“I asked if you were okay,” he repeated slowly.
Billy’s eyebrows furrowed then, and he looked down at the keys in his hand, his mind trying to process something. His eyes widened at the memory and he turned his gaze back at the stranger. “Wait! Did you call me ‘little man’?” he asked, incensed.
The sexy man nodded.
Billy harrumphed, his irritation obvious.
“Give me your name and I’ll stop calling you that,” the greaser offered, still smiling. The dimple in his left cheek only upped his sexiness.
“William Hadley. Billy,” he whispered, his cheeks heating up. “And, I’m five eight,” he huffed. Why did he say that? Why did he care what this guy thought of him?
“Well, Billy,” he leaned in closer, letting his breath ghost across Billy’s face. “I’m Gene Milgram and it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Gene,” Billy repeated, letting the name roll around on his tongue for a minute and swallowing hard when he realized Gene was still leaning into the car. “Um, I guess I need to call someone to tow it, huh? I wonder if there’s a pay phone anywhere near.”
Gene grinned. “Nope. But I can help you.”
Billy’s eyes widened. “You can? On a motorcycle?” He glanced back uncertainly at the small bike. “Um, yeah, I don’t think that’s strong enough to—”
Gene’s laughter rumbled out into the darkness and Billy looked him as if he was crazy. Did this guy seriously think a motorcycle could tow a big car?
“Sorry, Billy,” he chuckled. “No, I didn’t mean my bike. I own an auto shop and I just closed up a little while ago. Why don’t we just head back and get the tow truck and take care of things?”
“We?” Billy squeaked, glancing at the motorcycle again, his heart hammering in his chest.
Gene waggled his eyebrows at him, laughing. “Well, yeah, I can’t just leave you here in the dark. Whatif another opossum decides to pull something crazy again?”
Billy felt his face heat up. He knew Gene was just being friendly, but it had been a long time since another man had made him feel so off-kilter, even though he was sure Gene was straight. He looked back over his shoulder again and wrestled with his fear of motorcycles. Something told him that he could trust this man, though.
Sighing deeply, he finally nodded. Gene pulled the car door open and waited, his hand on the door handle. Once he climbed out, he felt a little lightheaded, swaying a little before Gene’s arm snaked around his waist, holding him close to his side.
“Whoa, there. You feeling dizzy?” Gene’s mouth was so close his breath caressed Billy’s neck, sending a shiver down his spine.
Billy nodded a little, feeling foolish. “My head hit the steering wheel, but my arms cushioned the blow. I think…I think I’m just a little dazed.”
Gene nodded his understanding and helped him up the short hill to his bike, parked on the side of the road. Billy startled when he saw it up close.
“That’s a 1947 Triumph Speed Twin! Is that a custom paint job?” Enthusiasm won out over his fear as he leaned in and traced his fingers along the seat.
Gene’s eyes widened in amazement and he finally let his arm slip away from Billy’s waist. “You know about bikes?”
“Yeah, a little. When I was a kid, I dreamed of owning one, but my mom always said they were too dangerous, of course. Then when I saw James Dean riding one, I decided to learn more about them. Last year, I finally decided to try taking a spin and I…I…” His face reddened and he looked at the ground. “I fell off the bike before I even started it,” he admitted.
Gene chuckled a little, but wisely kept his thoughts to himself.
Billy smiled, “Yeah, it wasn’t funny at the time, but…” He cleared his throat. “So, um, how do we do this?”
The greaser handed him the helmet. “Only got one and no way am I letting you ride without one.” He grinned. “You seem a little accident-prone to me.”
The blush spread across his face and down his neck, but he nodded, conceding Gene was right. As he slipped the helmet over his head, he watched Gene swing his leg over the bike and get settled. His tight Levi’s wrapped around his butt nicely and he couldn’t help but wonder what it would feel like in his hands. God, he liked a tall, strong man with a muscular ass.
Gene turned back to him, interrupting his thoughts. “Climb on,” he directed as he gestured behind him.
Billy bit his lower lip and cocked his head as he deliberated this turn of events. Did he really want to do this? He flicked his gaze back up to meet Gene’s and caught his breath at the intensity he saw in hiseyes. “Um, maybe I should…” He glanced back at his car. “Yeah, maybe I should just stay?”
“Get on, Billy. I’m not leaving you here.”
His voice was soft, but it still rattled him. Gene’s command left no doubt; he needed to pull himself together and do this. With a shaky breath, he gritted his teeth and mounted the bike. To his chagrin, he felt himself sliding over the other side before Gene reached back, effortlessly grabbing him around thewaist and pulling him back, centering him on the seat.