My fingers found that sensitive bundle of nerves and I swirled my pointer finger over it. My chest heaved with the force of my breaths, thighs already quaking with pleasure. I thought of Shane’s powerful arms holding me tightly, squeezing me until I couldn’t breathe. I thought of his devilish mouth nibbling on my earlobe, whispering in my ear how much he wanted me, all the naughty things he was going to do to me.
Sure, I was a good girl, just like Sasha said, but I didn’t have good thoughts. I longed for the right guy to come along, the one who would take my hand and show me all the night’s pleasures. I couldn’t think of anyone worthier of the role than Shane, with his dimpled smile and his big, strapping hands.
I cooed, slipping a finger inside myself just enough to make the pleasure more intense. In my fantasy it was Shane touching me, stroking my inner walls as he growled his pleasure in my ear. I bucked against my hand, moaning and shaking as my orgasm approached. Holy hell. If sex was anywhere near as good as this, then I was going to like it a lot. My thighs clenched. My heart hammered against my ribs like it was trying to escape. The fluid bliss flowing from my fingers to the deepest parts of me began to bubble and rise, and soon I was careening over the edge of a massive climax. Since I was home alone, I indulged in a throaty scream as I came. The Shane of my fantasies liked that a lot.
I sagged back onto the bed and gulped down a few mouthfuls of air. The world came back into focus, and I realized that I’d just masturbated to the thought of my dad’s employee. How filthy was I?
I giggled and let my eyes fall closed.
Chapter 3
Shane
Randall’s shop was my refuge. There wasn’t anything wrong with my house per se, but home was a long way away, and there was nowhere else in this town where I felt comfortable. It took me up to an hour to drive out to my mom’s little trailer in the sticks, depending on traffic, and once I was out there I was stuck. Nothing to do, nothing to see. Randall’s was the perfect in-between—a place where I could be myself in peace without having to stare at an old as dirt TV set until it was time to go to sleep.
The money helped too, of course. And it was a place I could go to and fix up my bike whenever I needed to, which was a lot. My ’85 Honda Rebel was a good runner, but it was old. Old things fall apart. Having a garage I could putter in at my leisure was the best part of the job. Well, almost the best part.
I was crouched over a drop sheet of tools when Dallas’s sexy figure strode through the shop doors. She didn’t spend a lot of time here, but I saw her now and then. It was always a treat when she stopped in, even if I only got to see a flash of her hair as she walked past the double doors and to her dad’s office.
She looked particularly tasty today, her hair tied up in a high ponytail, wearing a pair of tight blue jeans and a plaid shirt buttoned just below her neck. The outfit would have looked plain on anybody else, but Dallas wore it almost sinfully. Her legs were long and lean, but her hips were full, and her ass was round. Since she’d first turned from a skinny kid into a luscious woman, she’d been my preferred body type.
“Hey Shane,” she said, smiling lightly. “Have you seen my dad?”
I hadn’t talked to Dallas since the day I nearly asked her to prom, and I didn’t have any intentions of trying again. It backfired in my face, and I knew when to step back. She was too good for me, always would be.
I answered her question as succinctly as possible.
“He went out about an hour ago.”
Dallas’s face fell, and she drew her bottom lip into her mouth to chew on it. I couldn’t help but stare, cock hardening uncomfortably in my pants. How badly I wanted to nibble on those cherry pink lips.
“Do you know when he’s going to be back?” she asked, stepping further into the room.
I wiped my hands on my pants and stood up, shaking my head. “He didn’t say where he was going.” Noticing the obvious distress on her face, I asked, “Is there something I can help you with?”
“Uh...” Dallas scratched her head and gave me a sheepish smile. “Do you know anything about pedal bikes?”
“Pedal bikes?” I cocked a brow.
“Yeah.”
“I know lots about pedal bikes. Is there any specific piece of knowledge you’re looking for, or should I start just rattling off facts?”
Dallas laughed and stepped closer, running her hand absently over the top of the workbench. “My chain came off. I think it might be broken so I was hoping to get my dad to come have a look at it for me.”
She hit me with the full force of those baby blues, and I knew she could ask the world of me and I’d find a way to give it to her. A loose bike chain? Hell, I could do that for her with both my eyes shut and my hands behind my back.
“Sure, I’ll have a look,” I said. “Direct me to the patient.”
Dallas chuckled, and I followed her outside, where she’d leaned her bike up against the side of the building. As she said, the chain was hanging loose. As expected, it would be an easy fix.
“You really don’t know anything about bikes, huh?” I asked, squatting down to start fiddling with it.
Dallas squatted down beside me and watched my hands. “I don’t. I’m totally useless.”
“That’s surprising. I would’ve thought your dad would be all about teaching you the family business.”
She snorted. “Family business my ass. I’ve got no desire to learn anything about the shop. Poor Dad. Should’ve had a boy.”
I put the chain back into place and had a check around to make sure there weren’t any other problems. Satisfied, I sat back and waved toward the bike.
“All done.”
“Awesome!” Dallas beamed, her face splitting open with sunbeams. “You’re a top rate mechanic.”
