Revved Up SoulSteel Knights Motorcycle Series

#1Written By: Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Kathryn Lorde

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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in orintroduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic,

mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of boththe copyright owner and the above publisher of this book. This is a work of fiction. Names,

characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’simagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to an actual person, living or dead, events,

or locales is entirely coincidental. The author acknowledges the trademarked status andtrademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been usedwithout permission. The publication/ use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with,

or sponsored by the trademark owners. All rights reserved.

Copyright 2015 by Liz K. Lorde

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CHAPTER ONEJasmine

For a week straight now she had seen the mysterious and handsome stranger roaming thehalls of St.Augustine; yet he was nowhere to be found this morning. Stop fantasizing, shechided, the guy is probably as bull headed as he looks.

Jasmine Giuseppe was sitting alone again today, unsure of how satisfied she should bewith saving the life of two criminals – saving a gang member’s life was hardly the same asrescuing a family man from the jaws of death. The hospital’s lunch area was bustling with theusual chatter; complaining about the macaroni and cheese, eying fries and fawning overcheesecake.

Was she tempted? Absolutely, would she give in? Not today.Jasmine lazily poked at her salad, which was laced in her favorite dressing of thousand

islands. She didn’t understand why she couldn’t make any friends; did nobody like her at all?Connecting with people was never this hard. At least her mentor, Augustus Lark, would sit withher every once in a while.

Jasmine sighed and then ate a small helping of her salad. Too bad I didn’t straighten myhair today. Jasmine curiously pushed around a few leafs of her salad. She had long, thick, curlyringlets of raven hair that when she stood up would hang to her ass. She’d learned over her yearsof residency that getting close to people was a dangerous thing. Patients die, friends of friendspass, Brothers— Jasmine’s eyes stung then, welling up and threatening more. Stupid, shethought.

That was when a plastic brown tray of fries, practically a mountain of them, absolutelycovered in cheese, crashed down to the other end of her table. What the hell was this?

A man sat down, dressed tightly in a black biker jacket with his jet hair swept into asmall pony tail.

Jasmine eyed the man carefully, staring daggers into him – in hopes that he might openlybleed for the intrusion of her space. Fluttering, nervous little butterflies made her chest dancewith excitement.

The devilishly handsome biker turned his chair and kicked his feet up onto the nearestseat; grabbing a cheese laden fry and popping it in his mouth. He had the most shit eating grin

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seat; grabbing a cheese laden fry and popping it in his mouth. He had the most shit eating grin

Jasmine had ever seen on a person’s face, like he had just climbed a mountain and was ready topiss off its end. She noted the thick bronze ring on his finger, but could not make out itsengraving.

“Can I help you?” She snapped in a whisper. Her heart tapped quicker against herbreastbone. She’d never seen eyes such as his. One brown as tree bark, the other blue as asummer’s sky. The blue in them reminded her of Mr. Prestly, oddly enough – she had hesitatedthat day.

Hesitation, it was the currency dealt by death. She shuddered, pulling herself from thatmoment.

The Biker popped another golden, crispy . . . Jasmine had to look away. Suddenly hersalad didn’t seem nearly as satisfying. She flicked her gaze back to the man, admiring hisroguish and handsome face – he had just a bit of stubble, not too much, enough to give him asexy and rugged look. He had a hooked nose and upturned eyes. Jasmine felt a tightness form inher core.

Ugh. Not a chance, steel cowboy.Languidly, the man picked up another fry and brought his feet off of the chair, turning to

face Jasmine and leaned forward. “Yeah, you can sit there and look pretty for me,” he japed,“can have some fries too, if you want,” his voice was much deeper than she had expected, givenhis childish demeanor.

Wow that’s not grating at all. Jasmine raised her eyebrows, “Uh, no,” she said. “I don’tthink so.”

“Why?” The Biker teasingly brought the fry up and above his head, letting it slowly sinkdown to his mouth – not breaking eye contact.

“That’s disgusting.”Crunch. Then a moan. Even his stupid and exaggerated moans were strangely satisfying

to hear.“I seriously don’t understand how you can eat that pile of crap,” Jasmine chided, flicking

back a couple strands of her raven hair. Chili cheese fries are infinitely better than just cheesefries. Mom, rest her soul, would be rolling in her grave if she saw Jasmine now, turning down aplate of fries for some silly salad. “You’re going to ruin that body of yours,” Jasmine addedcasually, a wave of heat rushed through her then and a nervous sensation pricked at her feet.

