Free Flirting with Disaster by Ava Catori, Olivia Rigal

Now, if I found a girl I wanted to stick around in the morning, it was a win. It was a rare woman who kept my attention for more than a few dates, though. I wouldn't say I was commitment phobic; I just wasn’t ready to settle down.  
    With Barbara, there was something growing between us. I couldn't place it, but it felt right.  
    "I'm going over the causeway so I can open her up. Don't let go," I warned.  
    "Right," she said, gripping me tighter. She clung to my body as I sped up, pushing the limits. The adrenaline coursed through my veins. I followed the bridge up and over the bay, and drove as far as the parkway. Shooting up the ramp, we joined the traffic and I headed a couple of towns over.  
    I knew where I was headed. There was a little place with comfortable seats and a guitar player picking at tunes. Sometimes a local band played instead. Nothing over the top, but it was a casual corner that wasn't just a shot and beer joint. There were thatched Tiki themed huts, potted palms, and Adirondack chairs in place of the usual straight bar with a line of stools. The atmosphere was tropical, even though still in Jersey. The chairs were placed randomly in groups, so it was free flowing based on your needs. I'd been here a few times in the past, but the latest make of this bar was the best. The place had changed hands over the years, going from the Bait Shack to the Sand Castle, and now Tom's Tiki Hut. Each time the ownership changed, so did the fixings, the look, and the crowd that frequented the place.  
    I pulled into the lot and parked. Barbara climbed off the back. As she lifted off her helmet, I noticed the blush in her cheeks. Her eyes danced. She couldn't help but smile. Her sweet lips curled up and her words came out with a soft laugh. "That was so much fun!"
    I smiled, glad she had a good time. I watched as she shook out her wavy hair and then finger combed it. There was a goddess waiting to escape from her own tightly woven web. It was as if a caterpillar had bloomed in the last few days. She'd become more relaxed around me. We locked our helmets onto the back rack of the bike. I took her hand, not thinking, and led her to the bar.  
    "What will it be?" the bartender asked, leaning over to hear the answer. One of the speakers was nearby, and made it a little loud.  
    Barbara leaned into me and said, "Whatever's on tap is fine. I'm not choosy." I guessed she probably was, but was trying not to be finicky in front of me.
    I spoke loudly, so I didn't have to say it twice. "Two bottles of Shock Top should do it." The bartender checked if we wanted the Belgian White or the Honeycrisp Apple Wheat. We opted for the first. I threw a twenty onto the bar and gestured to a set of chairs tucked on the side. "Why don't you grab those seats, and I'll be right behind you."  
    Barbara headed to the chairs I'd pointed out. Our timing was perfect. Not long after we arrived, a large group showed up. Had to get here early to grab the best seats. I settled in next to her, adjusting my chair so it was even closer. I used the excuse of the music coming through the speakers louder than I'd remembered. The scent of her perfume pulled me closer. It was intimate and sexy, a soft floral note with a hint of citrus.  
    She didn't seem to mind me inching over. With our chairs together, I could place my hand over hers.  
    "Two is my limit, then I'll need to switch to something else. I want this out of my system before we get back onto the bike," I said.
    "I appreciate you thinking of my safety," she said.  
    "Are you okay?" I noticed even after laughing and having fun on the bike, like old habits, she started to stiffen up again. It seemed almost second nature. I wondered how long it would take her to break free from that mold.  
    Barbara sighed. "Yeah, I'm okay. I'm not used to hanging out like this. It's nice, but sometimes it seems like I stop myself before I'm allowed to enjoy things. I don't know why. I think it's a defense