Текст книги "Whipped"

Автор книги: Elizabeth Lee

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Текущая страница: 15 (всего у книги 17 страниц)

“Maybe that’s something we should talk about,” I told him. He wouldn’t even look me in the eye. I glanced at Alicia, wondering exactly how long it was going to take her to figure out that she didn’t belong in the middle of this conversation. “If you aren’t too busy hooking up with the first girl that comes along.”

The first thought I had when I saw him standing there wasn’t that he was letting some other woman hang all over him. It wasn’t even the fact that I saw him staring at her chest or her mouth. It was that I barely recognized him. His hair was short—almost to his scalp. The bright eyes I’d let myself fall into on more than one occasion were clouded and the circles under his eyes added even more darkness to his appearance. His face was shadowed with stubble. His lips were pursed and his brow was furrowed as he watched the woman’s movements.

All I could think was that I was watching another person. This wasn’t the man I loved. The man I loved had sweet, kind eyes and a smile that made me think everything was going to be okay. This guy was hard and unwavering as he let the woman hang all over him. Had I done this to him? Had I made him unrecognizable? It didn’t matter if I had, the real problem slowly unfolding in front of me was that I’d pushed him into the arms of another woman.

“You think I’d really just go hook up with the first girl to come around?” he asked, defensively. “She’s not the first, either. For the record,” he informed me, adding insult to injury. Of course, he’d make it clear that he could have any woman he wanted. I guess I deserved it... kind of.

“You don’t owe me an explanation. I was actually here to give you one.” If you’ll stop glaring at me like an asshole. My blood had boiled as I watched him with her. I wanted to attack her and tell her to get the hell away from him because he was mine, but I couldn’t move from where I stood. He had turned her down, so I hoped that meant he still wanted me. I swallowed back the fear of being rejected. I’d come too far—all the way to Texas to be more specific. I had no choice but to find out. I wouldn’t live with the regret of not knowing. I regretted enough already when it came to him.

“Oh, now you want to talk about it?” He huffed out an impatient breath and shook his head. “Nice to know that I have absolutely zero say in what goes on between us.”

“That’s not true.” Or at least I didn’t want it to be. I’d been unfair to him. I had to make him see that I’d made a mistake.

“I wanted to talk about this weeks ago.”

“I know. And I didn’t. But I’ve had time to think, to miss you like crazy, so now I do,” I said, matching his stance. If he wanted to scream and yell, I’d let him. I was ready to fight for him, with or without an audience.

I could feel Alicia’s eyes on us and the second she opened her mouth to excuse herself I was relieved. Bye, Felicia.

“Good luck working all this out,” she said as she left. Oh, we were working it out. I wasn’t leaving the state of Texas without him knowing how much I loved him.

“What are you doing here?” he asked when we were alone.

“I told you I’d come to one event,” I said. I smiled, hoping to break the tension, but when his expression didn’t change, I pursed my lips and sucked in a breath through my nose. “I wanted to see you,” I confessed. “I think I made a mistake.”

“You think or you know?” he asked plainly. He stepped up to me. His arms still crossed and his back straight as he stared down into my eyes. “‘Cause I’m real tired of you thinking that you know.” I held my breath as his face leaned toward mine. “This is more than just an ‘I’m sorry’ situation,” he added. “If you came here thinking that I’d just forgive you, you were wrong.”

“I know it’s more than that,” I told him, reaching up to touch his arm. He didn’t flinch. I moved my hand back and felt completely frustrated. The stoic way he was standing in front of me had my heart beating double time. He was intimidating me, which I was pretty sure was his exact intention. “And I am sorry.”

“For what exactly?”

