Breaking the Limits

by Nichole, Stephanie

I shrug and slide the phone back across to her, “Texting Jaxx so he’ll have your number.”

  Kenndrix scoffs, “He’s just being nice Kynlee, he doesn’t actually want my number.”

  I roll my eyes, “Yes he does because he didn’t have to come over here Kenndrix. He didn’t even have to pass our table to get where they’re sitting, so yes, he wanted your number, he wasn’t just trying to be nice. You’re beautiful and he’s into you so accept it!”

  She starts to laugh which causes me to laugh. We finish then go shopping for new outfits. I don’t think that it will take too much convincing to get Kenndrix to go to the races tomorrow.

  ****

  Ace

  There she was, the mystery girl I had lost at the races, sitting with Kenndrix Golden. I had wanted to go talk to her, but I knew Jaxx had a thing for Kenndrix. He always had. So, instead of me going over to the mystery girl I encouraged Jaxx to go talk to Kenndrix and suggest they hang out sometime. Apparently, it had gone well because he came back over grinning like a goof. I had a feeling that I’d get my chance to talk to the mystery girl soon enough.

  Sure enough, the minute I arrive at the races the following night I scan the crowd for her brown eyes. I find them easily enough since she’s with Kenndrix who is standing with Jaxx, Pierce, and the rest of my group. I’m almost late again so I have no time to go mingle right now, I jog over to Ben and the other racers.

  “Cutting it close, as usual,” Ben comments, as I hand him my buy in for the night. I wasn’t racing until the third race tonight so I shoot a text over to Jaxx to find out Kenndrix friends name for me.

  Jaxx: Kynlee Adams.

  Damn that name sounds familiar, but I can’t figure out why? Before I know it, my adrenaline is raging and it’s my turn to race. This race is even easier than the week before. Once I’m parked, I make my way over to Jaxx and Pierce, but to my disappointment I don’t see Kenndrix or Kynlee anywhere. “Where are the girls?”

  “Oh, Sadie led them over to JamesTown so they could use the restroom,” Pierce informs me.

  I release a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. I don’t know why I feel like I need to know Kynlee so badly. It makes me feel out of control and I hate that, but maybe if I can get my fill of her for a few hours I’ll get over it. Actually, I’m sure I will. That’s just how I’m wired. Once the last race is finished we head over to JamesTown to find the girls.

  Kynlee is easy to spot the moment we walk into JamesTown, the place hasn’t gotten packed yet but she’s on the dance floor moving in ways that should be illegal. However, that isn’t what caused the green jealous monster to rear its head through my body. No, it’s the guy that had his hands on her hips. The look in his eye I know well, but something about it rubs me the wrong way.

  Before I know it I down a shot and I’m crossing the bar, heading straight for Kynlee. I know the guy with his hands all over her, Bryan. Bryan and I have never gotten along so this would just be another one for the books. I step in front of Kynlee and her brown eyes travel up my body until they meet mine. She gives me that sexy little smirk and I smile back at her and give her a wink, “Hey baby doll.”

  “Yo, Ace back off, she’s with me,” Bryan tells me.

  The hell she is, I slip my hand around Kynlee’s wrist and tug her toward me and she comes easily enough. I step in front of her. “No, Bryan she’s with me.”

  Bryan takes a step toward me, but I don’t budge, he glares at me for a second before turning around and walking away muttering a string of curse words. I turn back around and look down at Kynlee, “Now, why would you even want to dance with Bryan?”

  She shrugs, “I didn’t. I just wanted to dance and he’s the one that came over and started dancing with me.”

  I laugh, “And you just let him.”

  Again, she shrugs, “Who am I to deny him a dance? No harm done with dancing, besides it probably just made his whole damn year.”

  Slipping my finger under her chin I tilt her head up so I can look into those brown eyes of hers. I shake my head, “You’re trouble baby doll.”

  Kynlee studies me for a minute before saying, “A little trouble never hurt anyone.”

  Then she just turns around and walks away. I watch as she leaves, but I can’t seem to move. The way those brown eyes had stared into me, like she was seeing into my soul, past all the bullshit and front I put up, almost like she saw the real me.

