Rock the Beat

me.

It sucked to find out that all the years we spent together meant nothing to Jackson—that he thought so little of me that he could throw me out like a piece of candy that had lost its flavor. It changes everything when you find out what you thought was real is a lie. I am hurt and I’ll admit that I want to hurt him back.

If Trip is right, and the sight of the two of us together bothers Jackson, it’ll be the best payback I can ask for.

At some point while all that was running through my head I must’ve fallen asleep because the next thing I know a steady stream of sunlight pours through the window, hitting me in the eyes.

Shit. I’m late. The regular riders like an early start when they come to ride on open track day.

 I throw my hand over my face to shield myself from the glare as I sit up and gain my bearings. I place both feet on the hardwood floor below me and push myself off the bed, tugging my nightshirt down around my thighs on my way to the bathroom.

I yawn as I open the door to answer nature’s morning call. My yawn quickly turns into a sucked-in breath as my wide eyes land on a tanned, toned, and very naked Trip, standing at the bathroom counter, brushing his teeth. My eyes zero in on his mid-section, and promptly widen. Oh. My. God! His dick is right there on display for the world to see. Okay, maybe not the world, but I certainly have an eyeful.

Quickly, I turn my head to keep myself from staring any longer as heat creeps up my neck before settling in my cheeks. “What are you doing?!”

“What’s it look like I’m doing? I’m brushing my teeth. Oral hygiene is very important,” he says with his mouth full.

I sigh but it almost sounds like a growl. “I meant why are you naked?”

“Um, you’re supposed to be naked in the shower.” I don’t even have to see his face to know he’s smiling and having a good time with this.

I grab a white towel off the rod on the wall and thrust it in his direction. “Here. Cover that thing up.”

He spits in the sink and then his deep laugh fills the tiny bathroom as he takes the towel. “Thing? What are we in fifth grade? It’s a cock, Holly. Call it what it is.”

I peek out the corner of my eye and Trip flings the towel over his shoulder, turning so I can get a full view of his mouth-watering naked form. “That was to go around your waist.”

He leans causally against the counter. Obviously he’s not a bit shy about being completely naked in front of me. “Look, men want women who aren’t afraid to talk dirty. This can be our first lesson in how to catch a guy’s interest. If you want me to cover up, quit being a scared little virgin, and grab my attention. Look me in the eye and tell me to cover my cock.”

I roll my eyes. “This is ridiculous.”

“You want my help or not?” When I don’t answer right away, he drums his fingers on the counter. “I’m waiting…I can stand here like this all day. I have no problem showing off what God blessed me with, and when I say blessed, well, you know. You’ve seen it.” He chuckles.

My lips pull into a tight line. As much as I hate the idea of sinking to this embarrassing level with him, I know deep down he’s right. I’ve always heard men like their women to be the sinner and the saint. I need to suck it up and do this. I want to prove to Jackson and everyone else that there’s more to me than just this straight-laced good girl that they all think I am.

His green eyes burn into mine the moment our gaze meets. “Cover your fucking cock, you dirty manwhore.”

He smirks and pulls the towel off his shoulder slowly with one hand. The tattoos etched into the smooth skin of his arms, shoulders and chest catch my eye as Trip wraps the towel around his waist.  “There may be hope for you after all, sweetness. We’ve still got a lot of work to do, though. We’ve got to keep working on making that pretty little mouth of yours dirty.”

I fold my arms over my chest. “Fine. We will. Now, can you please get out so I can pee?”

“Sure thing.” Trip winks at me before squeezing past me, slapping my ass on his way out.

My skin burns from his touch, and I rub my backside to console it. “Hey!”

“Just warming that booty up for later. Get used to my touch, babe.” He holds his hands up and makes a grabbing motion with his hands while his back stays to me. “These things are going to be all over you today.”

“Ugh.” I close the door a little harder than I mean to in order to get away from him. No matter what, I have to remind myself it’s important to be nice to Trip. He’s helping me with the two most important things in my life: this track, and getting back with Jackson.

I stare at myself in the mirror and study my reflection as I curse myself for allowing him to get to me. I need to learn to let things go and stop getting riled up so quickly.

I toss my hair over my shoulder and turn on the water. My blue eyes stare back at me as I wait for the water to warm up. The vision of Trip smiling and flexing his fingers as he talks about groping me floats through my mind. I wish the thought of his strong hands being all over me didn’t make my stomach flutter the way it’s doing right now. Damn him.

I throw some water on my face and glance back at the clock on the wall behind me. It’s not as late as I thought. I’ve got time for my normal routine. I pull my shirt over my head and take off my underwear in order to grab a quick shower. I slide the shower curtain back and turn on the water just as the bathroom door flings open.

I yank the shower curtain over my naked body and stagger at the same moment I pivot.

Trip’s large hand grabs my elbow to steady me. “You all right there?”

I jerk away from him. I don’t like the idea of him touching me while I’m completely naked. “Don’t you knock?”

“You didn’t, so I figured our relationship had already progressed to the ‘no knocking’ level.”

I shove his shoulder towards the open door, careful to keep the plastic wrapped around me. “Well it hasn’t, now get out.”

He holds up his hands. “Easy. I just came for my toothbrush and deodorant. I promise I won’t peek, unless you want me to.”

“Get out,” I order.

 “Say please.” I narrow my eyes at him and he raises his eyebrow. “Our deal…”

This is literally killing me. “Ugh. Fine. Please, get out.”

He grabs his stuff off the counter and grins. “Only because you begged. I can’t ever turn a woman down when she begs me to do something for her.”

I fight the urge to scream at him, and tell him I’ve changed my mind and our deal isn’t worth it when he laughs at me yet again. I want to, but I won’t. I need to see this thing through. I’m tired of thinking about Jackson all the time. Even I know it’s pathetic, this little deal with Trip will help me see these feelings I’ve been harboring through. Jackson will either want me back, or he’ll continue to pretend that what we had was nothing—which will tell me it’s really over.

Either way, I’m ready to move on with my life. I need a new direction, and I want to find someone who actually wants me.

Chapter 6

Love Crime

TRIP

I walk towards the office my cell vibrates and I yank it out of my pocket. I check the caller ID and roll my eyes. “Yes, Dad?”

“Well maybe if you would check in from time to time and let people know where you are, I wouldn’t be checking up on you. Where are you?” my twin brother, Tyke, asks, enough angst in his voice to create the next teen blockbuster.

I slip my sunglasses on and glance around at the mountain scenery. “I’m in Arizona.”