by Terri Lane
Annie chuckled noisily. “I can’t believe you live under the same roof as Leo Mealanson and you haven’t heard of The Track. That’s absolutely crazy, you really must be a newbie.”
My emotions stirred, I felt my heart flip flop in my chest. Why did I suddenly want to go to The Track so badly? To see the one person I did my best to avoid most of the time. “Oh right,” I replied, almost on autopilot. “Well it sounds really cool.”
Annie regarded me for a second, clearly trying to judge whether or not I was good enough to hang around with, then she spoke out with her verdict. “You know, I’m going tonight after work. You could come with me if you like?”
“Oh, I would but I’m on until close. That’s like eleven pm, right? That’ll be too late.” Urgh, what a shame, I was so looking forward to it…
“I’m on until close too. What sort of time do you think illegal races start?”
“Illegal? Why illegal?” All of a sudden that sense of danger overcame me again. Leo was bad news, I had to keep away, so why the hell couldn’t I?
“Come on, Karly, don’t be naïve.” Annie rolled her eyes dramatically at me, as if I was infuriating to her. “You’ll see tonight anyway, and it’ll be awesome.”
Annie walked off to serve a customer leaving me alone with my thoughts, and with each passing second I grew ever more excited about what was to come next.
***
Leo
The blood pumped violently through my body, my brain zoned in on the ground beneath my wheels, my ears tuned everything else out, and I focused solely on the metallic feel of the bike between my fingers, the leathery seat, the adrenaline coursing through my veins.
Fuck the rest of the world, this was my happy place. Out here on The Track was where I could actually be myself, and it felt great. Maybe initially I only got into racing bikes to piss off my mom. To retaliate against what she’d done to me by bringing Hank into our lives, to prove a point, but to be perfectly honest it was the best thing I’d ever done. I found my focal point for my life. And yes, I could make a good few bucks from it too, which only made it better.
The gun shot rang out, announcing the start of the race, and I kicked my bike into gear. As I flew down the track that I now knew so well, I felt that gratitude once more that the police didn’t give a fuck about these races. They knew about them and their existence, and they just didn’t care. Even as this grew from a little something between friends to an actual event that attracted a whole bunch of spectators, they weren’t bothered.
Maybe it was because we didn’t actually cause any trouble, we didn’t commit too much crime, we just wanted to be. For some reason, they actually seemed to respect that which in turn earned my respect right back.
As I leaned into the turns, I felt confident and strong. I knew I had this in the bag, I’d seen the other guys I’d been pitted against, and I was miles ahead of them in every way possible. I felt good enough to actually rile up the crowds. I pulled tricks on the bike, causing the screams to get louder, and as everyone adored me my ego grew.
I loved being a fucking big head, it reminded me that I was worthwhile. At some point during my life I think I forgot that. Maybe it was when Dad left, maybe it was when Mom met Hank, either way I loved the boost because it made me feel good enough once more.
It wasn’t until I took one turn too hard, and I almost fell from the bike that I stopped fucking around. The last thing I needed to do was lose that money bag because of being a cocky dickhead. Now I needed to claim it, and see what other rewards I could get…
Although, weirdly, ever since Karly had moved into my home I hadn’t been as into getting it from other women. She was like my golden prize, sitting on the top shelf, just out of reach. I didn’t think I could enjoy it as much until I’d gotten that. I needed to know that she wanted me too, before I could go for anyone else.
She would relent soon enough though, I wasn’t worried. I could tell how much she wanted it from the way tried her best to avoid me. It was because her body told me that she needed me, even if she wasn’t ready to admit it, even to herself.
Eventually I tore across the finish line, my heart thundering with excitement. I wasn’t totally sure how much the prize was tonight, but whatever it was it’d add to my escape pile, which was ever so slowly getting there. Soon enough, I would be living my own life in the way that I wanted.
“And the winner is…Leo Mealanson!”
The crowd went epically wild, and I played up to it. I raised my hands in the air, I encouraged more screams, all with a massive grin on my face. Then Grace rushed to my side and she planted a massive kiss on my lips in front of everyone. She was in the skimpiest outfit known to man, despite the cold weather, and she was getting her claim in early. She wanted the other women here to know that she was the one coming home with me.
Not that I was so sure about that.
I quickly pushed her off me and scanned my eyes over the crowd. Grace might’ve been ready to go home right now, but as far as I was concerned the night was still young. There were still many choices to be made. I didn’t mean to be a dick about things, not really, but there could’ve been someone so much hotter in the crowd, someone who I hadn’t been with before. I liked screwing Grace, she was insane in the bedroom, but she was also insane out of it. I would’ve much preferred to find someone new, someone different.
Then my eyes connected with a very unexpected person, the last person on Earth I thought would ever come here. I didn’t know what to make of the sight at first, it stirred me all up inside.
It was definitely her though. I’d recognize that sweet, innocent look anywhere. The red hair, the dark eyes, the lovely body. My prize was here, looking at me like she was seeing me in a totally different light, like she was finally understanding me just that little bit better.
I enjoyed that sensation, it gave me an excitable rush. There wasn’t anyone that I ever wanted to see all of me, but when it came to Karly everything was just that little bit different.
