Broken Love (Blinded Love Series Book 2)

by Stacey Marie Brown

  Jones swung down and grabbed his hat, his face red with anger, his jaw set. He kept shaking his head, muttering under his breath.

  “Chris did well.” I tried to lighten his mood. Jones was also “managing” Chris, but Hunter was his bread and butter. Chris wasn’t at the level to garner sponsor deals and advertisements.

  “Yeah.” Jones nodded, a brief smile curling his mouth as he watched Stevie dance around. “And she says she hates him. Didn’t she say she wished he’d be slowly eaten by locusts?” He winked.

  “Yeah, well, we both know that’s a total lie.”

  “He’s full of it too.” Jones breathed out, twisting his hat back on. He looked different without it, like a sweet little boy, and I felt strangely better when he put it back on, like it had become my security blanket as well.

  Stevie settled next to me.

  “Someone’s happy.” I nudged her.

  “Whatever. Just shows monkeys can be trained.” She pursed her lips, stuffing back her smile, shrugging. “Actually, that’s an insult to monkeys. They are a hell of lot smarter than that Neanderthal.”

  I smirked, rolling my eyes.

  “You want to go back?” Jones pointed, already taking steps to the holding area.

  I nodded, waving Stevie to follow. The three of us slipped past the security and gates, our passes letting us have free run of the place.

  All the races were over and most riders were off their bikes, celebrating, getting ready for interviews or heading back to the hotel in defeat. The promo girls swarmed everywhere, along with reporters, TV crew, and podcasters.

  It was like I could sense him without looking. I stared at his back with a pang of anxiety.

  Hunter tore off his helmet, tossing it into the dirt so hard it bounced several times, his foot ramming into his precious bike, tipping it over. I couldn’t hear him, but I saw his mouth moving, fury flying out as he walked in a circle.

  I had seen Hunter angry before, but nothing like this. Even the night his father yelled and hit him, he had kept himself in check.

  “Why don’t we meet you back at the hotel?” Jones placed his hands on my shoulders, stopping me from getting to Hunter.

  “No…” My attention wouldn’t snap away from Hunter’s figure. So much rage burst from him, and all I wanted to do was comfort him.

  “Jayme, he needs to cool down.” Jones’s squeeze on my shoulders turned me to him. “I’ve known him a long time. It’s not a good time. He needs to work this out.”

  I looked back and forth hesitantly. Jones did know Hunter better than I did; they’d been friends since grammar school. Would I only make it worse?

  “We’ll see you back at the hotel.” Jones’s eyes met mine, like he needed me to agree.

  “Okay.” I took a step back with a nod.

  Jones ran off for his boy, while Stevie laced her fingers through mine, tugging me the opposite way. I watched Jones walk up to Hunter. When Hunter’s gaze snapped to mine, only rage shot out of his eyes, his jaw clenching before he turned away from me.

  I understood he’d need a bit of time, but it still felt like a rejection. That he didn’t want me there. That my presence wouldn’t calm or console him.

  Trailing Stevie, my face slammed into her back when she came to a sudden stop.

  “Ow.” I rubbed my nose. “What’s wro—” My question stopped, tracking Stevie’s gaze. Next to the winning riders, Chris stood with his arms around two promo girls, cameras flashing as one of the girls brazenly kissed him. With a whole lot of tongue. Ewww. And he gripped her face, pulling her in closer. The cheer of the fans encouraged him to indulge.

  “Is she your girlfriend?” a reporter yelled out.

  “I am.” The girl broke away from his mouth, smiling salaciously at the cameras.

  Stevie stood there frozen, her lids blinking rapidly.

  “Stevie…” I squeezed her fingers.

  “What?” she said flippantly, shaking the emotion off her like a wet dog. “They’re perfect; maybe together they can reach the IQ level of twelve.” She yanked me forward, shoving through the crowd like a linebacker.

  Neither of us spoke much on the way back. My few attempts to get her to open up were met with a firm wall.

  “Bar,” she said the moment we got out of the taxi, striding into the lobby and straight to the restaurant, settling us on a pair of empty stools. “A double bourbon on the rocks!” she yelled at the bartender.

