CHAPTER 93: CHAPTER 93: ONLY YOU, NOW AND FOREVER

Natalie’s flight to Veridia was at night. Zane’s place was near the outskirts, and life there certainly wasn’t as well-equipped as Rivermark Apartments.

Living here, the only entertainment was camping by the lake and Zane’s motorcycle.

The area around the villa was spacious, and Natalie pointed to the motorcycle she had picked out, asking Zane.

"Can you ride it?"

The man lazily raised his eyelids, glanced at her, and then continued making final adjustments to the motorcycle Quentin wanted.

Natalie felt a bit choked by Zane’s attitude.

Of course, what kind of stupid question was she asking?

How could Zane not know how to ride?

"Ahem! Zane, I want to inspect the goods!"

This time, Zane didn’t even lift his head.

"Without a license, don’t even think about touching it."

"I never said I wanted to ride it."

After a series of clinking and clanging sounds, the man finally lifted his head, raised an eyebrow, and inquired.

He had a cigarette in his mouth, seemingly half-squinting his eyes from the smoke. Sweat soaked his black tank top, outlining the contours of his chest and abs. The sweat at his neckline seemed to add a golden sheen to his sun-kissed skin. His face was dirty, stained black from somewhere on his brow to his cheekbones.

He looked every bit a mechanic.

Yet the most handsome one.

Natalie forced herself to look away from the man’s chest, unconsciously swallowed, and pulled her coat tighter.

She couldn’t understand why Zane was so warm even in winter, sweating so much just in a tank top.

"Why don’t you ride it and show me?"

Natalie had already made up her mind to learn to ride a motorcycle, and now wanting to watch Zane ride was just to see him in action.

Maybe she’d look that cool someday?

Zane stared at her for a while, suddenly smiled, stood up leisurely, removed his gloves, took a deep drag on the cigarette, and tossed the butt into the metal bucket by the door.

The way he exhaled smoke was so enticing. As Zane walked toward her, Natalie subconsciously stepped back.

Zane noticed her small movement and intended to pull her into his arms, but he was all sweaty, and his hands were dirty. If he smudged her clothes, who knows how she’d react.

"Let’s hear something nice from you."

Natalie: ...

Did this dog of a man think it was like when she was drunk? Better to die than be humiliated. She absolutely couldn’t do something so degrading!

"Not going to say it?"

The man raised an eyebrow, nodded.

"Fine."

He finished speaking and turned to continue working on Quentin’s bike.

Natalie: ...

She really wanted to see Zane ride that motorcycle.

Why was this dog of a man so twisted?

To say it or not to say it?

In two hours, she was supposed to leave for the airport, and it would be two months before she came back.

Watching Zane bend down to pick up his gloves, ready to continue with the bike.

Natalie closed her eyes tightly.

"Honey! I want to see you ride the bike!"

So embarrassing, when had Natalie ever lowered herself like this?

Zane was too bad!

Hearing the "honey" as he wished, Zane turned around with a smile, looking at Natalie like she was going to meet her doom.

"Couldn’t you have said it earlier?"

Natalie: ...

"Another word out of you, and I might just want to hit you."

Zane laughed, taking off his gloves again.

"I’m so scared."

Natalie: ...

Her hands at her sides clenched tightly.

She was really on the verge of losing it!

If she could beat this dog of a man, she would’ve gone for it!

Zane didn’t tease Natalie anymore.

He knew time together was running short.

Not being able to be with each other day and night for two months, even Zane felt uneasy about it.

The outside wind was strong, Zane needed to change clothes.

He spent most of his time in the modification room, so he installed a shower there, complete with toiletries and clothes, for convenience.

Zane took a quick shower and came out wearing a black T-shirt, with a windbreaker on top.

Natalie followed him into a room with racing suits and various protective gear.

Zane picked up a helmet and handed it to Natalie.

"Hmm?"

"Taking you for a ride."

Natalie immediately reached out to take it, somewhat curiously asking.

"Have you ever taken anyone else for a ride?"

Has any other woman sat on his back seat?

Zane chuckled lightly.

"No, it’s not suitable."

This comment "not suitable," Natalie finally understood once she sat in the seat.

Not suitable at all!

Though the two seats weren’t glued together, they were quite close, especially since the person in the back seat had to hold onto the waist of the person in front to keep steady.

If it was a man riding, being that close to another man would undoubtedly be awkward and uncomfortable.

And it would be even worse for a woman!

No way that close without some sparks flying!

Natalie’s face didn’t look too good.

"You really never took anyone else?"

What about Shannon?

Seeing Natalie so concerned, Zane slightly furrowed his brow. Her enthusiasm for motorcycles these days seemed too intense. He didn’t believe it was just a passing fancy.

Zane recalled the day on the mountaintop when Natalie chatted with Theo for a while.

"What do you want to ask, hmm?"

Natalie did care about Shannon.

Not only because she was Zane’s ex-girlfriend but more so because Shannon was an amazing motorcycle racer.

And she was such a terrible driver.

Natalie was always straightforward.

"I heard Shannon’s really good on a motorcycle."

Zane raised an eyebrow.

He knew it.

Theo couldn’t say anything good, even sharing about Shannon with Natalie.

"She is indeed amazing."

Natalie: ...

She reached out and gave Zane’s waist a firm pinch.

"I’m not here to hear you praise her."

Zane frowned tightly.

This girl really didn’t learn. How many times had he told her not to casually touch a man’s waist?

"If you keep pinching, are you going to help me put out the fire?"

Natalie paused for a moment before realizing what Zane meant, quickly pulled her hand back, and mumbled.

"The wind’s this strong, and you still can’t put out your fire?"

But without holding onto Zane’s waist, she couldn’t sit steady.

The man took her hand back, his voice low and tinged with anger.

"I told you not to pinch, not to let go."

Natalie: ...

Why was he getting angry? Wasn’t it her who was questioning things?

Once he confirmed Natalie was seated securely, Zane put his hands on the handlebars.

"She’s really skilled, does that mean she has to sit on the back of my bike?"

Natalie’s eyes lit up, but she still huffed.

"Who knows?"

"No one else, only you. It always will be just you."

With that, Zane started up, revving the engine as they hit the road, accelerating even more.

The wind roared past, and with no time to think of anything else, Natalie could only lean forward, tightly hugging the man’s waist.

Her mind was blank, and the only noise was the wind’s wildness in her ears.

The world seemed formatted, leaving no trace behind.

An expanse of white.

This world, it was just her and Zane.

The only tangible reality was the solid waist under her hands.

The only warmth came from his body.

It felt like they were escaping.