Chapter IV

Its been two months now and I feel better than ever. Finding a trainer and nutritionist was the best thing I could have done. Now I could walk around and go places so I didn't have to rely on my cousin for anything. She's been real snippy with me when I asked her to pick up something for me, and after the last time I just stopped asking all together. It was more hassle for her than it was to try and do it myself. While my strength came back I got to work on education and finished high school in a month which was surprising because I was told it was going to be really hard. Still having that done and looking at online colleges I finally felt I was getting my life together.

Looking out the window of my childhood house I debate whether I should get a new house or not. Just looking would be okay. I might not find anything at all. Deciding to just look I get dressed in some dark-wash skinny jeans,black camisole, a purple button up with a black vest and knee high boots. My legs still felt cold every once in a while so I made sure to pad my legs against the winds on the coast line. Braiding my hair I grab my helmet and head out to my 2015 Ducati 1299 Panigale in shiny marble purple. I loved it and have been practicing on it for a couple weeks now on a learners permit. I was now feeling comfortable on the bike and made small trips to familiarize myself with the area. Loleta is a beautiful coastal town with old houses and and always windy. I could hear the ocean air howling behind my house at night from the wind blowing through the trees. Even though I lived a couple miles out of town I still made the effort to get out.

Getting one I kick it on pulling out on to the street heading to town. In no rush I take the long way going along the 101 highway into town. The fresh air whipping past me made me feel alive while I cruzed into the nearest restaurant. It was a bar restaurant called Zima's Tavern it looked like a biker bar.

Parking my bike I take my helmet off setting it on the seat and head in because I was starving. It looked like a nice place with a 1980's roadhouse feel I went up to the bar and took a seat.

The bartender asked me what I would have to drink and I asked for a strawberry- lemonade because I had no alcohol tolerance yet. He went to make it and I looked over the menu decided to order a bacon cheeseburger with waffle fries and a side salad. When he came back with my drink and got my order he looked a little shocked, chuckled than went to place my order. The patio was open so I make my way to the shadiest spot. Only problem was there was a very sexy looking biker sitting there looking bored, but watching the crowd.

Not wanting to sit in the sun I walk over and ask, “Is there any chance I can sit here with you? I sunburn easily even when I put on sunscreen.” He looked me up and down like a man studying a work of art which set my nerves on fire. Now looking me in the eyes with a predatory stare he asks, “Seat open.” and waves to the chair that was in the shade. “Thank you,”Smiling than sitting down I set my lemonade and wallet/phone down on the table. He continued to stare at me than scanned the patio than back at me. Any time he would look at me I could feel the parts of my body he was staring at come alive. I haven't ever had these feeling before, and after living several lives you'd think the soul would remember something.

Leaning back I watched the scenery will I waited for my food to arrive. Distracting myself from this man was almost impossible so I turn my head and ask, “Am I intruding? I don't want to bother you if you were waiting for someone.” He looked surprised by my sudden comment. “I wouldn't have let you sit down if you were bothering me. You also pointed out that you are sun sensitive,” he said in a country/russian accent. Only saying two words did not give the full effect of his voice because when he spoke my whole world seem to zone in on him.

Smiling over at him I raised my hand to shake his saying,“By the way my names Laura Witlock.” He shakes my hand and says, “Names' Jaspers, but everyone calls me Strings.” “Well than I will as well if you don't mind, Strings,” I said as my food showed up. I looked good and Jasper was looking at me skeptically saying, “You sure you can eat all that?” “Why you looking to share my lunch?” I ask eating a waffle fry moaning over its flavor. If he wasn't hungry he sure was now because he proceeded to turn my plate and cut the burger in half taking one for himself. “The food here is great my brother is the chef and loves to cook for everyone,” Jasper said taking a bite of the burger. For some reason just the way he was eating had me so entranced with his actions that I barely munched on my waffle fries.

“You should eat more than the fries, babe or else you could have in upset stomach,” he said finishing his half. Shaking my head I get on with eating my meal while he had the other half of my fries. He watched me the whole time making sure I ate every bit of that burger. Licking the juices off my thumb Jasper shifted in his seat sitting forward reaching for my lemonade. Drinking it down to almost gonna he waves the waitress over and asks for a refill. Starting in on my salad he grabs a napkin and wipes the side of my mouth for me saying, “You had a big blob of sauce on your mouth.”

Blushing from the contact I whispered a thank you and finished up my salad. “Thanks for the lunch. Don't worry about the bill,” he said and walked inside. Not understanding what just happened I grab my things and walk inside to ask him what the hell, but didn't see him anywhere. Thinking he might be outside I head out and see a bike leaving down the road. What the hell was that? I thought standing next to my bike wondering if I said something wrong.