  A handsome older gentleman in his early forties with a full beard strolled over to us, grinning, his brown eyes twinkling at us. “ID,” he said to Stevie, then raised his eyebrow to me. “And you?”

  “Coke.” Damn this “being underage” thing. Another thing to look forward to in Italy. In the US you could buy a gun or go to war and die but not have a drink. Totally made sense.

  “Pepsi okay?”

  “Okay… that’s it. This day officially sucks.” I groaned dramatically, making him chuckle. “I’ll have a cranberry juice.”

  He nodded, returning Stevie’s ID, retreating to get our drinks.

  “He’s sexy.” Stevie watched him walk away.

  “No.” I shook my head. “Don’t do this as retaliation.”

  “I’m not!” She denied it way too quickly. “I couldn’t care less what he’s doing and with who.”

  “Stevie.” I tilted my head, showing her I didn’t believe a word. “Plus, didn’t you tell me to not let you get blinded by a muscular ass this weekend?”

  “I said a rider’s ass,” she corrected me. “Maybe it’s not a sex preference thing, but an age thing. I need a man or a woman. Not these little boys and girls.”

  “He’s, like, forty-something,” I said quietly.

  “Your point?” She kept her eyes on him as he poured her drink. “Never gone that much older. Say it’s about time I give it a try.”

  I knew there was no point in pushing her to admit this was really about Chris. She wasn’t ready to acknowledge it herself, and I would only piss her off, leading to a fight.

  “Here you go, ladies.” The bartender set our glasses on napkins. “How do you want to pay for it?”

  “Leave a tab open.” Stevie pulled out a credit card, eyeing him seductively. “I think I will be here for a while. I enjoy watching you work.” She motioned to his ass.

  He nodded, taking the card, giving her a smile before he left us. I couldn’t tell by his smile which way he landed on Stevie flirting with him.

  “Oh, Stevie, Stevie.” I shook my head.

  “You know I am an opportunist. Love the variety. Why settle when so far no one can keep up with me?” She knocked her glass against mine in a hasty cheers. “Maybe Russell here will be able to show me a thing or two.”

  I burst out laughing, picturing the old crochety man from the movie Up.

  “Like you’re going to be in the room tonight anyway.” She smirked, waggling her eyebrows. “You’ve had a taste, and now there’s no going back.”

  I was like a fiend now. All day I felt on fire, wanting nothing more than to see him, craving him, my body coming alive with the shadow of him on my skin.

  I glanced at the door, hoping Hunter would walk in.

  “I’m happy for you, Whiskey.” Stevie turned to me. “But be careful. Don’t be the girl who watches the door or phone, gets lost in the lust bubble, and forgets you have your own life.”

  I swallowed; Stevie’s words hit closer to home than I wanted to admit.

  “Hunter’s almost nineteen. His life is taking a dramatic turn, his dreams coming true. He might not see how much he’s twisting you to fit his world. He’s a good guy, but he’s still a dude. They tend to be single-minded and a little selfish.”

  “I won’t be that girl. I mean, I’m going to Italy soon.”

  “And why is it you haven’t told him you’re going yet?”

  My mouth opened, then closed. I had kept telling myself I would, but I got caught up in his world, in coming here. I put it off, and I didn’t even really kno
w why, like my dreams and plans weren’t as important as his.

  What did that say about me? About us?

  Chapter Six

  An hour later, Stevie had commandeered most of the bartender’s attention. His name was Dylan, but I knew Stevie didn’t care. He was Russell to her. He seemed to enjoy her attention, but I still couldn’t tell if he was just being a flirty bartender or really interested.

  I couldn’t stop looking at the entrance, where the bikers kept coming in after the race. Where the hell was Hunter? I texted him an hour ago telling him we were in the bar if he wanted to join.

  Finally, my cell buzzed in my lap. Turning it over, a text from Hunter glowed up at me. Upstairs. That’s all it said, but I swore I could feel defeat radiating off it.

  “Stevie?” I faced her, halting her flirty talk with Dylan. “Hunter just texted.”

  “Go.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder, leaning back in her chair. “I’m good here.”

  “I’ll watch over her.” Dylan winked at me playfully.