“For not talking to you about everything I was feeling,” I began. “For hurting you.” He swallowed hard at that and I knew that it was true. At least I was getting some kind of response out of him. The strong silent approach he was taking had me in a cold sweat, the desire that I still had for him was the only thing that was keeping me from freezing up completely. “For wasting time not being with you,” I said, slowly reaching out to touch him again. I couldn’t stop myself. I wanted him to know how badly I needed him. His body tensed under my hand and I could feel the heat coming off of him even through his jersey. “For being scared and acting on a stupid impulse that I should’ve discussed with you like an adult instead of behaving like a scared kid.”

His eyes fell shut for a brief moment and the overwhelming hope that he was ready to forgive me lingered right in front of me.

“Do you know how fucking frustrating it is to have the one person you want to talk to more than anything ignore you? Block you?” he said, reaffirming his stance. “I did everything I was supposed to do to make things work between us. I put in the effort and you didn’t even care enough to talk to me about why you wanted to end things.” He punctuated the last statement with a sigh. “I don’t know, Georgia. Maybe I’m not boyfriend material after all.”

Panic stung like bees in my belly. “It wasn’t you, Brett,” I swore. He had been the perfect boyfriend. I felt terrible for making him feel insecure about it. He’d been patient with me when I needed it the most. And supportive and loving. I couldn’t fault him for a single thing. “It was all me. I panicked. I was afraid of what would happen if I lost you, if something happened to you. I didn’t know what else to do.”

“I can’t be with someone who can’t handle the stress,” he snapped. “My job is a risk. I need someone who will support me. I need someone who knows how important this is to me. I’m sorry you lost someone before, but I can’t change who I am and what I do. You wouldn’t like me as that guy anyway.”

“I never meant to hurt you,” I promised. “And I don’t want you to change. I want to be with you just as you are,” I continued to plead my case and earn his forgiveness. “I lov—” I wanted him to know that I was that person, but the second we heard two dirt bikes roar past the shed we were standing in my voice was lost in the noise. The open doors allowing anyone who wanted a front row seat to the Brett and Georgia show full access. If I needed to declare my love for him publicly I would. I’d go to the announcer’s stand and make a fool out of myself if that meant winning back his love. I knew by the way his eyes were lingering on my lips that he knew what I was trying to tell him. I love you.

He grabbed my hand and led me to the back corner of the shed. Behind all of the equipment I assumed they used to prepare the track, we were completely concealed from prying eyes. We were alone. As he turned me in his arms, pulling my back against his chest and circling his arms around my waist, I knew that had been his motivation.

“I really am sor—” I tried to turn in his arms, but his arms tightened around me.

“Don’t move,” he said, his voice deeper and more commanding than I’d ever heard. “I need you to hear me,” he added. “I know if I look you in the eye I won’t be able to stay mad at you and I need to tell you a few things first.” His hands moved to my hips. “I get that you were scared,” he began. “I know that you’ve been through a lot and being with me is terrifying, but I’m done with the back and forth, Georgia.” He slowly pushed my hair to one side. The warmth of his body against mine was matched by the feel of his breath on my neck, causing my body to feel as if it could burst into flames at any moment. I let my head fall to the side as he held his lips only centimeters from my skin—teasing me, but not letting his mouth fall on my skin. “If you’re here, and you seriously want to be with me, then I need to know that it’s for real. That it’s forever.”

“I do,” I insisted, my voice a breathy whisper. I could feel the rise and fall of his chest against my back. I wanted to turn and look him in the eye. I wanted him to know how serious I was.

“I can’t just keep hoping that you won’t bail every time you get scared.”

“I won’t,” I promised.

“If you’re mine then you’re mine,” he said, finally touching his mouth to my neck. “For good.”

“Yes,” I breathed out as his lips drifted slowly across my skin—down the slope of my neck to my shoulder and back. “Forever,” I promised, my words a plea for him to continue. I’d missed his touch even more than I’d thought. My thighs clenched together as he held me against him. Even the thick material of his riding pants couldn’t hide the fact that he wanted me just as badly.

“And for the record,” he said. “I haven’t been with anyone else. You’re the only one I want.”

“Show me. Please,” I begged, his words spurring more determination inside of me to convince him that he was all I wanted.

