Read True To You (Taking Chances #2) for Free Online Page A

hard that he had to restrain himself from touching the rounded tip of her nose. There was no doubt about it; he was already captivated by this woman. “You look perfect. Here, let me help you with that.” He looped the helmet’s black strap through the buckle and pulled it taut under her chin.
    “Thanks.” Melanie took in a deep breath to calm her racing heart and got a whiff of fresh soap mixed with spicy aftershave. The scent was so welcoming and warm compared to the sterile, antiseptic smell of the hospital that she was around day in and day out. I could get used to this… oh, but I really can’t. What am I thinking? This is Billie’s teacher, and he’s just doing me a favor. She shut the visor before her nose led her further astray. “What now?”
    “All right. Let me get on first and then it’ll be your turn. Just swing your leg over as best as you can,” he stated as he placed his helmet on his head and tightened the strap. He reached down and lowered the foot pegs on either side. Standing back up, he pointed towards the rear of the bike. “Be careful when you get off that you don’t burn your legs on the exhaust pipes.” Then grabbing both handlebars, he lifted the kickstand up with his foot and hopped on. “Whenever you’re ready.”
    Melanie slowly climbed on and attempted to tuck her skirt down around her legs. She placed her feet on the foot pegs, grateful for the rubber covering them which provided traction for her heels. “Okay, I’m on. Anything I should know before we start?”
    Ben spoke over his shoulder, his voice raised to allow himself to be heard through the helmet. “The only thing you need to focus on is balancing. Just sit up straight and lean into the turns. Look over my right shoulder when we make a right and my left when we go left.”
    “Got it.” Melanie bit her lower lip as she realized how closely they sat. Any bumps in the road would likely propel her even closer to Ben. How could she stay steady? “I assume I’m supposed to hold on to something?”
    Ben reached back for both of her hands and brought them together in front of his waist. “Just hold onto me like this. Don’t worry, I’m not ticklish.”
    “Good to know,” she replied, swallowing hard as the gap between them closed. What she really wanted to know was how it was possible for a high school math teacher to have such firm abdominal muscles? She was grateful the helmet hid her cheeks, which were growing hotter by the second. She wondered if he could feel her heart pounding as she hugged his back. The sooner they reached their destination, the better. “So, where are we going?”
    “How do you feel about burgers? There’s a great place two blocks from here.”
    “Are you talking about The Grill? Sure, I love their onion rings.”
    “Great. Burgers it is.” Ben turned on the engine and they cruised out of the parking lot.
    The local streets were clear of traffic, but he purposely drove under the speed limit to allow for a smoother ride. Truth be told, he didn’t mind taking it slow if it meant he could enjoy the feel of Melanie’s arms wrapped around him for a few more minutes. He especially enjoyed the moments when she squeezed him tighter when they turned.
    All too soon, they arrived at an old fashioned looking diner and parked. Melanie disembarked first, followed by Ben, and they both removed their helmets.
    “That was amazing!” Melanie exclaimed as she shook out her long black locks. “It almost felt like we were flying.”
    Ben’s dimples flashed as he smiled. “It’s exhilarating, isn’t it? You’re a natural, too, with the way you leaned into those turns.”
    “I just did what you said,” she replied with a shrug. “You taught me well.”
    “You’re too kind.” His voice took on a playful tone. “Something tells me there’s an adventurous side to you yet. It takes a bit of letting go to enjoy a bike ride like you did. You weren’t stiff at all.”
    Adventurous? Letting go?