“I don’t know about that,” I said with a wry grin. “This was an easy fix. A very easy fix. Not that I mind or anything, but I can’t take any credit.”
She bit her lip and winced comically. “Yikes. It looks like I’m even worse on two wheels than I am on two feet.”
I laughed, and we started heading back into the building. “Are you going to get a bike?” I asked. “A proper one, I mean.”
Dallas closed the door behind her and scowled. “Hey, don’t talk shit about my bike. That bitch and I have been through some shit together.”
“Okay, okay.” I smiled and held the door to the auto shop open for her. She walked past with her head high and her chin stuck out. I had the sudden urge to bend her over my knee and give her a good spanking. There was nothing better than a good girl who craved a little punishment, and I had the feeling Dallas would be the type if I ever got the chance to find out. Not that I would. Pity.
“Your bike is an exceptional example of modern class and engineering,” I continued. “I would be so lucky to mount her.”
Dallas faltered a step as she walked over to the bench. I could only assume it was due to the visual I’d just placed in her head, one that slipped out unintentionally but that I was glad of now. What else did she imagine me mounting? Maybe I did have a chance after all.
I decided to give her a break. I didn’t want to send her into a total tailspin.
“So?” I pushed. “Are you?”
Dallas turned to face me, leaning back against the bench and letting her hair fall forward. I could only assume she was trying to hide her now crimson cheeks. Fuck, she was gorgeous. So innocent and sweet. I would do anything for her, be anything for her if she’d let me.
“I don’t think so,” she replied. “They’re scary.”
“Scary?” I quirked a brow. “You don’t like the taste of danger on your tongue, princess?”
I couldn’t resist. The way her lips parted in response was worth it. I was getting hard just from looking at her, and I knew I was teasing myself more than anything else.
“I like rollercoasters as much as the next person,” Dallas said. “But something about being on a bike seems much more dangerous without even offering the same th
rill. I’ve only been on one once, but I was too scared to look up the whole time.” She shrugged. “It’s just not for me, I guess.”
“Well, everyone to their own, I suppose.”
There was a commotion down the hallway, the sound of approaching footsteps. A second later Randall came through the shop doors, already talking to me. “Shane, have you seen my—“
Randall stopped when he saw his daughter and furrowed his brow. “Hey, pumpkin. Wasn’t expecting to see you here.”
Dallas became visibly flustered, shooting forward from her spot on the bench. “Yeah, I came because I was hoping you’d have a look at my bike for me. The chain came off.” She looked over at me, licking a lip nervously. “Uh, Shane fixed it for me though. Apparently, it wasn’t a problem.”
“Did he now?” Randall looked over at me, and I thought for sure there would be disapproval in his gaze. There wasn’t. In fact, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say he was pleased.
“What were you looking for, Mr. Keane?” I asked.
Randall’s eyes flashed, and he returned to the flustered state he was in when he entered.
“Right! Thank you! My glasses. I cannot find them for the life of me.”
“Last I saw they were on your desk,” I replied.
Randall immediately turned on his heel and marched back out the doors.
“He’s so forgetful,” Dallas said, sounding more concerned than I would have expected her to. She seemed troubled all of a sudden, but by what? Surely it couldn’t be because Randall couldn’t find his glasses.
I never wanted to see this girl worried. I never wanted to see her in pain. An idea came to me, and I let it out without thinking.
“Can I take you out for a ride?”
Dallas blinked in surprise. “Like, on your bike?”
How badly I wanted to reply with something cheeky. Instead, I just nodded.
“Yeah. Show you that it’s not as scary as you think.”
Dallas glanced toward the door. “I should ask my dad.”
At that moment, Randall burst back into the room, glasses atop his head. “Found them,” he announced.
Dallas looked like she was figuring out the best way to broach the question to her father. I just went ahead and asked.
“Mr. Keane, would it be okay if I took your daughter out for a ride?”
Randall looked between the two of us, first stern-faced and then with a small turn of his lips.
“I don’t see why not,” he said. “Don’t be too late though. And no riding like you’re Evil Knievel.”
“Sure thing.” I grinned, elation bubbling in my chest. I couldn’t believe that after all this time, I was getting to spend some legitimate quality time with Dallas. I wanted to go somewhere where there would be no distractions. No Wes. No anything.
Just me, my perfect girl, and the woods.
Chapter 4
Dallas
Sunlight trickled from branch to branch like an endless stream of holy water. The wind whistled past my ears. And I was flying.
I couldn’t tell what made the feeling of danger so distant this time around, whether it was just that enough time had passed since my last ride, or the fact that I was snuggled securely against Shane’s muscular back, or maybe I just took that fear and manipulated it into something more exquisite but equally exhilarating. Whatever the case, there wasn’t a worry in my head that could keep pace with us as we zoomed down the winding wooded highway.
Shane manipulated each corner with practiced ease. He made it look effortless, and for the first time, I understood why someone would want to drive one of these things. I still didn’t know if I’d ever feel comfortable riding one on my own, but hell if it felt even half this good, it was worth a try.
