He’d been her protector right alongside Cameron. They were her heroes. With those two looking out for her, she didn’t have to worry about much. Except her dad.
Her worse fear…every time her dad made Cam pay for their mom’s desertion. She’d left when Cassie was six and never looked back.
Cam made sure she didn’t see much of the violence by locking her in a room or in a closet. It kept her from witnessing the blows but doors were thin, and she heard it all.
All the accusations.
Cussing.
Crashing.
Afterwards, she would see fresh holes in the walls and broken furniture. Worse were the bruises and cuts left on Cam.
She and Cam learned to stay away. Mostly in Thrand’s garage. He was the only one who befriended them in a town full of hypocrites. As the boys got lost in their jamming, she got lost with them. And totally lost in Thrand.
They were the odd trio.
Until Cam died.
The way Thrand made her feel now was a lot like walking on a razor’s edge. Confusing and tempting at the same time. He was all grown up and every inch the man she always thought he would be. Every time he looked her way, his crooked smirk appeared and the gray in his eyes darkened. That was all it took, and she was lost in him again.
He’d left her without a word, but it hadn’t taken long and they’d picked up right where they had left off. The same banter and jokes they’d used back home. The only difference being, they were all grown up.
Soon they were back at his townhouse. She put her work shirt in her room, kicked off her worn, black, punk-style boots and padded back into the living room.
It was a nice place, although not large and surprisingly clean even though he was obviously a bachelor. A black leather couch sat in the living space with a recliner tucked into one corner. It was completely open to the kitchen, making it feel bigger than it was. Black granite countertops covered white cabinets and an island with three barstools separated the living room from the kitchen. A small table with two chairs rested against a wall.
Compared to where she’d been living, this place was lavish.
She looked up as he came downstairs and her breath caught. He wore a simple white tee and loose gym shorts. How he could make something so simple look so damn sexy was beyond her.
“Make yourself at home. You’re welcome to anything in the fridge.” He walked into the kitchen. “Would you like a beer?”
She smiled, repressed her instant attraction to him, and sat on a stool. “Sure, thanks. And if I didn’t say it before, thanks for letting me stay here and for getting me a job. I’ll try not to cramp your style.”
He popped the top for her and placed the bottle on the island. “Glad to do it. And you won’t.”
She took a sip, then grinned. “After the Trina incident, are you sure?”
He laughed. “I guess that doesn’t make me look that great, huh?”
“Guess I’ll be your Buzzkill again. Be like old times.”
*
Thrand’s beer paused halfway to his lips. There was no way in hell she was a buzzkill. All that damn gold hair and those long legs…a man would have to be an idiot to not want to get wrapped up in them. He shook his head and did his best to remind himself she was off-limits.
“You showed up at a good time. Got the rest of the weekend off. I can show you around. And, Saturday, there’s gonna be a bonfire outside of town, if you’re interested.”
She bit her lip, delight making her eyes sparkle. She was too damn cute for words.
“Yes. Whatever. I’m up for anything.”
Thrand choked on his beer. He would not think about where his mind automatically went. It wasn’t G rated and it definitely involved those long legs.
The next day, after they had lazed around all morning, laughing and talking about all the crazy shit he did back in the day, he asked, “Wanna see some sights?”
Her smile was his answer.
They walked into his garage, and she sucked in a breath.
“Holy shit, you got a Harley.” Her eyes met his. “Please tell me you’re taking me for a ride.”
He was pretty sure he hadn’t smiled this much in a long time. Her enthusiasm for life was contagious. “Of course. You ever ride one?”
She shook her head.
“You scared?”
She cut her eyes at him and put a hand on her hip. “Not even a little.”
He should have known that her clinging to his back, her thighs pressed tight against his, would be a bad idea. He tried to concentrate on driving and not on the way she melded to him. After a few moments, he realized she wasn’t holding on. He peeked back at her.
“Dammit Cas, hold onto me!” She’d been holding her arms out wide. Her head tilted back.
“But it’s like flying.” Her breath was hot on his ear as she set her chin on his shoulder and her arms tightened around his waist.
Trouble echoed in his head.
His pulse rocketed, and his body tensed. She was off-limits. It didn’t matter she was grown up. It didn’t matter he wanted to test the waters and find out exactly how sweet she tasted. And it sure as hell didn’t matter that he had a good idea she wouldn’t object. So he focused on the ride and not the girl.
The sky was blue and the air held a hint of summer. A perfect day for a ride and a stop at Centennial Park and the Parthenon. After he parked, she got off and turned in a slow circle, like she didn’t know where to look first.
“It’s so beautiful,” she said, awe in her voice.
She was right. There were a lot of trees, a small lake and, of course, the Parthenon. He hadn’t been here in a while, but he didn’t have time to think about it, because she grabbed his hand and dragged him to everything she wanted to see. She was more enthusiastic than any kid he’d ever known.
Inside the museum, they admired the forty-two foot statue of Athena. Or rather, she did. He looked at her.
“Jiminy-cracker-jacks,” she muttered.
He snickered. “You still say that?”
She pursed her lips and stuck out her tongue. “So what? Corny.”
