Craving You (TBX #2)

by Ashley Christin

We’ll stop tomorrow. Home. Now.

  No. We stop now. Bye, Parker. – Kelsey

  My heart shoots up to my throat. Bye? I can’t lose her. I don’t text her back, though.

  “Kelsey and I are over. I need a drink.”

  “Damn, I didn’t mean for you to toss her aside,” Tim says.

  “I didn’t. She tossed me.”

  We finally cab it home around one in the morning, and it looks like the girls decided to head home at the same time. A guy gets out of the cab with them, and Colt takes notice. I can hear him growl from beside me. The girls pile out behind him, Kelsey clinging to Brealynn.

  The guy leans into Kelsey, and she giggles then waves him off. “See you later!” She sure does move fast.

  Colt and I are standing at the door when they stumble up the front steps.

  “Who was that, Brealynn?” Colt’s anger is simmering.

  “That was Shane.” She says it like we should all know who the fuck Shane is.

  “We shared a cab, get over it,” Kelsey slurs, while walking past us into the house.

  Seeing her with that guy set me off. Following after her, a light touch on her arm spins her around to face me.

  “I’m most certainly not over it.”

  “Too. Late.” I can feel the arctic chill encasing over her heart freezing me out. She heads up the stairs and I let her.

  Kelsey

  Before you get your panties in a twist, nothing happened with Shane last night; he just shared a cab home with us. Maybe I should’ve let something happen, but the thought of letting another man touch me makes me want to vomit. I did what I do best, though; I pushed him and Parker away. Two birds, one stone logic.

  It’s been over twenty-four hours since I’ve seen him, but why are you counting because I’m not. Clearly. Yesterday was spent hung-over in my room, only leaving for the necessities. Brealynn brought me water and food, you know, to keep me alive. My mind has been racing a million miles a minute, and no matter how fast it moves, it can’t catch up and wrap around whatever is going on with Parker and me.

  Love? Please. There’s love and then there’s infatuation, and I’d say I’m experiencing the latter. Avoiding him has been easier than I expected. Today is the Ride or Run shoot which means he’ll be out of the house majority of the day, so imagine my surprise when I walk into the bathroom to see Parker’s penis.

  Well, good morning to you too, sir.

  “Sorry!” My feet are firmly planted on the floor. My brain can’t relay the command to move fast enough. Warmth spreads over my face, ears, and neck. Is it hot in here? I think I’m sweating.

  Parker clears his throat forcing my attention from his package to his face. “Hey.” The deep rumble of his voice bounces off the tile of the shower. His body is on full display, and my eager eyes absorb all of him as his naked body gleams with water. My legs fight back the will to run into his arms while my fingers itch to touch every dip of the muscles he is displaying. A bomb could detonate right now and our focus wouldn’t waver from one another.

  “I’m so sorry. Didn’t mean to- I just- needed to get ready- damn.” I hesitate and sigh during my word vomit when he starts stalking toward me. Wet. Naked. Did I mention he’s wet and naked?

  “I’m done.” He’s inches from me, ah-hem, naked, and I don’t know if he’s done with the bathroom or done with me- or both. He reaches an arm past me to the towel rack, and I breathe in the fresh, clean scent of him. My knees wobble a bit, and my head feels a little light when he holds his place in front of me, not moving to cover himself. “Shit, Kelsey, I ca-” The sentence I’m hanging off of like my life depends on it is cut off by the screeching phone in my pocket, oh, and reality because she’s a cruel bitch.

  He shakes his head as if to clear it. “Might wanna answer that. See you.” With a chin toss, he walks his tight ass out of the bathroom. My mouth moves to talk, but I can’t form words. Feeling like slow motion, I look down at my shorts pocket with what I’m aiming for is a foul look of disapproval. No new case for our phoneaversary now.

  Placing Judas (aka my phone) to my ear, I answer, “Hello.”

  “The wedding’s off! That asshole cheated on me, again!” My mother shrieks into the phone as her sobs filter through my ears. See, this is what happens when you love.

  Heartbreak, lies, and deception—to name a few.