  “Okay.” I slipped out of my chair, hating to leave her, but she was solely focused on hooking up with Dylan, like he was a lifeline.

  Damn Chris. Stevie buried her feelings deep inside, but she could still be hurt. It wasn’t fair to him either. She was as cruel to him, but she was my friend first.

  Heading up to our floor, I stopped right before entering, hearing voices coming from Hunter’s room, the door latch propping it open a few inches.

  “You have put me in a very difficult position, Hunter,” a man’s voice I didn’t recognize said coolly. “We took a chance. Put our logo on your bike just this morning. We need to make a mark. Stand out against Monster and Red Bull.”

  “I know. It won’t happen again.” Hunter’s deep voice rumbled through the room into my bones, sounding like he was sitting on the bed.

  “It won’t. It was an off day,” Jones joined in.

  “It better have been,” the man said. “Or we are pulling all endorsements.”

  “What?” Jones exclaimed. “Over one bad night?”

  “It wasn’t merely a bad night. A bad night is getting fourth or fifth place… You fell to fifteenth! You would have done better if you didn’t show up at all.”

  Thick silence dangled in the room. I inched even closer to the door, peering through the gap. A guy in his mid- to late-thirties with dark hair styled back, wearing designer jeans and a button-down shirt, stood at the edge of the bed, Hunter hidden from view.

  “My brother and I started this company. It is everything to us. It’s hard enough out there for small businesses not to get crushed by these big companies, but we are doing it. We are making huge leaps. And I’m sorry if I sound harsh, but my company comes first. I need the best.” He rubbed his hands together. “I will give you one more shot, but if you aren’t back at the top in a few days when we get to Oklahoma, we’re gonna have to cancel our deal. I’m sorry.” The guy stood for a few more seconds before stepping back, like he was getting ready to leave.

  “This isn’t personal, Hunter. It’s business.” He flicked his chin and rounded for the door. “I’ll talk to you guys in a few days.”

  I darted away, acting like I was an ordinary guest walking to my room, slyly watching the guy exit theirs, not even noticing me as he strode to the elevators. When he disappeared, I swung back around, my hand on the knob, about to walk in, when I heard Jones yelling.

  “Fuck, Hunter! What the hell happened tonight?”

  “I told you. I don’t know! I just couldn’t seem to get it together,” Hunter barked back.

  “Don’t take this personally. You know I like her a lot, but be honest with me. It’s Jayme.” It wasn’t a question, more an accusation. “Don’t fucking lie to me. I know you too well.”

  Every second Hunter didn’t respond caused my stomach to drop like a carnival ride, my heart beating in my ears.

  “Fuck…” Hunter hissed. “What the hell is wrong with me? She totally messed with my head tonight.”

  Stings shot through my chest, like a dozen bees punctured my heart and lungs, hunching over to choke down a sob.

  “I know it’s new and you’re in the lust bubble but, shit, man, you need to find a way to get your head on straight. We are hanging by our teeth. Their endorsement is paying for us to be here. Without it, you’re done.”

  “I can go back, do the smaller circuits again.”

  “We both know that is complete bullshit. You can never go back. You would never be happy.”

  A strained cry broke from Hunter, followed by a loud bang, as though he hit the wall.

  “I’ll get it together, I promise. From now on my focus is completely on this.”

  “No distractions,” Jones added. “Not even Jayme.”

  I couldn’t see him respond but heard a deep exhale disburse through the room like he agreed. Tears pricked behind my eyes. I know it wasn’t my fault, but it didn’t seem to matter to my heart. I had damaged his standing. His dream.

  “Okay.” Jones’s voice sounded closer to the door, and I jerked in response, knocking on the door as if I just walked up.

  “Hey?” I pushed the door open, stepping in. Jones was now standing where that guy had been, staring over his shoulder at me.

  “Hey, Jayme.” He nodded.

  Hunter sat on the bed, his face twisted with agitation, but it softened the moment he saw me.

  “Hey.” He reached out for me, pulling me between his legs, his blue eyes raking over me with heat. “You are exactly what I need right now.”

  “Oh stop, you say the sweetest things.” Jones swished his hand, speaking in a high voice. “Oh, did you not mean me? This is going to get confusing.”

