There were many things I wanted to do in my life before my time on earth ended.

When I came to a new city in sought of something new I managed to get it. I managed to step out of my comfort zone. Nicky once mentioned the beauty that existed in his world and after our first ever argument came to an end we were still in a good chapter together. When he asked to make it up to me, the idea I had in mind certainly didn't involve holding onto him for dear life whilst he whisked us away on his Harley Davidson .

It's pretty funny in a way, as a little girl I had always fallen in love with the idea of having a gallant prince charming on a white horse coming to take me away. Now as a woman, I wound up falling for a man who was far from being ever defined as royalty who smoked cigars, drank hard liquor and rode a long-distance cruiser.

Yet I was happy wearing a wide grin as we moved with the land splayed before us, begging to be explored. At first apprehensive to get on the bike, he insisted all would be well and when his eyes bore down on me, I decided to embrace the adventure.

In the end we left the city along with the problems associated with it.

For the first time I was introduced to another world that existed a mere two hours away from me. When I was younger and had to go on camping trips I never did enjoy the hiking but what made me accept the strenuous activity was the view always waiting for me on the mountains we'd climb. And as he drove along the Catskill Mountains the view took my breath away.

The 52 mile stretch offered a feast for anyone's eyes yearning for scenic views that could take you through different parts of mountain wilderness. I was at a loss of words clinging onto him no longer caring what speed he went when the sight of farmland graced my line of vision.

One part of that ride that I particularly enjoyed even more was when we entered one of the tiny towns in the area called Bovina. It was a quaint village with a population just under a thousand and was truly a charming place.

Not long after we had left the motorcycle parked by the curb we wasted no time to explore some of the shops. It was hard not to notice how different he seemed. In a way he appeared a lot more at ease walking at a leisure pace wearing an infectious grin as we explored the place.

As the day drew to a close we ended up in a restaurant known for its delicious steak and craft beer.

The live band that played set a serene atmosphere as people sat around dining whilst other couples were on the floor swaying to the music. "I'm glad you convinced me to come out with you," I said briefly glancing in his direction to find him watching the band. He turned to look at me wearing a small smile, "What can I say I wanted you to forget about my bad behaviour."

"You mean where you just went sile -"

"Hey!" he interjected frowning making me laugh at the playful expression he wore, "let's leave the past behind us."

"So have you ever been here before?" I asked turning to give him my full attention. I watched him take a small sip of the cold beer he ordered mulling over my question, "Before my dad went to jail he used to take me for rides on his motorcycle. Sometimes we'd pass through the towns and spend the day talking about life and the possibility of existing outside of the city. He had plans to move to a quiet place with a nice house for him and my mother to live in for the rest of their days," he replied not giving anything away on how he felt when it came to mentioning his father in that moment.

"I'm really glad you shared that with me."

"Of course, besides my dad used to take my mother on motorcycle rides whenever she was also mad at him," he admitted sheepishly making me reach out to lightly smack his arm. "I see you're using his moves to get me all soft."

"But admit it," he murmured biting his bottom lip in a manner that made heat rush to my cheeks, "you enjoyed that ride."

"It was hard not to love it. I'm even tempted to convince my mom that we should do a little drive here when she comes with my dad for graduation," I replied feeling giddy at the fact that as each day passed we were getting closer to that period where a chapter of my life would come to an end. "You should and speaking of graduation..." Groaning at what he was alluding to the man beside me chuckled leaning closer, "I read that manuscript."

Upon natural instinct I reached up covering my face with both hands suddenly feeling self-conscious. My work was the only other outlet I used to express myself. It was the one time I didn't feel apologetic to say anything nor feel ashamed to bare my soul and knowing that he had seen that side of me was like a reminder of the first time he saw me naked. "Babyyy, don't be shy," he cooed removing my hands despite the whine I released subjecting me to see his blue eyes immersed in a bright orange light that came from the candle situated on our table. "Fine," I huffed shifting back in defeat, "what did you think?"

"I honestly don't understand what you're so worried about, I thought they were amazing."

"C'mon, now I know you're just saying that."

"I'm being serious," he stressed, "you need to publish them. And if you don't you'll live to regret it. Believe me, you don't want to be stuck doing something you don't want to..."

And the minute he said that I couldn't help but ask, "So is this life what you wanted for yourself?" He looked away granting me the chance to see a level of self-reflection upon the life he had. A life that's often not meant for the faint hearted. He reconnected his eyes with mine to respond, "Sometimes things can get frustrating to the point I often attempt to hide away from the fact I'm not happy. It gets exhausting fast watching people you consider friends get killed or get locked away. And no matter how much you tell yourself it'll hurt less with each passing season it really doesn't. Recently I've been so on edge with this gang invading our territory and trying to threaten our associates along with the businesses we work with. So when you ask if this life is what I wanted it really isn't - not anymore."

"So why don't you leave?" I asked but my question remained unanswered instead he quietly observed me and stood up to reach out for my hand. "Dance with me," he said.

