Текст книги "Rock the Beat"
Автор книги: Michelle A. Valentine
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Текущая страница: 2 (всего у книги 14 страниц)
Dad follows behind me and shuts the door. After he squeezes around me, he plops down in his squeaky, green chair that’s older than I am—it even has the duct-tape to prove it.
He shuffles the piles of papers around on his desk. It’s the signature move he does while he gathers his thoughts—it gives the impression he’s busy.
I know what he’s going to say even before he does and I open my mouth to apologize, but he beats me to the punch.
“Holly, I know this is hard for you. It’s hard for me too, bringing a stranger in and allowing him access to everything I’ve—this family—has worked so hard for all these years. I don’t like it any more than you do, but these are the cards we’ve been dealt, honey. If this man doesn’t help us, we’ll lose everything.” I see the sadness in his eyes as he explains.
I hear what he’s saying and I completely understand, but my reservations still stick. If I could tell him why I don’t think Trip can be trusted, maybe he would see my side, but I know I can’t do that. Not without appearing sleazy for throwing myself at a random man in a bar. I would get the “I raised you better than that” speech. “But, Dad, this guy? He doesn’t look like he knows anything about running a business. Did you get a good look at him? He looks like every other biker we’ve seen on the track, and you know they aren’t always the brightest crayons in the box.”
Dad drags his fingers through his thinning hair. His hair, like the rest of his body is withering away. He’s lost so much weight over the last couple months—it makes his six-foot-two frame seem even taller. The stress is really getting to him. “Holly, I know what this place means to you. I’m grateful that you left school and to come home and help me out, but this place isn’t your cross to bear. It’s mine. This place is my dream, and it makes me feel like I failed as your father because I willingly allowed you to throw away your dream of finishing college to come back here to help me. If I can just get this place back into the black you can go back to school, like you planned. Convincing Trip to get this investor on board will make that happen. You can get your life back.”
I frown as I walk around the desk and wrap my arms around my father. “Dad, I made the choice to come back here because I wanted to. You were here, and Jackson. You and this track are my life. Just because I’m not with Jackson anymore doesn’t mean I regret my decision. I love it here. This place is my home and I want to help in anyway I can to save it.” Dad smiles. “Besides, I can always get a loan once we get this place back on its feet. Ohio State isn’t going anywhere any time soon. It’s you and me. And we stick together.”
He folds his arms around me and pats the back of my head. “We do make a pretty great team, don’t we? Since your mom left—”
I stiffen in his embrace and cut him off before he goes down memory lane about Grace. “Let’s not talk about her.”
Dad sighs as I pull away and lean back against the desk. “All right but, honey, please try and be civil to Trip. I really want this to work out. We need him to like us.”
I roll my eyes. As much as it kills me, I know I have to play nice. “I’ll try, but I swear if he comes on to me like the rest of the goons around here, I promise I won’t show any mercy.”
He chuckles. “I would expect nothing less from you. Just please don’t rip his head off. I can’t afford a lawsuit. I’m trying to get money from him, not give it.”
We both laugh because it’s no secret around this track that I’m quick witted and unafraid to put any man in his place. I’m one tough, general operations manager. This may be a male-dominated sport, but at Mountain Time Speed Track it’s most definitely a woman’s world.
TRIP
I rub my forehead, wishing I could take back the last five or so beers past my limit I drank last night. Walking into this place with a hangover wasn’t the brightest idea I’ve ever had. Thank God Mr. Pearson wasn’t insistent I check out the track first. I would’ve puked after the first five minutes of riding.
I didn’t mean to get that hot blonde in trouble with her dad. Flirting with beautiful women mercilessly is my favorite past time. I can’t help myself. And Holly Pearson is one fine piece of ass. No doubt about that. She reminds me a lot of that blonde I kissed last night, or at least I think I kissed last night. Things started getting hazy after my tenth drink, or maybe it was the twelfth drink. Alcohol has a way of fucking up my brain and making shit a blur. The blonde was smoking hot too. One minute she was grinding her ass against my dick, causing me nearly to come in my jeans, the next minute she was gone, dragged off by another guy. Lucky bastard was probably her boyfriend.
So, I had to find some random chick. I couldn’t let a good hard-on go to waste. One of these nights I’m going back to that club while I’m in town to find that girl. It’s a shame her face is kind of a blur today.
