Ride Free by Debra Kayn

man. Even your family thinks of you in the highest regard. You’re the end man.” She squeezed his arm.
    “What do you know about the end man?” His hand dropped.
    She moved her position, but remained on his lap. “I have a patient that knows everything about motorcycle gangs. The morning you stopped and talked to me, I was going to her house. I’m afraid I gushed about you. But, you have to realize I’ve dreamed about being out on the open road since I was young. I’d imagine I had a motorcycle of my own, and I could go anywhere I wanted, when I wanted, and with who I wanted. It’s the way I escaped…”
    “Go on, sweetheart.” He linked his fingers with hers and brought her hand up to kiss. “Tell me what you needed to escape.”
    Her nose wrinkled. “You’ve met my da, remember?”
    “What about your mom?”
    “She drank right alongside him. She died from cirrhosis of the liver a few years ago.” Sarah twisted her mouth. “I imagine my da is going to follow in her footsteps soon. He won’t quit for anyone.”
    Reefer pulled her back down to his chest. “But why fantasize about becoming a biker?”
    “To ride from one place to another with the wind on my face. All the outside noises muffled by the roar of the engine. The roar of the engine thumping in your chest, it’s musical, don’t you think?” Sarah sat up again. “It’s strange, but the comfort I get from the drums at the reservation is the same rush I get when I hear your bike.”
    His lips tightened. She smiled.
    “It beats in here.” She placed her hand on his chest.
    “But, your family…” he reminded her.
    She shook her head. “No, it’s only my da, and he’s better off without the reminder that he has a daughter. He drinks more when I’m around.”
    “But, you have steady employment—”
    “That doesn’t matter. Listen to me, Reefer. There is nothing in my life to tie me to this place.” She placed her hands on his cheeks. “I want to live the life of a biker, to ride away and live one day at a time.”
    “Jesus, Sarah…” He set his forehead against hers. “I’m bad news, sweetheart.”
    “Don’t talk about yourself that way.” She blinked. “You’re a wonderful person.”
    “The only family I have is the other bikers, Sarah. I promised myself when I was sixteen that I would never ever leave them.” Reefer’s breath caught. “I don’t know if it’s fair to take you away from everything you know, away from the only relative you have. Tell me what to do, sweetheart.”
    “Take me with you. Let me love you. It’s quite simple.” She wound her arms around his neck and pulled his lips towards her. “Let’s ride the wind together.”
     
     
     
    Chapter Eight
     

     
    Reefer seized Sarah’s mouth and lifted her off the couch in one move. He traced the steps she took moments ago, and only released the kiss to place her on top of the bed.
    “Tell me to leave, Sarah. If you don’t, there’s no turning back and I’ll pack your bag myself.” Reefer stood beside the bed.
    She nodded. A slow smile came over her face. “What are you waiting for?”
    He crawled on top of her, supporting his weight with his arms, and showed her exactly what he thought of her decision. She tasted fresh and new, driving him over the edge. He wanted to sample every part of her body. She responded to him with equal fervor.
    His hands roamed, his mouth explored, and Sarah’s hands pulled at the T-shirt along his back. He lifted up to loosen the front of his shirt and gazed down at Sarah.
    Her eyelids drooped; her mouth parted and glistened from his kisses. A big bubble of air whooshed out, and he tugged his shirt back down. He saw the total trust in her face, and it set him back on track.
    “Damn it.” He rose from the bed.
    Sarah sat up. “What? Reefer, I want you.”
    “I know you do, sweetheart. Trust me, I want the same thing.” He paced in front of the bed.
    “I don’t understand…”
    “Damn it, don’t you think