Page 99

VAUGHN

The ride up to Nashville was long and dark. I left late because I’d wanted one more taste of Bett before disappearing for three nights. By the time I loaded my restored bike in the back of the pickup in hopes of having more than the Honda to show off at the expo, it was after seven, which meant I didn’t make it to the hotel until after midnight.

The expo was paying for my room, along with a small speaker fee, which meant I got to stretch out in a king-size bed. I imagined what it would be like to have Bett here, but then I laughed when I realized he’d probably still sleep pressed completely against me like we were still huddled in a twin-size.

I jerked off to a selection of photos of him I’d stolen off the internet. Two of him in his football uniform, all sleek leg muscles and wide shoulders. One taken after the bar fight, where the anger on his face made me want to fuck the shit out of him and laugh at the same time. One from four years ago, when the senator’s family had been photographed in the Caribbean on a yacht vacation. Bett wore pink swim trunks with little douchey whales on them, but it was the way his hair was all fucked-up by the wind that drew my attention. Every time I looked at it, my fingers itched to run those thick locks back into place.

He was so fucking beautiful, no matter what he was doing. The man was known for being attractive, had even been voted sexiest Demere Blue in a Reddit poll two years in a row. And now that I allowed myself to admit it out loud, it was a little embarrassing that I’d ever tried denying it.

Before falling asleep, I picked up my phone and texted him.

If you can honestly tell me you’re not in my bed right now, I’ll let you fuck me when I get back.

Thankfully, he was already asleep for the night, but in the morning, I awoke to two replies.

The first was a sleepy selfie of his sheepish grin and his face half turned into my pillow. My stomach filled with warmth and affection at the sight of him in my bed.

The second was a confession.

Babygirl

It didn’t even occur to me to sleep in the sex bed. Although after last night, maybe we need to call this one a sex bed too…

I laughed out loud in the large hotel room and typed a response.

Details or it didn’t happen.

Babygirl

Can’t. I’m on the way to class. You’ll have to use your imagination.

Tell me you were alone.

I almost deleted it without sending. I didn’t love how jealous and possessive I sounded.

But then I remembered the look on Bett’s face when I acted possessive. The way he melted into a puddle of goo when I claimed him in any way. As soon as I sent it, he started typing.

Babygirl

Just me and your pillow. I miss you.

I stared at the words while blood rushed to my cheeks. The only reason it wasn’t also rushing to my cock was because it was already there, too.

Be good.

I got up to shower while watching the little dots move as if he was typing out a response, but when I got out of the shower, there was no message. He must have gotten to class.

Once I showered, dressed, and made my way to the expo facility, the pace of the day rocketed out from under me. There were so many amazing people and bikes to see. I spent the entire rest of the day in complete euphoria.

The guys from Throttle and Thread invited me to a dinner that went late into the night and ended at a whiskey and cigar bar downtown. It was heaven talking to Rafe Alvarez and Jackson Durant about how they got their start, why they only did eight to ten bikes a year, and how often Hollywood asked them to collaborate on a project.

“Tanner showed us his bike, man,” Rafe said, his grin wide in a weathered face. “Know what I like most? You weren’t afraid to leave your fingerprints on it, you know?”

Jackson leaned in and pointed his half-empty glass at me. “Leaving the dents in the tank. Fucking kick-ass. Shows its history.”

I barked out a laugh. “I wish I could say it was a deliberate choice from the beginning, but I was making budget choices at that point. It wasn’t until Tanner offered to pay for whatever else it needed that I realized I liked it better that way. Same with the upholstery stitching. That was deliberate, though. I just had to talk him into my vision.”

“What are you working on next?” One of the other guys in the group asked me a question I’d already gotten several times.