I glance up at the clock on the wall. Mr. Pearson and Holly have been gone for nearly ten minutes and there’s no sign of them coming out any time soon.
Holly is really feisty. I’m going to have to figure out a way to make her my friend if I’m going to be here for the next four weeks. I hate tension. It bugged the fuck out of me when Noel and Riff fought. I’m so glad that shit’s over. That kind of shit wears on a persons sanity after a while, which is why I need to squash whatever problem Holly has with me. Most women giggle and love it when I put the moves on them. It’s an ego boost to them. But this one loathes me and I don’t have a fucking clue why.
It’s totally obvious she has no clue who the hell I am because she seemed rather appalled by me, which never happens. Most people turn into over-pleasing twits around celebrities. It’s fucking annoying not to be able to get the truth out of people.
I drum my fingers on the countertop, tapping out the beat of a new song my twin brother and band-mate, Tyke, and I have been working on for the past couple weeks. With a few minor tweaks I think we’ll have the next Black Falcon hit-single ready to record when we finally head back into the studio next month.
I really miss working. Black Falcon and the rest of the guys are my life. I love everything about my job, and I don’t mean to toot my own horn, but I consider myself the best fucking drummer in the business. I can pound out grungy, raw beats like nobody in the business, and the combination of my beats and Tyke’s bass flowing in sync creates magic that’s often emulated, but never duplicated. No one can rock the beat like we can. Black Falcon is unique and our bond as a band is stronger now than ever before. It might make me a pussy for saying this but I’ll admit, when we’re not all together I feel a little homesick.
If it weren’t for women getting in the way of our work, we’d be on the road right now touring. The whole situation pisses me off a bit.
Yeah, I know. Sure, Lane and Aubrey are great chicks and have done wonders in getting Noel and Riff to settle down and become friends again, but it doesn’t mean they aren’t cramping the rest of our styles. It’s been over a month since I banged a random groupie and I hate this fucking dry-spell. It makes me edgy, which is why I had to go out to a club in Tucson last night and find a random piece of ass. I needed to take the edge off.
The thought of throwing Holly down on this counter and fucking her seven different way from Sunday entered my head about a thousand times during our little heated discussion. Girls with attitude are hot and she’s exactly my type—a petite blonde with perfect tits. Even when she was mean as hell to me, all I could think about was kissing that rude mouth of hers.
See what I mean? I can’t function without sex—it’s like a fucking drug. I’m used to getting it daily, and when you don’t get what you crave, you’ll find your fix wherever you can. Which is why that lay last night, even as lousy as it was, was a blessing. I was at least able to keep why I was actually here on my mind and not be completely distracted by those perky, little tits of Holly’s.
Going undercover at this dirt bike racing track, looking at it as a potential investment will be good for me. I need to branch out a bit. I’ve gotten bored with all the time off Noel and Riff have need lately. Both of them decided to run off and start families—I get it—but that does nothing for me. I need something else to occupy my time. If I’d had to sit in the house with my brother and work on one more song I swear to God I would’ve gone nuts. Noel and Riff are killing me with their need for all this personal time off.
What about me? What about my needs?
I say drag those strollers on the tour bus and let’s get the fuck back on the road where the action is.
I can’t see myself ever settling down with one woman for the rest of my life. Not because I couldn’t mind you, but because I don’t want to. That lifestyle is for pussies. Fuck the estrogen-induced life Riff and Noel are leading.
I’ve tried monogamous dating before and that shit went horribly wrong. Never again. NEVER. It’s just not for me. How does that saying go—burn me once, or some shit?
The office door swings open without warning and I straighten my stance. Holly comes out first just as the circulating fan blows in her direction. Fallen strands of her blonde hair whip back off her face and she sets her blue eyes on me. For some reason the sight of her hits me like a rock video set in slow motion. I mean, I noticed she was sexy before, but from this angle I’ve got a hell of a view.
Her long, slender legs move her voluptuous body right to me. There’s a confidence in her step that’s undeniable and makes her really fucking sexy. Sure, there are women who would turn any man’s head around me all the time, but this one has something special. Too special for someone like me, but it still sort-of hurts my ego that she turned me down. I’m not used to that.
