Mr. Gorgeous—Matty—stood there. Wisps of his warm breath hung in the night chill, and I couldn’t resist the moment. Couldn’t resist him. Whether I planned to seduce him or tease him, I couldn’t be sure. As usual, my thought patterns were based on impulse.
I leaned forward and brushed my lips over his. I could have turned him into stone. He froze with his mouth slightly open, but he didn’t pull back, and I took that as permission. Not that I cared either way. I swooped in and claimed his mouth again, tasting him and learning the feel of his lips. His breath smelled of coffee and—yes—mint. Delicious.
Before he could respond, either to join in as I kissed the fuck out of him or to retreat, I moved, and put a gap between us. In the space of two heartbeats, I’d Ninja-kissed him and left again.
I strode to my bike and glanced over my shoulder, before I put on my helmet. He stood there, haloed by the soft light from a downstairs window, another curl of breath rising in the air. “G’night, Matty,” I called. I’d swear he hadn’t moved when I rode away, moments later.
I’d succumbed and taken a hit, like I knew I would, and now I was on top of the world. I could climb freakin’ mountains, and I had energy to burn, unlike earlier, when I stumbled with every step. The night was perfect. Stars danced in the clear skies, and the air was cold but crisp. There would be some amazing photo opportunities come sunrise, and I planned to make the most of them. My trusty Canon was secure in my backpack, ready for who knew what. I’d no idea where I was going; I’d just aim in a random direction and see where I ended up.
I kept the revs low for the length of the graveled drive, but as soon as I was on open road, I gunned the engine. God, I loved my bike. Leaning low, with the wind in my face, I flew down the deserted country lanes and tore up the miles. Energy fizzed and popped in my veins, and I wanted to laugh aloud with the exhilaration of simply being alive.
I slowed down as I rounded a quiet corner, and then pulled onto the side of the road and killed the engine. It took moments to wriggle out of my helmet, and I shook my hair free and gulped deep lungfuls of the icy air. Something was different tonight. I tried to analyze it. I felt better—way better—than I expected. Than I should be. Why was that?
I gazed out across a shallow bay, where the sea lay black and quiet, like a giant sleeping monster. I grinned at my imagination, although really, I could work with that imagery. Baz could easily create a sea monster, to rise from the depths. Lost in thought, I tuned out and then snapped right back to focus. On the other side of the bay, a house hugged the edge of the cliff, as though daring the sea to keep its distance. It was as large as AJ’s mansion, but this one had a vibe. An undercurrent of menace. I stared, completely entranced. I had to get closer.
There were no lights at the windows, but nearly every house I’d driven past was silent and dark—it had to be later than I’d thought.
Ideas danced in my head. Bringing AJ and his band here for a photo shoot. Capturing the house at sunset, with the last rays of light glancing off the many windows. A shot of Matty, right on the cliff’s edge, as though he were about to dive into the sea, the house behind him. Matty staring at the house, dwarfed by its size. He’d model for me, even if he didn’t know it yet.
I drove closer, left the road for a narrow track, and ended up at a high wooden fence with a securely locked gate. Short of breaking in, there was no access. No matter; I’d come back in daylight and seek the owners. In the meantime, the moon was all I needed. Enough soft, yellow light, to make the house gleam. It’d look amazing.
An hour later I cruised away, my Canon securely packed in its bag. I knew these pictures would be good. The only thing missing from my unplanned night shoot was Matty.
