Love After All

She didn’t. In fact, it was kind of … exhilarating. She looked over at Bash and grinned.

“See? You’re doing it.”

She was doing it. She increased her speed a little more. Not too much more, but a little more. She rode over several dunes, finally convincing Bash that instead of riding beside her, he could go ahead, and she’d follow him. Which she did—more or less. He got ahead of her because he rode a lot faster, but the poor guy had to have at least a little fun before their time was up, and poking along with her wasn’t going to cut it.

Finally, she waved him off, and she throttled back to watch him.

He was … amazing. There was something inherently sexy about a man in charge of a machine like that. The way he flew across the dunes, sand spraying in all directions, the roar of the engine deafening her.

Bash’s sex appeal had been off the charts before. Now, though, seeing him standing as he rode across a precariously high dune, she wasn’t sure she’d ever seen anything hotter. She should have brought a video camera, though these images of him would be burned in her mind for a very long time. He was as lean as the machine, and when he popped a wheelie and the guide chastised him, he turned and grinned at her, making her laugh.

Bash might just be showing off a little, just for her.

And she might just have appreciated that. More than a little.

She could have sat on her vehicle and watched him ride for hours. Because on a machine where she was decidedly uncomfortable, Bash looked as if he were a natural extension of his.

In fact, she enjoyed watching the rest of them speeding along, sailing across the tops of the dunes, sand flying in their wake. It looked amazing. But she already knew that wasn’t for her. Not today, anyway. She stayed mostly to the smaller crests, and when she mastered those, she felt victorious.

Bash finally made his way back to her. “You’re getting good at this. Ready for a higher dune?”

“Maybe.”

She was just starting to get comfortable enough to think about venturing out to the bigger dunes when the guide hailed them that their time was coming to a close.

She actually felt disappointed. She smiled at Bash. “Next time, for sure.”

He grinned, then followed her in toward the parking area. She made it much faster, and this time she stayed with the group. She put on the brake, turned off the engine, then climbed off and took off her helmet.

“That was so much fun,” Molly said. “We have to do that again sometime.”

“We can ride ATVs in Oklahoma,” Bash said. “I do it a lot when I go camping.”

“Whenever you go, count us in,” Carter said, putting his arm around Molly. “We had a blast.”

“How about you, Chelsea?” Bash asked.

“I had a great time. I was just warming up when it was over. I’d do it again.”

He put his arm around her and kissed the side of her head. “That’s my girl.”

She’d done it. Maybe she’d had to prove to herself that she could, but she’d done it. And surprisingly, she’d had fun with it.

They all went back to the hotel, changed into swim stuff, and stopped at a restaurant near the beach for lunch.

“Who knew all that riding would work up such an appetite?” she asked as she dug into the best burger she’d ever eaten.

“You’re normally not a burger lover,” Bash said. “I think you have a hangover.”

“I do not.” But she was exceptionally thirsty today. And hungry. For carbs. The fries were delicious. Maybe she was hungover. Not that she’d admit it.

“They are great burgers,” Molly said. “Though I didn’t have as many margaritas as Chelsea had last night. I just like burgers.”

Chelsea shot Molly a look. “Hey. You’re supposed to be on my side.”

“We’re taking sides? There’s an argument? Did I miss something?”

Chelsea sighed. “I need a nap.”

Bash laughed. “No arguments. You did great today. I’m really proud of you for even getting on the ATV. You rode it like a pro.”

“Ha. I did not. But I rode it. And had more fun than I thought I would.”

“So, next up, camping.”

She tilted her head to meet his teasing gaze. “That’s not going to happen.”

“We’ll see. I’ll bet I could entice you.”

“You could always go glamping,” Molly suggested.

“What the hell is glamping?” Carter asked, frowning.

“It’s luxury camping. Beyond tents and porta-potties,” Chelsea said.

Bash leaned back in his chair, picking up his iced tea. “Oh, you have to explain this. I can’t wait to hear about it.”

“Say you want to camp with a tent,” Chelsea said. “There are resorts that provide the tent—a more glamorous version of the kind you throw in the back of your truck, of course. Maybe nestled in a mountain hideaway, with full bathroom amenities and food provided.”

Bash shook his head. “Might as well stay at a hotel.”

Chelsea shrugged. “It’s still camping.”

“Not the way I camp.”

She lifted her chin. “It would be considered a compromise, though.”

He arched a brow.

“Seriously, look.” She pulled out her phone and typed in the search engine, pulling up a site, then handed her phone to Bash. “Check this out.”

He looked it over, then laughed and handed her phone to Carter. “Did you see the prices for this? You might as well book a room at the Four Seasons.”