“This is going to hurt,” I whisper looking at how far the fence is from the ground. There’s not a tree for me to climb down on the other side. I’m just going to have to jump. And I’m guessing the distance to be over six feet.
“Let’s go to the party,” Jackie had said. “It will be great,” she had said.
“Great my fucking ass,” I mumble.
Taking one last deep breath, I swing my legs over the fence and jump down. My feet instantly sting when they hit the ground. I don’t even try to catch myself, which could injure my body worse. I just let go and crumble to the grass.
I roll over onto my back as I let out a growl of frustration. The fact that I had to sneak out of the house—from some guy whose name I don’t even remember—couldn’t have been the worst part of my morning. No, I also had to listen to someone taking care of their morning wood. Yeah, today is not my day.
I groan at my sore body as I get to my feet. I don’t even bother to brush myself off before I start to limp my way off down the street.
I am in the process of dreaming about a hot bath and curling up in my bed for an early afternoon nap when Jackie passes me and then does a U-turn, coming to a stop beside me. I pull open the passenger door and fall inside thankful for the cool air-conditioning.
“Do you want to drive?” she asks, car idling in the street.
“No,” I growl. “Just get me home.”
“What the hell happened to you?” she asks looking me up and down with a sour look on her face. “Did you sleep outside or something?”
“Just take me home.” I can explain the situation to her after I sleep off this hangover.
She looks from me to the clock on the dash. “Don’t you have a test you have to take today?”
Shit! “How do you know that?”
“You told me that like thirty times last night before I left.”
I look over at her. “Speaking of leaving…” I huff. “Why did you leave me?”
She frowns. “You said I could.” But then she gets a dreamy smile on her face.
“Thanks.” She sighs, and I can’t help but scowl. Glad she remembers how good her night was.
“Just drive me to the college. Please,” I say, pulling my sun visor down to look at myself in the mirror. I look like a horror movie gone wrong. My dark hair still looks freshly fucked, only with a few added leaves in it. What makeup is still on is smeared across my face. And my light brown eyes are bloodshot.
She frowns. “You’re going to go to school like that?” Her dark blue eyes look me over and her frown deepens before she scrunches her nose.
“I don’t have a choice, Jackie.” I sigh. “If I miss this test, I’ll be in deep shit with my dad. Just take me there. I don’t think the test has a hygiene requirement.”
She nods her head and starts to drive off. I run my fingers through my hair and try to take off what’s left of my makeup, before I lean my head back against the headrest and close my eyes—trying to remember what the hell happened last night. I remember showing up at the party with Jackie. I remember making myself a drink in the kitchen. I remember Rodger calling me and pressing ignore before I ended up just turning my phone off. But this morning it was on. When did I turn it back on? I don’t remember.
Then we made our way to the back of the house to the game room where I proceeded to smoke a guy who asked me to play a game of pool. The same guy who had helped me make my drink in the kitchen.
I smile as I start to remember the color of his eyes. They were the sexiest gray eyes I had ever seen. I had eye-fucked him with no shame. His smile had caused me to miss a few shots, but I still beat him every time.
His strong jaw and dark hair.
My eyes snap open at that. Well, that answers that question.
I ended up sleeping with him?
I don’t remember going to his room, though. Hell I don’t even remember kissing him. So how did we end up there?
Jackie gets my attention as she rolls down the windows and cranks up the AC.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“You smell like booze, cigarettes, and sex,” she says matter-of-fact. “It’s making me nauseous,” she adds. “And what happened to you?”
I laugh. “Well, it seems I got some action last night, but I don’t remember it.”
“Oh, you got some action all right,” she agrees. “I thought you two were going to do it on the pool table. Or in the hallway,” she adds with a laugh. “Did you end up doing it in the garden or something?”
I scowl. “Why didn’t you stop me?”
She looks quickly over at me with a smile. “He was hot and why would I stop you? You were pissed off at Rodger for calling you and started drinking like a fish. Plus, you were totally digging one another.” She wiggles her blond eyebrows.
Digging? Who says that?
I shake my head. Even if she would have tried to stop me, I wouldn’t have listened. “Did you get some?” She better have left for me a good reason.
“Yep,” she says with a smile on her face.
“Well then our life is complete,” I say dryly.
I stretch out my legs and smile. At least the sex I got was good. I can tell it by the feel in my muscles. Whoever he was, he used every inch of my body, and I guarantee I loved every second of it.
“Do you want me to wait for you?” she asks as she pulls up to the college.
I shake my head. “Just come back and get me in an hour,” I say digging through my glove box.
“What are you looking for?” she asks.
“Advil.” I always keep some in my car.
I look over to her when she sighs. “I already took it,” she admits with a small smile.
“What?” I snap. “You took the only two I had left?”
She holds up three fingers, and I let out a growl. She calls out sorry as I swing the door open and get out.
CHAPTER SIX
TABATHA
After Jackie had picked me up from the school, I had dropped her off at her house and then stopped off at Starbucks for the biggest coffee they had, which I now know is called a Vente. And I hate coffee. But it just sounded so good. Well, it doesn’t taste as good as it sounded. Plus my tongue is numb from where I burnt the hell out of it.
