Part 7 (2/2)
Townsend grinned. ”For which that particular subset should be eternally grateful.”
I stuck my tongue out at him.
”The next sub-group?”
”The drop-ins. These riders join the ride for a day or so, but aren't officially registered. Since they aren't paying for the experience, they tend to try to cram as much as they can into the short time they are riding. Occasionally, some can be a pain in the a.s.s.”
Oh, to be a drop-in.
”Then you have the stragglers, aka, the partiers. They get a late start because they've spent the previous night partying. Due to hangovers and lack of sleep, you'll typically find the greatest instances of roadside ralphing with this group. They drink hard and party hard. And it shows.”
Riding a tandem in the middle of July in the summer heat with a hangover? Fuggetabout.i.t.
”Next,” I said.
”Then you have the easy riders. This is the largest group by far and consists of people who ride for a lot of different reasons. Some are up for a challenge. Others take their vacation each year to ride and renew acquaintances. Others just want to experience something new and different. These folks are low-key, salt of the earth types. They're men, women, and children. They're families, friends, and coworkers who are low-maintenance and fun loving. They take in the entire experience and in a positive way. They follow the rules and are respectful. They leave on time and arrive on time. They get a kick out of all the attractions, activities, and scenic views along the way. They don't set any speed records, but they probably receive the most pleasure from the experience than their counterparts in other groups.”
Ah, slow and steady wins the race. At last I'd found my niche.
”I can be an easy rider,” I told him. ”Well, maybe an uneasy easy rider.”
”More likely the other riders near you will be the uneasy ones,” Townsend suggested.
”Does that include you? You are riding this year, aren't you?” I asked, not sure whether I was hoping for a yay or a nay.
”I registered, but due to firearms certification scheduling, I can't do the whole ride this year. If I'm lucky, I'm looking at day three or day four to hook up.”
I winced. By day three or day four, I could be road kill.
”Still in pain, huh?” Rick asked, and reached out to take my hand. ”Poor T. What am I going to do with you?”
I grew all fl.u.s.tered and burning hot at the mere possibilities.
”Tressa? What are you thinking?” Rick asked.
”What makes you think I'm thinking anything?” I replied, figuring my pea throne had to be pea soup from the sudden heat radiating from my body.
”You're one of the few women I know who still blushes,” Rick explained.
”Oh.”
”I've told you before how good you look in red, haven't I?” he asked, putting a hand to my cheek.
”You might have mentioned it a time or two,” I rasped, my throat suddenly dry as my gammy's legs at winter's end.
Rick's hand slipped around to the back of my head. ”There is one thing you look better in than red,” he told me.
”Oh?”
”Bed,” he said.
”Oh.”
He lowered his lips to mine, sending s.h.i.+vers along the same path that moments earlier had been in risk of overheating. His kiss was soft, searching, seductive. I schooled my response to be tentative, lukewarm. Take it or leave it.
And failed big time.
”I suppose you're too...sore,” he said against my lips.
”Sore?” I mumbled into his mouth.
”Bike b.u.t.t,” he elaborated.
”Oh. That.”
”Yeah. That.”
Rick's lips moved to nuzzle the side of my neck, putting all thoughts of my bruised and battered b.u.t.tocks clean out of my mind. I felt my earlier vow to proceed with caution where the good ranger was concerned disappear faster than Cadbury eggs and chocolate bunny rabbits from my Easter basket.
b.u.t.t? What b.u.t.t?
He kissed me again. Cupped my face in his hands.
”So?”
”Perhaps if I were to, well, you know, be on top...”
”What did you just say?”
I felt blood pool in my cheeks.
Oh. My. G.o.d.
It was happening!
I was turning into my gammy!
I bit my lip.
”Uh, er, I-”
”No backing out now, young lady,” Townsend said and pulled me to my feet. ”You've reached the point of no return.”
Funny. I thought I'd done that on the last night of the cruise.
”I really don't think-”
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