His grip on me loosened and I slowly turned in his arms. I expected to waste no time pressing my lips to his, but the second I looked in his eyes, he spoke.

“I won’t be able to take you walking away from me again,” he whispered, his eyes almost misty as he spoke.

“I’m not going anywhere.” I placed my hand on his cheek. “I love you too much not be with you. Whatever the risk.” His mouth was on mine almost immediately—a welcomed sensation that I had worried I’d never feel again. I grabbed his shirt and closed the distance between our bodies. As our lips and tongues re-familiarized themselves, he backed me toward the wall. Blindly, I let him position our bodies where he wanted and enjoyed his mouth on mine.

One hand slipped under my dress as he lowered his mouth to my chest. The other hand slipped the strap of my dress down my shoulder until my breast was revealed. He wrapped his lips around my nipple and toyed with my flesh until I was writhing. I tugged at his shirt, wanting to feel his skin against mine. He tore it over his head as I reached for the fastener on his pants with shaky hands. I couldn’t move quickly enough. I’d never wanted him more than in that moment. I felt the sting of elastic as he ripped my panties free from my body.

The nervous energy jolting through my system was met with need as I pushed his pants down enough to free him—curling my fingers around him. Our hands and mouths greedily wandered over each other’s bodies.

“I’ve missed you so fucking much,” he growled as he placed his hand on the back of my thigh. As he lifted my leg and thrust into me, I bit down on his shoulder to stop myself from crying out. The metal wall was cold against my back as he held me against it. His body was warm against mine as I held on to him. Each movement he made was deeper than the last, but I wanted more. I wanted him as deep inside of me as I could get him. It would never be enough.

I pulled his face to mine and kissed him as fiercely as he was driving into me. My hands clawed at his back as I felt my muscles contract around him. I moaned against his lips as his cock throbbed inside of me. I held on to him tightly, not wanting the sensation to end.

“I love you,” he said, resting his forehead against mine as we slowly caught our breaths. He kissed me softly.

“Me too,” I whispered. “More than I’ve ever loved anyone.”

I thought getting back on my bike in front of a crowd was going to be the highlight of my day. Then I saw Georgia standing in front of me, willing to fight for our relationship. Willing to put herself out there when I knew she was scared. Willing to take a risk and be with me. I admired her for many things—for this most of all.

I hadn’t planned on fucking her in a shed surrounded by heavy equipment, but the second I felt her in my arms again and felt her lips on mine I couldn’t control the urge to bury myself inside of her. She was mine and she needed to be reminded of that. We both did.

My faith in love was restored the second she admitted that she loved me more than she ever loved anyone. I knew the feeling. I wanted to take her back to my trailer and continue our reunion, but I heard Nick shouting for me.

“Yo! You plan on coming to the meet and greet, Sallinger?!” his voice echoed off the walls of the metal shed as Georgia’s cheeks turned from a satisfied pink to an embarrassed shade of red.

“Omigod,” she whispered, quickly pulling her dress back in place. I removed myself from inside of her and chuckled as I zipped and re-fastened my pants.

“Just a sec!” I hollered back at Nick. “Just adjusting a few things... on my bike,” I added, hoping like I hell that he wouldn’t wander back to where we were hiding. “I’ll be right there!”

“Okay, Romeo,” he laughed. “Your bike looks fine from here,” he noted, obviously standing right next to the machine I’d lied about working on. “I’ll see you up front. Some people want to talk to you.”

“You got it, boss,” I said shaking my head as I pulled my shirt back on. Georgia covered her face with her hands as we waited for him to leave and we tried not to laugh at the situation we’d found ourselves in. I would have given my left nut for ten more minutes alone with her, but we’d have plenty of time to give the whole make-up sex a second round after we finished up at the exhibition. I grabbed her hand, squeezing it with mine, as I gave her a wink. “Come on.”

“I’m not going out there,” she said, keeping her feet firmly planted.