I make my way into our house. My parents have many houses all over the world, but this is the one I grew up in. The one I still call home even though I now have a place of my own. I actually just bought my first home last year. Against my parents’ advice. I didn’t want to live on campus or with my parents. I wanted my very own place, but it’s on the other side of town. And my parents’ house just happens to be five miles from the college. After the morning I’ve had, it was an easy decision.
I take off down the main hallway to head to the back of the house where my old room is located, when I hear my dad talking in his office. I go to walk past it and see his door is open. He looks up and spots me. Busted.
“Hey, sweet pea. How was your test this morning?”
“Fine,” is all I say. I’m not a hundred percent sure that I passed. Guess I’ll find out soon enough.
He lifts his hand and motions for me to enter. “Come here. I have someone I want you to meet.”
I shake my head. “It will have to wait. I need a shower.”
“Nonsense,” he argues. “You look great. It will be quick.”
I sigh but go ahead and walk into his office. I see his nose scrunch when I come up to his desk. I can’t help but smile at the thought of smelling how Jackie had described. I can’t smell much of it, I think my nose is used to it now.
I hear the leather creak from someone shifting on the couch behind me, but I don’t turn around. I wait for my father to excuse me since he finally sees how awful I look.
“What did you do last night?” he asks with a frown on his face.
“I…”
He places his hand up to interrupt me. “I probably don’t want to know.”
I nod my head trying to
hide my smile. He may end up reading it in the tabloids. See, my father is famous. He owns the biggest racing team in California. Formula One cars have always been his dream. He used to race them. That’s where he started making his fortune. Then retired and started his own team. Come to find out, he loves being on that end just as much as he did being a driver.
“Anyways, as you know, your mother and I have been talking about branching out,” he says with a smile referring to their company.
I nod my head. I have overheard this conversation. They want to dip their toes into other forms of racing.
“Well, it’s official. We have started a new racing team that involves motorcycles. And you are already a fan.” He gestures to my shirt, and I look down at the words DASH and frown before tilting my head in confusion. Then I hear the leather crinkle once again behind me. “See,” my father says with a smile looking past me to whoever is sitting behind me. “I knew you would like her.” He claps his hands together as if he’s proud of himself, and I frown as the person moves behind me once again. What the hell’s wrong with them back there?
“Motorcycles?” That’s not what I was expecting him to say.
He nods. His silver hair not even moving due to all the product my mother puts in it for him. I swear he is still a child and needs her to dress him. Feed him. And probably even bathe him. I shudder at that thought. Ugh.
“Yes. I want to introduce you to the new member of our team.” He gestures to the person sitting behind me. “Darling, say hello to Erik Dashling.”
I quickly turn around wanting to get his over with so I can get the hell out of
here. My heart starts to pound as hard as my head. I come eye to eye with those light gray eyes, chiseled jaw, and dark hair.
Memories of last night start to return. Like us making out on the pool table. Me stumbling into his room before he ripped my shirt off. Then me down on my knees before him. I couldn’t get his belt and jeans off fast enough.
I blink rapidly to try and clear the memories that are coming back full force.
“Hello ma’am,” he says trying to sound formal. He stretches his hand out to me.
“Hello,” I say narrowing my eyes on him and cross my arms over my chest. It’s a little late for formalities.
He takes his hand that’s stretched out in front of him and lifts it up to my hair. He pulls back and has a leaf between his fingers.
He chuckles. “Looks like you’ve been rolling around in the grass.”
Motherfucker.
He knows. Shit! I didn’t think to look for any video cameras around his gate. I’m sure he has them.
He smirks as if he knows what I’m thinking.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Dashling.” I nod my head.
He gets a cocky look on his face and his eyes sparkle. “Please. Call me, Dash.”
Oh, now the shirt I’m wearing makes sense.
I nod my head once and spin around to face my father. “I need to go shower and then get home. I have homework to do,” I lie. “Excuse me,” I mumble and walk out of the office and start down the hall when I hear Erik speak to my father.
“Will you excuse me, sir?”
As I’m nearing the stairs, I feel a hand on my upper arm. “What the…”
I’m pulled into the hallway and pressed up against the wall. Before I can speak his hands are on my face and his lips are on mine.
I try to fight it, try to push him away, but instead my arms make their way around his neck. My body is still sore as hell from last night. And my pussy has been wet all morning. Although I can’t remember what all he did, my body sure as hell can. His kiss is slow and sweet. He takes his time as his tongue makes long strokes.
He pulls away and a moan slips past my lips. “You taste as good as I remember,” he mumbles. “Like candy.”
I don’t say anything as I stare into his eyes. He gives me a warm smile. “You left this morning without saying goodbye.”
“If I remember correctly, we never really said hello,” I whisper.
He chuckles. “You’re correct.” He leans back into me. “Hello,” he whispers, sending chills down my body.
“Hello,” I answer breathlessly.
“I have something you might like,” he says with a smirk on his face.
“I’m pretty sure I liked it,” I respond still feeling the aftereffects from last night.