Then my lips twisted up into a thrilled smile as I realized that everything was going to be good from here, that the night was about to take an even better turn. This was exactly the chance that I’d been looking for, and now that it was here I certainly wouldn’t squander it.
Karly would be mine tonight, she might not know it yet, but she would be the one I claimed, and I couldn’t fucking wait to make her scream like an animal.
***
Karly
“Are you alright? Karly?” I could barely hear Annie’s voice breaking through my shock barrier, and from the sound of it she was starting to panic. “Karly?”
“Erm…yeah, I’m fine.”
It was the hardest thing that I’d ever had to do, but I just about managed to wrench my eyes away from Leo. He was giving me such an intense look, a powerful stare that sent raging shivers up and down my spine.
“That was fun, right?” Annie insisted on dragging me into the conversation as she slugged back a little bit more of her beer. “Aren’t you glad you came?”
It wasn’t exactly like she dragged me here, I’d come willingly, but I hadn’t known what I was getting myself into at the time. I came along in my crappy short white work uniform dress, complete with a coffee stain on the shoulder where I’d had an accident before, and now with Leo’s eyes upon me I felt really horribly dressed.
“I am, it was…crazy.”
Seeing Leo zip across the course lit a fire in my belly, it excited me in a way that I hadn’t ever expected. I felt a buzzing in my core, a squirming sensation in my stomach. I wanted to grab hold of him, to run my fingers through his hair, to have him claim my body in whatever way he wanted.
It actually made me want to take him up on that insane offer he gave me on the first day.
“Unfortunately, that trampy Grace has kissed Leo now, which means she will likely be the one taking him home.”
I hated that moment, I wasn’t sure why, but it made me feel really jealous. I literally had
to force myself to remain where I was, as I witnessed it happening, just so I didn’t look like the freak I truly was.
“Do you…really think he will?” My face flamed as I spoke. I could almost hear the green monster tainting my tone. “Go home with her, I mean?” Would he go to her house, or ours? Would I have to listen to them screwing all night long? Even the thought of that made me feel sick.
“Probably,” Annie shrugged, clearly not as bothered as I was. “She’s pretty famous for being easy.”
I turned my eyes back down to where she was still draping herself over Leo. He kept smiling widely at her, but for some reason his eyes kept flickering back to me, as if he wanted to know where I was. Was that because he felt annoyed that I was there, invading his space, or was it the flirting once more? I wasn’t sure which one I wanted more.
“Hey,” Annie grabbed my arm and grinned. “My brand-new friend, Jared, just invited us to his house party. Do you want to go?”
I glanced towards the new gang of guys, who all looked friendly enough, but if I was totally honest with myself I didn’t totally feel ready for that just yet. I was too new to this life, I wasn’t experienced enough to know how to go to an after party, plus I had work really early in the morning.
At least that was the excuse I was giving myself. If I was totally honest, I wanted to know what was going on with Leo. I wanted to see for myself whether or not he would go home with Grace. If I didn’t find out for sure then the chance was I wouldn’t be able to relax.
“Oh no, I think I’m going to get home,” I replied regretfully. “I feel shattered and I have to get up early. Maybe next time, okay?”
There were a few groans at my decision, but soon enough the group left me by myself at the track. Now all I needed to do was see what was going on with Leo, then I could find a cab or a bus to get myself home. The only problem was there were still hundreds of people around and I couldn’t see Leo anywhere…
“All by yourself?” As his chocolaty voice whispered into my ear, I didn’t spin around at first. I remained frozen on the spot, just enjoying the warmth of him behind me. When I turned, things would become too real, for now I could just relish the fantasy for a little while longer. “What are you doing here, Karly?” There was a teasing to his tone, as if he knew that I was there just for him. That was the only thing that could make me actually face him, just to defend myself.
“Annie, my new work colleague, invited me actually. I didn’t even know you would be here.”
My heart thundered so loudly in my chest I thought he might be able to hear it, as he gave me a knowing smile. “Oh right, sure. Well where is this ‘Annie’ now?”
I narrowed my eyes, hating the way he didn’t believe me. “She’s gone to a house party with some guys. I think I just want to get home.” I tugged my jacket tighter around me, trying to disguise my crappy polyester work uniform.
“Yeah, I think I might be going home too.” He flickered his eyes around the track, giving the impression that he was bored of it all now that the race was done. “Would you like to come back with me?”
Oh…my…God.
Everything churned up and flip flopped inside of me at the idea of going anywhere with this man, which was silly because it saved me getting a cab, and since we were going back to the same place it made a lot of sense. But still…I didn’t quite know what to say.
Say yes, you idiot!
No, say no, this is a bad idea, it’ll only encourage him!
“Yes,” my mouth made the decision before I was actually ready to. “Erm, yes, thank you. That sounds great.”
“Right this way,” Leo teased. “Your carriage awaits.”
***
Leo
I opened the truck door for Karly to step inside, acting the perfect gentleman before I turned into the dangerous man that you’d never take home to mommy–my default mode–and I couldn’t stop myself from smirking, even as I pushed my motorbike into the back to take it home with me.
