ROMANCE: Mason (Bad Boy Alpha Male Stepbrother Romance Boxset) (New Adult Contemporary Stepbrother Romance Collection) (261 page)

The next morning I awoke groggily, reading that the clock said it was a quarter to six in the morning did little to improve my mood. The argument had raged long into the night and I doubted that anybody in the house had gotten much sleep. I wasn’t exactly a morning person and definitely not a quarter to six in the morning person, not by a long shot. I watched the clock tick over to fourteen minutes to six and debated whether or not it was worth getting up, it was a tough decision but one I had little time to actually make.

Another minute ticked by and reluctantly I pulled myself out of the warmth of my covers, instantly regretting it when the cool morning air whipped around my body. I shivered against the air, far too cold to be classed as a summer morning breeze, and darted over to the open window, slamming it shut a little too loudly. With nothing left to loose I hastily dragged a t-shirt and jeans out of my wardrobe, wondering all the while whether or not Conner would actually show up. If he had only had the two or three hours of sleep that I had suffered then he was probably still fast asleep.

I cursed Conner and myself under my breath as I pulled open my bedroom door as quietly as I possibly could; from the start I already knew this was a stupid idea. My dad would probably kill us both if he found out, although Conner could likely give him a run for his money I though with a slight laugh. Carefully I shut the door behind me and hesitated in the corridor, I wasn’t sure whether I should go to his room or straight to the garage. Deciding on the garage I wrapped my hoodie tightly around me and darted down the stairs, jumping over the step I knew was creaky in the process.

As I snuck through the corridor loud snores erupted from the living room; I jumped at the sound, struggling to muffle the scream that tried to break free from my lips. My hammering heart gradually returned to normal and curiously I peered into the living room. My dad was fast asleep on the sofa as his arm rested on the floor holding a fallen blanket; another snore shook through his body as I looked in. Frowning and very much against my better judgment I tiptoed into the room and pulled the blanket back over him. I had to wander whether or not Conner had over-estimated that it would be a couple months before they broke up.

Knowing I was probably late I darted out of the room and ran as fast as I could, in the quietest way possible, to the garage. I stumbled through the door and grabbed hold of the work bench to steady myself, only to find the room was completely empty. Well it was completely empty apart from the four sportbikes neatly lined up across the room. Each one was different, but while I didn’t like to admit it, each one was strangely beautiful. My favorite, the vibrant blue bike was next to one that was equally as sleek, a little bigger perhaps but a dark varnished black.

Despite my excitement at the bikes I frowned in annoyance. “I knew he wouldn’t show up,” I muttered angrily under my breath.

“Who wouldn’t show up?” Conner laughed making me jump out of my skin for the second time this morning. I clasped my hand to my lips, doing the best I could to muffle the new scream that was forming.

I turned rapidly on my feet, trying to find the source of his voice, yet like before the room seemed just as empty. I looked down as a loud scraping sound echoed through the garage and then there he was. Shirtless and covered in more than just a little oil Conner pulled himself off a small trolley-like object. Confused I glared at him, knowing though that my attempt at an angry look was probably spoilt by my eyes flicking between his amused face and his muscled chest.

“You’re a jerk,” I groaned as I focused on his face, fixing my angry expression to make it slightly more believable.

“And you’re late,” he retorted with a laugh as he grabbed a cloth to wipe the oil from his hands.

Annoyed I switched on my phone, the screen illuminated; it was only three minutes past six. “By three minutes,” I snapped back sarcastically.

Conner dropped the cloth and shook his head. “Don’t let it happen again,” he said, equally as sarcastically.

My anger disappeared and I stared at him curiously. “Again?” I questioned unsurely.

This time Conner laughed loudly, his eyes glistening with humor. “What did you think would happen, you would spend ten minutes on the bike and miraculously be able to ride it?” he chuckled.

In truth I had walked into this not having a clue what was going to happen and it clearly hadn’t played out quite how I had expected it to. “Of course not,” I retorted rather lamely.

