Thorn's Challenge - Brenda Jackson [53]
She forced her eyes upward and met his. They were so dark and filled with so much desire it made her tremble. “I thought you said you wouldn’t touch me or kiss me, Thorn, until after the race.”
He sighed deeply and reached up to thread his fingers through her hair, pushing it away from her face. “Lord knows I tried, but I don’t think I can not touch you or kiss you, Tara,” he said truthfully.
A part of him wanted to tell her more. He wanted to let her know that he loved her and that no matter whether he won the race or not, he knew his most valued prize was standing right here in front of him. But he couldn’t tell her any of that yet. He would wait and tell her later, when he felt the time was right.
He inclined his head to take a good look at her and let her take a good look at him. “Will you come with me, Tara? I won’t do anything you don’t want me to do.”
Oh, hell, Tara thought. Didn’t he know she was human, and so far, whatever he’d done to her had been just fine and dandy with her. She couldn’t imagine turning him down for anything unless it meant going all the way. She would not allow him to break his vow of celibacy two days before the race, but he was definitely testing her control.
“Tara? Will you come with me?”
Tara heaved an enormous sigh. If he thought she was his sweetest temptation, then he was her most tantalizing weakness. A chocolate bar with almonds had nothing on him.
She leaned back far enough to gaze into his eyes. And she knew at that moment that no matter what he claimed, he intended to do more than show her his bike. But heaven help her, she didn’t have the strength to turn and walk away.
Instead she gave him the only answer she could. “Yes, Thorn. I’ll go with you.”
Tara glanced around, not believing that she was standing in the back of an eighteen-wheeler. Thorn had explained that he used the fifty-three-foot-long semi-tractor trailer whenever he traveled with his bikes. The back of the trailer had been separated into three sections. The back section, the one closer to the ramp style door, was where the bikes were stored. The middle section served as Thorn’s office and work area. The third section, the one closest to the cab of the truck, was set up like a mini motor home and included a comfortable-looking bed, a bathroom with a shower, a refrigerator, microwave, television and VCR—all the comforts of home.
After being shown around, Tara decided to play it safe and remain in the section where the motorcycles were stored. She moved around the trailer admiring all the bikes; some she had seen before and others she had not.
“This is the one I’ll be racing,” Thorn said, getting her attention.
She walked over to stand next to him to check out the motorcycle he was showing her. It was definitely a beauty and she told him so.
“Thanks. I began building it last year.” He met her gaze. “It reminds me a lot of you.”
Tara lifted a brow. She’d never been compared to a motorcycle before and was curious why it had reminded him of her. “Would you like to explain that one, Thorn?”
He smiled. “Sure. This beauty was designed to be every man’s dream as well as fantasy. So were you. She’s well-built, with all the right angles and curves, temptation at its best. And so are you.” His eyes held hers, shining with blatant desire when he added, “And she gives a man a good, hard ride and there’s no doubt in my mind that you’ll do the same.”
Tara swallowed thickly. She wasn’t sure about that. The only riding she’d ever done was on her bicycle, and even then she could have used a lot more practice. She had preferred staying inside the house, playing doctor on her baby dolls.
Having no idea what comment she could make to Thorn’s statement, she cleared her throat and pretended to give the immaculate riding machine her full attention.
“Tara?”
The sound of her name from Thorn’s lips was like a warm