I was utterly over the moon that not only was Karly there at the race to see me win, but also that she’d agreed to come back home with me afterwards. Sure, I would piss off Grace and cause myself issues over the next few weeks, but it was utterly worth it just to have her warming to me, to have her walls crashing down. And I knew it was mostly because we were going to the same place, but this still felt like a massive step.
“So, did you enjoy yourself at The Track?” I asked casually as I pressed my foot on the gas. “I bet it’s nothing like you’re used to, is it?”
“Just because I come from a small town, doesn’t mean I didn’t do anything,” she snapped back defensively. “I might not have been to bike races, but we did used to have fun.”
I already knew that it was a touchy subject, so I didn’t delve any deeper into it. Instead I sat back and drove, just waiting for her to speak out once more. The atmosphere was thick and tense, but soon it’d dispel…I hoped.
“Sorry, I just feel a bit out of place here,” she eventually sighed, giving in. “I feel like I’ve been left behind a lot in life, that’s all. Just ignore me.”
She wasn’t satisfied with the way things were going, which I got. My plans to move out were crawling along too slowly as well, and there were times when I found that frustrating, so I wasn’t mad at her for taking that out on me. Actually, it was a little touching that she’d open up to me at all.
“Yeah well, sometimes I think being left behind isn’t such a bad thing anyway. Sometimes being ahead of the curve isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be.”
Karly snorted with laughter, her whole mood changing with my words, which I found contagious. We both chuckled loudly, which lightened everything.
“Oh yeah, I’m sure it’s really held you back. You seem to have it all,” she sneered teasingly. “A cool career bike racing, or whatever, adored by everyone, a different woman in your bed every night.”
“Hey, it isn’t just like that,” I insisted. “And I’m sure you’ve had a lot of men in your bed too.” There was something about that topic of conversation, something that I wanted to delve deeper into. “Right? I mean you can’t always have been a good girl.” Karly didn’t even bother to answer that, she simply swung her head around and stared out of the window. “Or have you always been a good girl? Karly, are you a virgin?”
I wasn’t sure why it was so important to me to know, but it really was. However, I didn’t need a verbal answer, as soon as she turned to look at me I could tell, so I swung the car into the nearest parking lot, and I wrapped my hands around her cheeks.
“What are you…?” Karly gasped, as if I’d left her breathless.
Then I pulled her to me, and I crashed my lips hard against hers. I allowed all the passion I felt inside to flow between our mouths, connecting us deeper. I held onto Karly, but it wasn’t necessary because she’d totally fallen into the kiss. I thought that she might resist, that she might try to fight her feelings, but she didn’t. She simply fell into me and parted her lips to allow my tongue to snake through.
As we pulled apart, I rested my forehead against hers and I stared into her eyes for a moment. It was a more romantic gesture than I normally pulled with women, I usually wanted it to be very clear that it was only ever a physical thing, but there was something about Karly that I wanted to inhale. Her sparkly hazel eyes drew me in, especially as they were properly looking at me for the very first time.
Karly opened her mouth, ever so slightly, as if she was about to start questioning things which was the opposite to what I wanted. If she started thinking and panicking, this would derail everything and now that I finally had her, I didn’t want to let her go. There was no time to get home, here would be fine. In fact, here would probably be better. It was in the middle of nowhere, in my truck, not a reality at all.
I leaned in and I kissed her once more, while slowly pushing back to hover over her. Karly slid backwards with ease, she fell back onto the seat and she let me claim her body.
&nbs
p; This was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
I ran my hand slowly down over her body, pausing for a second at the peak of her breast, knocking her jacket out of the way as I went. As I brushed past her nipple through the material of her dress, Karly arched her back against me and an involuntary moan fell past her lips. As her eyes fell closed, she looked angelic, which made my heart swell and ache for her. There was something about Karly, something very new.
Then I slid lower and lower to where her untouched desire was waiting for me, crying out for me, ready to be taken in the best way possible. I needed this experience to be incredible for her, whatever happened next, because I didn’t want her first time to be a terrible one.
Maybe I’d taken virginities before, maybe not, but this was the first time I’d been acutely aware of that, and it was also the first time that I’d cared about her either.
***
Karly
What the hell am I doing?
My head lolled to one side as I felt Leo’s calloused fingers move up over my thighs and start tracing the outline of my panties. This all felt like it was happening too quickly, too fast, out of my control, but also not quick enough. I wanted Leo in places where I hadn’t ever had anyone before, and I almost didn’t care how wild this was. We were in a truck, in the middle of nowhere, after an illegal bike race, and I just wanted to lose it; to throw off all my responsibilities, to just have fun.
“Oh God, Leo,” I gasped as his fingers dipped inside my white cotton underwear. I was pulsating for him, aching to have him touch me, my body wanted to press into him to make this happen immediately. “Oh my…”
“I love the way my name sounds on your lips,” he whispered against my neck, his breath tickling me into submission. “It sounds really good.”
I felt needy, breathless, my fingers began to claw at his back, almost tearing through his shirt. His lips kissed me lightly, sending me wilder and crazier, my heart hammered, my chest was hot, my stomach swirled. I needed everything.