Free Forbidden, Tempted Series (Book 1) by Selene Charles Page B

minutes.”
    Asian-themed music with a techno backbeat spilled through the tent as the contortionists danced and maneuvered themselves into obscene and ridiculous stances. For the first time in a long time, Flint found herself spellbound by the lithe beauty of the performers, but Abel didn’t give her time to appreciate any of it—he grabbed her elbow and, with a dimpled grin, dragged her out.
    “Where is the hole?” she asked the moment they stepped out of the tent.
    “At the quarry. ’Bout five miles down the road.”
    Flint shoved her hands in her pockets. “Five miles? Abel, I think you seriously hate me. Why didn’t you tell me we were gonna have to walk that long? First you don’t tell me we’re going swimming, now I’m wearing sandals and you tell me we’re wal—”
    “Will you relax?” He shook her shoulders in a gentle grip. “I’ve got something better.”
    She frowned when he pulled out a small silver key from his pocket—didn’t look like any kind of car key she’d ever seen. She desperately hoped he wasn’t planning on opening up some shed with that thing and passing her a bicycle. Midnight biking in the sticks held zero appeal at the moment.
    “And that is?”
    “The keys to freedom, baby.” He waggled his brows and she couldn’t help but giggle. “Now c’mon before the old man sees me and rips me a new one for stealing his toy.”
    Stealing one of Adam’s toys? Oh yeah, she was so there and followed behind Abel as quiet as could be even though her nerves were taut with the thrill of doing something forbidden.
    That is until he walked to the shed behind Adam’s office. But there weren’t any bicycles waiting inside when he opened the doors.
    “Help me roll this thing out, will you? Don’t want to start it up here.”
    She grinned at the cherry-red ATV. “You’re awesome. Have I told you that lately?”
    “Aww, shucks.” He grinned, dropping his head in a silly, shy smile. “I try.”
    A pile of leaves stirred outside and they stilled, holding their breath, and then chuckled when it turned out to be nothing but a field mouse scampering off.
    “Now hurry up, missy.” Abel jerked his head toward the opposite handlebar on her side. “My dad’s got the freakin’ nose of a bloodhound.”
    Not that she didn’t want to “borrow” the ATV, because she totally did, but... “Abel, don’t these things lock automatically? I think you’re gonna have to start it so we can get it moving.”
    “Umm, how ’bout no.” He lifted a brow. “My dad catches me over here, I’ll be the one scraping horse dung out of the stalls the rest of the week. Look, it’s easy, I’ve done it before. Just pop the clutch and it’ll go.”
    “This is a standard? Are you sure you can drive it?”
    He huffed. “Flint, this isn’t my first rodeo.” He pointed. “Now pop it.”
    She did as he ordered and was surprised how smoothly it rolled out. She stifled a giggle as they eased it past Adam’s trailer, past the tents and the sounds of a roaring crowd, and out the gates.
    “I can’t believe we got away with that and no one caught us,” she said, eyes wide with adrenaline.
    Abel hopped onto the front and patted the small space behind him. “Not really made for two people, but you’re small enough, I think.”
    She snorted. “You’re smaller.”
    He rolled his eyes and started the machine. It idled like the gentle purr of a kitten. “I’m pretty sure I just got a new muscle today. Here, look.” He pointed at his sad-looking bicep, flexing it with a grin.
    Flint laughed and hopped on.
    “Hold on.” Abel hit on the gas and Flint wrapped her arms tight around his waist, his chuckle the only thing she heard.

Chapter 8
    C ain punched her again, splitting her lip open. “Tell me where she is!” he snarled, blood pounding so hard through his veins he thought they’d break open.
    She laughed, the sound high and dry, then wiped the blood from her mouth. “You think a few hits will make me