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Category: Romance
Description: Hayden, a self-proclaimed nomad and adventure-seeker, rode out of his hometown seven years ago without a backward glance. Running out of excuses to stay away, he's come home for the first time in seven years to visit his brother and attend the annual biker rally. He doesn't know what he expected, but it certainly wasn't to get stuck going on a police raid. And he certainly never expected to meet a gorgeous, spunky woman threatening him with a spear. If that wasn't enough, he never thought one chance encounter would make him question everything he had believed about his life. All Hayden ever wanted was to feel the wind against his face and the freedom that came with it. But in the process of chasing that, had he turned his back on everything that had ever meant anything to him? And how can he pursue the woman he has come to care for if he has a divided heart?
eBook Publisher: Sugar and Spice Press, 2011
eBookwise Release Date: August 2011

Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [113 KB]
Words: 24686
Reading time: 70-98 min.

The small measure of vulnerability she saw in him made her heart quiver and she reached up to run her palm across his cheek, loving the rough texture of his roguish stubble. "You don't need to hunt down all your answers right now," she murmured. "They'll come to you in time."

He didn't answer, but feathered his thumb back and forth over her jaw line. His blue eyes darkened and a thousand things seemed to pass through them, troubled, confused things that she wished she could ease from his mind.

"Hey, guys, everything okay out here?" Shelby's voice tore through Hayden and Gina's personal moment--again--and Gina sighed softly as she removed herself from his arms. His hands lingered on her as he pulled away, and the fact that he so obviously wanted to remain close and connected warmed her. She couldn't deny she liked the feel of his body against hers.

"We're fine," she answered. She glanced at Jackson, who had his hands shoved in his pockets, displaying his tattoos with a proud, almost cocky posturing. Gina stifled a smile and wondered how much less awkward he felt now that he wasn't hiding and Shelby had realized he was actually a living, breathing man.

She glanced at the dynamic between Hayden and Jackson, and felt a twinge of sadness at the fact that they were looking everywhere but at each other.

"So, I saw this flyer on the door," Jackson said suddenly. "A cover band that plays classic rock and some blues is going to be performing tonight at an old bar down here. I thought maybe we could grab some dinner in a bit and then go...if you want." He shrugged, still keeping his gaze focused on the ground.

Gina glanced up at Hayden and grinned. "Do you dance, sir?" she teased.

His smile chased all the troubled shadows from his face. "When the mood strikes me." He slipped his arm around her waist and tugged her close. "Sounds like a good plan, Jack. Let's get our photos and get out of here."

They all headed back into the studio and stopped short at seeing Troy sitting on the photographer's desk, her straddling his lap, with his tongue shoved so far in her mouth Gina thought he was testing her gag reflex.

They all stared in shocked silence for a minute before Hayden shook his head and shot a glower toward Jack, who rolled his eyes and scooted protectively closer to Shelby.

"Wow," Hayden grumbled. "Unbelievable." He spotted their ready stack of pictures on the end of the desk, snatched them, and flung some cash on the desk. "That should cover it. Have a nice life, dude." He handed the photos to Shelby, who tucked them into her enormous bag, then grabbed Gina's hand and led the way back outside.

"I can't believe what a jerk he's been all day," Hayden said. "I don't remember him ever being that way."

"I'm sorry," Jackson said. "It was my idea to invite him."

Hayden shook his head. "It's not your fault. None of us knew he was gonna act like a complete A-hole. He can just go home whenever he wants, or back to her place. I don't care. From this point on, he's flying solo."

"At least the picture was funny," Gina said, glancing at Shelby and trying to gauge her reaction to the current situation. She was quiet, which was never a good sign, and had her eyes downcast. Gina didn't like to see her sister look sad, especially over some lowlife guy.

Hayden reached down and squeezed her hand. He offered her an encouraging smile and a wink. "All right, let's forget all this nonsense. I know Jack only has the sports bike, but what do you say we get a little bit of riding in? Check out the scenery? When we get back, we'll grab some dinner and check out that band. Sound like a plan?"

Gina smiled at her sister. "You can ride with Hayden if you want. I don't mind the sports bike."

Shelby looked over at Jackson and shook her head. "No, it's okay. I can deal. I'll ride with Jack." She flashed him a playful smile. Gina swore she watched Jack swell to twice his normal size. "Besides, somebody's got to teach you how to ride that thing, and not like an eighty-year-old grandma." She looped her arm through his, and even though he scowled, it was obvious he wasn't seriously offended.

Gina glanced up at Hayden. He draped his arm around her shoulder and she leaned into his body as they headed back up the street. He felt comfortable next to her, and she knew she could get used to him in more ways than one. It was dangerous information to admit to herself. Especially when she knew there was no way he was going to stick around.