He sat down on the seat and kick-started her up. He loved the rumble, the feel, the beauty of it. The vibrations were heaven.
A part of his life had been returned to him.
He thought about taking it out, but dawn was coming and the mechanics needed to be on their way. He shut the engine down, then took his time thanking each of the vampires for the work they’d done.
Iris’s cruiser sat in the corner, covered and completely undisturbed.
Duke gestured for his crew to head out through the open garage door and he followed. Connor tracked beside them onto the drive. He looked up into the night sky and up and down the street, but damn if Iris hadn’t taken every precaution. He could see her spell all the way to the streetlight about sixty yards away. She’d made sure the vampires were protected from any local, mistrusting witches.
The men hopped on their own bikes and within seconds were making their way slowly down the suburban street. They knew the drill. They were three Crescent vampires in Elegance and needed to keep a low profile. They could have flown the distance, but each had the same philosophy: Why fly when you can ride?
When Iris came up beside him, he slipped his arm around her shoulders. “Did you give them directions?” she asked.
“Yep, through Revel and Shadow Territories since they’re the closest. The last thing these men need to do is cross Sentinel Bridge. The Elegance Border Patrol would probably haul them in for questioning.”
“And they might never be seen again.”
He turned to her. “You overwhelm me, Iris.” He slipped his arms around her and held her close.
She caressed his face. “The Ducati was the least I could do for the man who has so completely changed my life. It seemed like such a small thing when compared to having you in my home and sharing my bed. I don’t think I knew how alone I was until you showed up.”
He kissed her, a slow tender brush against her lips. When he drew back, he slid his arm around her and led her back to the garage, closing the door.
She gestured to the bike. “You don’t want to take her out? She’s ready and you’ve got a few minutes yet.”
“I need something else right now.”
Since he lowered his hand to fondle her bottom she looked up at him and smiled. “I like your thinking.”
When she took his hand, then turned toward the door to the house, he followed after.
“I’m still mad about the spell.”
But she only laughed, maybe because he didn’t sound convincing.
As she led him past the dining table, she turned to look up at him. “I’m really dirty, Connor. Think you could take me to the shower and get me clean?”
He growled softly. “Definitely.”
~ ~ ~
Connor’s reaction to the Ducati was exactly what Iris had hoped for. He’d had the strong wind-in-the-face expression she’d wanted, then he’d kissed her.
She knew exactly what the bike meant to him, a symbol of what he’d lost and hopefully what he’d now gained because they’d become a couple, even a team to help build something better in Five Bridges.
The shower was small for his big body, but the cramped space made it fun and close and wonderful. She kept her hands on him the whole time and he returned the favor.
Making love with Connor was better than the sweetest dream. He was an attentive lover, always gauging her reaction to the slightest pressure of his tongue, his fingers, and especially his cock. She worked hard to match him, learning the ways he liked to be sexed up, then brought home.
Then of course, there were times she attacked his body, like now in the shower, for the sheer pleasure of exploring every bulked up muscle he possessed.
After a few minutes of soaping each other, he lifted her up against the tile wall and entered her. She moaned heavily, savoring the connection as he began to drive into her. The water hit them both, another erotic layer of feel-good.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and for just a moment she was reminded of flying with him for the first time.
She held his gaze. “I love you.” Then she kissed him.
His whole body responded as he pierced her mouth with his tongue and groaned. He drew back just enough, all the while thrusting into her. “I love you, too, Iris. So much.”