Memories that were best tucked into the far recesses of her mind and not dredged up. She’d jump his bones later in the physical sense only, because there was no room in her life for an emotional entanglement with Mac. Right now she had to strategize getting that vial away from him.
Then again, since he seemed to have it well hidden and obviously wasn’t keen on her ransacking his saddlebags or body at the moment, she’d have to study all the places he might have it tucked away, so that when the opportunity arose for her to do a little digging, she’d know where to start.
“That should do it,” he said, tossing his tools back into the saddlebag and straightening. “New seat’s in place. Let’s see about getting you some of those woman supplies you need as well as a couple changes of clothes.”
After the brick-like original seat, the new one was a slice of heaven to her abused butt. Mac drove them a short distance to a nearby store, where she bought another pair of jeans, a couple shirts and some underthings, then to a drugstore for some sundry items like toothbrush, hairbrush and a little makeup. Okay, so she was just vain enough to want to touch up a bit.
She felt better now, having clothes and essentials. She just wished she had her cell phone so she could report in to her client and to her boss, but that would just have to wait. Mac watched her like a hawk wherever they went, so she wasn’t able to sneak off to a pay phone. She hoped her client didn’t think she was the one who’d stolen the artifact. Hell, for all she knew there could be an APB out on her for art theft.
Her stomach clenched at the thought. She really needed to get to a phone. She had to get the vial and get away from Mac and back to Chicago.
She didn’t want to think of Mac on the bad side of the law, but it wouldn’t be the first time it had happened. She had hoped by now he would have turned his life around.
Guess not.
Which she had to remind herself wasn’t her problem, since she was no longer emotionally attached to him.
Her clothes and toiletries were packed into the saddlebags. Mac helped her into her chaps, then drew out a pair for himself and zipped and snapped them on.
Holy crap. A rush of heat enveloped her as she looked at him standing next to his Harley. Biker dude in leather chaps and jacket, dark shades and gloves. Now if that wasn’t the sexiest thing she’d ever seen, she didn’t know what was. Her mouth watered at the look, feel and smell of the leather on him.
She wanted to stand closer, to run her hands over his body— hell, she wanted to strip down on the spot and rub her entire naked body over his.
Damn. Focus, Lily. Pure physical response, right?
Right.
She slipped on her leather jacket, gloves and goggles, then they hopped on the bike again and took off down the main road.
Lily expected Mac to jump on the highway. He didn’t.
Instead, he turned off the main road and started down one of the side streets, then hit a two lane road and stayed on it, bypassing every single main highway entrance.
She leaned forward when he stopped at a light, pressing against him to she could talk against his ear. “Where are we headed?”
“South.”
She rolled her eyes. That much she realized. “South where?”
“Can’t tell you.”
Okay, so she already knew that was going to be his answer, but she had to try. She leaned back, rested her hands on his hips and decided to just enjoy the ride. Once the sun was fully up, it warmed considerably. She was comfortable in the jacket, gloves and chaps which kept the cool wind from cutting into her, and the warm sun on her face lulled her into relaxation. She found herself enjoying the scenery, her body adapting to the turns in the roads and the thrum of the bike between her thighs.
She figured they must be somewhere near the state line, but wasn’t exactly sure how far they had ridden, and she wasn’t familiar with the road around here.
Where was he taking her?
And where the hell was the virus?
Chapter Four
By nightfall, they’d ridden over eight hours. Lily’s butt was sore and her thighs were cramping. She’d had enough and prayed at every town they passed that this would be the one Mac would choose to stop at. The only stops they’d made all day were for gas and to grab a quick bite to eat. Convenience store food sucked.
They made a quick detour at a Chinese restaurant and grabbed something to go. Then, saints be praised, Mac pulled into a motel. Not a Hyatt or Marriott, but it wasn’t a campsite, either, and for that she was eternally grateful. After riding all day, she was hungry and tired and more than ready for a shower and change of clothes. They checked in and just the sight of a bed in the room was enough to make Lily want to cry.
“Tired?” he asked as he tossed their bags onto the dresser.
“A little.”
“Hungry? I am.”
“Starving.”
“I hope choosing the Chinese food was okay.”
Right now, she liked anything. Her stomach was growling. “Sounds fabulous.”
They sat at the tiny round table near the window and inhaled the food. Lily tried to remember her upbringing and manners as she ate, but frankly she was too damn hungry. She dug into one of the little cardboard cartons with chopsticks as if she hadn’t eaten in a week.
“You were hungry,” Mac said, cocking a brow.
“Clearly.” She grabbed a napkin and wiped sauce from her chin, then took a long swallow of bottled water. Okay, she felt partially human again. As soon as she digested a little, the next order of business would be a shower. She felt icky wearing yesterday’s clothes, her hair was windblown and stringy and she shuddered at how she must look.
“Quit doing that. You look gorgeous.”
She looked at Mac. “Quit doing what?”
“Fiddling with your hair. It’s sexy like that.”
She hadn’t even realized she was combing it with her fingers. “It’s a mess. It’s not sexy.”
“I disagree. It’s wild looking. Like you just got out of bed after spending several hours there with your lover. It’s a very hot look.”
She knew better. It was a tangled bird’s nest. “You’re blind.”
Mac shook his head. “No, I’m not. I know exactly what I’m looking at.”
He’d always been able to do that to her. When his voice dropped low, his meaning all too obvious, the vibration settled right between her legs, making her clit quiver. Just like now, when he looked at her with his half-lidded gaze and spoke to her in that deep voice, the implications of both incredibly dangerous to her libido as well as her emotions.