ROMANCE: Mason (Bad Boy Alpha Male Stepbrother Romance Boxset) (New Adult Contemporary Stepbrother Romance Collection) (283 page)

“Because despite everything I care about you Ellie,” he said gently, surprising me. Never once had I suspected that he cared about me, not more than two people who shared the same house anyway.

“Now come with me,” he said, clearly trying to make it sound casual and not like the demand it really was.

I stared back at him, indecision raking my mind, I could go with him and be safe or brave the streets; I knew which option my rational mind wanted the most. “Fine,” I relented.

Jake reached out to me again but this time he did not grip my shoulder or pull me towards him but offered me his hand. I looked at it for a moment before relenting and taking his offended palm. His fingers intertwined with mine and warmth filled me instantly, I hadn’t even realized I was cold before his heat filled me. Together we walked away and I was more than taken about at just how differently this evening had turned out.

Chapter Four

The night air had taken a turn for the worse in the few hours I had spent inside the hall and I was instantly glad that when the chilly air whipped around my exposed arms I wouldn’t have to walk home. Jake seemed to notice the small shivers that shuddered across my skin and without a word he released my hand. Before I could question his movement he brought his arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him. The warmth from his body slowly transferred over to me and the shivers gradually lessened until they disappeared altogether.

We walked on and I nestled a little closer to him, enjoying the warmth now that the cold had been completely vanished. “Thank you,” I said gratefully.

“Anytime,” Jake responded casually, “It’s cold out tonight,” he added. I nodded more grateful now than before that I didn’t have to brave the conditions alone.

Together we followed the small stretch of path that led away from the main hall and took a quick turn into a nearby street. I didn’t know the area well having not traveled much of the city so I simply let Jake guide me, putting my trust in him.

“It’s just over here,” Jake said after we had walked for a few more minutes, much more comfortable now that we were sheltered by the walls of an alley.

Intrigued I stretched my neck trying to make out his car, the alley seemed a little too narrow to be classed as a parking spot and I was curious as to why he had parked so far away from the building. “Why didn’t you park in the parking lot?” I questioned, voicing my thoughts.

Jake chuckled lightly at my curiosity as we slowed to a stop near the back of the alley. “There was no need,” he said simply.

His hand moved from around my waist and a little of the chill from before returned, even in the short time we had been walking it felt strange now not to be pressed against him. “What do you mean?” I asked, pushing my concerns on him.

Jake pulled the sheet off of something in front of us, increasing my intrigue even more. “The parking lot was overcrowded and anyway, I prefer somewhere my bike is less likely to get damaged,” he explained as he folded the black plastic sheet over in his hands.

I leant around him and with a gasp I saw the shiny black motorbike parked beside him. “I never knew you rode,” I said, still slightly startled.

Jake packed the sheet away in a compartment attached to back of the bike. “Five years is a long time,” he said with a shrug.

I nodded, he had a point. With a brief look down at my dress and heels a frown settled on my face. “I think it might be safer for me to walk,” I muttered, I had never ridden a bike before but I doubted heels were the right attire.

“It’s not safe for anyone to walk alone in the city at night,” Jake warned, his voice deepening.

“It’s not safe for me to ride a bike in heels either,” I retorted, ignoring the rough tone of his voice.

Jake sighed a little before tossing me a bundle of clothing. “That’s why you’ll be wearing this,” he stated.

Confused I unfolded what he had given me, my fingers tracing what seemed to be smooth leather. Sure enough as I pulled the clothes apart there was a pair of trousers, a jacket and a set of biker boots, all made out of black leather. “Are you serious?” I asked absentmindedly running my fingers over the strangely smooth clothes.

“Of course,” Jake said firmly as he pulled on his own leather jacket, “it’s getting colder you might want to change quickly,” he added with a soft laugh.

I looked around the alley trying to figure out some place that may be suitable to get changed into the new leathers, but of course there was nowhere exactly more suitable than where I was stood. Regardless I took a few steps backwards so I was still slightly shielded by the darkness but in earshot of Jake if I needed him. If was on edge in the darkness now then I feared what it would have been like if I had had to walk home in it for hours.

Cautiously I slipped the leather garments on one at a time, saving the large jacket for last. I had managed to work around my dress only having to remove my heels. Slowly I pulled the jacket on letting the sweet but leather tainted scent engulf me; surprisingly I actually like the unusual smell.

“Are you ready?” Jake said loudly as I walked back towards where he stood in his own jacket, his biker boots complementing his navy uniform trousers.

“Just about,” I said as I came to stand beside him.

He greeted me with a warm smile, holding out a helmet. “You’ll need this,” he said, passing me the shiny metal helmet.

I took it from him, shocked at just how light it was. “I didn’t know you would be so well prepared,” I teased as I worked out the buckles on the helmet.

Jake smiled a half smile at me; it didn’t reach his blue eyes. “You don’t know me,” he said, his voice softer than I would have expected.

I thought about his words for a moment, considering what they really meant. “Five years is a long time,” I said, repeating his words from earlier.

A strange silence descended on us, it wasn’t quite comfortable but then it wasn’t awkward either. We both stared at the bike, I couldn’t quite bring myself to look at him and it seemed that he couldn’t look at me either. “You know I’ve always wanted to learn how to ride one of these things,” I said quietly, gesturing to the bike, while it was true really it was just an attempt to break the thick silence.

I could sense Jake’s body loosen a little at my words and I smiled, I didn’t want silence and I doubted he did either. “Perhaps one day I’ll teach you,” he said casually.

“That would be great,” I smiled and I meant it.

“But for now we should head off,” Jake said as he pulled his helmet on.