Shane drove us further and further away from town, finally pulling over on an inconspicuous stretch of the road. I couldn’t tell why he’d stopped here. It was no different than anywhere else along the highway. Tall cedar trees reached up toward the sky, where fluffy clouds dotted the azure ceiling and drifted along in the breeze. The maze of trees spread out far beyond, bracken and moss growing at their roots. It was still, and the mid afternoon sun had left the area warm and fragrant with the smell of pine and cedar.
Shane killed the engine and pulled off his helmet. I followed his lead.
“Where are we?” I asked, running a hand through my hair to untangle it.
I jumped off the bike and Shane followed, setting our helmets on the handlebars.
“I want to show you something,” he said. “Something I’ve never shown anyone.”
I laughed. “Is that the line you use on all the girls you bring here?”
He turned to me, and there was an intensity in his gaze I’d never seen before. It gave me pause. Shane’s hair was ruffled from the helmet, and he made no attempt to smooth it. The smoldering look in his eyes was pure devil, and I curled my toes in anticipation.
“I mean it, Dallas. I’ve never brought anyone here.”
His voice was gravelly, deep. I found myself nodding, unable to form any verbal reply.
The moment broke. Shane’s mouth widened into a grin. “Come on. You’re going to like this.”
He turned toward the small embankment leading down into the woods, picking expertly through the underbrush and then angling around to extend a hand toward me. I took it, even though I would have had no problem navigating the terrain by myself. I was missing the touch of his back against my chest, and this small ounce of intimacy was the next best thing.
Shane didn’t drop my hand when I reached flat ground. I didn’t drop his either. I wondered what Sasha would think if she could see us now. She’d probably make some snarky comment about how Shane was trash or something else entirely uncalled for, while secretly wishing she could be the one holding his hand. I didn’t know when she had become so bitter. Was it even bitterness? She’d grown up even humbler than I had, so I could only suspect that her superiority complex was her way of making up for a lifetime of mediocrity. I worried about her sometimes. She wasn’t the same girl who used to dress up in fairy costumes that we made out of bedsheets and glitter. I wasn’t that same person either, I supposed, but at least I could still recognize myself. I hated the thought that I might one day turn into a version of myself so perverted that somebody who knew me wouldn’t be able to recognize me.
“What are you thinking about?” Shane asked, leading me between trees and over stumps.
The ground was well-worn, though there wasn’t a path per se. I could at least tell that there was a rhyme and reason to the direction we were heading and that we weren’t lost. Then again, I trusted Shane. If he were to lead me through here blindfolded, I would still trust him. I’d known him my whole life, and though we hadn’t spent much time together in recent years, that feeling of trust remained. Plus, my dad certainly thought he was trustworthy. Then again my dad’s judgment wasn’t its best these days.
“All sorts of things I shouldn’t be thinking about,” I replied.
Shane looked down at me with a questioning expression. “What kinds of things shouldn’t you be thinking about?”
I waved my free hand dismissively. “Just stupid stuff that doesn’t belong here. This place is already amazing and I don’t want to ruin it with my angsty teenage drama.”
“What angsty teenage drama do you have, Dallas Keane? You seem like the most carefree girl I know.”
A smile took over my face, and I looked down shyly. “I was just wondering what Sasha would say if she knew I were here. She thinks you’re bad news.”
“Maybe she’s right.”
I looked up at him with a flat expression. There was a twinkle of humor in his eyes that made me nearly swoon.
“If you’re such bad news, why does it seem like all you do is go to school and work at my dad’s shop?”
“That’s not all I do,” he defended. “Jake and I play video games at his parent’s store sometimes.” He grinned. “I’m merciless at Street Fighter.
”
I laughed at the mental image of Shane and nerdy Jake Rowland playing video games together. They were an unusual pairing if I’d ever seen one, and I liked that about Shane. He didn’t care about image. Jake was a lovely guy but yet another person in whom Sasha would find something nasty to harp on.
I couldn’t wait to get out of high school and spread my wings in the world. I could find new friends, ones who didn’t look down on everybody and everything that didn’t fit into their idea of how the world should be. New friends like Shane. Except it was more evident by the second that friendship was not what I craved from the brooding bad boy.
“Yeah, a real rebel without a cause.” I rolled my eyes playfully. “I should watch my back around you.”
Shane laughed, exposing a set of perfectly straight teeth. He looked boyish when he laughed, like a mischievous kid who just got away with the perfect prank.
I noticed the trees thinning up ahead and peered through the foliage. “Is this it?” I asked.
Shane nodded and pulled me along beside him as he picked up the pace. “I come here when I need to think,” he said, suddenly sober. “Or just when I need to be alone.”
We stepped through the last of the trees and into a verdant green meadow. The sunlight hit me full force, warming my cheeks and making my whole body feel like it was glowing. I smiled and turned my face up to it, basking in the warmth for a moment as Shane walked me further along.
“It’s beautiful.” I snapped my eyes back open and took in the long grass, the pink and white flowers bustling up from their long winter’s sleep, and the lavender swaying in the light breeze.
“It’s nice like this, but I prefer it in the winter.” Shane led me over to a log. The grass was shorter in front of it. Worn down, I realized. He must’ve sat here a lot.
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