  Chapter 3

  Ace

  It’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve seen Kynlee. Dad has been sick, he has a cough that he can’t kick, and he looks pale and weak which is not his normal, so I’ve been busy helping out at home, the garage, and the tattoo shop. I was hoping to get back to the races this week. I knew from Jaxx and Pierce that Kynlee had been around though. I still managed to catch up with them while at school. I only had a few more classes before I was done with my art degree. I was interning at a tattoo shop already.

  I was heading into the shop when I noticed the yellow Jeep Wrangler parked out front. It isn’t too often that I saw a vehicle like that parked here. It was probably some sorority girl who wanted a tramp stamp. I hoped she was hot. When I walk in and see those brown eyes I stumble over my own two feet for a minute. Kynlee is the last girl I expected to be in here. I look back at the parking lot and realize that the yellow Jeep has to be hers. I also didn’t expect that.

  Kynlee tosses her long, dark hair back over her shoulder. She has a pair of denim cut offs on with a black lace top that looks more like a bathing suit and lingerie mixed than actual clothing. “Just the guy I was looking for,” she says, as she struts over to me.

  “Really? Now why would you be looking for me?” I ask her while giving her my best you know you want me smirk, you know the one that drives all the girls crazy and drop their panties. It’s a James’ boy trait, were famous for it.

  She nudges my shoulder with her slim hand. “For a tattoo of course.”

  Also, another thing that I didn’t expect, Kynlee wanting a tattoo, I clear my throat “Okay, do you know what you want and where?”

  She nods and pulls a piece of paper from her back pocket and hands it to me. “I want this quote, here,” she says, pointing to the left side of her rib cage.

  I open up the paper and read the quote. “I am enough, I have always been enough, I will always be enough.” I think it’s an interesting quote to want for a girl like her. I mean she seems so confident and self-assured, why would she want a quote about being good enough permanently inked onto her body? “You sure about this?”

  She nods. “Definitely.”

  Once I’ve gotten everything ready for her tattoo, I return to my room and see Kynlee lying on the table. Her eyes are closed and I wonder if she’s nervous or relaxed. Her face looks relaxed, but her body seems tense. I sit down and roll my stool over to her. When I lean forward her scent is all I can smell, it’s sweet and feminine, it’s better than I could have imagined.

  I notice the goosebumps covering her skin while cleaning the area for her tattoo. It’s at least almost ninety degrees today so I doubt she’s cold, but I ask anyways. “Are you cold?”

  “No,” she replies a little breathlessly.

  While I’m tattooing the quote “Send Me an Angel” by Highly Suspect comes on the radio and I can’t help but watch Kynlee a little more. There have been moments I’ve been sure she is nothing but the devil full of temptation and teasing, but right now, in this moment she seems more like an angel than anything else. As I move along with her tattoo we fall into the same breathing pattern. When she inhales I inhale, when she exhales I exhale. This has been the most unique and erotic tattooing experience I’ve ever had, that’s for sure.

  I glance up at Kynlee because I can feel her eyes on me. Her brown eyes are watching me intently. I manage to finish her tattoo but my mind feels like it’s been overworked. I clean everything up then help Kynlee from the table. She walks over to the mirror and admires the tattoo
. She looks back over her shoulder at me.

  “Thanks Ace, it’s perfect.”

  I walk up behind her. “It came out really good Kynlee. Now turn around so I can cover it,” I tell her. I kneel down and place the bandage on it. I look up to see her watching me again. When I stand up I notice she’s standing even closer and every time she takes a breath her chest bumps against my chest causing my body to hum in anticipation. Before I can stop myself, I grab her face between my hands and kiss her fiercely. The little shocked sound that she makes vibrates through my mouth and travels through my entire body causing me to growl.

  Kynlee’s arms travel up my back until they are digging into my shoulder blades, but it feels so good. I bury one of my hands in her hair and pull her head farther back while pushing us back toward the wall. With Kynlee’s personality you forget how tiny she actually is, she barely reaches my chest. I give up and bend down, slipping my hand behind her thighs I pick her up until she wraps her legs around my waist. Her hands immediately start to play with my hair.

