Gemma’s eyes held mine for a moment. I thought I saw uncertainty passing like shadows through her gaze, but she lifted her chin and nodded. “That’s the plan. I just need to make sure I can make it work financially.”
“Your classes are always full when I’m there.”
Her lips quirked with a smile. “That’s because Daphne corrals all of you guys there. She’s been great for my business. Classes are full, and that’s a good thing.”
“What brought you to Alaska?” I asked.
Alaska was filled with transplants. It was sparsely populated for many years and still was. Everyone had a story for the how and why behind what brought them here. Whether it was for a change of pace, or because they wanted to experience this kind of wilderness. We all had a reason.
Gemma’s eyes cast down for a moment, and she took the last swallow of her wine. Her shoulders rose and fell with a breath, and I sensed trepidation from her. Even though I didn’t know the story, protectiveness rose inside me. We had only shared a kiss. Mind you, that kiss stood the test as one of the hottest kisses of my life. I’d only known her for a matter of months, and yet here I was, wanting to protect her from whatever I saw flickering in her eyes.
“I needed a change. I wasn’t sure where I was going to find that change, but I actually won a trip here. Not to Diamond Creek, but to Anchorage. I loved it, but I didn’t really want to do the city thing and Anchorage is an actual city. A woman at the place where I was staying, suggested I check out Diamond Creek. I did, and I came across the job to take care of the horses. Since it came with the house, I took it as a sign because I love horses and riding. That job covers my bills, so I figured it was the perfect way to get started here. What brought you here?”
“Air Force,” I said simply.
“Were you stationed in Alaska?”
I shook my head. “I was in the Air Force with Flynn, Elias, Gabriel, and Tucker. Flynn came back to take care of his brother and two sisters after their mother passed away. He invited the rest of us to come work for him whenever we left the Air Force because he needed pilots. Elias and I came up around the same time, about five years ago. Tucker and Gabriel made it another year later.”
“You guys seem pretty tight.”
“We are, they’re like family to me.”
“Where are you originally from?” she asked.
“I was a military brat. My father was in the Air Force too. We lived all over. I have four sisters, but both of our parents have passed away.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” she said quickly.
“Thank you. It’s been a few years, and I still miss them. I was blessed. They loved each other and loved us, so we’re all still tight even though none of us live in the same place. What about you? Where are you from?”
“Portland, Oregon. My parents and my brother still live there.”
“What does your family think of you coming up to Alaska?”
“They’re supportive, but they’d like me closer to home. I keep reminding them there are actually direct flights from Portland here, and it’s not that far.”
I sensed Gemma was uncomfortable talking about her family, so I let it drop, commenting casually, “Most families wish everyone would stay in the same place.”
After the waiter came to clear our plates and checked on dessert, Gemma passed. I almost ordered a dessert, but she caught my eyes. “I have brownies at my house.”
“Does that mean I can have one?” I teased, loving how her cheeks pinkened.
Her teeth dented her bottom lip, sending a sizzle of lust through me, before she nodded. “Of course, you can have one.”
I asked the waiter to bring the check. When he left, promising to return with it, Gemma said, “We’re splitting the check.”
I looked over at her. “I invited you to dinner, so I’m covering it.”
Her lips pressed in a line. “No, we’re splitting it.”
“How about you invite me to dinner and you can return the favor?” I countered.
Gemma’s eyes glinted as she looked over at me. She let out a throaty chuckle, which sent a shot of lust straight through me. “Fine. Next time, I’ll cover it.”
On the way out, I couldn’t resist resting my hand on her back, right at the dip of her waist, just above the sweet curve of her bottom. Only the fact that we were out in public kept me from sliding my palm over that curve. I knew how it felt, and I greedily wanted that sensation again. I wasn’t sure what I was doing with Gemma, but I was certain I wanted her. With a fierceness that surprised me.
When we’d texted about today, I told her I needed to pick her up because there wasn’t much parking at the plane hangar. Which was true, but not really.
I’d wanted her to myself. Even more than that, I’d wanted her on my motorcycle again, this time not chasing after a horse.
We got out to my bike again, and I handed her the helmet. “Do you always keep an extra helmet?”
I shook my head. “Nope, just for you.”
Her eyes widened slightly, but she didn’t say anything further. She climbed on behind me. I savored the feel of her curves pressing against my back as she looped her arms around my waist.
In general, I didn’t take people for rides on my bike, much less women. I always had an extra helmet at the house, because I had sisters. Cat had once badgered me into taking her for a short ride. Much to my dismay, Flynn had agreed when I told her she had to ask him. She was like a little sister to me, and I didn’t want to worry about her safety any more than I wanted to worry about my own sisters’ safety.
By the time I rolled up to a stop at Gemma’s place, I was thinking I needed to turn around on the bike and have my way with her right then and there. But, I didn’t. I had some manners, after all.
Chapter Nine
Gemma
My body was humming with the vibration of Diego’s motorcycle when he cut the engine. I took a breath and reluctantly loosened my arms from around his waist. Tonight’s ride was different from the first one. Then, I’d been startled at Diego’s appearance and unsettled with Charlie running loose. Tonight, I knew what it felt like to be held by him and loved the feel of his muscled body against mine.
Just when I was thinking it might be nice if he spun around and had his way with me on his motorcycle, I heard the sound of hoofbeats and glanced toward the pasture to see Charlie cantering over with two other horses right behind him. There were four horses here, but the oldest one tended to linger by the paddock. Shasta was the friendliest horse of the group, but due to his age he tended to be stiff. I babied him with treats on the regular.
Diego swung his leg over, removing his helmet as he stood beside the motorcycle. I climbed off behind him and handed him the helmet, smoothing my hand over my hair. “Gorgeous night for a ride,” I commented.
It was approaching nine at night, and the sky was just now fading from light to dark. It was that magical twilight time where the stars twinkled in the silvery light of dusk and the fading colors from the sunset lingered.
Diego nodded, his eyes arcing across the pasture toward the view of the mountains and the water in the distance. “The horses are happy to see you,” he said with a slow grin when his eyes landed on mine again.