Shit.The Biker laughed something deep from his chest. “I know how to take care of my

body,” he replied confidently, his gorgeous and oh so exotic set of eyes gleamed playfully.“Need me to help you take care of yours?”

Her jaw dropped and her brows rose half an inch. Liquid fire filled her veins. W-what?Was he serious? She could feel her cheeks blushing like the morn as she squirmed in her chair.I’m actually being hit on right now. And then something peculiar happened – something vastlyunusual for Jasmine’s routine interactions with the opposite sex – even for as different as it

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unusual for Jasmine’s routine interactions with the opposite sex – even for as different as it

already was.She laughed. “I mean come on.”Jasmine’s tongue was locked with devil’s love, and her body had long since submitted to

nervousness.He pointed with his thumb and index finger at Jasmine’s bowl of salad. “You gotta get

some meat on those bones little lady – kick back and let live,” he raised his chin in emphasis.“You feel me?”

She brushed back her hair and smiled. “Is this your routine?” She asked. “Peddling foodto health conscious and fiercely independent doctors?”

“Nah,” he took a moment to eat and then cocked his head. “Should it be? My usualshtick works pretty well.”

“Oh?” Jasmine batted her eyes, only barely aware of her quicker breathing. “Enlightenme, steel cowboy.”

“Ride like my life depends on it and live each day like it’s my last.”Damn.The Biker’s smirk widened half an inch, and he offered his hand to Jasmine. It was a big

hand, or at least in comparison to her own delicate little ones, a real man’s kind of hand. Shecould see callouses on his fingertips.

Dark, sensual waves crashed against Jasmine’s core – leaving her feeling exposed. “Luke,” he said, softness in his voice. In that moment he could not have sounded more

divine. “Luke Reynolds.” What a sexy—no! Control yourself woman.Jasmine reached her hand to join Luke’s and shook it – her itty bitty hand dwarfed by the

man’s She curiously noted the contrast of his white, pinkish skin against her own, which hermother always told her was ‘kissed by the sun’. “I’m Jasmine Giuseppe,” a half smile walkedacross her face. “And just so we’re clear, cowboy, I’m not available, so don’t get anything goingthrough that thick skull of yours.” It was true in a way, she had her career to focus on – the paststill haunted her too much. More than she wanted to admit.

“I’d never dream of it, Doc. Not my type anyway.” Like hell I’m not, was that supposedto be a challenge? For the first time since she had moved to Sequim, Jasmine had finally made afriend.

If she could just stop wanting to jump his bones at least.Day One of Seven.

Taking the stairs was always exhausting considering just how much Jasminehad to be on the move during her shifts at St. Augustine; but it kept her figure slim and in an oddway she cherished them, since it helped to clear her mind. She had a peculiar longing for theman she’d met yesterday.

I wish I was home already. Season three of House M.D and a pint of cherry icecream – was there really a better way to spend the evening? If only Robert Chase were real, she

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cream – was there really a better way to spend the evening? If only Robert Chase were real, she

swooned.Jasmine worked her way up the staircase, fingers of sunlight pouring through the

windows while dust particles danced to their own tune. The concrete walls were a simplistic gun metal color, but along them were graffiti of

various different things – all color and urban and creative – funded by the hospital throughProject Hope. The image of young Alejandra popped into her head, the rebellious girl’s facetwisted into a sneer; she had dark and stormy eyes that held too much pain for such a youngwildcat.

Nose twitching, Jasmine could smell the familiar foulness of a cigarette. Theresidents frequently used the stairwell as a place to destress, but she hadn’t caught anyone on theway up and was expecting the trend to continue. She felt a hot pulse throughout her body whenher eyes landed on the man.

Well if it isn’t the jerkface himself. “Hey,” she called out.Luke shifted his head, looking down at Jasmine as she traversed the steps. His

person was leaning against the yellow railing, his arms resting lackadaisically. He exhaled a longbreath of smoke. “Hey yourself,” he had another drag, “wasn’t expecting to bump into you –looked for you at lunch.”

