Easy Rider: An MC Erotic Romance Read Online Free

think?”
     
    It had been actually been four years. Although Annie spoke the truth, she was not prepared to admit it.
     
    “I’m not scared! What could I possibly be scared of?”
     
    “Cautious, then,” Annie insisted. “You can’t live the rest of your life protecting yourself from all men because one man was a jerk.”
     
    Ria remained silent. She willed herself not to rehash the misery of four years ago. It had been a huge and humiliating wake-up call. She had been on her guard ever since. Maybe Annie was right. Maybe, if she could relax and have some fun with Jay, she’d be on her way back to normal. It didn’t mean anything would happen between them, but he may be able to help her regain some self-confidence.
     
    “Okay. I need a drink anyway,” Ria said and smiled at her friend’s encouraging wink. “I’ll be back soon.”
     
    “Not if he can help it,” Annie said, laughing and looking over at Jay. His eyes had not left them.
     
    Ria made her way to the bar. She skirted around the dance floor until she was standing next to him.
     
    “What’s your pleasure, little lady?” the barman asked, smiling broadly at her.
     
    “I’d like a dark beer, if you don’t mind,” she answered. “You choose. I don’t know which brands you carry.”
     
    She smiled at him and watched as he picked up a bottle and poured the beer into her glass. Just as the beer reached half-way up the glass, Jay leaned in towards her. She had been watching the bartender pour the beer and hadn’t expected it. His voice startled her, as he whispered, “Miss me?”
     
    Recovered from the shock, Ria looked up at him. She noticed again how surprisingly deep blue his eyes were, even though he had almost black hair. Genetically, it didn’t make sense.
     
    “I came to get a drink,” she hedged. She wasn’t surprised when he laughed. His laugh was intoxicating. It made her want to shiver, but she fought it and smiled at him. He was setting the agenda. She was determined to gain some degree of control.
     
    “Did you miss me ?” It was a game two could play. She wasn’t about to let him win every round.
     
    “You have no idea just how much,” he answered. His sexy smile made her breath hitch.
     
    The barman handed her drink to her. She was glad she had something to do. She had asked the question and was now having difficulty with his answer. She sipped her beer and lowered her gaze. Then, she set her glass on the bar. Once it was safely there, she paused. She placed one hand on the rim of the glass, the other on the table.
     
    She tried to think of her response and said, “I’m sure I don’t, but thank you for the compliment.”
     
    “It’s me who should be thanking you for lighting up my evening. What I don’t like, however, is when you try to hide from me.”
     
    She blinked. “But I’m not hiding. How can I be? I’m standing here in plain sight,” she protested.
     
    “Yes, you are. Every time I catch your eye, you hide those beauties from me.” Still watching her, he swallowed the last of his drink before taking her hand and saying, “Let’s dance.” When she looked up in surprise, he added, “If you like, you can consider this your promised thank you.”
     
    She let him lead her to the dance floor. A fast tempo country song was just beginning. It was line dancing music, something about which she knew next to nothing. When she protested, he told her it was simple and to follow his lead.
     
    It may have been easy for him, but she found it difficult. By the time the tune ended, she had figured out a few of the steps. She was out of breath and laughing in embarrassment at her own incompetence.
     
    “Did you enjoy that?” he asked, as he led her back to the bar.
     
    “Sort of, but I probably need a two semester course before I’ll be ready to try it on my own.”
     
    “You’ll never have to dance on your own.”
     
    It was another unexpected compliment, but she liked it.
     
    Once back at