“Yes. You are,” I insisted. “I want you with me. It won’t take that long,” I assured her. “And besides that, as soon as I’m finished kissing the sponsors’ asses, I fully intend on giving you the same treatment the minute this place clears out.”

“Is that right?” She smirked and took a step toward me. “I think I’m the one who still has some kissing up to do,” she admitted. “I’m so sorry for the way I acted. I should have just talked to you about the way I was feeling. I will in the future. I swear.”

“I know.” I nodded. “But I get it. And I believe you when you say you won’t haul ass again the second you get scared. Not that I’m going to let you, but still...” I leaned toward her and kissed her lips softly.

“Not going to let me, huh?” She grinned.

“Not a chance.”

“I won’t,” she promised. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” I said, feeling warmth spread in my chest. Having her here with me was definitely making my return to motocross that much sweeter.

“You were great out there today,” she said as we started walking out of the shed. “It was like nothing I’ve ever seen before. The videos online don’t do it justice.”

“Thanks, babe,” I said, tossing my arm across her shoulders as we walked. “I’m glad you came today.”

“Me too. I get it now. Seeing you out there in your element helped with the anxiety. Not to mention I see just how much precaution you take.” I did take every precaution I could—protective gear and precision planning and execution. I never did a jump or trick that I hadn’t weighed all of the possible outcomes of. Riders got hurt all the time, but most of the time it was because of lack of ability or attention to detail. There was a reason that I was the Freestyle Champion. Hearing that Georgia was starting to trust my abilities—and seeing the excitement in her eyes as she described what it was like to watch me—was reassuring. I believed her when she said she was done being scared. I knew that she was going to fight for our relationship like I did, and overcome her fears.

“I know it seems like we’re all just adrenaline junkies who only want to ride, but I promise that everything we are doing is well thought out. And there’s a whole team of medical professionals on the course at all times. If something went wrong, they’d be there in an instant.”

“I know that... now,” she said smiling up at me. As we approached the crowd of people surrounding the small pavilion where Nick had set up the meet and greet, I was glad that she was there with me. I wanted to show her off and show her that this business was more than just riding.

“You’ve got a lot of fans,” she said as she looked around. We spotted Nora and Reid across the way and started to make our way toward them.

“I only need one,” I whispered in her ear. As great as it was to be loved and hear them chant my name, I knew that in the long run there was only one fan I couldn’t live without. If Georgia hadn’t shown up that day, there was no doubt in my mind that I would have been on my way to Illinois that night, trying to win her back.

“You got her,” she said, leaning into me.

“Oh hey there,” Nora said with a smile as wide as her face. “Glad to see you two together. I hope you made her work for your forgiveness,” she added.

“She worked for it all right,” I said raising my eyebrows and earning an elbow from Georgia.

“We’re getting there,” Georgia told Nora as I pulled my arm from her shoulders and grabbed my newly bruised rib. “He’s willing to look past my neurotic behavior.”.

“We all do it,” Nora snickered. “‘Cause we love ya.”

“Aww... thanks,” she said shaking her head.

“We better get up there,” Reid said, nodding toward Nick who was frantically waving us over. Three men in suits stood next to him, waiting to meet us. “Pilsner’s head looks like it might explode if we keep them waiting any longer.”

“We can’t have that.” I kissed Georgia’s cheek before Reid and I started our walk over to where Nick was on the verge of spontaneous combustion. “Don’t let me forget to remind you that you lost to a girl when this thing is all over.” I slapped my hand on his back. “That really happened, right?”

“It really happened,” he confirmed. “But, you know, I feel okay about it. I mean, if I’m going to get beat at least it was because she’s a damn fine athlete,” he shrugged. “Not to mention, I think it helped my brother’s morale a little too. That girl has been wearing him out.”

“Yes she has,” I said, pointing out that Hoyt and Chayse were standing in the corner. The heat coming off the conversation they were having was palpable. “And I don’t think she’s anywhere close to being finished.”

