•9• First Adventure

ADAM'S POV

“Uh, whose is that?” 

I glanced up at Eva who was standing on the stairs, hip perched on the handrail, her bold front marred with just a glint of panic.

“Oh, the motorbike? It's mine.” I answered, matching the nonchalant front she was trying to put up. “I leave it at a friend's ranch whenever I'm going out of Wyoming. I had it delivered to me early this morning.”

“Oh, so you can keep it here with you while you're in Wyoming?” She asked, hope lighting up her eyes.

“No, so we can take it out on today's adventure.”

Her bold front cracked into a full-blown incredulous look. “You must be crazy. I'm not getting on that bike.”

“Why?” I lifted my brows.

“Why???” She parroted in a horrified voice. “Do you know that the risk of dying from riding a motorcycle is 37 times more than from driving a car? I mean, I once saw a motorcycle collide with a car. The car driver only had a few scratches. The cyclist died on the spot.”

“I see.”

She stepped down the stairs and walked up to where I was standing beside my Harley Davidson motorbike. “I'm being serious. I think you are insane if you expect me to ride on this thing.”

“And I think you need to give yourself a break and step away from that pessimistic mindset.” I mused, ignoring her when she grimaced at me. 

“Besides, where has all that spunk you woke up with this morning traveled to? I'd go and bring it back to wipe out your fear.”

Aware she was a woman who hated being taunted, I knew my last sentence would get her. And it did.

Taking a step back away from me, she jammed her hands on her jean-clad hips. “Who said I was afraid?”

“You're not?” I let a mocking smile stretch my lips. “What are we waiting for then? Let's go.”

“Isn't the road covered with too much snow?”

“I've had a little path cleared up to the points that the snowplows have done.”

Not wanting her to back out, I swung my leg and sat on the bike, facing away from her. When after some seconds she still hadn't hopped on, I looked back to find her looking at me skeptically.

“You know what?” Her face lit up as if she'd decided something brilliant. “I just realized that cars are far more fun than motorcycles. So you ride on this. I'll take my car.”

With that, she turned to scurry off, but I caught hold of her elbow before she could take three steps away. She seemed tense, and I wondered whether it was from my touch or her fear of motorbikes.

Slowly, I managed to get her to face me again. “Hey, do you think I'll let anything happen to you?”

Striking amber eyes gazed back at me, turned away as their owner swallowed, then returned to me. This time it was filled with grim determination, her face taking on a fierce look that made her look dangerous and all too sexy. 

“Let's do this, baby!”

“That's more like it.” I laughed.

I stabilized the motorcycle so she could hop on it, then handed her the helmet. She practically snatched it from my hand.

“Wait! You don't have a helmet?” She asked after she'd put it on.

“Don't worry 'bout me, sweetheart. I'm good.” I turned the ignition, and she yelled as the machine purred to life. “Now hold on to me.”

Her arms embraced my torso instantly, making me hiss at how intimately her breasts were pressed against my back. Dragging in a deep breath, I stepped on the pedal.

“Oh, my God!” She screamed, her hold on my stomach getting tighter as the motor zoomed off. “I can't believe I'm doing this.”

While she was freaking out, I basked in the feel of the air rushing by, violently ruffling my hair, and whipping against my face. I loved riding motorcycles.

After some frantic yells here and there, Eva finally eased up. Her hold on my body finally loosened which was a welcome distraction. 

Otherwise, I wasn't sure I would've maintained enough control to keep us from crushing at the way her hands had been squeezing my abs.

Going to bed last night had been pure torture. My mind had been aflame with pure, erotic fantasies, especially after the steamy moment we'd had while I'd been massaging her just before she'd dampened the mood, acting as if it meant nothing.

What the hell was this woman doing to me? And what was it about her that'd driven out the thoughts of the masked woman?

We finally reached the horse stables, I first slowed before coming to a stop so that she wasn't startled, then stabilized the bike so that she could get off it.

“You were so right!” She was practically bouncing up and down like an excited seven-year-old. “Wow, this was so fun.”