“Sure,” he said with a wink. My face flushed red and I diverted my eyes from his, the green was just far too intense, especially when he was laughing at my expense.

Conner started packing away the tools he had been using as I wandered aimlessly around the bikes; I was beginning to see why he liked them so much. “Which bike is mine?” I asked curiously as I stopped beside the blue one.

Conner looked up at me, confusion on his face. “Yours?” he questioned, his eyebrow rising in amusement.

“Well yeah, if I’m going to ride one then I’m going to need one, right?” I asked unsurely, not quite meaning for it to come out as a question.

Conner chuckled again and I instantly felt like I was about to become the subject of yet another joke. “What kind of bike is that?” he said, pointing to the one I was stood beside.

I paused, trying and failing to think of something smart to say. “A blue one,” I answered and straight away knew I should probably have just stayed silent.

“Congratulations,” he said, actually sounding genuine as a smile filled his face.

I smiled back at him. “I got it right?” I asked in shock.

Conner’s smile grew, completely reaching his eyes now. “No,” he said simply, “but at least I know you’re not color blind,” he said with a smirk.

I glared at him, yeah; this had definitely been a bad idea. I grabbed his discarded shirt from the bench and tossed it roughly at him, laughing as he attempted to catch it. “It’s cold outside,” I grumbled, sticking my tongue out at him in the process.

“Mature,” he said sarcastically as dragged the black shirt over his chest.

“No more than you,” I retorted with a wide smile on my face as I snuck a look at his chest, perhaps it wasn’t a completely bad idea after all.

Chapter Four

“Please tell me this is a joke?” I asked as I stared at the massive leather jacket that had hastily be shoved into my arms.

Conner turned to me, a serious expression plastered on his face. “Not in the slightest,” he said firmly as he slipped into his own jacket, one that actually suited him.

“Don’t you have a smaller one?” I asked quietly as I lifted the jacket up, it was probably twice this size of the hoodie I was currently wearing.

“No,” Conner said impatiently as he climbed onto the sleek black bike, I could deny he looked good on the bike.

“Fine,” I sighed as I pulled the jacket on. If I was going to have more than one lesson, and that was a big if, I was probably going to have to buy myself a new one.

As I expected the jacket swamped me but at least it was warm. I could understand the need for the jacket though and of course the helmets Conner had in his hands. With the jacket tightly secured I shut the garage door and wandered over to him. I stared skeptically at the bike unsure of what exactly it was I was supposed to do. Conner watched me, a smile twisting at his lips as he surveyed me, clearly waiting for me to actually do anything other than stand still and stare and the imposing bike.

“You know you’re supposed to get on right?” Conner laughed as I circled the bike for the fourth time.

I glared at him again but my look didn’t last long as I took in his smile. “Of course,” I stuttered. He tossed me one of the helmets and I quickly put it on, buckling it in the same way he had done his. Slowly I put my hand on the seat and pulled myself onto the bike behind him, unsure of where I was supposed to put my hands. As I attempted to balance on the back of the seat Conner sighed loudly, emphasizing his impatience enough to make me laugh at him.

He turned in his seat to face me, a single eyebrow raised as he looked at me. “Like this,” he said extra slowly. He took my hands in his; gently cupping them as he slowly wrapped them around his waist. When he dropped my hands I was wrapped around his back, holding on tightly to his waist.

“I’m not going to fall off am I?” I asked stupidly. My dad had warned me off bikes enough for me to be apprehensive, I trusted Conner though and as much as I didn’t like that fact it was all I was relying on to keep me alive.

“Not unless you annoy me,” Conner laughed and the bike roared into life beneath us.

Nothing I could ever have imagined could have prepared me for the feeling of the bike beneath me, it was amazing. The bike calmed to a low rumble and then we were off, the speed instantly enough to knock the breath straight out of me. We flew down the street, and that was what it truly felt like, flying. My arms tightened around Conner and he laughed a carefree laugh, one of pure enjoyment.