  “Hate to hear that, Mom. Are you okay?” We’ve had our ups and downs, but at the end of the day, she’s my mom and I worry about her.

  “I’ll never love again! He was IT for me, you hear me? He. Was. IT! Now, I’m going to die an old maid and you’ll never have a father figure in your life and it’ll be my fault you end up a stripper.” My steps falter on my way to the sink.

  “I’m not going to become a stripper. I had a father figure, Brealynn’s dad, so you can abort mission. I’m good.”

  “Tell me something to cheer me up.” This is a routine during her breakups, although I don’t have anything to tell her that’s happy. “Boyfriend?” Her voice is so hopeful that it makes me almost want to just lie to her. Almost.

  “No boyfriend, Mom.” I hate to let her down. When the bathroom door opens, I see Parker through the mirror. I look down and analyze the countertop in front of me. I feel him move around the room, his energy filling up the space. I chance a quick glance, and our eyes lock. He holds onto my stare, the force of it so strong it anchors me in place.

  My mother rambles on and on over the line while Parker and I standoff. “OH! I almost forgot- I have someone I want you to meet.”

  “Huh?” I’m confused. “Like a date?” Similar to whiplash, I’m emotionally thrown back from the force of Parker’s anger at that comment. Eyes hard, jaw ticking, and face tight, he waits for my response.

  “Yes, honey, like a date. My gosh, are you that deprived of male attention. I don’t know where I went wrong with you.” That’s a loaded rhetorical question. “He’s just your type …” While she describes his attributes, the look of Parker’s force clamps down on my soul. How does he have this kind of effect on me? “Tall, blond, and clean-cut. He’s a good boy, Kelsey. Will you give him a chance?”

  Sometimes, we’re faced with choices in our lives that will define us. The road we chose to roam down. This is one of those times for me. I feel it in my bones.

  Sink or swim.

  Fight or Flight.

  Kill or be killed.

  “Sure, Mom, just give him my number and we’ll set it up.”

  Swim

  Flight

  Kill

  That’s the choice I have to make. Otherwise,

  I’ll sink into him.

  I’ll fight for him.

  And it will kill me when I lose him.

  Parker pushes past me with a disapproving look on his face. This time my eyes close while a tremble of defeat runs up my spine.

  I don’t watch him leave.

  Parker

  “Do you look at BMX as a lifestyle or more of a hobby?” The sexy little tattooed redhead questions us.

  “Lifestyle. You don’t ride BMX. You are BMX. It becomes a part of who you are for life.” A soft smile flashes across her face with my response. I’ve known Ava for years, a longtime friend of ours before we had a name in this business.

  “What made you guys start TBX?” She’s jotting down our answers as we speak.

  “We love what we do and wanted to expand. When one day our bodies give out, we have a business like TBX to fall back on for the next generation of riders,” Colt answers with smooth confidence.

  “You guys have some great bodies, to say the least. Does riding help keep you in shape?”

  “No doubt.” Colt and I both laugh as we answer at the same time.

  “I have to ask for all the single ladies who follow you guys since we all know Colt’s taken and loving it.” Colt smiles at her comment. “What’s your status, Parker?” Her eyes run the length of my body; want shining brightly in her stare. We almost went down that road years ago, b
ut she was just too much like one of the guys; it was weird and plus, we’re better friends.

  “I’m just having fun, Ava.”

  “It was stated there’s been a girl, Kelsey, who you’ve been tagged in photos with you over the last few weeks along with rumors from your last big party. Care to elaborate who this girl is?” Colt looks at me expectantly. This is one of the things I don’t like about living in a small town and being a big name. Rumor mill turns stories out left and right.

  “Kelsey’s our roommate.”

  “Nothing more?” Interest is dripping from her voice.

  “Nothing more, nothing less.”

  “She’s also Brealynn’s best friend and one of my good friends as well,” Colt chimes in, glare aimed at me. I shrug, and Ava studies our exchange.

  “How’s the golden relationship? Fans are deeming you guys the prince and princess of BMX. Does it surprise you that your fans support not only your riding but your love life too?”