  Nothing has ever felt this good in my life. My heart is racing just like it does when I’m behind the wheel of a car. Her scent reminds me of something that I can’t put my finger on. My head is foggy and full of lust, all I can think about is Kynlee and how good she feels pressed against my body right now.

  My mouth leaves hers and begins to travel down her neck. She tosses her hair to the other side and her scent hits me again and all of sudden it hits me, like a bucket of ice cold water. That scent, vanilla and honey. I press my nose into the skin of her neck and inhale deeply. I never thought I’d smell that scent again but here it is. Damn it! This is dangerous, so very dangerous. Kynlee. Kynlee is everything that I try to avoid in life. I have avoided so far in my life. She’s the one that could unravel me, that could break me.

  Slowly, I place Kynlee’s feet back on the floor, turn around and cross the room. I place my hands on the counter and grip it as if my life depends on it. “I’m sorry,” I tell her hoarsely. I don’t look back at her because I don’t know if I can handle the look that’s probably on her face right now and knowing I’m the reason it’s there, I know it’s something that will haunt me.

  ****

  Kynlee

  I stand there trying to catch my breath while being stunned to my core. I have no idea what just happened. One-minute Ace and I are all over each other, and the next he just walks away. He won’t even look at me. It’s obvious that he regrets it already. I really thought I had a chance with him. What the hell was I thinking? Was I that dumb? I mean, what would a guy like Ace James want with me anyways?

  Ace can get any girl he wants so of course that isn’t me. My heart falls to my stomach and my confidence is completely shot. Ace stands with his back to me and is so tense I can see the outline of almost every muscle there. I want to say something but I don’t know what to say and I don’t trust my voice not to break right now. So, I grab my purse, toss the money I owe him onto the table, and rush past him.

  I manage to make it to my jeep and out of the parking lot before the tears start to escape my eyes. I had set myself up for this, this is what I deserve, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt. I walk into the apartment and Kenndrix looks up from her spot on the couch. One look at me had her tossing her laptop to the side and crossing the room to pull me into her arms. Her arms were my undoing, I let myself break then.

  Kenndrix holds me and whispers that it’ll all be okay until I’m all cried out. Then she insists I soak in a hot bubble bath which she fixes. When I get out I found a stack of horror movies, pizza, chips, soda, and ice cream in our living room. “I know you might not want to talk about it right now, but we’re having a girl’s night complete with junk food and all.”

  I laugh, “I think you’re supposed to have chick flicks not horror movies.”

  Kenndrix shrugs, “Who wants to watch that fake shit! Guys in those movies always say and do the right things and the girl always gets the guy! It’s total bullshit. A horror movie is more realistic than those and let’s face it, they resemble our dating lives more accurately.”

  I die laughing which makes Kenndrix laugh. The rest of the night we pig out and watch scary movies until we fall asleep on the couch.

  Chapter 4

  Kynlee

  It’s been three weeks since I’ve seen Ace. I have purposely avoided the races plus my job has gotten busier than normal. Apparently, everyone wants to eat in our country themed restaurant or maybe they just want to see us in our uniforms. We all have to wear denim cut-offs, a button up shirt that we tie under our breasts with a tiny tank top underneath that still shows off our midriff, and cowboy boots. Thanks to living in Texas for the past few years, I already had the clothes for the job. I also make killer tips.

  However, I was going to see Ace today. Jaxx had a big race today on a legit track. Apparently, he races motorcycles and since he and Kenndrix still seem to be going strong she wants to go but not by herself. I get that, it’s completely new for her and considering how shy she is I can’t leave her hanging. So here I am in her car heading over to the track.

  “Thanks again for coming, Kynlee.”

  I shrug. “Anything for you. Besides I need to do something aside from hanging out at home and working. Who knows, maybe I’ll get lucky and meet a guy,” Kenndrix laughs. “What?”

  “Dressed like that I have no doubt you will find a guy while making Ace kick himself in the ass.”

