Protecting Dallas

“Alright,” I said. “So I have this list of things to do and places to go, in and around New York City. Each month I choose one and force myself to visit. No matter what I’m doing, I just go.”

She stared back at me over her mug. “That… actually sounds kinda cool.”

“Right? It’s my grandmother’s idea,” I admitted.

“Your grandmother?”

I nodded. “My grandparents raised me. My sister too. Our parents got divorced when we were eleven, and they both just sorta took off in different directions.”

“Holy shit.”

“That’s what we said,” I laughed.

There was a moment of silence, but for some reason it wasn’t awkward. Holly’s look was more one of admiration than pity — something I appreciated immediately.

“Anyway, the whole ‘go someplace new’ thing was my grandmother’s idea. It was something she used to do, back when she could still get around.”

“And you took it over.”

“Yup. She’s still sort of living vicariously through me now. That’s why I bring her lots of photos of everything.”

Holly was abruptly quiet. I couldn’t tell if she was weirded out, or—

“Brody?”

“Yes?”

Her eyes looked glassy. “That’s one of the most adorable things anyone’s ever told me.”

Now it was my turn to blush. All of a sudden I was glad for the bad lighting.

“It’s kind of silly, I guess. I mean—”

“No,” Holly said sternly. She reached across the table and took my hand. “It’s not.”

Six

HOLLY

The ride downtown was a lot cozier, somehow way more intimate than the ride up. I snuggled against Brody’s back, trusting him implicitly as we zipped through the streets. My hands were locked even lower around the warmth of his abdomen, which felt scrumptiously hard and rippled beneath my interlaced fingers.

God, he’s so… cute.

Yes, he definitely was. But lots of guys were cute, and Brody went well beyond that. He was sexy too, carrying himself with a cool, casual confidence that made me feel safe and protected, even in the middle of nowhere. And the Cloisters had been a charming little oasis. The perfect place for a quiet cup of coffee with a broad-shouldered stranger, one with a bright, beautiful smile.

And he’s definitely not a stranger, I reminded myself. Not anymore…

We’d walked halfway back to his bike when Brody had pulled me against a lamppost. His kisses had been sensuous, so unspeakably hot, they’d practically melted me right there in his arms. It had been a long time since I felt passion like that. Far too long since I’d been held in a way that made me feel wanted… and not just superficially but with a desperate, pressing need.

We’d continued making out in the middle of the park for what seemed like a long time, oblivious to our surroundings. His hands wandered downward, over my back, sliding dangerously below my hips. I’d gasped into his mouth as he cupped my ass, pulling me hard against him. Brody merely responded with a smug smile, nibbling sexily on my lower lip.

Our mouths churned hotly, our tongues dueling as they rotated slowly against each other. All around us, the world stopped. The lamppost became our own private island; a glowing steel beacon in the darkness of the empty park. No one came down the path we were on — not a single, solitary person. It was the most solitude I’d had since leaving Texas, and for some reason it felt utterly magnificent.

Back on the motorcycle, we arrived at my apartment all too fast. I was left standing in front of my building, handing my helmet back to Brody as he comfortably straddled his bike.

“Wanna come up?” I asked boldly. “For a drink?”

I really didn’t know who this new Holly was. But I knew I liked her a lot.