Holly walks around the counter to face me and I smile. As much as I wouldn’t mind fucking this girl, I need to keep my dick in my pants. I need her on my side—sleeping with her would only complicate the hell out of this business deal.
No way do I want to deal with a woman I’ve one-nighted for years to come. That’s just bad for business.
She sighs and holds out her hand. “I think we got off on the wrong foot, and I’d like us to start over. I’m Holly.”
I take her dainty little hand into mine, and as much as my dick is urging me to use my typical game on her, I refrain. I squeeze her hand and give it a couple firm shakes. “Trip Douglas. I look forward to working with you, Holly.”
Her eyes narrow for a split-second, but as soon as I let go of her hand and shove both of mine deeply in my pockets to show her I’m done trying to be touchy-feely, her expression changes and a polite smile touches her lips.
She’s got a great fucking smile.
As my fingers itch to touch her soft skin again, I roll them into fists and fight the urge. As hot as I think she is, nothing can ever happen with her. I can’t give into the want I feel for her.
“Can we go over the books later? I was actually getting ready to grab lunch,” Holly says. “We can start afterwards.”
“Great,” Mr. Pearson says as he comes out of the office. “Holly can show you to your room when she gets her lunch.”
Her head whips in his direction. “What do you mean his room?”
Mr. Pearson frowns at Holly. “I forgot to mention that part, honey. Trip will be staying in the guest room while he’s here. We talked about it when I showed him around earlier. It’ll be good for him to be with us and see how we operate this family business.”
She opens her mouth to protest about me staying in her home, but quickly closes it when her dad tilts his head and slides his gaze toward her. Mr. Pearson was kind enough to offer me a place to stay while I’m here checking out the track. He wanted me to feel welcome and expressed to me how much he hopes this deal works out.
Their family house is located on the same property as the track, literally a stone’s throw from the office. It’ll save me from having to drive back and fourth from that shitty hotel I stayed in last night. Besides, it’ll be nice not to live in a hotel for once while I’m on the road.
I watch Holly fidget. I can tell the idea of me staying with them makes her uncomfortable. That’s not a good sign if I want my plan of making her like me to work. “Mr. Pearson, it’s fine. I don’t mind staying at the hotel.”
He dismisses me with a wave of his hand. “Don’t be silly, son. Staying in a hotel is pricey. Do you know what a month’s stay would cost? We have a spare room and we’d be happy to have you. Besides, Mr. Johnson from the bank already has my contact information and knows that he can contact you here for updates. I want your boss to know we are a trustworthy family.”
Shit. I forgot about that. Does it make me a tool for lying to them about the fact that I’m really the investor? I hope not. I’m not doing it to be cruel. It’s just important to me to keep my identity concealed. I want to see how my money will be used on a daily basis. I don’t want any special treatment getting in the way of that.
When I sent my investment banker on the quest to find me a business opportunity involving motocross, I couldn’t have been more pleased when he found me this sinking diamond in the rough. Mr. Pearson has fallen behind on his payments and the bank is only a couple of months away from foreclosing. It was once a lucrative business, but for some reason, over the last couple of years, business has drastically declined. That’s why I’m here. I want to figure out what makes this place tick, discover if my money can help fix it up and put this place back on the map as a premier training facility for riders.
But, I don’t want the Pearson’s to know all that. For the time being I’m happy having them think that I’m just some biker sent here by their bank.
I nod, believing that, in order to play my role of a poor biker guy, staying with them is best. “Okay then. Sounds great. I already have my things in the car, anyhow. The place I stayed in last night had the most uncomfortable bed. I planned on finding a new one today.”
“Fantastic. Honey, would you mind showing Trip his room,” Mr. Pearson says with a sparkle of excitement in his eyes.
Holly sighs heavily before saying, “Come on. Follow me.”
Mr. Pearson smiles at Holly like a proud father. That must’ve been some talk in that office. Before I turn to leave, I extend a hand to him. “Thanks again for having me out, Mr. Pearson. I know the investor is really excited about the business.”
Our hands clap together on contact. “Call me Bill. Mr. Pearson was my father.”
I laugh. “Fair enough.”
Bill asks, “What’s your boss like? Mr. Johnson wouldn’t tell me much about him—only that he’s a man with a lot of money itching to get his hands into something dealing with motocross.”