"Not until you answer me."

He ran a hand through his hair and leaned forward to grab my hand, "We'll talk about that later right now I just want to hold you in my arms."

"You know you and your cousin are getting on my nerves with the way you avoid talking about certain things," I pointed out remaining rooted in the same spot. He leaned forward caging me in till he was an inch away and said, "That's how we were taught to survive, but in order to answer that question I want it to just be us two, not surrounded by any prying eyes, okay?" he asked placing his hand against my cheek. Nodding my head it was fair to say that I had to respect where he was coming from. Considering it had been a good day; may be it was for the best we wait until we had such conversations.

He led me onto the dance floor where a slow song was playing. Pulling me in it wasn't long before my head was rested against his chest zoning in to the thumping sound of his heart whilst the music served as faint background noise.

Running my hands across his shoulders, the feel of them distracting me from what we were discussing not too long ago, we swayed slowly to the song. Oblivious to everything around us due to the simple need to be in each other's arms.

For the rest of that night we danced until the pitter-patter of the rain drew our attention and made us stop.

Since we came on a motorcycle it wasn't ideal for us to attempt driving in such weather unless we wanted to get sick. As such upon the directions from one of the locals we managed to drive towards a place close by to spend the night.

***

The Holiday Inn was the ideal location for tourists or people passing by looking for a place to lay their heads to rest. The owner despite our claim that we weren't married insisted on giving us the honeymoon suite and once we stepped in the room drenched in our wet clothing the sight of the large king sized bed had me gulping down a lump of nerves at the fact we would be sharing it.

He walked past me discarding his leather jacket and shirt, revealing his muscular back where a scar sat on his lower back. I had never really noticed it before until now and like a moth drawn to a flame I reached out and traced it with just the tips of my fingers. He tensed at the unexpected contact and turned to look down at me, "I have a feeling you want to know how I got it."

Smiling sheepishly I nodded my head, "I got stabbed there when I ran my first ever errand for Sonny. It was the first of many," he chuckled darkly after I reached up to trace the tattoo situated on his right peck. He grabbed my hand laying a gentle kiss on it blocking me from asking the tales behind each of the other scars scattered across him, "Why don't you get out of those wet clothes and take a warm bath?" he mumbled nudging me gently towards the bathroom. Accepting the offer considering I was cold I entered the bathroom and prepared a warm bath. Although there was a shower I opted for the tub wanting to soak in the water for a while. After a few minutes of being in the room it was already filled with steam and the smell of the foam bath soap lured me in to discard my clothing after lighting a few scented candles I had found.

Once my body was soaked in the warm water I released a satisfied moan and closed my eyes.

Feeling my muscles relax under the soothing magic from the water it was only when I heard the door open that they grew tense again at the unexpected intrusion. Sitting up the second I opened my eyes and looked up I found dark orbs taking me in.

His hands visibly flexed, the veins in his arms protruding giving a glimpse to the power hidden within them. Once he unbuckled his belt, the sound of his pants hitting the ground made me grow hot beyond the temperatures already surrounding me in the tub. Without looking at him I knew he had taken the liberty of joining me when the water shifted to accommodate him. "It wouldn't be right to waste water its important to preserve our planet," he mumbled chuckling lightly.

Looking at him I shook my head grinning past the nervous energy, "That's a bullshit excuse and you know it." As soon as I said it his smile dropped and he pushed himself from the other end, a tick in his jaw that did more to arouse me as opposed to scaring me. "What have I told you about swearing?" he growled leaning forward placing his hand into the water and like a predator remaining unseen I gasped the second I felt his hand on my inner thigh making a silent path that had my chest heaving.

Rubbing gentle circles against my flesh once the inevitable came I collapsed using the tub for support the minute his digit touched my womanhood. "Do you want to know what I want to do to you anytime a profanity slips past that pretty mouth?" he growled maintaining a slow torturous pace on me making it harder to do anything.

When I moaned, tossing my head back at the feel of a finger entering me he went on to say, "Words, Liyah. Use your words." Too focused on the feel of something deep within building inside me, I actually whined when he retracted his finger.

But I wasn't disappointed by the loss of contact for long when he lifted me up and placed me on his lap replacing his finger with his large appendage that stretched my walls deliciously. And with my back arching at the invasion he held me close and kept my head from entering the water but I didn't care, I couldn't care whether or not my hair got wet when he began rocking his hips.

Releasing a strained moan I felt his tongue trace the tips of my nipple till he all but wrapped his mouth around my breast.

Leaning forward he lifted up his head releasing it with a pop and kissed my lips to the point I lost all ounce of strength growing weak in his arms. And it would always be like that with him when it came to us engaging in a pleasurable fuck that obliterated my sanity. With his grunts and my moans filling in the air along with the sound of the water spilling over the tub we were lost exploring each other. We were lost in that connection that had me biting down on his shoulder in sweet agony as he pummelled relentlessly into me till we both reached our peak.