Ride With The Devil(13)

But after years of collecting dust, he’d decided to pull it out.

He needed something to do with his hands. He couldn’t sleep. And he couldn’t have her either.

So he put his head down and worked.

That was his way.

Nothing like hard work to clear a man’s mind. Or sex. But that was not on the menu.

Not with the one he wanted anyway.

He groaned, pressing down on his hard on. The one he’d had for hours. Days really. But especially since that kiss. He knew he should just deal with it, but he didn’t want to even acknowledge it. He couldn’t admit to himself what had happened.

What had almost happened. Because he’d been inches away from tearing her clothes off and fucking her on the back of his bike.

Neighbors be dammed.

That was stupid. And Jack was never stupid. Except, apparently, when it came to one hot little pain in the ass redhead.

Why the hell had he kissed her?

And how could she have felt so good in his arms?

Nothing had ever felt that good. Or felt that right. Not one thing in his Godforsaken life.

It was as if all the pieces fell into place at once. Just from touching her. Holding her.

Just from giving in.

But giving in was the last thing he was ever going to do.

He grabbed the wrench and started working.





Chapter Seventeen





Janet





Janet leaned back on the blanket and thumbed through the brochure. In the back there were a few pages that had blank spaces for her to fill out. If she had the courage to.

It was all right there, in the palm of her hand. So why was she so scared to start?

Application for Physical Therapist Program





She sighed. It was a two year program at the local branch of the State School. The same one Kaylie attended. It was perfect.

And it also… wasn’t.

The state university wasn't cheap and she wouldn't qualify for student aid. Not with her mediocre grades and her parents wealth. Plus she’d only done one and a half semesters.

Hardship case? Not likely. They didn’t give scholarships for ex-ballet dancers who hated homework.

She was screwed.

She highly doubted her parents were going to help her at this point. She wasn’t sure she would take the money if they offered it. Her mother had already hinted many times that they planned to cut her off, well before she’d dropped out of school.

They'd never been particularly affectionate, but they had been proud of her dancing career. Before the accident. Now they didn't seem to know what to do with her.

Or even care.

Janet rolled over onto her back and stared at the fluffy white clouds overhead. She smoothed down her floral sundress to cover her knees. She wondered what Jack would say. Or rather, not say. She touched her lips softly, remembering the kiss from the night before.

She sighed and closed her eyes.

Day dreaming about Jack definitely wasn’t going to help.

She'd just have to get a job and go to school part time. Maybe she and Kaylie could get an apartment together. She needed to get out of the house, that much was for sure.

And maybe Jack would be in the picture too. The big, scary biker was softer than he looked. He had a kind heart. She knew that instinctively.

She also knew he wanted her, but he didn’t want to want her.

"What am I going to do Kaylie?"

Her friend sat beside her, taking notes for her history exam. She put her book down and sipped some lemonade.

"You'll figure something out, Nettie. I'll help you."

"Yeah… but what?"

"You'll get a job and apply to the program and then we'll see. I believe in miracles you know."

Janet rolled her eyes and turned onto her side.

"Right. Just like that."

She snapped her fingers. Kaylie giggled and squirted lemonade at her through her straw.

"Hey! And I was going to ask you to move in with me!"

Kaylie sobered quickly and looked away. Janet's eyes widened. Something was up with Kaylie, that was for sure.

"What is it? You don't want to be my roommate?"

"No. It's not that. It's just that- well, Dev asked me to move in with him."

Janet squealed and threw her arms around Kaylie.

"Oh my God! That's amazing!"

"I don't know. It's kind of a big step. And then my mother would be alone."

"Maybe I can move in with her instead."

Janet flopped back onto her back and stared up at the sky. Kaylie laughed.

"Sometimes I think I'm too young to get serious with Dev but other times… I love him so much, you know?"

"I can tell. He loves you too. You are both really lucky. I wonder if I will ever be loved like that.“

"Come on Nettie, don't tell me you didn't find someone at school. You're gorgeous!”

“Ugh, stop. You are the beauty queen.”

“I’m serious Janet. I mean you always were pretty, but now, you look like a movie star!"