It took Jessica a good ten minutes to stop screaming every time the bike tilted. But somewhere along the road, without her even noticing, the screaming stopped. And then, very slowly, she started to enjoy it.
The wind tugging at her shirt, the bike leaning into the curves like it was dancing, Aethelwulf flying past on both sides, shops and trees and buildings blurring together. And that little stomach-drop every time Kai twisted the throttle and the bike leapt forward like it had been let off a leash.
Then, Kai's voice came through the Bluetooth intercom inside her helmet, warm and amused. "Having fun?"
"No!" Jessica lied, trying to sound unimpressed.
Kai laughed. Jessica laughed even harder, which completely ruined her lie, and they both knew it.
A few miles later, his voice crackled in her ear again. "By the way, I hope you know I'll be choosing what you're wearing to the luncheon."
Jessica frowned inside her helmet. "Excuse me?"
"Your dress. I'll choose it."
