Secrets to Keep

Chapter 5 - Introductions are in order

She pushes him away before he can attempt anything else, making him give her a pouty face. She starts to clean up around her area. "So, Sam, besides racing what do you like to do?" She asks, changing up the subject. "Fighting Cons...I mean fighting convicts" He said nervously rubbing the back of his neck. "Oh, so you're a cop?" Clarissa looked up from wiping down some tools. "You could say that." Sideswipe found something interesting looking away from her. Knowing full well he can't tell her the truth about him as much as he feels like he can. He feels it in his spark that he can tell her anything, but in the back of his processer is screaming at him how angry Bee would be.

Clarissa started to put items into a black backpack. Also taking out some different leather clothing. Sideswipe couldn't help but notice the leather jacket he always saw her in, as well as the leather boots. "I'll be right back." She pulled out a pair of black jeans last and walked into a small room under the stands. Sideswipe decides to take a look around while he waits. Taking in the sight of her set up. Everything had a place and there is a place for everything.

He turned hearing a door swing open. His jaw dropped at the leather angel walking out. She looks even better up close in that outfit. The only thing on Sideswipes mind at that moment is running his hands down her curves feeling the animal hide under his skin. "Hey, eyes up here." Clarissa called out, noticing him staring. His jaw snapped close and eyes snapped up, watching her finish putting her hair in a low ponytail, her eyes watching him. A lustful look formed in his eyes and a smirk took to his face. Hands in his pockets, he walked up to her. "Its hard to look away from one as spicy as you." The words rolled off his tongue as if he says it all the time.

Clarissa pulled her helmet over her head, just as Sideswipe planned on leaning in. She flipped the visor up; her smile could be seen in her eyes. "I'll race ya" She giggle. Sideswipe groaned, but didn't let her hear it, instead he followed her out the back. She started to run down the long tunnel to the parking lot. "Oh really?" She heard him call from behind her. His footsteps picked up and started to catch up to her. Unfortunately for her, she had parked in the back of the lot. Lucky for Sideswipe, he has longer legs and caught up to her quick. Wrapping his arms around her waist and pulled her in. "AH!" She shrieked but couldn't stop the laugh that left her lips. "Nice try." He laughed.

The two fell to the ground in a fit of giggles. As they began to calm down, Sideswipe slid off her helmet. He set if off to the side and wrapped his arms around her again, pulling her in close. "Sam." She warned pulling away a bit. "I'm sorry, I can't help myself. Where I'm from when we see someone, we want to be with...we just want to give them everything, be with them all the time...hold them close and never let go." Her face fell upon his words. He has already become attached, something she wasn't sure should happen. "Sam. We just met. You can't already think that about me." She nervously pushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that." His face began to turn a light shade of pink. She covered mouth to quiet the giggle leaving her lips. She gathered herself together and slowly unwrapped herself from Sideswipe. A small pout formed on his lip as he let her leave his arms. She shrugged her backpack on and got on her motorcycle. "Shall we race? I'll race ya to my place." She asked trying to change the subject. "I'll beat you there." He smirked running to his lambo. Clarissa had to wipe the drool of her face as she watched him hop in the fancy sports car. He revved up the engine, taking her out of her stupor. She shoved her helmet on and started up her ride. Doing a burnout, she raced out of the parking lot. Sideswipe not to far behind.

She kept a good distance in front of him, not letting him get any closer. Every time Sideswipe got closer, she would accelerate. "Think your faster than me. I'm only letting you win, sweetspark." He smirked and gunned it. She sees him in her mirror getting closer, her body bends forward without command and she turns over the throttle, sending her flying. She has plenty of tricks up her sleeve. It helps that she is a motorcycle racer for one. "Can't catch me. I'm the gingerbread man." She giggles even though she knows he can't hear her. They continue to race until they reach Clarissa's farm. She pulls into the garage and Sideswipe pulls up in front of it.

"So, you going to show me around this time?" He asks stepping out of his alt mode. She chuckles quietly, remember their last encounter here. "I think I can do that. Just let me change. Come on in." She walks backwards making sure he is following then turns and walks inside. Sideswipe eyes wonder all around him, taking in the view of her home. Trophies stood on shelves, plaques held on the wall, Pictures in elegant frames covered empty spaces. He took his time to look at each and every one while he waited for the femme. "I've been racing since I was a kid, barrel racing as well. I don't do much barrel racing anymore. My career in Motorcycle racing took off greatly about four years ago after I lost my job. I was never serious until then." She leaned against the wall in a white tank top and loose-fitting jeans, staring at the items covering her walls.

"Lost your job. What happened?" He wondered still taking it all in.

"It's a long story. One I don't really like to tell. Long story short, we got disbanded. Weren't needed anymore." She looked to the floor, emotions she had suppressed raising in her.

"What? Why?" His eyes now landing on her. Seeing her down he walks quickly to her and pulls her into an embrace.

"It is classified information. Unfortunately, I'm unable to talk about it. Let's just say, the threat I was helping keep away had finally left."

"Were you in the military or something."

"You could say that." Is all she said, nothing more. "Let's go meet the horses." She said pulling Sideswipe out the door again and out to the pasture.

The three horses stood at the entrance to the pasture, waiting for their owner to come and give them some attention. Sideswipe stood in amazement at the large creatures. Two were beautiful thoroughbreds, one black with four white socks and a star on his forehead and a long black tail and mane, the other was chestnut with two white socks in the front and a white snout, its tail and mane were a lighter brown and short. The third horse was a much larger, it was a draft horse, a Clydesdale. This one was a deep brown with four white socks, a strip of white going down the front of its nose and a black mane and tail.

The black one reared its head back in excitement as he watched her come closer. "This is Koda, my youngest. He is my little troublemaker." She began to rub the horse's muzzle and started to coo sweet words to him. "They don't bite, come closer." She waved for Sideswipe to come closer. "Koda this is Sam." She introduced. The large draft horse came closer attempting to push the smaller one out of the way. "Clyde. We talked about this. That's not very nice to push other out of the way." She pointed her finger at the horse, he snorts in response to her. She lets out a contagious laugh. One that makes Sideswipe want to laugh too. "So, this is Clyde, my draft. He's actually a rescue. He used to pull sleighs but now he just grazes around the pasture keeping the other two company. Koda is the baby. He my energetic baby. The one in the back is Jack. He is a little shy at meeting new people. But once he knows you he is very outgoing." Her smile radiates around her, the horses seem to be feeding off her happiness.

Sideswipe moves a little closer but stands close to Clarissa. He has never seen such magnificent beast before. He continues to stare, unsure of what to do. The horse's muzzles reach out to sniff him, get to know him. He come out of his trance when he feels a small hand on his wrist. He looks down to see Clarissa holding on to him, pulling his hand up and gently placing it palm down on the bridge of Clyde's nose.

Sideswipe stares in astonishment. This was something out of this world for him. He could feel the calming and relaxing effects coming from the single touch. The pure innocents and love coming from the horse. "Want to give them a treat?" He turned to Clarissa and nodded. "I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere." She ran into the barn and came back out with a small bowl of sugar cubes. "Here open your hand." He opens his other hand for her and holds it out flat. "Now keep it flat and bring the treat to his mouth and he will do that rest." Clyde flicks his lip out and searches for the treat in Sideswipes hand, finding it quickly his tongue reaches out and brings it back into his mouth where he chews it up happily. "That tickled." Sideswipe laughed, the feeling new to him.

"Horses are amazing creatures. They should be loved and cherished. Maybe I'll even teach you how to ride." She looks back and meets his eyes after she gives Koda a treat. "I would love that." Sideswipe says with a beaming smile.