Atone (The Disciples 2)

I reach out. His warm hand takes my cool one.

I look up and our locked eyes communicate all our unsaid words.

A small smile appears on his lips and I follow. And that’s when I know it: I’ll follow him anywhere.CHARLIEHe tucks my dress under each leg and reaches for my hands, tightening them around him as he starts up his bike. The huge rumble makes the garage floor shake.

I smile. He makes me feel secure. Always has.

He pulls out and I lay my head on his black cut, my hands gripping tight.

He’s in a black tee and I’m tempted to slip my hands underneath and pet him.

Screw it. He never has a problem touching me. Holding on tight with my left hand, I let my right slip under his shirt and touch his hot, tight muscles. David’s body is nothing to joke about. It’s like something I could only dream about. His muscles tense as I roam. As I’m getting my nerve up to go lower, he grabs my hand and stops my exploring.

“Knock it off, Charlie. Not on the bike.” He hisses the last part at the red light.

I can’t help but smile. Guys are so simple. Maybe I’m overthinking all this. He acts like he wants nothing to do with love or affection, but I’m calling his bluff. I think he likes it. Actually, I think he likes me.

The ride is over way too soon. In Los Angeles, you can ride in between traffic, so we make it up to Coldwater Canyon in no time. David pulls up to a French bistro.

My stomach has a life of its own, and bread sounds like the best food ever created.

The bistro is adorable, all in reds and pinks with white trim and delicate white iron bistro tables outside.

Holding on to David’s shoulder, I hop off.

My legs feel like I’ve been on a horse for days rather than a motorcycle for twenty minutes.

As he jerks off his helmet, I feel his silver gaze upon me.

“What?” I pull off the rubber band and shake my head, freeing my hair.

“I don’t mess around on the bike.”

I can’t help but laugh, then stop as he frowns. “Lighten up, David. I’m the one who’s had the stressful day.”

His eyes change from annoyed to sad in seconds and then indifferent as he takes my hand.

“What happened?” I whisper as we approach the hostess.

“Club stuff. I don’t want to talk about it. I want to eat.”

The hostess eyes David and flashes him a big sparkly white smile.

She’s LA thin—a wannabe actress no doubt.

God, I’m becoming a jealous bitch. This has to stop. David isn’t even looking at her. He’s checking out the chalkboard with all the wines.

“Two, please.”

“Inside or outside?” We look at her then at the delicate bistro chairs outside.

“Inside,” I say. She nods, and as she checks out David’s lean body, my hand tightens on his.

“Follow me.” She walks us to the middle booth.

As we slide in, she hands us both large red menus. “Sorry, but I have to ask… are you an actor or something?”

“No.” He reaches for his menu.

“You look so familiar. Oh my God.” Her hand goes to her mouth. “You’re best friends with Reed Saddington.” She claps like she’s on a game show and won a prize.

“I knew it. I saw you at his wedding. The pictures are in People this month.”

“Is that a fact? I didn’t know that,” David mumbles.

“Well, I’ve seen you before in the tabloids.” She kind of does this quirky twist, almost the floss, but not really.

How do women lose their minds over David? It’s obvious he’s uncomfortable and does not want to talk about this.

“Thank you. Can we have some water please?” I smile my nicest smile at her.

“Oh, of course, sorry. I just love the Saddington brothers, and Tess’s dress was amazing.”

David sets down his menu. “It was a gorgeous wedding and Tess is one of the most beautiful women I have ever met. That being said, she can’t hold a candle to this one.”

He scoots close to me and wraps his arm around me.

“I’ll get your drinks.” She’s clearly disappointed that that’s all she’s going to get.

“Why don’t you bring my girl a glass of the Pinot Noir Clos de Beze 2016.”

She looks shocked. “Um… yes. I’ll get the manager and your waiter.”

David turns to me and smiles broadly.

There go the butterflies that I gave up trying to curb. I’m fully in that I-love-everything-about-him stage.

And since this is only going to happen to me once, I’m rolling with it.

A smile from David is so precious you need to let the warmth fill you and hold on for the ride.

“Do you like wine?” He pushes my hair off my shoulder.

My head is spinning. Was it not an hour ago he was scowling saying we’re both liars?