The cry of horses filled the place, and I stepped off the bike. “I can teach you to ride.”

“Uh, no thanks.” The fear was back in her eyes. “Why use a motorcycle when there are cars?”

“Yo man,” Trevor, a rugged-looking man dressed in cowboy clothes approached us. “Is she the girl?”

“Yep.” I answered.

Trevor stepped closer to us, turning to Eva. “Hey there, beauty. I'm Trevor. Pleasure to meet you.” His eyes roved lewdly over her body, making me grit my teeth.

“Pleasure's all mine.” Eva said but the look on her face told me that she was uncomfortable with the man's stare.

“Dude, she's not interested. Just show us the horses.” I set it straight to Trevor before he could make any moves on her.

He scowled at me.

After handpicking one black stallion and a beautiful female white horse–perks of being the ranch owner's friend–Trevor had us saddled, his signature scowl never leaving his face.

“Thanks, dude,” I told him, but a grunt was all I received in return before he stormed off.

Eva cast me a questioning glance. “Jeez, what's his problem?”

Shrugging, I checked that the cinch on the saddle was well placed before propping my feet on the leg and jumping on, expecting Eva to do the same with her horse, only to turn and find her holding the reins staring at the horse with panicked eyes, chest rising and falling rapidly.

I had to hold back an exasperated breath. “Don't tell me you lied when you said horseback riding is your go-to fun activity!”

“I didn't lie completely, okay." She shot back, looking sheepish. “I fell off a horse when I was sixteen and sprained my ankle, and I've never sat on one again.”

I looked heavenward and sighed dramatically. “Motorbikes, horses, heights... My God, just what aren't you afraid of.”

She let go of the reins and crossed her arms under her breasts, causing the mounds to jutt up enticingly through the jacket she was wearing. 

“Just a few things.” Her tone was laced with defiance. “I rode a roller skate once and sprained my ankle pretty badly.”

“In other words, you're a walking disaster.”

Her mouth dropped open. “No, I'm not!”

“Of course.” Rolling my eyes, I jumped off the horse and went to help her climb hers. I made sure she was well seated before going back to mount mine

“Come on, it's not a lion. It won't eat you.” I said, hoping it would help to ease her panic as I rubbed my horse on the head.

And then I proceeded to teach her the rules of horseback riding, how to use the reins to control the horse and cause it to accelerate, slow down or stop. She was a quick learner, and within an hour, she was bouncing off excitedly on her horses.

She looked like she was having a lot of fun, and I couldn't help but take photos with the camera I brought along.

We had three races, and I won all of them.

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“You can't truly expect me to walk on that thing!” Eva's horror-filled gaze traveled across the expanse of the canopy bridge.

“I wouldn't bring you here if I didn't.” 

The bridge was held by just ropes, making it shake whenever you walk on it.

A chuckle came from our tour guide who was standing behind us. “Eva, I assure you that this is completely safe.”

“Yeah, I heard that five minutes ago.” She said sarcastically. Stretching out her leg, she delicately prodded at the wooden floor of the bridge and quickly recoiled when it let out a small squeak. “No, I can't.”

“Yes, you can.” Huffing, I retraced my steps on the bridge, stopping in front of her and stretching out my hand. “Don't be such a coward.”

That seemed to jolt the daring part of her. She took my hand, and while I walked backward, I drew her deeper along the bridge, whispering encouraging things to her. As soon as we crossed the bridge halfway, I let go of her hand.

“What? No, you can't... ” She protested but I was already turning and hurrying away. “Jerk!”

When I reached the other end of the bridge, I slanted her a teasing smile. “Hurry up now, Miss West. Or would you rather walk back?”

She huffed, her steps slow and deliberate while the bridge quivered slightly. Unable to resist, I took out my camera and caught the moment, ignoring her disapproving scowl. 

When she had about just a meter left, she ran until she was on the other end beside me, breaths rushing in and out.

“See." I chuckled. “I told you you could do it. I'm sure you'll do well on the other four as well.”

“What?!”