  “BMX has some of the best fans on the planet. So, no, it doesn’t surprise me one bit. I’ll have to tell Brealynn she’s a princess. She’ll love that shit.”

  “Okay, guys, I want to know something that others may not know. Let’s let Ride or Run have the first scoop.” Ava fidgets with her too tight light green pencil skirt. Crossing and uncrossing her legs and when she settles her skirt is a few inches shorter, giving me a nice view.

  “We’re open books. Nothing secret to tell.”

  “Is there any proposal in the near future for you, Colt?”

  “I’m with the girl of my dreams, so yeah, I see it as a possibility in the near future.” Ava sighs with content.

  “Can we get back on the subject of riding? All this love talk is making me sick.” Ava’s gaze shoots to mine like a dog with a bone.

  “You don’t believe in love, Parker?”

  “I believe in lust, Ava. You wanna test it out?” She licks her lips before glancing away. Colt’s judgment is burning a hole in the side of my face, so I don’t look his way.

  “So, uh, um, how many tricks have you mastered?” Ava’s tone is higher now, and her nerves cause the pupils of her green eyes to widen.

  “On the ramp or in the bedroom?” Winking, I grin at her before Colt answers her questions. The rest of the interview is uneventful. Don’t get me wrong, Ava's a sight. Legs for days, burning red hair, and that tight skirt have me wishing I could get it up for her.

  I’m pissed at myself, and I’m really fuckin’ pissed at Kelsey. A few months ago, I would’ve had not one damn problem shoving that skirt of Ava’s up over those sexy hips of hers and pounding into her. Now, I know it wouldn’t come close to what I want. She wouldn’t come close to being her.

  She’s moving on and apparently accepting dates, so why shouldn’t I? We were flying too fast anyway; at least this way, we had an emergency landing and didn’t crash and burn. This morning, I wanted to tell her that I can’t stay away from her. This attraction we have is toxic; it has been from the start. The feelings I have stirring around inside me … they’re not normal, not for me. I want to be with her all the time, wake up with her and have her everywhere. She just started off as this sweet little addiction that escalated and now I’m obsessed.

  I’m a junky for her.

  When the guys said I was in love was where I drew the line in the sand. That night things changed for us on both sides. She felt the shift and parted with it, away from me.

  “Hey, great interview. It should be out within the next week.” Ava slides up next to me, shoulder to shoulder.

  “Awesome.” Then I throw my arm around her shoulders. “Wanna get outta here?” Her face lights up at my question.

  “Hell yeah.”

  “No way!” Ava gushes.

  “Totally, it was insane. Colt was talkin’ shit the whole time, but I landed it.”

  “That’s so great! I love riding.”

  “Oh yeah, you into riders?” Red creeps over her face.

  “Just a little bit, but if you remember correctly, I use to ride and still do sometimes for fun,” she teases. “It’s hard for a female to make a name in a male sport, but I do still love it.”

  Shit just got serious. “You still ride?” I’m sure my face looks shocked as hell because I am.

  “That’s what I just said, Parker.” Ava pushes playfully at my shoulder.

  “Wanna hit the ramps? I gotta see this shit.”

  “Well,” glancing at her watch, she contemplates my offer, “I really can’t today. Rain check? I have to get your interview finalized and sent to the editor.”

  “For sure.”

  “I’ve had a lot of fun, Park. Is it okay if I call you that? I have a thing for nicknames.”

  “It’s cool, and it’s been nice to chill with you too, Ava. Thanks for getting my mind off life for a while.”

  “Anytime.” I hope that offer’s good because if I can ever get my dick to forget about Kelsey, it’s going to focus on Ava. Sitting in this crappy burger joint, we’ve had a great conversation and, BOOM, I didn’t have sex with her. That’s talent, people.

  We both stand from the booth and make our way to the parking lot and Ava’s black Mustang. “I’m serious about that ramp action.”

  “Me too!” She laughs. “Text me when you have free time and I’ll come hit the ramp with you.” Leaning into me, she places a soft, friendly kiss to my cheek. “See ya.”

  “Bye, Ava.” Walking off toward my truck, I wonder again why I didn’t slam her over that hood and drill into her. Why when she kissed me, did it not stir a damn thing inside of me?