“Poor bastard.” Reid shook his head and we both laughed as we commiserated with his brother. We all used to think that figuring out how to become motocross champs would be our main concern in life. We were wrong. So damn wrong.

The second the Bennett sisters showed up in our lives—or we showed up in theirs—there was a shift in priorities. Handling love was so much harder than handling a dirt bike. From where I was standing, Hoyt was in the same boat with Chayse McCade. Except she was making him work for a life raft before letting him in the boat.

“He’ll figure it out,” I told Reid. “We did.”

* * *

“Finally,” I said, opening the door of the Airstream. I found Georgia waiting for me and wearing one of my t-shirts. Only one of my t-shirts. My pulse started racing the second I saw her legs and picked up speed as I let my eyes drink her in from head to toe. How was it possible that she got more beautiful each time I saw her?

“Hi,” she said, nearly jumping into my arms and kissing my lips. The meet and greet had lasted nearly three hours. Luckily, between autographs and posing for pictures, Nick had secured a contract with Valiance Apparel, the newest outfitters of Throttled Energy riders.

Georgia and Nora had their fill of the excitement and told us they would see us at home. Nora had gone back to her and Reid’s apartment. My home was on wheels at the moment, which meant Georgia had come to the Airstream and taken a shower. I was ready to be alone with her.

“I hope you don’t mind that I borrowed some clothes,” she said stepping back to look down at the worn, black t-shirt she’d pulled from my dresser. I had to smile at the ‘I Like it Fast’ wording printed over the image of a dirt bike. “My luggage is at Reid’s apartment.”

“I don’t mind,” I said, letting my hands drift down her bare thighs. “You look better in this than I do.” I knew that if I let my hands go up any farther, I wouldn’t be able to stop myself. “I’m going to grab a shower,” I started to tell her my plans for cleaning up and then ravaging her, but my attention soon shifted. “Is this the right trailer?” I quickly realized that the inside of my trailer was completely different. New paint on the walls, new rugs on the floor.

“Yep,” she said. Nora had shown up with the trailer the day before and I hadn’t had time to do anything except hook it up in the RV court at Mill Valley. “I spruced it up a little.”

“A little?” I said, checking the place out. The kitchen was spotless and the usual clutter I had strapped to the top of the counter was gone. My coffee pot, my portable bar, my collection of trophies, were all missing. She opened a cabinet to show me where she’d stored all of the items that once littered the countertop.

“If I’m going to be staying in this thing when I visit you, I wanted it to be less... bachelor pad.”

“You mean you didn’t like the movie posters and duct taped renovations?” I laughed, silently thanking the heavens that she was staying. I’d always thought about redoing the place, but was always sidetracked with something. Riding mostly. Or chasing after a pretty blond, anxiety-ridden nurse.

“I didn’t hate them,” she assured me, wrapping her arms around my waist. “I just thought that maybe it needed freshened up a bit.” She pointed out the new leather sofa and shelf she’d installed to display my trophies. My flat screen television was neatly mounted on the wall, and my video games and console were organized—probably alphabetically—beneath it. “Do you not like it?” The concern on her face was sweet.

“I love it, babe. Thank you.” I kissed the crease between her eyebrows. “I want you to feel at home here.” If a few throw pillows and a good cleaning were all it took to keep her on the road with me I’d let her do it. Hell, I’d let her paint it pink and cover the damn thing in lace if it meant she’d be visiting me more often.

“Good,” she said, letting out a sigh of relief.

“When did you find time to do all this?”

“I’m a fantastic multi-tasker,” she answered proudly. “And you know how I like to keep busy.”

I nodded. That she did.

“Speaking of multitasking,” she said, rubbing her hand over my short hair. “When did you find the time for this?”

“Oh, you know, I might have had a ‘she broke up with me, I need to do something drastic’ moment of weakness,” I confessed.

“Sorry,” she said with a forgive-me smile. “Good thing you look super sexy with short hair,” she added.