  “Get out, fucker.” Hunter chuckled, tossing a pillow at him.

  “Gladly.” He flipped off Hunter and waved to me. “See you kids tomorrow.”

  “Bye, Jones,” I called, the door clicking behind him.

  The moment it did, Hunter tugged me firmer against him, his erection nuzzling my leg. My heart began to pound, almost allowing myself to forget the stinging words uttered moments before.

  “I missed you.” His fingers clutched the sides of my face, his lips brushing over mine. “All I’ve thought about today was tasting you again, being deep inside you.”

  Desire rushed up my skin, and suddenly all I’d heard and wanted to talk to him about flew out the window. This sensation was so new and overwhelming I couldn’t seem to care about anything else. The feel of his hands on me, the power of his words infiltrated my mind.

  “Me too,” I whispered hoarsely.

  He gave a low groan and then his mouth captured mine as he tossed me on the bed. He crawled over me, his tongue deepening the kiss, stealing my breath.

  “The things I want to do to you,” he muttered, biting my neck and ripping my shirt over my head. I could feel him walking the line of patience and need.

  “Do them.” Excitement and desire stirred across my skin as I ground roughly against him.

  My response broke whatever levee he was holding on to. We were both naked in seconds, moaning loudly as we kissed and clawed at each other.

  “Shit… I can’t be gentle with you right now.” His eyes were wild and primal.

  “I don’t need you to be. I told you. I want it all from you.”

  “And I wasn’t asking.” He grinned. “I was preparing you.” He flipped me over on my knees, curling my hands onto the headboard. I heard the rip of the condom package and felt him rolling it on. Then his hands parted me more.

  “Oh god…” My back curved down, pushing against his hand, the need for him clouding my mind and vision.

  He pushed in, the different angle forcing a groan from me as he pulled out and thrust back in.

  “Hunter!” I cried. I felt crazed. Wild. My body answered without any permission from my mind.

  Sex with Hunter destroyed the girl I was before. The one who had pushed Colton away and felt almost empty when he tried to “turn me on
.” That girl who didn’t want to have sex, even feared it.

  Not anymore.

  Some things that were natural your body responded to, but nothing had come close to what I felt with Hunter. He squashed all anxiety, turning me into an addict.

  The headboard slammed loudly against the wall as he let out all his passion. Swearing, his fingers tightened on me as he dove deeper. Pitiless. Brutal. I heard myself calling for more.

  Fire scorched up my back as my orgasm coiled between my thighs.

  “Not yet,” he growled, the ferocity of his mood still running high. He pulled me back, one palm pressed to the back of my neck, the other forcing my hips into him as he sat me back, my head falling back on his shoulder as he drove even deeper. I could barely distinguish one sense from another, all of them fritzing out under the ferocity.

  “Hunter.” I gripped his thighs, my nails digging in.

  “Fuuucck,” he responded, twitching inside of me. “Shit… I want to fuck you forever.” He bit my ear, his hand sliding from my hip, rubbing my core.

  Light burst behind my lids, pleasure crashing in like a tsunami, breaking me into pieces, sweeping me, not away from my body, but more deeply inside it. He held on to me, pushing me back into the pillows, racing after his release.

  A loud roar shredded his throat, filling the room, his body stiffening over mine. He slammed in one more time before he emptied himself. A part of me hated I couldn’t feel it because of the condom. I wanted to feel all of him.

  He sucked in a deep breath, then slumped into mine. We were both quiet for a few seconds, our breaths heavy, the room soaked with the smell of sex, our bodies sticky.

  “Fuck. That was intense.” He kissed my shoulder, rolling off me. “And I’m sorry…”

  “For what?” I moved, twisting to my side to see him.

  “That was a little rougher than I meant to be.” He kicked off the covers, walking into the bathroom, comfortable with being naked. “You are probably going to hurt tomorrow.”

  “I’ll live,” I responded, grabbing his shirt off the floor and putting it on. Padding to the restroom, I leaned against the doorframe, his back to me, my gaze locking on his taut ass. My family wasn’t very open about sex, so being naked with him made me blush a little. While I loved looking at him naked, I certainly wasn’t comfortable walking around naked myself.