She took off, her laugh echoing through the building as he chased her out the door and caught her around the waist. He didn’t even care that other visitors stared at them. He flung her over his shoulder as she squealed.
“You know I hate that, Buzz.” He carried her outside.
“Corny Cornelius,” she all but yelled and he smacked her on the ass. She kicked her feet in protest, shrieking with laughter the whole time.
Until he saw a security guard headed their way, a frown on the man’s face.
Thrand put her on her feet and cleared his throat. “Sorry, sir. We’re on our way.”
Cassie was still giggling as he pulled her to a bench beneath a tree. She pushed her hair out of her face. Her cheeks were pink as she cut her gaze to him.
“It’s sure good to see you, Cas.”
She leaned into the crook of his shoulder and draped his arm over her, like she always used to do, and played with his hand. Her fingers traced patterns in his palm as she put her feet up on the bench. But she didn’t answer him. Just looked out toward the scenery.
He put his chin on her head and inhaled a hint of citrus. She was the same but not. Her hand had done this so many times in years past, but now there was an awareness of every shift of her body that wasn’t there before. Her light touch made his heart beat faster and ratcheted up his pulse. He couldn’t stop imagining her silky hair against his naked skin.
“Your fingers are thicker than they were,” she said. “More calloused. You play a lot more than you did.”
“Have to when your livelihood depends on it.”
Cassie considered him. “Pretty great you make a living doing what you love.”
He met her gaze. “It sure is.”
Looking down at her made his heart thump a little harder, and he had a difficult time remembering she was Cam’s sister. When her lashes lowered and she
bit her lower lip his thoughts screeched to a halt. He clenched his jaw. She would welcome his kiss. He saw it in the way her eyes slanted at him, the way her face flushed and the flutter of her pulse at her throat.
He pushed her up and stood.
“Hungry?”
“Sure,” she replied, with a slight pout.
Thrand turned and motioned for her to follow. “I know a great burger place.”
He had to get some space. There wasn’t enough room in his head for the woman she was and the girl she had been.
*
There wasn’t anything Cassie liked more than holding on to Thrand, but riding his motorcycle had to be a close second. It was thrilling and freeing and, as soon as she could, she vowed she’d get her own bike.
The wind rushed by making her feel alive. Free. The rumble of the engine vibrated through her body and she understood why people loved it so much.
They parked with a bunch of other bikes and she was mesmerized. One in particular caught her eye. An understated matte black Harley. She stopped to stare at it and slowly smiled.
Thrand stood beside her and smirked. “Like it, do you?”
“I’ll own one of these some day.”
He chuckled. “Really? Like the ride that much?”
She shoved at him playfully. “Damn right.”
“I can see you on it. Come on.”
He took her hand and a little thrill shot up her spine. She was pretty sure she would follow him just about anywhere when he laced his fingers with hers. Until she saw the sign of the burger place.
“Toad Suck Park Burgers? You can’t be serious.”
He turned so he was walking backwards, leading her in. He’d cocked his head, lips tugging up slightly, and she was right. She would follow him anywhere.
The place was decorated like a bad trailer park, complete with scarred cheap booths and plastic flamingos. The bar next-door had live music and was so loud they heard it clearly as the walls vibrated with the beat.
When the waitress plopped their baskets of burgers and fries on the table, the girl ignored her and smiled at Thrand. Good on him, he acted like he didn’t notice.
She threw a fry at him. “Didn’t want her number?”
He tossed a fry back at her and frowned. “Why would I want her number?”
“’Cause she would have given it to you.” She laughed, then took a bite of a burger so big there was no way she would ever eat it all. “Oh, wow. This is really good.”
“Told ya.” He winked. “And no, she wouldn’t.”
“Right.”
Her heart tripped as reality sank in. She never had to step foot inside her hometown again. Ever. And the man she’d missed as much as Cam was back in her life. It was surreal. Then he looked at her, and she had to keep herself from falling into those damn gray eyes.
“This place is so great,” she said as much to him as to herself.
“Nothing like Woodbridge Grove.”
“That’s the best part about it.” That was a lie. He was the best part about it. She didn’t even bother trying to lie to herself. She was all about facing things head on, at least with herself. The man sitting across from her was who she’d dreamed about from a young age. Time hadn’t erased that.
After dinner, they walked up and down Broadway. Every race and creed filled the sidewalks to bursting, and almost everyone wore cowboy boots. She pointed and laughed at what could only be described as a fifteen-person bar on a bicycle. Everyone had to pedal to make it move, and it was hysterical watching it try to go uphill.
“I’ve ridden on one of those a few times,” he said next to her ear. He stood behind her, his hand lightly touching her waist. “Almost impossible to get drunk on the thing.”
“Oh, I gotta try that.” She dashed to the nearest one.
Chapter 3
Thrand was hard-pressed to keep up with her as she wove her way through the crowd. They grabbed the last two spots on the pedal bar and rode down the street.
He was amazed. The girl he’d known never said much to anyone except him and Cam. This girl was the life of the party, laughing and talking to everyone. He didn’t say much. Didn’t have to. He was content to watch her. The sparkle in her eyes, the flash of her grin, the way she licked her lips when she downed a long drink of beer.