“Don’t I?” I leaned in for another kiss, but she shook her head.

“You do, but there’s more to see before we start making out,” she insisted with a laugh and giving me a quick peck on the lips. “Come see the bedroom.” She grabbed my hand and led me through the small kitchen, to the bathroom, and through the curtains she’d hung to separate the bedroom. When she pulled it back, I was blown away by what she’d done. It wasn’t just a queen-sized mattress on the floor and few blankets thrown on top of it like I’d had. There was a bed frame, nightstands, and new gray and white linens.

“This looks incredible,” I told her, wondering exactly how she pulled this off on a nursing student’s budget. “Did you pay for all this?”

“You did,” she said biting her lip. “I didn’t spend much,” she assured me. “Your PayPal password was stored on my computer,” she confessed. “I was going to call and ask you first, but I wanted it to be a surprise.”

“It’s fine,” I told her. I didn’t care if she spent my money, especially on something for both of us. We were a couple and that meant we’d share everything... including money. “I’ll get you a credit card with your name on it,” I added. “I want to take care of you Georgia.”

“I know that,” she said. “And I’ll be adding to the pot very soon. Only a few more months until graduation. Maybe I’ll look for a job in Texas,” she added.

“You’d do that?”

“I told you that I want to be with you,” she said.

“I know, but I don’t want you to feel pressured.”

“I can be a nurse anywhere and I think it might be time for me to spread my wings a little,” she said. “Besides, the being apart thing wasn’t really working for me.”

“Me either.” I wanted her with me all the time, and the fact that she was actually willing to relocate for me meant more than she’d ever know. I hugged her tightly. I wanted to toss her on our new bed and show her how much I appreciated what she’d done, but I needed a shower. “It actually feels like a home,” I said, cupping her face in my hands. “Especially with you here.”

“You’re getting a little sappy,” she giggled as I pressed my lips to hers. “Brett Sallinger is supposed to be a hard ass motocross champion,” she teased.

“That’s on the track, baby,” I said. “In here... with you... I’m as sappy as they come.” I used to be that guy who didn’t have a care in the world other than riding. I didn’t want a commitment that didn’t involve getting paid by a sponsor. Now, as I looked around the room and felt her in my arms, all I wanted to do was to make her happy.

“I won’t tell,” she playfully whispered. “Can’t have your reputation being tainted.”

“Wouldn’t want that,” I said, playing along. I kissed her again, this time more out of passion than gratitude. My tongue swept between her lips as I let my hands roam over her body. The sensations zipping through my body were a mix of desire and fulfillment. She was here. With me. I’d thought I’d lost her and she’d come back. There was nothing else I needed to feel complete. “Don’t want them thinking I’ve gone soft.”

“I don’t think that’s ever going to be your problem,” she said, cupping my hard dick in her hand. Adrenaline started pumping through my veins the second her hands were on me. I immediately leaned into her touch, wishing that pants weren’t separating us. We’d reconnected in the shed and as hot and exciting as it was, I wanted to take my time with her and enjoy our reconciliation. I wanted to put my hands and mouth on every inch of her body and remind her exactly why we were so good together. I wanted to watch as she remembered and feel her touch on my skin. “Go take a shower,” she insisted. “I’ll be waiting right here,” she added, falling onto her stomach on the bed. Her shirt riding up enough to show the lower curves of her ass and driving home a reminder that I’d ripped her panties off her body earlier that day.

I let out a breath and closed my eyes. “Don’t fucking move,” I said as I shook my head. “I’ll be right back.”

One more glance at her body sprawled on my bed and I changed my mind. Hell with it.

“On second thought, you need a shower too, babe. We’re in this together right?” I lifted Georgia’s petite body over my shoulder and was rewarded with the sound of her sweet laughter. It was a sound I’d never get tired of hearing. Even better than the roar of an engine.

“Forever, Sally,” she said, earning herself a firm pat on the ass. “Forever.”