He looked for me? Jasmine wanted to force herself not to smile, but she waspowerless. “I didn’t see you,” she replied, finally reaching the next floor and leaning with herbackside against the railing, next to Luke. In her head, she pictured a mass of residents floodinginto the small confines of the stairwell, all puffing away at their various cigars and cigarettes;still wouldn’t move, she thought. Jasmine was just delighted to have ran into him.

“Tomorrow then,” he suggested, blowing thin strips of smoke away from herface. At least he’s not a total asshole. “Unless,” he paused, giving a deadly smirk that sent wavesof heat straight to Jasmine’s core, “you’ve found someone else to torment you with food yousecretly want. In that case I’ll find some other hottie,” he shrugged, trying to contain hisamusement.

Jasmine chuckled dryly. “Like anyone else in this hospital of the opposite sexcould put up with a dude like you; I keep a stress ball in my pocket just for you, you know,” shesnarked.

“Flattered.”“Somehow I doubt that,” Jasmine narrowed her eyes. “And don’t go around

using ‘hottie’ what are you eighteen? Hells bells.”“Shit,” he blurted, “didn’t know you were five-o.” Luke stubbed out his death

stick and flicked it carelessly down the stairwell. He then pointed to the muscular biceps on eachof his arms, “swear I’ve got licenses for them.”

Jasmine rolled her eyes harder than she thought humanly possible. She picturedherself with a whiffle bat that had the word ‘nerd’ written in sharpie on it. I’d beat him senseless,I mean really. It was then that she pulled herself back to reality and noticed something peculiar

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I mean really. It was then that she pulled herself back to reality and noticed something peculiar

on the ground. A Polaroid? She bent down to pick it up, looking at a much younger Luke, whosearm was locked around a young boy of a man; the boy looked just like Luke, save for the fact hehad a messy, tousled mop of black hair.

Squinting, Luke inspected the photo in her hand. “Oh,” he said, taking thepicture from Jasmine’s hand. “That’s mine – didn’t realize it even fell.”

“Who is it?”“Hmn? Oh, that’s my baby bro.”“You two look pretty inseparable,” Jasmine noted.“Yeah,” he said, smiling. “What can I say, he’s my compass. Keeps me from

bashing in too many skulls,” Luke then crossed his arms into a dominant pose, the sexy leatherjacket creaking against the flow of his body. “Seriously though, if you’ve got the hots for my bro– I’ll shoot him myself, or give you his number. Haven’t decided yet.”

“Oh stop,” Jasmine gave a short laugh. “I don’t need any more blood on these handsbecause of this body,” Jasmine gestured for emphasis.

“Right. We’re doing lunch tomorrow, so be ready for that.”Jasmine put up a hand and started walking away, wishing that her white coat

wouldn’t hide her ass so well when she wanted to occasionally show it off. “Yeah we’ll seeabout that,” she answered, leaving through the door.

Day TwoShe looked and looked, but to no avail; she couldn’t find him. Today she had

decided to be adventurous and try the pan fried salmon along with her Cesar. She could imaginethe soft texture of it even now, melting in her mouth like butter. The salmon was drizzled insucculent oil, salted to perfection with a dash of lemon pepper that invited her nose to take in allof the wonderful smells; Jasmine’s stomach grumbled and her mouth began to salivateimpatiently.

So hungry. Just as she impaled the slab of deliciousness a hand shot out,holding down her plate and another hand joined it, a plastic knife cutting away a good chunk ofthe fish. What the hell!

Luke scooped up the piece and ate it all in one go, before dropping his platecasually onto the table. “Wow,” he exclaimed, “not bad!”

“Does it taste better because it was mine?” Jasmine scowled, venom drippingfrom her every word. She noted the black thing on the floor.

“Absolutely,” he responded, sitting down and eating away at his slice ofsupreme pizza. It had a golden, cheese filled crust – topped with black olives and savorypepperoni; she could smell the browned onions. Munster cheese was melted gloriously over thebread and the crown jewel of the slice was the smattering of jalapenos. He placed what remainedof his slice back on the plate, cleaning his hands and mouth of the grease.

