Free Hard Ride, Part 2 by Opal Carew

being with him.
    â€œI have to go into town for a meeting this afternoon,” Shock said.
    â€œOh, what kind of meeting?”
    â€œThe company I use to manage the property we’re staying at and the law firm I use for a lot of my business dealings are in town. Anytime I’m here, I arrange to go in and meet with them.” He raised an eyebrow. “Do you want to come with me? I’ll be busy for a few hours, but you could do some exploring, then we can meet for dinner. There’s a great restaurant overlooking the lake.”
    â€œThat sounds really nice. Should I change into something different?” But she wasn’t sure what that would be. All she had were the biker chick clothes Shock had arranged for her, and the fancy dress she’d worn out to dinner, but that wasn’t really appropriate for wandering around a small town in the afternoon.
    â€œNo, you’re fine. I’m going in this,” he said, gesturing to his worn jeans and T-shirt.
    He picked up her leather jacket and held it for her. She slipped her arms in the sleeves and zipped it up as he pulled on his own jacket. Soon she was sitting behind him on his Harley as they zipped along the highway into town.
    It didn’t take long to get there, and as they rode along the main street, she glanced around at the quaint buildings. It was a lovely town, with lots of outdoor cafés, planters full of flowers along the wide sidewalks, and colorful banners fluttering in the breeze. Shock pulled over to the side of the road in front of a tall brown-brick building.
    â€œIt’s a pretty town,” she said as she pulled off her helmet.
    â€œI like it,” he said, as he took her helmet and stowed it in the saddle bag on his bike.
    â€œThere’s a craft market on the next street,” he said pointing to the right, “a park a couple of blocks further down, right off the lake and, of course, you can see a lot of restaurants along Main Street if you want something.”
    He pulled his wallet from his pocket and pulled out some bills, then handed them to her.
    She frowned and shook her head.
    He took her hand and pressed the bills against her palm. “Don’t be silly. You can buy something for yourself, maybe have a coffee.”
    â€œI don’t want to take your money.”
    His big hands surrounded hers, closing her fingers around the bills.
    â€œDon’t make a big deal of it, Liv. It’s just a couple of bucks, and I won’t have you wandering around with no money. What if something happened and you needed to get back to the house on your own?”
    He was right. She was making a big deal over nothing.
    She grinned. “Why? Are you planning on ditching me?”
    He laughed. “I’d never do that.”
    She took the money and tucked it into her pocket.
    He smiled. “Good. We’re making some progress. Now, I’ll be busy until about five, and I’ve made reservations at this restaurant.” He handed her a card with the name Le Miroire. “As I said, it’s right on the lake. It’s just a few blocks from here, and you can ask anyone for directions. The people here are really friendly.”
    She tucked the card in her pocket with the money he’d given her. “Okay. So are you sure you’re going to a business meeting and not just grabbing a beer and playing some pool,” she asked with a grin, eyeing his biker attire.
    He chuckled. “I’m sure. But maybe we can do that together after dinner.” He pulled her close and gave her a kiss. Deep and delicious. When he released her, her cheeks were flushed with excitement. What she’d really like to do now is get right back on that bike and return to the house, then drag him up to the bedroom. Though thoughts of walking into a pool hall with him, all bad-assed and with attitude, then strolling into the back room and him taking her on a pool table flitted through her brain. Then