Burnout: A Legal Heat Novella Read Online Free PDF Page B

Cycle World . When I save up enough money, I’m buying a dragster that’s chopped, slammed, and chromed.” She ran her fingers along the red fairing. “Beautiful. I’d be afraid to leave it on the street.”
    “I’d be afraid for anyone who dared touch it,” he growled.
    She walked a full circle around the motorcycle. Although her father hadn’t had much time for her, she had fond memories of riding pillion on his bike the few times they’d gone out together. For those few hours, with the wind in her hair and the countryside blazing past, she’d felt free. But that had been years ago. She hadn’t been on a motorcycle since she’d joined the police. Maybe just a ride home. After all, Jason knew she was with him, and he had asked Ace to take her home.
    Plus, she knew how to defend herself. Although it hadn’t done any good when Ryan had broken into her house and she hadn’t been able to pull her trigger. That night she had almost died for love.
    “Do you have another helmet?” She could only see one helmet clipped to the bike, and riding without one was against the law.
    Ace unclipped his helmet and placed it over Sophie’s head. “Wouldn’t want you to break the law, babe.”
    Sophie peered out from beneath the helmet’s rim and shook her head gently. The helmet rocked violently from side to side, and Ace threw back his head and laughed.
    “Christ. You look so damn cute you make me ache inside.”
    She gave him a reluctant smile. “There’s enough room in here for two of my heads. It’s not going to give me much protection. Better for you to wear it. At least one of us will have a chance if you crash the bike.”
    His face softened as he removed the helmet. “You lookin’ out for me?”
    “Just thought we should keep your supersize head safe so that supersize ego has somewhere to go.”
    He straddled his bike and motioned her toward the pillion seat behind him. “You okay with breaking the law?”
    Sophie slid onto the seat and wrapped her arms around Ace, breathing in the scent of his leather jacket and the essence of him. Hard, unyielding, and utterly delicious, his body molded to fit hers. She couldn’t remember the last time someone had looked after her. Ryan had been possessive, not protective. And although she didn’t need protecting, handing over the burden, even for a short time, sent a thrill of excitement through her veins.
    Much like riding without a helmet.
    Or inviting a stranger home for sex.
    Decision made, she nodded. “I’m living dangerously tonight.”

Chapter Four
    C hrist.
    Ace couldn’t think straight. With Sophie’s body wrapped tight around him, her breasts pressed against his back, her hips tucked up against his ass, it was all he could do not to drive off the road. But he needed to keep his focus. What had started off as a seduction had become a job, and even if she was willing, the idea of sleeping with her when he’d promised to protect her left a bad taste in his mouth.
    Sort of like relationships.
    Ace liked to be free. Unrestrained. He was a no-strings, no-attachments kind of guy. The few relationships he’d had were painful reminders that unwanted foster kids did not develop the life skills necessary to sustain any kind of stable, meaningful partnership. Unwanted foster kids kept their suitcases packed because they always knew they would be moving. Life was temporary. Stability nonexistent. Maybe if he’d had role models for a healthy relationship, things might have been different. But the past was the past, and he was who he was.
    He took a sharp left and turned into South Granville, slowing as they passed drab, ’50s box-style houses interspersed with giant pink stucco monstrosities. Sophie directed him to pull up in front of a small three-level apartment building on Hemlock Street with a tiny front lawn and a flowerbed overgrown with roses.
    After he tugged off his helmet, he followed her up the walk and waited as she unlocked the front door to the