Jasmine felt her face redden and she looked away from the man, wishingsomeone would fan her off or possibly throw her into a frigid stream. Eating like an undignified

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someone would fan her off or possibly throw her into a frigid stream. Eating like an undignified

slob should be disgusting but he makes it look . . . god I just want to—ugh! “Why are you evenhere,” she interrogated, springing up and slicing off a portion of his pizza. “And two can play atthat game, you know,” she barked, sitting herself back down. Twin serpents of fire twisted upher spine. Jasmine nibbled on her portion of the stolen pizza, nodding, “I should steal people’sfood more often, this does taste better,” she said more to herself than anything.

Luke chuckled, “Mannn you’re a spitfire today,” he said. “I like it.”“Well get used to it, you piss me off.” Oh, and you kind of make my heart sing

– and you make my head hurt . . . and you just wind me up so well. Her eyes fell back onto thatblack object; it had to be his wallet. “That your wallet?” She pointed to it.

He looked over his shoulder, cursing beneath his breath and picking it up. Heopened it casually, taking inventory of it for several seconds and then sighing. “Stealing fromme again,” he muttered so low that Jasmine had to struggle to hear. Was she not supposed tohear that?

“I’m sorry?”Luke waved a hand, putting his wallet away, “Nothing,” he assured, “it’s

nothing. Anyway, pushing buttons is one of my favorite hobbies,” he drew a breath. “I’m herefor pleasure,” he japed, “but I’m at Augustine for business,” he admitted.

Warmth curtained Jasmine. “What kind of business would someone like youhave here?” That came off wrong. Pinpricks crashed against Jasmine’s feet.

“Someone like me?” His voice was sharp and defensive. “I get it,” he said,“You’re a smart girl, I can tell. But I actually didn’t peg you for a snob.”

Wrinkling her nose, Jasmine straightened herself in her chair. “I’m not a snob,”She replied.

“Yeah?” He drummed his fingers against the table. “So, enlighten me then, ohgreat all-knowing doctor.”

“Oh stop it,” she was fuming now, things were getting twisted – she hadn’t evenmeant for it to go this way. “I—I just, just don’t get what kind of business you could possibly bedoing here I mean hey no offense, but shouldn’t you be getting drunk with the good ole boysfixing bikes or something?” Damnit. Why can’t I shut my mouth?

Luke gave a single sarcastic laugh. “Is that seriously what you think we do? Ireally had the wrong idea about you.” He pushed his chair back so hard, that when he got up ittipped over – the table forcefully shifting an inch closer to Jasmine. He turned on his heel andraked a hand through his hair, muttering something while taking strides away.

A couple of people nearby nosily studied Jasmine’s face.She bowed her head, hoping that her thick, curly ringlets of raven hair might

hide her embarrassment. Jasmine whipped her head to her side, snapping, “What!” The winds ofanger filled her sails, “mind your own damn business.”

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CHAPTER TWOJasmine

Day ThreeGloom and doom, that was the sky today – rain pouring down hard against the rooftop of

St.Augustine. Jasmine half sat, half laid, against the concrete slab that enclosed the door leadingback into the hospital – the musty air making her nose wrinkle. Some rogue drops of watermanaged to hit her face every once in a while, thanks to the gusts of wind. They felt cool againsther skin.

She looked down at her phone and swiped through some messages, most justautomatically generated crap from her provider. Her eyes hung on the two texts that were notjunk, one from her boss Augustus Lark, and the other from Alejandra. She happened to have justa little crush on Augustus, even if he always did give her a hard time. Jasmine wondered ifmaybe some part of him shared a mutual feeling – he was always going on about how she washis ‘hazelnut’ – not that she ever understood what in the hell that meant.

Trying to mentally block the discomfort, she had a hard time pretending that her feetwere not killing her – too many patients today.

Blinking, Jasmine turned her head back towards the dreary scene and tried to ignore thepangs of hunger in her stomach. You don’t eat enough, a voice resounded in the back of hermind – but she wanted nothing to do with it. She’d suffered enough when she was a kid, thethought of going back to that phase of her life scared her like hell.

How can you be so cruel? You should have said you were sorry. Jasmine sighed, runninga hand through her hair, twirling a couple of thick curls, pulling on them until they snapped backinto place. She had seen Luke today, but said nothing – almost certain that he saw her. He didn’tsay anything either.