When they finally got off, she grinned ear to ear and flung her arms around him in a hug. Her body flush against his, he ceased to breathe.
“That was so much fun.” Before he could register how her body fit to his, she had pulled back and turned away.
“Come on. Let’s go there.” She tugged and he stumbled blindly along as she fired off another round of questions—none that he had time to answer before she asked another one. Keeping up with her was like trying to grab a flame.
If he ever managed to, it would scorch him.
The sun blared through the window and made Thrand squint, but when his bed shifted, he frowned. On his stomach, he lifted his head to peer to the side. Perched on his bed, Cassie stared at him. A mischievous smile tugged at her lips as she snapped pictures of him with her phone.
“What are you doing?” He scrubbed at his eyes to clear his vision.
“Taking pictures.” She clicked another one as he rolled and leaned on his elbow.
“Of me sleeping? Creepy much?”
Her lips quirked. “Probably. But you wouldn’t wake up.”
Cassie wore a tight tank top and tight pajama shorts. Her hair was a tangled mess, like she’d just woken up, and he had the insane urge to pull her to him.
“Do you always sleep naked?” She dropped her gaze and blushed.
“What the hell, Cas? Not only staring at me while I sleep but looking under the covers? Hold on. You didn’t take pictures of me naked, did you?”
“I wouldn’t do that.”
Her flushed face didn’t help her cause.
“Gimme that.” He grabbed her phone and scanned through the pics. He was impressed. Only a cheesy camera phone, but she got some cool shots. Fortunately, he was decently covered.
“You need a real camera.” He handed it back to her.
“I will when I get some money gathered up.”
He watched her scan through the pics, a contented look on her face.
“Let’s get you one.”
Her green eyes widened. “I can’t do that. I don’t have any money and I won’t let you do it. You’ve done enough for me already.”
He brushed the tip of her nose with his finger. “Don’t be silly. Let’s call it a belated birthday present. Or, if it makes you feel better, you can pay me back later.”
No way would he let her, but he would let her think so. He could tell by her grin and the way she was nearly bouncing in anticipation, she wouldn’t be able to say no.
He slid out of bed. She squealed and covered her eyes. He laughed and looked over his shoulder in time to see her peeking through her fingers. “Nice try, Cas, but I can see you looking.”
She covered her face again as he kicked the bathroom door shut. A part of him should feel guilty for giving her that little show, but she’d ogled his ass. Served her right.
Several hours later, they were headed home. He had his hand on the wheel as she took shots of him with the camera he’d just bought her. It gave him an odd sort of satisfaction to be able to buy something that gave her so much pleasure. She’d argued with him over the one he’d chosen. It was expensive, but he didn’t care. He knew she’d never gotten much in her life, and he wanted to be the one to do it for her. He made enough to splurge now and then. It was worth it to see that glow of happiness on her face.
After getting home, he sat on the couch and plopped his feet up to get some chill time before heading to the bonfire later. The girl wore him out. She sat at the other end and curled her bare toes against his thigh as he turned on the TV.
“Thanks. I really don’t know when I’ll be able to pay you back.”
“Nah, don’t worry about it. You never know,
you might be able to make some money with it.”
“Never thought of that,” she said.
“So you never told me what your plans were when you got to New York.”
“I didn’t have any plans. I was just going. Does it really matter?”
“You took off with no thoughts of what you were going to do when you got there?” Thrand couldn’t imagine how hard that would be. Just up and go with only a small amount of cash and no idea of how you would survive once you got there.
She pursed her lips. “No. I had no idea. I was going to figure it out as I went. Isn’t that what you did?”
He shook his head. “I had a lead here. I knew what I wanted to do.”
She brows shot up in surprise then she lifted her chin. “I had to get out. It didn’t matter what happened after that.”
He dropped a hand to her foot and rubbed the arch. Her little toes flexed then curled. He studied her face. “Was it that bad?”
*
Cassie couldn’t keep her eyes off him while his hand caressed her foot. Sparks shot through her and she kept imagining him this morning.
Lying on his stomach.
His broad, muscular back on wicked display.
It’d taken all she had not to reach out, touch him and run her fingers over his tattoos. When she noticed he wasn’t wearing anything, she’s taken a peek at his ass. What girl wouldn’t? Then he stood. His entire body a feast for her eyes. The sun’s rays highlighted all the dips and planes of muscle. She’d been struck dumb. He looked better naked than with clothes. It was criminal. She did not need to think about that.
So she concentrated on his question…was it that bad?
How much did he really want to know? She opted for the truth. “Yeah. It was. At least until I moved out. It took a bit, but at least I don’t have nightmares anymore.”
Thrand paled and his hand stopped moving. “I’m sorry. I’m so damn sorry.”
He dropped his head, and she really didn’t know how to make him feel better.
“It is what it is. I’m free now. I’ve moved on.” Her brows furrowed when he wouldn’t meet her gaze. Surely he understood that shit happened and sometimes there wasn’t anything to be done about it?
FUEL (DirtSlap Series Book 1) Page 3