Dust of My Wings by Carrie Ann Ryan Page B

through her body, and she almost squealed in delight. This was so much fun! The wind grew colder and she buried closer to the heat radiating off Shade’s body. Oh, boy, he was hot; in more ways than one.
    They drove on and she leaned with him into a turn, his hard body pressed against hers. Apparently, riding a motorcycle was a form of foreplay. Who knew?
    They finally pulled up to a Korean restaurant she loved. How did he know?
    He turned off the bike, planted his feet, and turned toward her. “You okay back there?”
    “I’m great.” Really. She had never felt better.
    “Okay, so get off like you got on, and you should be fine.” She did, and took off her helmet and shook out her hair.
    Helmet hair. Terrific.
    She re-clipped it and took off her glasses to give to Shade. He locked up the equipment and held her hand.
    “I didn’t know exactly what you liked, but this place sounded good.”
    “Oh, this is one of my favorite places. Their bulgogi is perfect.”
    “Then I’m glad I chose it.”
    They walked directly to a table since it was first come-first serve seating. Shade pulled out her chair for her, and she fell just a little bit more for him. Her heart sped a bit, and her palms grew damp. Dangerous.
    “I’m glad you came, Lily.” Shade grinned and rubbed small circles in her wrist.
    His decadent chocolate scent wrapped around her and she shuddered. She didn’t know why she could pinpoint his exact scent, but she loved it. Tendrils of pleasure crawled up her arms and her body. She did her best not to jump over the table and molest him. It was hard, but she did it.
    “I’m glad I did, too.”
    “What do you usually get here?”
    “Oh, anything is good. I like the dak bulgogi. It’s like a soup version of their barbecue beef.”
    “What if I get the bulgogi and some dumplings and we share?”
    “Perfect.”
    The waiter came with water and took their orders.
    “Did you have fun last night?” she asked. Oh, God, why did she ask that? What if he hated it and this was just a pity date? She bit her lip and tried not to look like she was on the verge of a panic attack.
    This was why she didn’t date. Well, that and the fact nobody asked her other than her lab partner, Thad.
    Shade took a sip of his water. “Yes. I like your friends.”
    She warmed. “I’m glad. They liked you, too.”
    They talked about her work, her hobbies, touched a bit on her childhood, and ate. Their conversation strayed away from him, but Lily didn’t care. The food was good, and her companion was caring and sexy. She could learn more about him later.
    When the check came, he paid, held out his hand, and she followed him outside. “What would you like to do now, Lily?” he asked, his voice hoarse and low, sending shivers down her spine.
    She gulped. “Well, there is a park near my house. Do you want to go for a walk?”
    He gave a nod and traced her jaw with his finger. The calloused tip scraped against skin, sending shivers down her spine. “As long as I get to spend more time with you, I’m happy.”
    When he said things like that, it was hard for her to remember that he would be leaving.
    They rode back to her place, and he held her hand as they walked toward the park.
    “I’m glad I came out tonight, Shade.” Her heart rate sped up and she prayed her hands weren’t too sweaty from nervousness.
    He stopped and turned toward her then framed the side of her face in one large warm hand. His pupils widened, and his lips parted. “I’m glad I came, too. I’m going to kiss you now. Is that okay?”
    She nodded, robbed of speech.
    He lowered his head and pressed his lips to hers. Shade’s soft lips felt like velvet against hers. His tongue darted out and licked the seam of her lips. She opened for him, and he groaned. His mouth tasted of sweet food and Shade. Her body went lax against him, and he deepened the kiss. Shade let go of her other hand to wrap his arm around her waist and settle on her ass. He squeezed, and