Bill seems like a nice guy, and he would probably be okay with who I am. I seriously doubt he’s a fan and so he wouldn’t flip his shit if he found out, but I resist spilling my secret. I simply shrug. “He’s a good guy. I’ve known him all my life, but he prefers to keep a low profile. My friend recently came into a lot of money. He loves the outdoors and thought this business would be a great fit with his adventurous streak. He knows I like to ride bikes and that I’m good with business and large dollar amounts, so he asked me to come here and check out the place. I’ve got his information and, after the month is over, I’ll report back to him with my opinion.”
He nods. “It’s nice to know we’re dealing with a decent guy. For a minute there I was starting to worry he was some big name celebrity who really wouldn’t give a crap about wanting to turn this place around.”
That makes me laugh and I shake my head. Bill Pearson may be smarter than I initially thought. “You’re right. Celebrities are a pain in the ass. But trust me when I say my friend has the best of intentions when it comes to this place.”
I turn towards Holly, who is waiting for me patiently by the front door.
I pull my ball cap down further over my brow to cover more of my face and slip outside with a girl who I’m convinced hates me. That is, until she looks at me and smiles.
It’s then I notice that not only is she hot, but she’s beautiful. I mean, I knew she was pretty, but out here with the sunlight on her hair, wearing a smile that could light up the entire fucking world, my breath actually fucking catches. I shake my head to clear all those sappy thoughts away. What the hell is wrong with me? I don’t think like that. Ever. If I ever said something like that around the guys, I would never hear the fucking end of it.
The expression on her face fades just as quickly as it appeared as she catches me shaking my head because I’m disgusted with myself. “Dad likes you. I hope you’re a good guy and do right by him and this place.”
Great. She probably thinks I was being a jackass or something. If I told her the truth about why I was shaking my head, it would be ten times worse. I need to keep myself in check and remind myself to stay focused. Seeing Holly Pearson naked, moaning my name below me can never happen.
Chapter 3
Rude Boy
HOLLY
The metal keys feel like lead in my hand as I pull them from my pocket to let us into the house. The idea of sleeping under the same roof as this sexy man makes me feel a little uneasy. Even though I would never allow anything to happen between us, it doesn’t stop my eyes from lingering on him longer than they should—I’m only human and I’m not blind. I’m going to admire the view even though I know his breed of asshole is bad news. I’ve seen the way he is with women and I will not allow myself to be some conquest to him.
“This is a nice place,” Trip says from behind me as I twist the key and push the door open.
“Thanks. It’s not much, but it’s home,” I answer politely and glance over my shoulder at him, knowing he’s only saying that to be nice.
Trip stares up, studying the rafters in our unfinished porch. The idea that he’s judging us on the looks of the place makes me stiffen. Like most things around here, Dad never had the time or money to get around to actually completing it. Not that he doesn’t want to, but things cost money, and that’s one thing we haven’t had very much of in a while. At the rate we’ve been going, we’re lucky to keep the electricity on.
I open the door wide and step back. “Welcome.”
He smirks and shakes his head before sweeping his hand out in front of him. “Ladies first.”
I roll my eyes and shrug. I flip on the light in the small foyer as Trip closes the door. Even though it’s two in the afternoon, we still have to waste electricity running the lights all day because of how dark it stays in this old farmhouse. I was just a baby when Grace, and Dad bought this place. It had been a fixer-upper, but had all the potential for my dad to realize his dream of opening a dirt-bike track. Twenty years later it still needs a lot of fixing.
As a kid, the condition of this place used to embarrass me, but now that I’m older and understand the concept of money, I’m just glad we have a roof over our head. I don’t care what people think about me anymore.
“How long have you lived here?” Trip asks as he walks around, peeking his head in the living room and the kitchen to inspect the place.
“All my life.” My feet find the first step on the staircase. “Your room is up here.”
His eyes follow the staircase to the second level. “I was thinking, why not start with a tour of your room instead?”
I shake my head as he follows me up the stairs. “That’s never going to happen.”
He laughs behind me. “If denying how much you want me makes you sleep better at night, have at it.”
At the top of the landing I turn around and Trip stops one step below me, so our eyes are level. I’m about two seconds from ripping into him and telling him how disgusted I am that he doesn’t even remember me, but I decide if he’s going to play dumb, than so am I. “There are two bedrooms up here. The door to your right is mine, and the door on the left is yours. The door at the end is the bathroom. We’ll have to share it.”