Mind wandering now, she thought back to those days so long ago. She could stillremember her brother’s face like it was just yesterday. Jasmine smiled, that Sunday afternoonthe two of them had booked it during second period, going to Gino’s splitting an extra-largepizza with all the meat toppings. Marcus dubbed it ‘The Meatzilla’. Her mouth began to water,she could practically smell the golden crust with the flakes of garlic – the taste of blackpeppercorn and salt, of hearty Canadian bacon and fennel laced salzitsa They had made it atradition since then, much to the chagrin of mother and father; but to them it was sacred, one of

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tradition since then, much to the chagrin of mother and father; but to them it was sacred, one of

their many rituals.Marcus had a way with words, she mused, something that I’ll never have.But that was the difference between the two. Where Jasmine buried her nose in the

library, Marcus would bury something else . . . it was always strange how Miss Garcia gave himsuch high grades.

Inch by inch, the hole in Jasmine’s soul dilated, letting the wind pass freely through her.She thought of his smile again. Those days I can’t ever have back . . . the pager in her white coatsuddenly buzzed and she sighed harder this time. She tapped the back of her head against thedamp concrete slab several times.

Today she wished she had listened to her father all those long days ago.Day Four

Driving into Hart’s Customs and Repairs shop, Jasmine listened to the soothing strumsof her romantic guitar playlist. Her last lover had been into this kind of music, and even thoughshe enjoyed it, it reminded her of what was absent in her life – she had sworn that after what hadhappened, her focus would be on work.

Instead all she could focus on was that asshole Luke.Ten days of work in a row and now her sort-of-boss Augustus was wheedling to try and

get her to come in for a four hour night shift, it just never seemed to end. As she eased her wayinto the open garage where a couple of mechanics were working on a Honda Accord, shenoticed two motorcycles and their respective riders.

Not him, she concluded. Rolling to a stop, she pulled down her window as one of theworkers approached. Jasmine’s eyes looked him over. He had green eyes and an earnest smile;barrel chested and broad shouldered, the man had short, brown parted hair. There was a touch ofink on his skin around his collar, but Jasmine could not make out what it was.

Not bad. Jasmine draped an arm over her window and pulled down her shades. “Heythere boss, how much for a basic?”

The mechanic chuckled. “Well ah, we usually take off ah couple hundred for pretty girl’ssuch as yahself,” his voice definitely had an accent, but it wasn’t totally unattractive like someshe had heard. “Good for the business, yah know?”

“And what about beautiful women?” She felt silly for having called herself as such, evenif only in jest.

“They get ah much better rate, your mom know you’re driving er car?”Jasmine laughed. “How old do you think I am?”“Not a day ovah nineteen.”She snorted and read the man’s tag printed on his chest, Dale, “Not quite sweetheart, but

I admire you laying it on thick like that for me.”Four hundred dollars mysteriously parted her wallets embrace that day, and it was

notorious for not letting anything go. Much to her annoyance, later that night Augustus madewell on his threat to get her to come in – even though he was head of Neurology, the Dean of

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well on his threat to get her to come in – even though he was head of Neurology, the Dean of

Medicine liked him a lot, and Augustus had a very particular view on one’s work ethic.Day Five

Jasmine’s heart soared to the high heavens when she saw Luke, warmth quickly floodingher body. She had a prescription in her pocket that needed filling for a patient, and it seems Lukewas in a similar position; he was the last in line with his back to her.

Don’t screw this up. “Luke,” she said softly, placing a hand gingerly on the biker’sshoulder.

He craned his neck to face her, the leather of his jacket creaking slightly. There was asadness that glinted in his brown and blue eyes. “Long time no see,” he murmured, the both ofthem moving up in line. He then turned to face her. “Sorry about before,” he said, “I might havebeen acting a bit stubborn.”

“I’m sorry too,” Jasmine confessed quietly, bringing her gaze down to her feet. “It wasseriously my fault,” Jasmine continued, not wanting to look him in the eye from shame.

