“What happened when you won?” I took a sip of my coffee to buy myself some time as memories raced behind my eyes when I won. “Did your whole life start revolving around that win?”
“Yeah, a bit. There are so many people that are good at art, so I knew I had to figure out a way to stand out more and be able to do a ton of different stuff. My dad and I were always closer, and Jackie and my mom were closer to each other. Dad was the one that helped me figure out other stuff and offered to pay for a semester of community college. Jackie’s a high-power person. A lawyer. What about your family?” Not bothering to be subtle, I craved more information. I wanted to know who Bruiser was, what kind of man did what he did on that mountain? Where was that man hiding under those patches and gruff, deep voice? He tilted his head slightly, eyes boring into my own as expectation flooded my system.
“My uncle raised me. My mom was sorta white trailer trash, and there wasn’t a dad in the picture. After she got locked up, he took me in. I lived in Canada until I was twenty-one, until I got citizenship through my dad since he’s an American citizen, then moved down here.” Questions etched into my face, and I arched a brow, urging him to continue. Bruiser rubbed his jaw and neck, darkness flashing in his eyes so fast I almost didn’t see it. But I did. “Canada’s great, but we basically lived like mole people in the boonies, and I didn’t want that for my life. Plus, it’s very difficult to ride bikes when it snows thirteen months out of the year.”
“I can imagine. Is that your bike across the street? It’s different than the one you had on the mountain?” Throwing my thumb over my shoulder, interest lilted my tone, and Bruiser nodded firmly as pride sparkled in his eyes. “Do you collect them or something?”
“I have three. The one I drove up the mountain is specifically built for long distance. It’s got an enlarged gas tank and better shocks, and a wider frame. That one outside is a cruiser, great for shorter distances, more comfortable, but by far, my favorite is my racer. It’s fast. I definitely put the miles on that more than the other two.” Smiling as Bruiser became visibly excited at the prospect, my chest warmed when he grinned broadly. “Part of the reason I moved here was because it’s perfect for a speedster. I also have a truck, but I only use that when I can’t use my bike.”
“I bet the gas tank’s not the only thing that’s enlarged.” The words rolled off my tongue before I could stop them, and I bit my bottom lip hard as flames licked my cheeks. Bruiser snorted, hiding his smirk behind the rim of his cup even as his eyes scanned me intently. At least I could say we both had a solid sense of humor, and while I didn’t let him in on this before, I thoroughly enjoyed his crassness when we entered the shop earlier.
“I bet you got better shocks.” Sinking into my chair, I covered my eyes as desire curdled my blood. Bruiser’s sultry chuckle wrapped around squeezing me, and my heart jumped into my throat when he nudged my leg under the table. “You probably ride real smooth, huh, Nicole? There’s gotta be some reason that douchebag proposed in less than a year, and he didn’t seem the type to give a fuck about your personality.”
“And you do?” A strange sensation tingled the bridge of my nose uncomfortably as Bruiser’s jab filtered through my brain. I couldn’t tell if he was complimenting me or making a jibe, or both? His smirk widened, genuine amusement and desire swirling potent in his eyes. A fire sparked in my belly, and I held my breath in anticipation.
“There’s nothing wrong with acting on how unbelievably sexy you are. The issues come ten months in when someone doesn’t know jack shit about you as a person.” Bruiser shot me a pointed look, and I exhaled a hot breath through my teeth when he rubbed my calf with his almost comfortingly. “Would you rather I take you on a date before we fuck?”
“How do you even know I’m up for any of that?” Countering his question with my own, I blushed fiercely at the absolute stupid look Bruiser cast me before rolling his eyes. “W-well . . . we are on a date . . . not a fancy one, but a date nonetheless.”
“You wore that dress hoping I’d be a gentleman?” Glancing down, I had no choice but to concede to Bruiser’s point. He reached across the small table to stroke the back of my hand, and electricity skittered up my bare arm. Goosebumps blanketed my breasts, and I bit my bottom lip hard as the atmosphere thickened. “No . . . you wore a dress ‘cause it’s easy to get railed in. You just didn’t wanna seem easy.”
“I wore it to see how persistent you’d be, and you’re not surprising me at all, Bruiser.” I tried to withdraw my
