(This can be read standalone but I hope you will read Serenity first, it provides a lot of context and character development although not much spice. Don't worry, this part ends with some erotica. It's a mildly female dominant story so if you are looking for an alpha biker type guy this isn't the story for you.)
I pull up to the front of the closed shop a few minutes before 7, I lean against my car door as I have a smoke and wait. This is the industrial section of the city and I don't pay much attention to the assorted vehicle sounds until one high pitched engine gets closer. A black and red sport bike appears down the street and I know who it is before the bike stops next to me. I should have known that would be his ride.
He swings off his motorcycle and as he is removing his gloves I step around to look at his ride. It's sleek, matte black with touches of deep glossy red and it's big. I recognize it instantly, an MH3.
I remember my uncle talking about bikers and what to look for to gauge their skill. Lewis's pegs are clean but well used, no scuffs on the edges. I can't see any cracks or repairs in the paint and all the pieces match so it looks like he hasn't dropped it. It isn't spotless clean and I notice two mounts for cameras, one behind and one front. His seat has distinct butt marks so he rides it a lot. I touch the virtually brand new pillion seat and look up at him as he's taking off his helmet. His hair is in utter disarray and I smile as he runs his hands through it.
He shrugs, 'Small price to pay to ride this guy.' I lean forward over the bike and his lips press lightly to mine.
'You look great, helmet hair suits you.' I smile and think about how that hair would look messed up in my bed.
'Hi Alice.' He says with his electric grin, 'I realised I didn't have your number so I got the system to look up your vin and send you an appointment message, I'm glad you understood.'
'Hi Lewis.' I say.
It's the first time we've spoken each other's name.
He looks between my car and his bike and says, 'Are you hungry? I don't really have a plan, thought we could work one out together.'
'I like that, I had a snack before I came so I don't need food. What about you?' I reply.
'Same.'
I turn my head slightly towards my car and look back at him with a grin, 'So.. do you want to race?'
He scoffs, 'No chance you could keep up with me and besides,' He crosses his arms, 'I said absolutely no high speed until she's steady on her feet.'
I fake a pout and he closes his eyes with a shake of his head.
He says, 'We can cruise together if you want, head up to the mountain or along the beach. We can keep a call open and chat as we drive.'
He uncrosses his arms and pats his bike, 'Or you could let me give you a ride. Ever been a backpack before?'
I was kind of afraid he'd say that, I've never been on a bike. My uncle swore he'd kill anyone who offered. I miss him.
I decide to ask the questions my uncle drilled into me. 'I have a few questions before I consider it, my uncle will come back and spike my tires if I don't ask them.'
'He's gone?'
I look down at the handlebars of his bike, 'Yeah, a few years go. He got caught between a drunk driver and a semi, was dragged under it for half a kilometre before the truck stopped.'
Lewis's eyes widen, 'Marvin Henley was your uncle? I rode with the funeral, he was a legend.'
'Thank you, I know he would have loved to see everyone riding for him.' I sigh.
After a pause he says, 'He designed this bike. It has loads of safety features most bikes don't have. Only thing it doesn't have is flares shooting out of the handlebars to warn off blind drivers. ' He grins at me.
My uncle's bike actually had that, he built it into his prototype MH3 and swore it saved him a couple times.
'Okay, so I trust the bike.' I say. 'Now for my questions.' He leans against his bike and waits.
'Who taught you to ride?' I ask.
'My dad, he got me an electric scooter when I was 14. When I bought my first real bike at 17 he wouldn't let me drive alone for 2 years. He and I spent hours cruising everywhere together in all weather, day and night. We took dirt bikes out in fields, raced on a couple local tracks and he convinced his Harley bros to let me ride one of theirs for my 18th birthday.'
He laughs, 'I hated the ape hangers and swore off Harleys, his friends were not impressed.'
Then he continues, 'So as far as motorcycles go I've been riding for about 20 years.' he pauses, 'I stopped for a few years when my dad died but I got this bike last year and ride almost daily now.'
'Wow!' I say, 'You passed that with flying colours. Next question, where are your scars?'
He quirks an eyebrow at me, 'Scars?'
'My uncle said that anyone who has been riding more than a couple years will have at least one scar, physical or emotional.'
Lewis winces, 'Yeah, no physical scars. I always wear gear, but I broke my arm when I was 22 and still won't go near a log truck on the road.'
'That sounds awful. What happened?' I don't really want to pry but my uncle was adamant about this question. He said that you can tell more about a person by their painful stories than their happy ones. If they speak about it with bravado they haven't gotten over the fear and therefore haven't learned from it.
'It was just a log truck, I was following along waiting for a chance to pass. I glanced down to see what song was playing and I guess a bit of bark flew off the back, my front wheel hit it and I slid on my back into the ditch before I cartwheeled. My bike slid into oncoming traffic.'
He shakes his head then shrugs. 'Even if I hadn't glanced down I was driving too close to the truck to have been able to swerve that bark. At best I'd have slid the back tire and I'd have gone into the traffic instead of my bike. My bike was totalled but no one else was hurt. So if I see a log truck now I stay way the hell back.'
I pause before asking my next question and run my hand along his arm, his black gear matches his bike and I can feel the armour inside.
'I don't have any gear.' I say nodding to the helmet bag strapped to the back of his bike.
He grins and pulls off a backpack I hadn't noticed. 'Max's wife loaned me hers, it will be a little big but should still fit comfortably.'
He pulls out a hot pink coat, pants, and black gloves. I roll my eyes, I'm not a fan of Barbie doll pink.
'I'm going to clash with you and your bike.' I say.
'Does that mean I passed your uncle's test?' He grins.
I put up a finger. 'Last question,' I say. 'How many people have ridden with you?'
He furrows his brows as if unsure of my meaning, 'Are you asking if I'm a bike whore?'
'A what?!' I burst out laughing, 'I'm supposed to find out if you know how to deal with stupid or panicked passengers.'
'Oohhhh!' He joins my laughter, 'Well mostly I ride alone but my dad used to be a complete ass when he rode with me. He purposely did shit to see if I'd drop the bike. Even let himself fall off at an intersection once...scared the shit out of me.' He shakes his head. 'I really miss him.'
'I've never been on a motorcycle, riding or driving.' I admit.