  Kenndrix hasn’t brought up Ace since I told her what had happened the day after our kiss. She knows me well enough to know I don’t really want to talk about it, but I know it worries her. I have caught her watching me closely. She knows the incident with him has messed with my head but I’m not that fragile anymore. Before I have to worry about coming up with a response to her comment, we are pulling into the parking lot of the track. I grab my lipstick and re-apply it then add an extra coat of eyeliner before slipping my sunglasses back on.

  Stepping out of the car I readjust my black leather short romper that basically has no back on it. You can see a glimpse of my tattoo every now and then. I toss my hair to the other side and Kenndrix slips her arm through mine while crossing the lot to the track. Pierce, Ace, and the rest of the James brothers are easy to spot once we make it to the seating area. I feel Ace’s eyes on me as we approach them.

  “Hey ladies!” Bowie, Ace’s older brother greets us as we approach. I take a seat in front of Bowie and he lets out a low whistle as I do. “Damn girl, your killing it.”

  I laugh and glance back over my shoulder. “As opposed to every other day.”

  “Touché,” He leans forward and whispers into my ear “So when are you going to come watch me race?”

  I give him a smirk while staring ahead. “I guess when you actually ask me to come watch you.”

  I can still feel Ace’s eyes on us, but I have to remind myself not to look in his direction. He doesn’t deserve my attention.

  “Well, consider this your official invitation to come watch me this weekend baby.”

  I turned around to face Bowie for a minute. “I’ll think about it.”

  Bowie laughs, a deep, hearty laugh. “How will I know your answer?”

  I shrug. “I guess rather or not you see me there.” I turn back around and face the races. Kenndrix is trying hard not to laugh at me right now. She nudges my side with her elbow. We sit through half the first round of races before Jaxx got to race. By the time his race is done I was dying of thirst, so I ask Kenndrix if she wants anything then make my way to the snack bar. I’m checking my phone when I feel someone take the spot behind me in line. The spicy smell of his cologne hits me and I don’t even have to turn around to know its Ace.

  “So, you and my brother now?” he asks, while leaning down a little so not everyone around us can hear our conversation. I’m not even going to answer that. “So, what? Now you’re not speaking to me?” I step forward and order two waters but before I can ha
nd the clerk the money Kenndrix has given me Ace says, “Make that three” while handing the clerk the money. I roll my eyes which he can’t tell from behind my shades and grab two of the water bottles before turning and heading back toward the stands.

  I’m half way there when I feel Ace’s hand close around my upper arm. He starts to lead me in the opposite direction, back toward the parking lot. At first, I’m so shocked I don’t say or do anything. Once my brain finally wakes up I yank my arm from his grip. “What the hell are you doing?”

  ****

  Ace

  Kynlee had walked right past me and never looked my way. She had sat less than a foot away from me and had managed to completely ignore me and it was driving me insane. Now, she’s going to just walk away from me and continue to ignore me, the hell she was. Before I could even think about what I was doing and why I shouldn’t be doing it, I had grabbed her arm and pulled her back toward the parking lot. Kynlee yanks her arm free from my grip which woke me up from my jealous trance. What am I doing?

  “I don’t get you Ace,” Kynlee says, shaking her head while turning around to head back toward the stands.

  Even though there are so many reasons why I should just let her go, I can’t just let her walk away. “I don’t do relationships Kynlee, I don’t do attachments or feelings or any of that other stuff girls want.”

  Kynlee turns around and pushes her shades onto the top of her hair. “I never asked you for a relationship or anything else. Yes, I think you’re hot and yes, we kissed, but that doesn’t mean I want anything more with you. We’re both young so, to be honest the last thing I want is some serious relationship to worry about while trying to get my career going.”

  I stand there frozen, everything Kynlee has just told me stuns me to my core. She isn’t asking for anything more. She’d be fine with us just being whatever or just having a little fun. I stand there and study her. I would give anything to get lost in her for a few hours a few times a week, but the question was would I be able to keep everything in check? I had already decided that being around Kynlee was dangerous because she brought up a lot of things I tried to keep buried. A breeze picks up and I watch as her hair dances around her face and those brown eyes bore into me and in that moment, I decide to throw all the caution to the wind. Closing the distance between us I pull her against me while crushing her mouth to mine. A small moan escapes from Kynlee and it’s my undoing. I take her hand and pull her toward my car.