Quarter Mile Hearts(13)

“I remember how you sounded when I made you come, whispering my name over and over again like it was a prayer.”

Mesmerized by the sound of his voice and the feeling of his hands on my ass, my eyelids close and his lips trail up my jawline to my earlobe. My head drops back as his tongue starts a lazy trail down my neck. When my head connects with the jukebox, it knocks some sense into me, and I jerk upright.

Squeezing a hand between our bodies, I push against a wall of solid muscle. “Stop.” My voice sounds stronger than I feel. Max pulls back to look at me, puzzled. “We’re not doing this,” I start and swallow thickly. It’s too hot in here, and my lady parts need fanning. A drink would help, preferably a stiff… no, strong one… noooo, anything with alcohol in it, but I’ve got the bike so a Coke will have to do. Then perhaps a cold shower.

“You’re right; we can’t do this here.” He takes my hand, ready to lead me god knows where and have his wicked way with me.

“No.” I don’t budge. “We’re not doing this ever.” I meet his glare dead on and something flickers in the depths of his; what it is god only knows.

He leans closer. “Oh, we’re doing this Storm. We have unfinished business. You can deny it, but you want this as much as I do.” Then I see the spark of a challenge. So, he thinks I want this. Well, dream on, buddy. Even though I do, it ain’t going to happen.

“See you around.” He drops my hand but before I can stop him, he brushes his lips over my forehead and walks away.

I watch his retreating back weave through the tables and then the door slams behind him, snapping me out of my stupor. It isn’t until I’m back in my seat that I realize I still haven’t picked a song.

“What was all that about?” Beth leans closer and Aaron does the same, as if I’m about to impart some great secret.

“Nothing. He was just pissed because I beat him.” I wave my hand and look over their heads at something really interesting on the other side of the room.

“Bullshit. We could tell something was going on.” Beth’s voice drops.

“The whole bar could tell something was going on,” Aaron whispers. I lean back and look at the two of them.

“Why are you whispering?” I whisper, and they look at each other then back at me.

“So, what is going on with you and Max?” Beth persists, and I heave a sigh of exasperation.

“Nothing.”

“But something has. Something you’re not telling us?” She raises an eyebrow.

“Nothing is going on with us, there never has and there never will. I know better than to get sucked in by the likes of Max Morgan.” I push up from the table, and their eyes follow. “Now, I’m going home. I need to see my dad in the morning, and I’ll come to the garage.”

Aaron casts Beth a quick sidelong look. “Yeah, about that…”

“Do you mind opening up? It’s fine if you’re a little late, but I’ll come as soon as I’ve been to the hospital.” I lean down and hug Beth and then place a kiss on the top of Aaron’s head. “Thanks. Well done tonight, Aaron. Love you guys.” I pick up my jacket and wave to Aunt Lynda and Uncle Pat as I push the door open.

The temperature has dropped slightly and I zip up my jacket, pull on my helmet, and swing my leg over my Harley. I take my time driving home, making slight detours to cover as much of the town as I can. Eventually, I pull into my dad’s drive and kill the engine.

The house is in darkness, and when I open the front door, a familiar smell greets me. I can’t even say what it is, but it’s just the smell of my dad. I still can’t believe he’s been this stupid as to race at some reunion   night. Who has ever heard of that? I bet it’s something his crazy buddies and him have thought of. Then to go and crash, ending up in the hospital with a collapsed lung and broken bones.

Silently, I move through the house, locking the front door and checking the back door. Even though the town is safe, it’s more force of habit. My heels sound loud on the wooden stairs as I drag my weary bones up to bed. When I reach my old room, I don’t even turn on the lights. I just fall face first onto my bed; the same bed I’ve had since I was a teenager. My dad refused to buy me a double just because Beth was getting a double. I think it was the mention of Beth getting one that lost me the argument. He knew about her and Aaron, and his mind was probably connecting the dots and thinking it would be me next.

If my skinny jeans weren’t so uncomfortable to sleep in, I probably wouldn’t bother getting undressed, but I wrestle out of them and slide under the covers.