His green eyes dart from one side of the hall to the other, checking out the tan walls and white doors with caution. “So it’s just the two of us up here alone?”
I tilt my head and narrow my eyes. “Is that going to be a problem for you?”
He sets his foot on the top step and leans into me a bit, closing the gap between us. “Not for me, but can’t say the same for you.”
I fold my arms under my boobs, drawing his attention to my chest again. I could kick myself right now for not putting my uniform top back on. “Why would that be a problem for me?”
Trip smirks. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed you giving me the old fuck-eye. I’d say in a week or so I’ll have to keep my door bolted shut to keep you from sneaking in and having your way with me.”
I let out a bitter laugh. What a self-centered jerk. “Don’t flatter yourself. You’re not my type.”
He studies my face. After a few seconds he raises his eyebrows as it appears he’s had a flash of memory, because a gleam of recognition flashes in his eyes. “You sure about that? It didn’t seem that way last night.”
The blood drains from my face. Shit. He does remember. “That was a drunken mistake. I wasn’t myself last night. Trust me that won’t be happening again anytime soon.”
“I told you, sweetness, I can read people. It’s sort of my thing. Sooner or later you’re going to have to admit to yourself that you’re into me. I drank a lot at the bar and I thought you looked like the girl from last night, but I wasn’t sure. Not until just now, that is. In this dark hallway, you look just the same as you did last night. You wanted me too. I know you did. I could feel it in your kiss.”
“Like I said. You’ve got no chance in hell with me.”
“Really?” He laughs heartily and steps onto the landing in front of me and his face is suddenly serious. “I’d say you were pretty damn close to allowing me to have my way with you last night. If your boyfriend hadn’t dragged you away, we would’ve had a great time. Where is he now, anyway?”
“My love life isn’t your concern.” He steps closer to me and I shake my head and take a step backwards. He’s trying to bait me into playing his game by closing the distance. “This isn’t going to work on me, you know.”
Trip scrunches his brow. “What isn’t?”
I wave my hands in front of me, directing attention to his body. “This…your whole bad-boy charm. I’m immune to it. I don’t sleep with guys I don’t know.”
He traces a line down my arm with his finger. “Sweetheart, I haven’t even begun to charm you yet. When I do, I promise I won’t have to ask twice to get you naked. You’ll be begging for me to take you and make your body feel good, just like you were last night.”
I roll my eyes and try to pretend my heart isn’t pounding fifty miles an hour. “You are so full of shit.”
He licks his lip, and stares into my eyes so intensely I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from making any noise while under his powerful gaze. “I know you’re trying real hard to make yourself believe what you’re saying. Honestly, I find your self-preservation charming. But I happen to know women are defenseless when I set out to seduce them.”
I lift my chin. “I highly doubt you can get any woman you want. I hope that’s not what you’re trying to do with me, because if it is, I can assure you, you’re failing miserably.”
“When I decide I want something, I get it. Always. Failure isn’t in my vocabulary.”
The determination in his eyes makes my legs weak. There’s no doubt in my mind he can get most women to do whatever he wants when there’s pure alpha male radiating from him. But I’m not most women, and he won’t be making me another notch on his undeniably sexy bedpost any time soon.
He takes another step. “Admit that you like me.”
I shake my head as he takes another step, followed by another until my back is pinned against the wall. “No.”
Trip bites his lip and leans into me and places two fingers against my neck like he’s checking my pulse. “Then tell me, sweetness. Why is your heart racing? You can deny it all you want, but you’ll only be able to fight what your body wants for so long.”
My breath catches. He makes me nervous and I don’t like the effect he’s having on me. I wish he was wrong about my stupid body wanting him.
I clear my throat and shove myself away from him, needing to get away from him. “If you need anything other than sexual favors you just let me know.”
Before he can say anything else, I slip into my room and close the door behind me. I press my back into the door and sigh. Damn, I wish he wasn’t right. I do feel some strange pull toward him, but I’ll be damned if I give in to it and get my heart broken again.
I stay still until I hear his footsteps go back downstairs and then the front door shut. I slide down the door and take a deep breath. Trip is more intense than I’m used to. Sure, in a place overrun with men, guys come onto me all the time, but this one? He’s different. I’ve never had a man so sure of himself approach me like that. Most guys in come into the shop and tell me I’m hot or have a great ass and then get pissed when I don’t drop my panties fast enough for them.
