Free Final Mend by Angela Smith

and demanded she behave.
    She smiled and nodded to a few people she knew who were coming in as they were going out. She hoped she didn’t have horny written all over her face. She hoped Jake didn’t either.
    She didn’t know what had possessed her to invite him back to her place, but there was no backtracking now. Loneliness had been squeezing all sense of joy from her mind, and she was afraid if she didn’t stop it now, depression would take root. Seeing everyone around her so happy sucked. She was happy for them, but it had made her loneliness more palpable. Adrenaline spiked through her at Jake’s touch. She felt a connection with him she couldn’t explain, and she wasn’t about to ignore this temporary oblivion.
    “We’ll take my motorbike,” she said.
    “Only if I can drive.”
    Winona laughed. “It’s not like the bikes you’re used to.”
    “Oh, I think I can handle it.”
    His sonorous voice deluged her spine with shivers, eclipsed by molten lava in her loins. She envisioned the videos of him pounding through the water, droplets of water on his half-naked body. Then on his bike, his legs throbbing in power as he raced alongside other bikers, sweat pouring from his body and accentuating his long and lean muscles.
    Her heart belly-crawled into her stomach, pounding her gut as she straddled the bike first and padded the seat for him to sit. Instead of sitting, he leaned over, curled his fingers behind her neck, and kissed her.
    Her breath whooshed out of her. Hot waves of desire coated her skin and slammed into her thighs. She moaned as she returned his fervor, his tongue filching away her cautiousness. As much as she wanted this, anyone could see them right now.
    She stationed her palms on his chest and straightened her spine, backing away. “That’s enough. Let’s go before somebody sees.”
    His right eyebrow shot up. “Why do you care if anyone sees?”
    “Because it’s a small town, and we’re practically making out on my bike.”
    He shrugged. “So?”
    “So. Reputation is everything in a small town.”
    “Okay.” He placed her helmet on her head, turned and straddled the bike, then kickstarted it. His butt brushed against her thighs and she moved back for him to have room to sit. Before she even had time to think, he sped off.
    She left her helmet on and resisted the urge to wrap her arms around him. He wasn’t going fast enough to have her steady her body against his anyway. Around town, she rarely wore her helmet. They only had two blocks to go to get to her condo, but he didn’t go in the direction of her condo. She didn’t say anything, just let him drive.
    He stopped at the B&B where he was staying and killed the engine. She removed her helmet but he was off and helping her before she had a chance to move. He took her hand and they walked up the stairs to his room.
    He opened the door and paused. Winona halted behind him, suddenly feeling shy. Awkward. Unsure what to do next. She could use another dose of alcohol to lower her inhibitions.
    • • •
    Jake’s whole body quivered, his need for this woman dominating him much like the need for a drink.
    Clenching his fist in an urge to maintain control, he faced her. She palmed his chest, pushed him out of the doorway, and slammed the door behind them with her foot. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled his face to hers.
    He grasped one hand behind her neck, one on her lower back, and they stood together, nose to nose. He didn’t kiss her just yet. Once he started, he wouldn’t be able to stop. Lips within inches of each other, he breathed in her scent. She licked her lips, eyes heavy as she met his gaze and awaited his kiss.
    Her scent, like honeydew and watermelon, made him dizzy with need. His heart pounded as he prolonged the wait. He lifted her, hands gripping her ass, and braced her on the door. She laughed as she fenced her legs around him.
    “This is how we’re going to do it?” she asked, her silken voice