Authors note: This is an edited version of a story I wrote a few years ago.
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Maddie took a final look at the small plastic shot glass, took a deep breath and tossed it back. The tequila burned all the way down as her friends laughed and watched her raise the can of Coors to wash it down. It was the beginning of a long four day weekend and she was at an afternoon party in the country.
She had at first not wanted to go but finally agreed to meet her friends there. Maddie was not that used to drinking but it was hot when she arrived and the first can of beer lasted her almost half an hour and then she got teased into trying the tequila shooter.
Maddie's fun was almost always something to do with her swimming, music and art classes. She had been to college and always travelled with the so called "in" crowd. But Maddie was a maverick in that she had tomboy tendencies and often tended to go her own way. She never engaged in the rowdy parties at college and even though she was an exceptionally attractive young lady she tended to be a bit shy.
Maddie was a few inches over five feet tall with shoulder length blonde hair that flowed over the side of her face. The hair would shade some of the cute freckles that the sun always brought out on her cheeks and nose area. And today Maddie was dressed in a light cotton top with tight fitting jean shorts that showed off her slightly tanned legs that were shapely as was her whole body.
Her actual name was Madison but she was known as Maddie by everyone. She had a degree and worked in the accounting department of her family's company. Maddie drove a three year old white Ford Mustang convertible, had her own place and would sit in on the executive meetings but generally said little. She had the respect of the people she worked with in that she was very smart and extremely likeable with a constant smile for everyone.
Today it was warm and she just decided to join in the fun of being in the country and enjoying the people.. She felt warm inside, and was beginning to mix in with the crowd made up of her friends and others she had never seen before. The liquor was easing her shyness and she was enjoying the day.
The rumble of the motorcycles caught the people's attention. There were about seven or eight bikes coming down the driveway. The sounds of the engines and the glare of the chrome as the sunlight reflected off them was very impressive. Some of the bikes had couples on them, one had a lady rider and the rest were guys. They killed the engines and people gathered around admiring the bikes.
Maddie found herself in that group as she was intrigued by the beauty of the customized bikes with the beautiful paint and art work on them. Being a bit of an artist herself she recognized the quality of the work. The chrome was spotless on almost all of them and the leather on the seats and saddlebags looked soft and rich.
The owner of the most beautiful bike was a large handsome guy with medium length black hair, thick tanned arms and wrists. He had the muscular body you would expect from a football player or some type of athlete. He was obviously in very good condition and Maddie noticed that although he was dressed in biker garb with the faded jeans and leather boots unlike most bikers he had no tattoos or body art and his appearance was very neat and clean. He wore a sleeveless shirt and his handsome looks and large build made him stand out from the rest and he almost seemed to be having an unnerving effect on some of the people.
He seemed to know a few people and chatted with them and then his eyes almost seemed to light up as he noticed Maddie looking at his bike. He studied her intently from a distance and then moved towards her as she was leaning over his gas tank studying the inscriptions and the brush work.
She felt someone beside her and then heard the words, "Von Dutch."
She looked up and was taken back by the guy beside her but he quickly eased the tension as he told her Von Dutch was the artist and that the work was hand drawn and air brushed. If not for the drinks that had mellowed her and gave her the new found bravery Maddie probably would not have found herself standing there. But today she was too interested in the bike and truthfully she was also a little more then intrigued by the seemingly friendly owner standing beside her.
One of her friends who had been wondering where she had disappeared to arrived with a couple cans of beer. She offered one of them to Maddie's new friend which he took and smiled. Maddie watched as he opened the can, tipped it up and drained it. She slowly sipped hers and then with a little evil smile she said to herself, "what the hell," and took a long drink. After all it was hot out. She finished the beer and they moved back into the main party.
He introduced himself as Gary and without a doubt seemed to really like Maddie and they sort of hit it off immediately. He was a couple of years older then Maddie and at once she found stereotyping him as a biker was wrong and in fact as they chatted it became apparent how nice a person he was. Gary was single and actually very articulate being a well educated structural engineer that loved his expensive bike as a hobby and would ride it on weekends.
They wandered by the large cooler that was full of ice and beer. He took a couple of cans for himself and one for her and they moved over to a quiet area and found a wide lawn couch with a place he could put his feet up. She had never really recovered from the earlier shooters and the beer was going down really good. Maddie found they had many mutual interests and she was enjoying his conversation and they were getting along really fine and enjoying each others company
The afternoon wore on and Maddie and Gary never left each other and in fact as they became more used to each other she ended up close to him with his large arm around her with his hand on her hip. She let herself fall back against him and just snuggled close and stayed there as they continued their chatting.
He was very soft spoken and along with his roughed handsome appearance and gentle ways he had really got to Maddie. He had perked her interest in a very short time and never had she been instantly attracted to a man like this. She could feel something happening that she had never experienced before.
She could see her friends watching her and when she journeyed to the wash room she was followed and questioned if she was okay or if she had too much to drink. They wondering what she was doing with that big guy and wanted her to come back with them where it was safe. She assured them she was fine and wondered why the concern.
Maddie and Gary finally left the area and mingled slowly through the crowd with him holding her hand until they found themselves alone back at the bikes. Gary shocked Maddie by sliding his arms around her and kissing her softly with his warm lips just touching hers for a second. All Maddie could think of to say as she ran her hand up his back was "oh wow that was nice," as she smiled at him.
Her head was almost spinning and she did not hesitate when he asked her if she would like to go for a ride on the bike with him. He had her sit on the long seat in front of him between his arms. She was comfortable as he started the engine and she was greeted with the thunderous rumble of the big Harley and the throbbing of the engine between her legs.
He steered the bike down the driveway and they moved onto the main road. He accelerated rapidly with the loud sound of the chrome pipes cracking out their cadence behind them and she felt the thrill of the warm wind in her face. She moved back against Gary until she had the security of his strong body next to hers. Maddie enjoyed the sensation of the ride and they drove for what must have been over ten miles along the quiet country roads and the powerful bike almost lulled her to sleep.