I’m done dating jerks.
I have to put a tougher bubble in place around me. This guy isn’t going to take no for an answer, which may be a problem seeing as how I have to be in close proximity to him for a month. That, and the fact that he’s quite possibly the most attractive man I’ve ever laid eyes on.
Before I have time to think on it any further, my cell phone whistles with a text message.
Kara: Missed you at the Alpha Gamma Sigma party. These things aren’t the same without you.
I smile as I read her message. Kara is a girl I met back at Ohio State. We were a package deal last year when it came to parties. I hate the fact that I dropped out of college after my spring semester was over this year. I hoped Kara and I would be together my entire time there seeing as how we were both studying to be psychologist.
Holly: Miss you too. How is everyone?
Kara: Everyone is exactly the same. Summer break didn’t change things much.
Holly: Tell them I said hello.
Kara: Will do. Has Jackson begged for your forgiveness yet?
Holly: No, he’s been keeping his distance and only talking to me when he has business at the track.
Kara: He deserves a swift kick in the balls for what he did to you.
The thought of Jackson and what he did to me makes my blood boil. The last thing I want to do right now is think about him. For the last two weeks it’s been torture seeing him around the town knowing how he betrayed me. For once I wish there was another track in town he could train on. He hasn’t been to the track since that night in my room, but I know he can only stay away so long. He has to have a place to train seeing as he’s becoming a professional rider.
Holly: Agreed.
My answer is simple. I hope it’s enough to pacify her so she will drop the topic.
I sigh in relief as her next text comes through.
Kara: Gotta get to class. Miss you! XOXOX
I shove myself off the floor and stuff my phone back in my pocket. Kara’s text couldn’t have come at a better time. The mention of Jackson only solidifies the need for me to be done dating guys for a while. And by a while I mean probably forever. I just can’t trust them, and if I can’t trust them why would I hand over something as precious as my heart? They’ll just destroy it for the hell of it.
Especially someone like Trip Douglas. He has heartbreaker written all over him. I would like nothing more than to completely ignore him with the hope that he and his sexy body disappear. I’m going to have to fight hard to deny him considering I’ve already tasted his lips and my body already wants him—a woman can only be so good for so long.
After eating my lone peanut butter sandwich, I decide it’s time to go back to the main office. As much as I would like to, I can’t avoid Trip forever.
I lock the front door behind me and the gravel crunches under my feet as I trudge towards the office.
Like everything else around here, this building has seen better days. The posts on the front porch could use a fresh coat of paint and the building itself needs a few upgrades. The red brick is dull and dingy, with some of the mortar between them cracking and peeling away. The bushes are in great shape though thanks to a day’s worth of sweat from me out here trimming them up. I remember that day fondly. I saw Jackson at the local mall talking to Stella Charles, the girl I’d recently heard he’d been sleeping with all last year while I was away at college. I took all my aggression out on our poor shrubbery that day.
Max leans against the porch railing in his black and yellow riding gear as I approach. “A little late for work aren’t you? How many times did you barf?” Max asks as I close in on him.
I give him my best scowl. “A couple, thanks to you.”
He laughs and his brown, floppy hair bounces. I stick my tongue out at him and his brown eyes grow wide before he rushes over and grabs me up in a big bear hug. “Is that any way to treat your best friend who was trying to break you out of a funk on your birthday?”
I smack his chest as I try to wiggle out of his hold. “Who said you were my best friend? I should hate you for how much you let me drink last night.”
Max sets me down and dramatically throws his hands over his heart. “That wounds me deeply, Holly. It’s not like I didn’t warn you.”
I pull his hands down. “Stop it. You know I’m kidding. What girl wouldn’t want a best friend as handsome as you?”
He gives me a lopsided grin. “That’s more like it. Have you seen the new man-meat in the shop? He looks a lot like that guy from last night, only today he’s got a hat on.”
I shrug and toss my blond hair over my shoulder. “It is the same guy. Good thing I didn’t sleep with him, huh?”
His eyes widen. “Holy shit! What’s he here for? Did he track you down?”
I shake my head. “He’s here to inspect the track for that investor Mr. Johnson told Dad about.”
