Saving Dallas (Saving Dallas 1)

“You like it?” Luke asked, staring at me with a huge grin on his face.

“I love it,” I replied enthusiastically. I was surprised at myself for having such strong feelings toward a motorcycle. I had never taken notice to one before, but then again I had never fallen for a motorcycle man either.

“Wait ‘till you ride it,” Luke said, smiling again. I could tell this was something he loved. His whole demeanor seemed to change in the presence of this beautiful machine. “Here,” Luke said handing me a helmet that looked like it was custom made just for me. “I hate ‘em but it’s the law.”

I silently thanked the great state of Mississippi for enforcing such a law and put my helmet on as Luke pushed the bike out the door.

“That lid never looked so good,” Luke said grabbing his own helmet off the large chrome tool box that I just noticed was there.

“Lid?” I asked, completely confused. He patted my helmet with a wink. I was going to have to purchase a motorcycle lingo for dummies book in the near future.

“Ready?” he asked, taking my hand and leading me out the door.

“As I’ll ever be,” I replied nervously. My breath started to quicken and I realized that I had really not thought this whole motorcycle riding through.

“Hey,” Luke said wrapping his arm around my waist. “You’ll love it. Don’t be nervous, I won’t let anything happen.” He grabbed my chin lifting my face to his and leaning down, giving me a kiss that erased every doubt I had. He climbed on, cranking the bike causing the vibrations to carry through the concrete and all the way up my body. A shrill of excitement surged through me as I stepped on the foot pegs, slinging my leg over and settling on the back seat. It was much more comfortable than I thought possible and back rest gave me a little more since of security as I settled back placing my hands on Luke’s shoulders, not real sure where to put them.

“You don’t have to hold on so tight babe, you’re not going anywhere,” Luke yelled, turning to me laughing. I realized my knuckles were white from grabbing him so hard and I immediately let go. “Just move with the bike, it will come naturally.” I took a deep breath, trying to relax. The vibrations were so intense I could almost feel the sensation through my pants. Luke pulled the bike onto the dirt road. The bike suddenly leaned to the left then right and my automatic reaction was to bail off the side, but I realized that it was over before I could react and my body had not moved an inch. I knew he was trying to help me get the feel of it, but I wasn’t going to lie. I was scared shitless.

By the time we got to the highway, I was afraid I wasn’t going to make it. Luke must have felt my uneasiness, because he didn’t pull onto the highway. Instead, he pulled the bike over and got off. He came beside me, opening the saddle bag and pulling out an iPod with ear buds.

“Here, this will help calm you down a little,” he said, selecting a playlist and handing me the ear buds. I put them in and was surprised to hear Coal War blaring through the small speakers. Once again, he kissed me sweetly giving me a wink then climbing back on and pulling out on the highway.

I closed my eyes, smiling to myself and letting the lyrics take me away. When I opened them, I felt like a new person. The wind blowing through my hair and the music in my ears made me feel so free. The air was warm and inviting. I lifted my hand up letting the air pass between my fingers. I felt like I could ride forever. The iPod shuffled to the next song which just so happened to be one of my favorites. Hearing the song brought back memories of one of my best childhood friends, Kandice. Just like so many others, life had taken her from me way too soon. Kandice loved music. She was such a free spirit and I envied her ability to be so carefree. A hippie at heart, she was able to quote any song from The Beatles to Lynyrd Skynyrd. I laughed through my tears at the memory of us on our road trip to Dallas, Texas, singing at the top of our lungs. We replayed the song over and over until we knew every word.

Listening to the Black Crowes sing “Josephine” changed me in that moment. Life had dealt me a shitty hand, but I had an ace in the hole. He was my saving grace and in this moment, I had finally realized it.