes the handlebars and drives out of my yard.

I don’t mean to giggle, but a thrill shoots through me. I knew he wouldn’t let me drive. And I didn’t even want to drive. I just didn’t want to cave too easily. It’s all an elaborate game of strategy and war, so I’ve started using it to my benefit.

For miles and miles we ride, and I frigging love it. It’s freeing, exciting, exhilarating... It’s amazing. Motorcycles are now among my favorite things.

We drive straight through, only slowing down for him to show me things, and I soak it all in like I do every moment we’re together. We talk all the time. ALL the time. He calls me at work, shows up at work, and I do the same to him. I’ve kept him from screwing me inside the museum, but he won the battle about his office. Now his desk has been christened.

I’ll never forget the surprise on Jessica’s face when she caught us kissing. It doesn’t bother me what people think anymore. And Rye doesn’t give a damn about who sees me wrapped around him.

When we finally reach the vineyard, I almost pout. But he has to come back and get me. Maybe he’ll talk Raya into letting him stay.

We pull up to where we see all the cars, and he turns off the motorcycle just as Raya comes out with her arms crossed over her chest.

“You too? Is it impossible for a guy to let his girl come to a damn girls’ night without him?” she growls.

“It’s not night,” Rye says unapologetically, but he doesn’t correct her about me not being his girl.

We’ve avoided hanging out with everyone since the Leah disaster. I forgot why until this moment.

Dane steps out onto the porch, waving at us as he walks to his car. Did he drive Rain out here?

He grabs a purse from the car and hurries back in. I just frown. If he’s staying then—

“If Dane is staying, then so am I,” Rye says as he climbs off his bike, taking my hand and helping me off, too. With a few quick motions, his helmet is off, and his hair has that sexy, messy look I love.

“Might as well. They’re all here. I just called Kade to come back, but he was already on his way.”

She tries not to grin, but she can’t help it. That girl is so in love. Must be nice.

“I’ve got it,” Rye says when I struggle to get the helmet off.

He moves my hands and removes the helmet for me, and then he bends and pushes his lips against mine, earning a smile from me. I wrap my arms around his neck and giggle when he picks me up, carrying me toward the house.

“You two are so damn gross,” Ethan says from the porch, and Rye grins against my lips while releasing me.

“Why the hell are you here?” Rye asks, still smiling.

I’m not overly fond of Ethan. I can tell he doesn’t understand Rye’s fascination with me. And I’m sure he expected them to be hangi

ng out more than they are. Rye is the one who keeps showing up and kidnapping me from my house. I’m not twisting his arm to keep seeing me when he does.

“I came out to see Kade, and apparently stumbled into a couples’ night. What the hell?” Ethan mumbles.

He looks at Raya and shakes his head, but I don’t know why. Raya is gorgeous—perfect for the Colton Prince.

“Not what I expected to find,” he murmurs under his breath.

So he’s not impressed with Raya either? It’s not just me?

Rye doesn’t let go of my hand. Instead, he pulls it up to his lips and kisses it, and then he bends and kisses me again. My smile is as instant as always. This is different from the last time we were all together. And I don’t feel so on edge.