My fingers trailed across the polished metal of the bike, I was far more excited than I had thought to finally give it ago and I couldn’t think of a better partner.

Chapter Five

The bike roared into life and before I could properly prepare myself we were flying through the alley at an incredible speed. My hands wrapped tightly around Jake’s leather clad body and I found myself holding on not out of fear but to keep myself grounded as adrenaline surged through every part of my body. Where I probably should have been scared in the darkness and frightened by the speed instead I simply felt the thrill of the ride.

Jake made me feel safe; the leather that my fingers dug into made me feel like nothing bad could happen. The streets were empty now and as we flew out of the alley the long stretches of road were there solely for us. Jake took every bump in the road and tight corner like he had traveled them a thousand times over and each time the bike tilted or shook another burst of adrenaline shot through me. My body was not used to it and it was taking its toll on me but I didn’t care, right now it felt as close to being free as humanly possible.

“This is amazing,” I shouted, knowing that Jake probably couldn’t hear me but still needing to voice my excitement for it was truly amazing.

The ride was going to be short and I knew that but every second that went by still felt truly out of this world. The streets soon became ones I recognized and with that my heart dropped a little, being on the bike, taking the streets with a speed that was probably way over the limit was thrilling in a way I had never expected. I was no dare-devil, I didn’t do things I shouldn’t but this was different, this was fuelled by the pure thrill of it.

In less than twenty minutes but in a time that felt much shorter my apartment came into view and the streets changed from the vibrant blur that I had quickly become accustom to too something that was recognizable. I didn’t want the ride to end, for the first time in my life I had felt myself relax, even at the speed and that was something I was desperate to hold on to. As we slowed to a stop though and the stand was kicked out beneath us I knew I had little choice.

The adrenaline that had kept my body surging with energy slowly faded away and as the rumbling engine died my body shivered with the tiredness that suddenly filled me. I felt the helmet being carefully lifted from my head and with that a large loud yawn shuddered through my exhausted body; the night had been a long one. Gently I felt myself being lifted from the bike and then I was being leant against something warm and it only made my eyes wearier.

The wayward strands of hair around my eyes were pushed back behind my ear and a pair of bright blue eyes found my own green ones. “What did you think?” Jake asked softly, his eyes pressing for an answer, his lips teasing at a smile.

Another yawn trembled through my body and Jake laughed quietly. “I loved every minute of it,” I admitted, not ashamed to share it with him.

Jake laughed again, the sound was sweet and cheerful, completely care free. “And there I thought I had put you to sleep,” he teased lightly.

“It’s been a long night,” I said, my voice slightly shaky with exhaustion.

“You can say that again,” Jake chuckled, running his fingers through his short blonde hair.

I watched on in tired amusement as he ruffled the strands and they fell over his eyes. “Thank you,” I muttered, feeling tiredness start to claim me for itself. The adrenaline my body was far from used to was really working against me now.

“Anytime Ellie,” Jake said softly, “I mean it,” he added as he brushed the hair away again that had fallen into my eyes.

I tried to move forward a little but with the leather constricting my movements and my weary legs not co-operating I only managed to stumble against Jake. “Sorry,” I muttered as a blush formed on my cheeks.

Jake wrapped his arm around my waist steadying me again until I was sure I could stand properly. “Don’t be sorry,” he said quietly, almost too quietly for me to make out.

I smiled up at him as my eyes dropped, the weight of my exhaustion forcing them shut. “I’m tired,” I whispered as I let another yawn break free.

“That much is pretty clear, let’s get you inside,” Jake said softly, wrapping his arm a little tighter around me. “Do you have your key?” he asked gently trying to coax an answer from my half-conscious mind. 

I patted my body, realizing now that I was still dressed in his soft warm leathers. I hugged my arms around me, relishing the unique scent that was deeply engraved in the thick fabric. “In my bag,” I mumbled hoping he would be able to make out my almost incoherent words.

Jakes hands slowly drifted away from my body, just lingering long enough to make sure I could stand by myself before leaving completely. I could just about make out the sound of him walking back to his bike and taking my bag out of the small compartment on the back where our helmets now rested. It didn’t take him long to return with my bag in hand and he quickly steadied my swaying body. “What number is yours?” he asked as he led me forwards.

I thought for a moment, trying to pull the number out of my misty mind. “Sixteen,” I said sounding more certain than I actually felt right now.

“Are you sure?” Jake said with a chuckle clearly able to see right through my thin façade.

“Of course,” I muttered a little louder this time.

“Right let’s go,” Jake said as he started leading me forward again.

My feet stuck to the ground, pulling Jake backwards. “Wait Jake,” I whispered.

He looked down curiously at me, confusion dancing in his bright orbs.

“What wrong?” he asked quickly, concern clear in his voice.

“Stay with me?” I asked a little weakly, not even sure why the words had come out in the first place.

Jake looked taken about but the shock disappeared quickly and a smile took its place, a full smile that made his eyes sparkle in the darkness. “Of course I will Ellie,” he said so gently that I almost missed the words.

He cupped my cheek gently and urged my eyes to meet his again. “If that is what you want then of course I will stay with you,” he clarified and I smiled at him, my lips twisting against his soft palm.

“Thank you Jake,” I said quietly, finally letting my eyes shut and the tiredness consume me completely.

Chapter Six

A piercing scream forced my eyes open and my body to dart up startlingly me awake in an instant. My head spun from side to side frantically as I tried to figure out where exactly I was; it took a second but my surroundings became more and more familiar, I was in my room. That didn’t explain the scream though the scream that pulled me out of my dreams. I dragged myself out of the covers trying all the while to remember what had happened the night before. There was the fundraiser, Ruby had disappeared and then there was… I gasped, and then there was Jake.