“Pretty sure?” he frowns. “Well, I will have to remind you of how much you liked it later.” He runs his fingers down the side of my cheek. “You screamed my name so loud my ears are still ringing.” I inhale sharply. He lowers his face to mine and runs the tip of his nose down the side of my face. “You fucking loved every bit of it, darling,” he growls.
My body trembles. He nuzzles my hair and inhales deeply. “You still smell like sex.” He pushes his erection into my lower belly. “Like me. And that shirt looks absolutely amazing on you.”
His hands slip under the hem of his shirt I’m wearing. They softly make their way up my sides, and he cups my breasts. Thank God I lost my bra in his bedroom. “We can’t,” I choke on the words as his aggressive hands massage them roughly.
He lets out another chuckle. “I know.” He pulls back from me and my tits instantly go cold when he pulls his hands away and reaches into his pocket. Pulling out something black that is inside his fist, he holds it out in front of me. “This is what I thought you would want.”
I look at his hand and he opens it to reveal my black panties. I gasp before I snatch them out of his hand. “How did you know?” I narrow my eyes at him.
Did he know who I was last night? Is that why he slept with me?
It wouldn’t be the first time a guy wanted to sleep with me because of my father’s fame.
He looks at me with a confused face. He goes to speak, but I hold up my hand. “I’m glad you had fun last night but my father has already signed you, so that won’t be happening again.” I place my hands on his chest and shove him away from me.
“Wait. What?” he asks sounding confused. I go to walk away from him, but he grabs my upper arm.
“Erik, you ready to finish up this meeting?” I hear my dad ask.
He sighs as he holds onto my arm. “Yeah. Sure, Mr. Knight.” He looks down to me and whispers, “This conversation isn’t over,” as he lets go of me.
I take the stairs two at a time and head straight for my shower. I turn the water on scalding hot and jump in, scrubbing every inch of my body until it’s raw. He was right, I still smell like him, and I want it gone. The bastard used me. I mean in a way, I used him as well—self-satisfaction. But he used me to help further his career.
CHAPTER SEVEN
DASH
Just my fucking luck! The girl I slept with at my party is the one and only Tabatha Knight. Mr. Knight’s daughter. My new boss!
“Dude. I had no idea,” Blake says as he sits next to me on my couch while he holds my laptop. “I told you I had never met her.”
“Go to images,” I say pointing to her name on my screen.
He does and pictures of her start to pop up—her in the winner’s circle with racers; her dad by her side; her out at parties with a dark-haired man by her side. “Is that her ex?” I ask.
“One sec,” he says before he clicks on the link to his name. “Rodger Heath the third. Son of Rodger Heath and Shawna Heath…”
“Wait. Rodger Heath? As in the congressman?” I ask, standing up from the couch and looking down at him in shock.
“Yes,” he says just as shocked. He looks back down and starts to read the headline. “The two are still going strong after a year together. Are wedding bells in their near future?” He clicks on a few other links. A picture comes up of her and him walking out of a restaurant in New York City. She’s wearing a black coat that’s tied tightly around her, keeping out the cold. Her long brown hair falls down—covering her face. She has her head down, and he has a hold of her arm tightly as if he’s dragging her behind him. His face is hard as he stares
straight at the camera. You can tell by his hard stare and his hold on her that he is not happy about something. Whether it was her or the cameras, I don’t know. Blake then looks at a few more links. Not one mentions their breakup. How long ago did they split? Could it be possible that the press doesn’t know about it yet?
“What are you going to do?” he asks getting my attention. He has a hard look on his face as he stares up at me from my laptop.
“What I always do. I always get what I want,” I say simply. You think I give a rat’s ass that her ex is Rodger Heath? Fuck no!
“Dash, man, you just got the offer of a lifetime. You gonna jeopardize it for her?” he asks softly. “I mean, I get it, she’s hot. But you just met her. And Jackie said they just broke up. The odds of them staying broke up…”
“I want her,” I state, interrupting her.
“You’ve already had her.”
I shake my head. “I want her again.” She was different. She was wild, just like I knew she would be. Valerie was so boring, and I always had to be in control. Tabatha was crazy and full of passion. I could feel it in the way she touched me. Her body screamed for a release.
“You know her dad will kick you off the team if he catches the two of you together?” He closes the laptop and looks up at me. “I mean, look who she was with.” He brings up Rodger again.
I roll my eyes but inside I am wondering the same thing. I mean, look at their fathers. Talk about a power couple. “Probably,” I say in all honestly. But Mr. Knight told me he isn’t where he is today without taking risks. And she is a risk I’m willing to take.
CHAPTER EIGHT
TABATHA
“You’re joking?” Jackie asks rubbing suntan lotion on her white as snow skin.
“I wish I were,” I say lying on a lawn chair by my parents’ pool. It’s been two days since the day I came home to find Dash sitting in my father’s office. And I’m still as pissed as I was the second I realized he knew who I was.
It was my fault. I was stupid enough to sleep with him without even bothering to find out who he was. I just wanted someone to get over Rodger, and of course like a slut, I jumped in bed with the first guy that I found attractive.
DASH Page 3