Undying Embrace by Jessica Lee

me again without a damn good explanation.”
    After slamming the car door shut, she shoved the keys in the ignition. The engine started just as he leaned into the corner on his motorcycle and turned out of sight. She popped the roof, threw it in drive, and punched the accelerator. No way was she going to lose him.
    The loud roar to her right told her he’d turned onto US Highway 1, heading out of town.
    At one a.m., traffic was light on the highway, but he was still about two car lengths ahead of her, hauling ass and weaving from one lane to the next. His black leather jacket fluttered in the stiff wind behind him like a sail. The hand on her speedometer passed eighty-five. She was gaining on him.
    Elle had no idea how long they played cat and mouse on the highway when he suddenly decelerated, taking the road to his left. She hit the brakes, signaled, and swung a hard left. “You’re not getting away that easy.”
    After about half a mile, she had him washed in a spray of bright white, beaming off her headlights. His head swiveled left for a quick glance over his shoulder. Light bounced over the reflective shield of his helmet for a second, then he faced forward. His bike surged.
    “Dammit, Arran. Pull over,” she yelled into the windshield.
    As if he’d heard her tirade, Arran swerved right onto a dirt road. She didn’t let up, following his cloud of dust. His bike skidded sideways, and he came to an abrupt halt, blocking her path.
    “About damn time,” Elle muttered, slamming on her brakes. She shoved opened the car door at the same he dismounted, tossing his helmet onto the dirt road. He met her head-on as she rounded the front of the car.
    “What the hell are you doing? Trying to get yourself killed?” Even in the shadow of her headlights on the darkened road, his face was flushed with anger, his eyes lit with a fiery glow.
    “You walked out on me!”
    “What?”
    “That’s number three now. I guess that’s shame on me, isn’t it?” She lifted her brows.
    “It’s not like that.” He shook his head.
    “Oh no? Then what is it? Tell me, because I don’t like feeling like a fool.”
    “You’re not a fool.” His eyes narrowed on her.
    “Well, that’s what it feels like every time I decide to let you in and then you turn and walk out on me.”
    “I have my reasons.” He pivoted on his heels and stalked back to his bike.
    “This is exactly what I’m talking about.” She threw her hand up, palm entreating the sky for some kind of explanation as he walked away, bent over, and picked up his helmet. He swung one leg over the seat of his bike, resting the black globe on the fuel tank.
    As if the movement had sucked his last drop of energy, he swung his head slowly in her direction. “Go home, Gabrielle. What almost happened tonight can never be.”
    Arran’s face was devoid of emotion, resolute. How dare he decide for her what could and could not occur in her life! Maybe he was right, but she deserved a better explanation than shut up, go home, and accept it.
    The sound of his engine roaring to life spurred her into action. She dashed in front of the wheel, blocking his exit.
    “Get out of the way.” His voice was stronger, louder over the hum of the engine. “Get in your car and go back to your sister’s place. Where you’re safe.”
    “We’re not finished here.” Not by a long shot.
    “I’ll come by tomorrow night, and we can talk about a plan to find your sister.” Arran lifted his helmet, preparing to slide it into place.
    Before his helmet made it over his head, though, Elle whipped around his bike and straddled the seat in front of him. He jerked back, eyes wide, as his helmet took a nosedive back into the dirt.
    “What are you doing?” His voice sounded deeper, more hoarse. He leaned forward, slowly reaching around her side, as if he wanted to be sure they didn’t touch, and killed the engine.
    “I want an explanation. I deserve an explanation.”
    “You know why.” His palms