  “You went out with Ava?” I can’t even get through my front door without the third degree.

  “We grabbed a burger.” I give my best, ‘don’t fuck with me’ look toward my brother when Brealynn questions from her seat beside him.

  “Who’s Ava?”

  “Longtime friend who interviewed us for Ride or Run today.” Her eyes narrow into thin slits.

  “The fuck, Parker?” She’s pissed.

  “I can do whatever the hell I want to do. I’m a free man, in case you missed the memo.” Kelsey picks that moment to descend down our staircase in a strappy red dress. When her high-heeled foot reaches the last step, I gaze up those long, tan legs to find her face set in indifference.

  She stops in front of the decorative mirror by the front door, hands fluffing her hair when she remarks, “He’s a big boy. I’m sure Ava’s already figured that out.”

  “Where’re you going?” I ground out, trying to rein in my insta hard-on she’s givin’ me.

  “Out.”

  “Where?” This question finally catches her full attention, turning her cold stare to me.

  “A date.” My nostrils flare while I grind my teeth together to keep myself from sayin’ something I can’t take back. My body is so tense and sweat begins to trickle over my forehead.

  “Who, Shane?” Her eyes narrow at my comment.

  “None. Of. Your. Business.” She enunciates each word. The whole time Brealynn and Colt are staring at our exchange.

  “Can I talk to you a second?” Then there’s a knock at the door.

  “No, sorry.” Her tone leads me to believe she’s not sorry at all. The door opens to a tall blond dude, flowers in hand. “Don’t wait up.” She smiles at me and walks out of my house with another man.

  How the fuck did I end up here again? I’m done. Not dealing with this shit. Shaking my head, I start for the stairs.

  “Her mom set her up. She’s just doing it to appease her, Parker. Calm down.”

  “I can’t calm down! What if she lets him ...I can’t even fuckin’ say it.” She’s mine. Even though she’s not. Damn it!

  “Kelsey’s not that kind of girl. You were an exception and look where that got her.” Brealynn tries to reassure me, but I see the sadness in her face. The emotion she has for Kelsey. Her sad voice reminding me of the darkest secret from Kelsey’s past. It begins filtering through my ears, and I falter i
n my steps.

  “You went out with Ava tonight. You can’t expect her not to do anything. You guys are over. Move on or try and win her back, but whatever you do, just do it.” Colt’s right. We’re not together because when we are, it’s too intense, but when were not, it’s still intense. Hold and cold, up and down, opposite meanings of the word. Intense.

  “You’re right. I’m hittin’ the sack.”

  “It’s seven, man.” That’s when I hear it. The uneven wave of his voice on the last word he spoke. He’s worried about me.

  “I’m beat.” The interview and shoot took longer than expected and then my long dinner with Ava along with my warring emotions have drained me today.

  “Night.” We all call out as I climb the stairs to my room.

  First and foremost, I need a shower. When I walk into the bathroom, Kelsey’s door is wide open, the light illuminating her bed where lace lingerie is laid out. Fuck. Did she plan to wear this tonight? This sweet tart is killing me slowly.

  I see a retail bag with the receipt sticking out. Glancing at the paper, it’s dated a few days ago.

  She bought this for me.

  Fuck me. My dick’s hard imagining her dressed in this—for me.

  Without thinking, I pull out my phone, snap a quick picture, and text Kelsey.

  I would’ve loved to see that sexy body of yours wrapped around my dick in nothing but this.

  Pressing my hand over my stiff dick, I readjust myself and decide that tonight, I’m taking a cold shower.

  It doesn’t help. I think about her, I think about us. We need to cool it down and back away, but I can’t seem to grasp that concept. I had Ava today, ready and able, but she didn’t even make my dick twitch. Besides, with Kelsey, it’s not just the sex I look forward to. Her smartass comments and witty remarks that leave that mouth of hers blow my mind. She’s fun and genuinely cares about me.

  I’m checking my phone as soon as I wrap the towel around my hips.

  This body would have loved to have been wrapped around your dick tonight. – Kelsey