Forbidden Lovers. Kimberley Troutte

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      Never forget, little one? What was her old aunt babbling about?

      “That was weird,” Henry said.

      “She seems tired.” Strange and old. Maybe the onset of dementia? What would Julia do without her aunt? Tía Nona had always taken care of Julia even through the loss of Matt. Tía Nona had helped put all the shattered pieces back together again. Tía Nona was the mother Julia never had.

      “Be good for Tía Nona, Henry. Go to bed on time. If you need anything, call Tina next door. She’s staying home with the new baby.” She kissed her son one more time before he could wiggle away.

      “Aye, aye, Captain.” Henry saluted them both.

      “Goofball.”

      Her date escorted her down the stairs and around the front of the house. A silver motorcycle sat in her driveway.

      “Wait. That’s a Harley.”

      “Surprise.”

      The emotions hit hard. She had a death grip on his arm and her teeth were clenched tightly. The last time she’d been on a motorcycle, she’d had her arms wrapped around Matt. She’d pressed into him as if he were her body armor. He’d protected her while driving them both toward freedom. When she was on the back of his bike, nothing could catch them or hurt them. Bad stuff was left in the dust. It was like flying. She’d trusted him with her life. With her love.

      She’d never trust like that again.

      Letting go of Captain’s arm she stepped backward. “I can’t go on that.”

      “Why? I thought you liked motorcycles.”

      Who told him? Linda and Maria must have given him an earful behind her back. She was lucky he’d showed up at all.

      She did like motorcycles, had loved them once, but this was no ordinary bike. Oh, God. It looked just like Matt’s. Pain ripped through her chest.

      She turned away from the two-wheeled dagger in her heart. “I’m sorry. I can’t do this. I thought I could, but obviously I’m not ready.”

      * * *

      “Tell me what the problem is and I’ll fix it.”

      What in the hell was going on with Julia?

      First, she acted like she didn’t remember him and now she was having a meltdown next to his bike? It was almost as if she had PTSD. But why?

      He decided to play her game for a while, until he figured things out.

      “It’s personal.” She sighed. “Which tells you absolutely nothing, right? Wow, what a great first mate you’ve chosen, Captain. Feels like this ship is sinking already. I’d understand if you want to take someone else to RW’s party. You’ll have more fun without me.”

      “I want to have fun with you.” Like old times, only better.

      “But I don’t know how to...to do...this...” She motioned between them.

      He liked where her mind was going. Hated the terror on her face.

      “Listen, Julia. We’ll dance, drink champagne, eat, laugh. It’s just a party. Come with me.”

      She shook her head. “It’s not fair to you.” Her brow creased. “If you knew what was good for you, you’d hop on that Harley and go. You don’t want a broken girl tonight.”

      He rubbed his thumb over her chin. “Broken?”

      Her eyes welled.

      That got him. Julia had always been fierce and brave. Had that husband of hers hurt her? If so, the dude was lucky he hadn’t made it out of Afghanistan or he and Matt would be going a few rounds right now.

      Hell, he was still recovering from the fact that Julia had a child with that jackass. It ripped him up. He’d never wanted kids. Why ruin a child’s life like his parents did his? It never crossed his mind that Julia would marry someone else to have a child. Is that why she did? To have the baby Matt wouldn’t give her?

      “I can’t ride that bike with you,” she said.

      Dammit, what happened? Julia had always loved riding on the back of his bike. His plan had been to get her to wrap her sweet arms around him and press her full breasts into his back. Then they’d cruise and he’d kiss her senseless and remind her how much she’d missed him. Afterward they’d go to the party and dance the rest of the night. With any luck, he’d wake up with her in his arms.

      That was how it was supposed to go. But somehow his plan had gone south.

      “Julia. Talk to me.”

      “The Harley reminds me of—” she blew out a long breath “—things I’m trying to forget.”

      That was a gut-punch he didn’t see coming. At the café, she’d called him her mistake and now their adventures on the bike were things she tried to forget? Clearly, she was trying to kill their past.

      “Fine,” Matt growled. “You don’t want to go with me. I get it.”

      Putting his helmet on over the pirate bandana, he swung his leg across the bike. He needed to put some distance between him and the woman who was driving him crazy. Hell, maybe he’d skip the party and leave Plunder Cove tonight. He’d done his father’s bidding. He’d get the plane he needed without hearing whatever announcement his father had planned to make.

      He could go back to forgetting Julia. Somehow.

      “Wait!” She put her hand on his back. He felt that touch all the way to his groin. “Can you be patient with me? I haven’t been on a date in a long time. I’m saying all the wrong things, but I want to be with you tonight.”

      “You do?”

      Her gaze was on his lips. “I really, really do.”

      Her husky voice was his undoing. He froze. He wanted to kiss her, but she seemed fragile. He didn’t want to push her—yet.

      He handed her a helmet. She climbed on the bike, wrapped her arms around him and held on.

      They’d make new memories on this machine tonight. Ones he could take with him when he left Plunder Cove once and for all.

       Four

      Matt loved driving his old, faithful Harley with Julia on the back. It felt familiar, comfortable and so damned good. Instead of winging through the curves like he used to do, he drove slowly along the coast. Sure, he was stretching out the ride, but Julia didn’t seem to mind. She put her head on his back and seemed to relax.

      The night was warm with the ocean fog hanging in the distance. The sliver of moon winked at him as if it knew how hard Matt’s heart was beating. The breeze against his face smelled like the sea and Julia.

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