Delirious by Suzannah Daniels

tonight.
    I flipped down the kickstand and swung my leg over the bike. Returning my helmet to the shelf that lined the garage wall, I ran my hands through my hair and headed to my bedroom.
    As I undressed, I tossed my clothes in my chair. Exhausted, I climbed into bed, my thoughts spinning in circles like the wheels of my motorcycle. Much like being on my bike, I was always in danger of slamming into the asphalt if I made one wrong move. Navigating my way on my bike came to me much easier than navigating my way through relationships, and I desperately hoped I hadn’t screwed up where Dara was concerned.
    I fell asleep remembering the look on her face when she’d thought I wanted to cancel the wedding.
     
    ***
     
    The next day, Dara and I were both slammed at work. Since we’d both missed Thursday, we were behind, and under my father’s tutelage, Hamilton Enterprises was thriving. I spent most of the day on the phone, increasing credit lines with suppliers as we prepared to open additional stores. I also scoped brick-and-mortar buildings in the markets in which we’d already decided to expand and set up appointments to physically look at the buildings.
    Dylan had been analyzing potential new markets to determine viable options for expansion. Dara worked daily on marketing with both our brick-and-mortars and our online businesses.
    We both worked late, and when I was ready to leave the office, I found her mesmerized by her computer screen.
    She didn’t see me, and I stood at her o ffice door, observing her as her brow furrowed in concentration. Her dedication and work ethic were impressive, and as I watched her, I knew that she was the perfect mate for me. I cherished everything about her, her gentle demeanor, her loyalty, her thoughtfulness. Her outward beauty was breathtaking, but it was her inner beauty that had captured my heart.
    I hoped that she never had to find out what her father had done. She deserved much more than he’d ever been willing to give her.
    “It’s Friday night. You look like you could use some fun.”
    Tilting her head in my direction, she graced me with a dazzling smile. “Who says I’m not having fun?”
    I grunted. “I do.”
    “Did you have something better in mind?” she asked.
    I pushed off the door jamb and walked to her, pulling her out of her chair and into my arms , where she fidgeted with my tie. “Dinner and a movie?”
    “ There is a new chick flick out that I’d like to see.”
    “Okay,” I agreed, kissing her temple. “I can keep myself occupied in a dark movie theate r while you watch a chick flick.”
    She giggled. “How so?”
    “ Mmm. That’s for me to know and you to find out.” My hand stroked her back, skimming along her slender figure until my fingers splayed over the curve of her ass.
    She cupped the nape of my neck, pulling me toward her until our lips met in a sensual kiss. She released a breathy sigh. “Let’s go, then.”
    “That’s what I like. A girl who knows what she wants. Let me go home and change, and I’ll pick you up at your place.”
    “Car or motorcycle?” she asked.
    “Which do you prefer?”
    “Motorcycle.”
    I touched her nose with my fingertip. “And that’s why we’re so perfect for each other.”
    After kissing her briefly, I pulled back. “You ready to go?”
    “ Yeah, just let me shut down my computer and grab my purse.”
    Since we were the last ones out of the building, I held the office door open for her and locked it behind us. We walked t he short distance to our vehicles. “I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
    “Okay.” She climbed in her car.
    Scanning the parking lot, I half expected her father to show up, and I was relieved when nothing was out of the ordinary. She backed up, and I followed her as she left the parking lot.
    W e parted ways at the intersection, and I sped up and rushed toward home, eager to forget all the shit swirling in my head and have a good time with her tonight.
    When I got home, my