Adrenaline pushed away the fear as I saw the streets I had grown up in whizz past in a whole new light. The roads were empty; it was just us and the bike, completely free. I wanted to put my arms out, to feel the air whip at them but I held on, feeling Conner firm’s body keeping me on the bike, keeping me safe. The bike roared as we drove faster and Conner took each of the corners with ease. The bike responded to his every movement, it twisted and turned expertly under his touch and soon everything I knew was far behind us.

The streets melted seamlessly into the countryside and the ocean came into view just over the rolling hills. It had been so long since I had been to the beach, too long since I had felt the salty air. I smiled widely as he let the bike free on the country roads, the long stretches of tarmac passed easily beneath us. Everything; the speed, the wind, the feeling of the bike, it all felt unbelievable. All too soon though as the bike pulled into a deserted stretch of field it slowed to a stop and the gentle rumble that I had grown to enjoy stopped.

Conner held the bike steady as he jumped off and offered his hand to me, using his foot to kick the stand out. I took it willingly and he pulled me easily from the bike; my feet wobbled uncertainly and I stumbled against him. His hands remained firm on me, keeping me standing as he smiled brightly at me, his eyes almost sparkling as he held me. “What did you think?” he questioned as my heart slowly began to beat normally again.

“That was amazing,” I breathed, hardly believing just how incredible it was. Without thinking I wrapped my arms around Conner, feeling the rustle of his leather jacket and the warmth of his body.

Slowly he wrapped his arms back around me, pulling me a little closer to his chest. “I’m glad you enjoyed it,” he said sincerely as his chin rested softly on my head.

Slowly I pulled away from him and a small blush spread across my face. “You blush a lot,” Conner laughed and I felt my face heat up even more at his teasing.

“You’re mean a lot,” I retorted, sticking my tongue out at him.

“Well I do try,” he responded sarcastically.

“I noticed,” I muttered, shoving his arm playfully.

Before I could fully pull my arm back he grabbed it quickly and spun me around so my back was firm against his chest. His arms wrapped tightly around my waist, holding me against him. Slowly his head dipped against me, tilting my own to the side. His lips pressed softly against my ear sending shivers racing through my body. “Now it’s your turn,” he whispered into my ear. My mouth dropped open in shock; I had forgotten I was actually going to have to drive the bike.

Chapter Five

It felt like no time had passed before it was my turn to drive the bike and while Conner had gone over everything, more than once, as I climbed onto the metal beast I was still unsure. We had spent the last hour, as the sun rose over the calm ocean, discussing everything to do with bikes. Technically I knew everything from how to start it to what exactly it was I was about to drive. As it turned out the sleek black bike was a Suzuki sports bike, as was the blue one that I liked so much. But while I felt like I knew it all, now I was actually on the bike by myself it was a completely different story.

I looked over to where Conner stood close to me, ready to kick the stand out and although I knew he couldn’t see my pleading look through my helmet I still hoped he would somehow sense it. “Just do exactly as I told you and you’ll be fine,” he said reassuringly. His leather jacket hung open now, his hair was ruffled by the helmet and his eyes sparkled with what was once a shared excitement.

“Will you keep me safe Conner?” I whispered.

Conner’s face softened and he nodded. “Of course Nat,” he said softly, using my new nickname, one I wasn’t sure whether or not I liked yet.

Taking a deep breath I followed his instructions and started the bike, finding it surprisingly easier than what I had expected. “That’s it, great,” Conner shouted over the roar of the engine.

Suddenly the stand was gone and Conner’s hands disappeared from the bike, before I could do anything it lurched forwards, almost throwing me from it. I screamed as the bike stalled roughly and I slammed back down against the seat, breathless and shaking. “Sorry,” I shouted as Conner steadied the bike, stopping it falling over sideways and taking me with it.