Free Hard Ride, Part 2 by Opal Carew Page B

handling it the right way. Realizing it’s just a casual thing. Me”—she shrugged—“I fell head over heels for him. And like a fool, I actually thought he was falling in love with me, too.” She laughed. “Stupid, right?”
    â€œHe had you sign a contract, too?” Liv said numbly.
    â€œYeah.” She patted Liv’s hand and frowned. “Oh, sweetie, don’t tell me you’re falling for him, too.” She shook her head. “Look, I get it. He’s all badass biker on the outside, yet sweet and sensitive on the inside. It’s hard not to fall, and hard. But believe me, the contract means he wants to keep it on a physical level only.”
    She leaned in confidentially. “After it happened to me, I found out he’s done it with other women, too. He uses the contract to keep a distance, I guess.” She squeezed Liv’s hand. “All I can say is, enjoy the ride while it lasts.”
    * * *
    Liv walked along the street feeling numb. Shock had done this before?
    She approached the restaurant and saw his motorcycle out front.
    Oh, God, how would she face him knowing that she was nothing more to him but a fuck partner?
    She sighed. It shouldn’t matter. What they were doing was only meant to be a business relationship. He had been clear that he’d wanted her for a long time and this was a way for her to thank him. Her heart ached and she sucked in a deep breath to steady herself.
    But a part of her had been hoping he would fall in love with her.
    In fact, she had started to believe it was actually happening —proof that she was only seeing what she wanted to see, based on the way he treated her. The glow in his eyes when he smiled at her. His loving manner when he had sex with her. Even when he dominated her, there was a tenderness in his eyes.
    Of course there was. He was a nice guy. He had always looked out for her, in his own way. He was the type of man who would make sure she got home safely from a seedy bar, and would loan her money when she needed it. Even the huge sum she’d asked for. And when he’d found out what had happened to her, and that she’d never really been with a man … well, of course he’d be gentle and loving with her.
    But she couldn’t mistake that for being in love with her.
    Liv entered the restaurant and glanced around. She saw Shock sitting at a table beside the huge window overlooking the lake. As she walked toward him, her feet felt like lead.
    â€œHi. Did you have a good time exploring?” he asked, picking up a bottle of white wine and pouring her a glass.
    â€œYes, thank you,” she said as she sat down. “Did your meetings go well?”
    â€œNot as well as I’d hoped. There are still a few things I need to sort out, so I’m afraid I’ll have to go back for a while after we’re done here.” He rested his hand on top of hers and smiled. “I promise I’ll make it up to you later.”
    The feel of his big, warm hand on hers sent a shiver through her. Usually it would be comforting, but now she could barely stop herself from snatching her hand from his grasp.
    Slowly, she drew her hand away and took a sip of her wine.
    â€œLiv, is there something wrong?” he asked.
    Her gaze lifted to his, then dropped back to the stem glass in front of her. “No, of course not.”
    He could probably tell it was a lie. Luckily the waitress came by and they ordered the lasagna, which Shock told her was a specialty of the house. While they waited, Liv managed to make small talk with him, telling him about the beautiful things she’d seen in the craft market, then giving him his gift, which he loved. But when the meal arrived, she concentrated on eating.
    She debated whether to tell him she’d run into Amy, then confront him with the fact she was not the first woman he’d done this contract thing with, but her stomach knotted. What would be the