The Biker Alpha Who Became My Second Chance Mate Chapter 39

With fifty yards to go, Tristan was trapped. No room to move, no space to speed up, boxed in by two guys who would gladly crash into him to win.

I could feel my heart beating around my ribcage, my eyes never leaving him. My ears sharp to ever sound he made, like I heart would stop if I heard any sound that I shouldn't hear.

I closed my eyes, but opened them immediately. If Tristan was going to hurt himself then I have to see and hear it happen.

But then, he did the impossible.

Like a flash, he was standing on his bike again, but this time he let go with one hand. Still controlling his bike with his left hand, still perfectly balanced at almost a hundred miles per hour, he used his right arm to steady himself as he leaned forward.

I held my as I watched him do the most impossible thing in the human world.

The move was so unexpected that both other riders hesitated for just a split second.

It was enough.

Tristan's bike shot forward and he crossed the finish line a full bike length ahead.

The crowd went crazy.

People were on their feet, screaming and throwing things in the air. Even the other racers, taking off their helmets as they slowed down, were shaking their heads in amazement.

I stood there with my mouth open, my heart pounding with terror, relief, and something that felt like pride. That was Tristan out there, my Tristan, doing impossible things, defying physics with nothing but skill and guts.

Watching people cheer for him felt amazing. They didn't know his name, couldn't see his face, but they respected what he could do. They recognized greatness when they saw it.

And I found myself wanting to know what that felt like, to be that good at something, to earn that kind of respect, to push yourself to the edge and survive it.

When Tristan walked toward me, pulling off his helmet with his hair damp with sweat and his eyes bright with adrenaline, I couldn't help myself. I ran to him and jumped into his arms so hard he had to catch me and spin me around.

"How was it?" he asked, breathing hard but grinning like a kid who'd gotten away with something.

"It was amazing," I said, hugging him tight before pulling back to stare at him. "You were amazing, Tristan. Oh my God, I can't believe what I just saw."

All the anger and fear I'd felt when we got here had turned into something else, wild excitement, a desperate need to understand this part of him I'd never known existed.

"Now this is my world," he said with a cocky smile that made my knees weak.

"Wow," was all I could say, still shaking.

"When did you start this?" I asked when I could think straight again. "When did you become a racer?"

"Five years ago," he said, and the timing hit me hard.

"After our parents died?" I looked up at him and saw the answer in his eyes. "You didn't know how to handle it, so you..."

I took his hands, understanding without him having to say anything. This was his outlet, his way of dealing with grief that felt too big. The danger, the adrenaline, the perfect focus needed to survive, this was how he learned to live with loss.

"It's time to go home, princess," he said, and his small smile made my heart do dangerous things.

"T!"

We both turned toward the voice. A man was walking over to us, younger than Tristan, handsome in an obvious way that made me uncomfortable. His eyes found me and stayed there, looking at me like I was something he wanted.

"That was one hell of a race, man," he said when he reached us, holding out his hand to Tristan.

Tristan nodded and shook hands but kept his body slightly between me and the guy.

"Won't you introduce me to this fine lady?" the man said, still staring at me in a way that made my skin crawl.

Tristan's jaw tightened. "This is Athena, my sister. Athena, this is Damon. He owns this place."

"Co-owns," Damon corrected, stepping closer to me. "T and I own this place together."

He leaned toward me like he wanted to whisper something, and Tristan immediately moved between us, shoving Damon back hard.

"Chill, bro," Damon said, putting his hands up. "I wasn't trying anything. Just wanted to whisper that our partnership is supposed to be a secret."

"Say what you want to say from over there," Tristan said, his voice with an edge I'd rarely heard.

But I knew he was trying to protect my privacy, I hated physical contact and when people invade my privacy.

"You sound like a jealous boyfriend right now," Damon said with a knowing smirk.

Instead of answering, Tristan handed me my helmet and got on his bike, waiting for me to climb on behind him.

"It was nice meeting you, beautiful...."

Damon started, but Tristan was already starting the engine and pulling away, leaving the guy standing there looking shocked.

As we rode up the ramp back to street level, I found myself smiling at the look we'd left on his face.

Apparently, people weren't used to Tristan Hayes driving away from conversations he didn't want to have.

But as the underground world disappeared behind us and we came out into the cool night air, I realized that everything I thought I knew about Tristan had just changed.

Tristan wasn't just the steady, responsible person I'd always thought he was. He was also a man who could make a motorcycle dance through curves that would scare most people, who owned an underground racing empire, who played with death for the thrill of beating it.

He was more complicated, more dangerous, more fascinating than I'd ever imagined.

And I might be falling for him all over again, which scares me.

I was trying to cross a dangerous line, was playing with fire that'll eventually burn me.

But I didn't care because I wanted to burn in the passion of Tristan, I wanted him to set my body on fire with not just his touches but with his kisses.

Fuck!

What was I thinking right now? I could feel my nipples that's pressed against Tristan back, harden by just the thought of him.

I think I'm going crazy.