Luke grabbed her hand, giving it a small squeeze. “It’s alright.”Mortal ecstasy shot through her veins and she lifted her head to look him in eye. His

hand’s so big, so strong; it feels so right. Jasmine gave a private smile, only for Luke to see.A warm smile walked along the lines of his face, his white teeth peeking out.The lined moved up and Jasmine motioned with a nod of her head to let Luke know.

“You’re next, Tiger.” There was a weird look on the man’s face, “Don’t call me that, I seriously hate being

called that – not trying to be a dick. It just, eh, reminds me of someone . . .”“Oh,” Jasmine said, playing with her fingers in her pocket, “sorry.” A knife of tension

stabbed at her gut before she could summon the courage to ask. “Will I see you at the cafeteriatomorrow?” She batted her long lashes, lowering her chin just an inch.

“Yeah,” he said, letting go of her hand.No! She thought, the electricity between them dimming and a disappointment cloaking

itself around her.“I’d like that,” Luke’s smile widened a half an inch before he turned around and walked

over to the counter, lazily placing his arms down on the natural, granite stone. “Seen Janetaround?” He asked, cocking his head.

The pharmacist shook her head. “She called out today, you got something you needfilled?”

“Nah,” he replied and then tapped the natural stone counter twice with his knuckles.“Tell her . . . just tell her someone’s looking for her.”

A twinge of jealousy ripped through Jasmine’s body. If she knows what’s good for her,Janet would stay far, far away from him. Damnit, why am I having these stupid feelings? Allthey did was burn me. She stepped forward and moved over to the counter, watching LukeReynolds walk away, her heart a fluttering mess.

Stop getting so attached.

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Day SixThe morning sun crested the horizon, bursts of orange and pink coloring the sky –

Jasmine’s eyes went wide when she saw Luke talking away on one of the benches outside. He’snot wearing his jacket. Jasmine felt foolish for being so giddy, but the butterflies in her stomachwere pleased at such a sight. He was wearing a blue Henley that had its first three buttonsundone, revealing an oh-so glorious few inches of skin; he was also rocking a pair of darkstonewashed Levi’s.

Sexy.Jasmine’s mind raced into dark waters, where the light of reason could not penetrate. As

she approached him, she could feel her womanhood building and building with delightfullyfrustrating pleasure; arousing waves crashing against her. Jasmine’s very bones becamedrenched with need, the whole of her body feeling so heavy that it might collapse with onewrong step – be strong, she thought. He’s just a man, sure he’s like – ridiculously hot . . . buthe’s still just a person.

As he talked into his phone (a burner?) his eyes flicked over to Jasmine, and they glintedwith joy, his lips curling into a smirk. Luke crossed a leg over his other and patted the spot onthe bench beside him mouthing ‘come here’. “Hey let me get back at ya Able.”

Jasmine, for as much as she was burning on the inside, sat down with a remarkable graceand nonchalance. Go me, pretending to be cool since 99.

Luke flipped his phone shut and stuffed it into his jean pocket, taking in a big breath ofair. “Getting ready to save lives?”

“You know it. What’re you doing out here so early?”“Taking a personal day from the club,” he wet his dry lips.“And you’re spending it here?” Her brows raised.“Well I’m only here to see you today,” he confessed. Me? Jasmine felt silly for being

jealous yesterday. “I figured I’d catch you and ask if you wanted me to take you out to lunchtoday. Show you what it’s like to ride.” Oh you wouldn’t need to show me.

Jasmine brushed back her hair, pressing her legs tighter together. “That sounds lovely.”He flashed that special smile again. “Great, I’ll swing by around noon and we’ll go

whenever you’re able.”The day went by in a blur of medical procedures, excited anticipation for lunch and

cardio nightmares. Jasmine was sure by the time that Luke would come by; she’d be too spent towalk over to his steel steed.

When the hour finally drew near, Jasmine walked through the main lobby hoping to findLuke. Instead she could only see blackness, an arm snaking around her waist and a handcovering her eyes. She yelped.

A rumbling laugh escaped the man’s lips. “Where you think you’re going,” Luke joked.“You ready to go?”

Jasmine pawed, trying to get his hand off of her face.

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He eventually relented.Turning around to face him, Jasmine scowled. “Just get me the hell out of here before I

admit you myself.” Wouldn’t that be satisfying.