The Lies Between Us

by M. N. Forgy

  ***

  I sit in the car two freeways over from where I ran into Phillip yesterday. I thought about calling him. I more than thought about it actually, but I just can’t. Men and I, we don’t mix. Obviously. I just need to figure my shit out right now and not be distracted by some dirty-talking, rugged-looking biker guy. No matter how sexy he is; it’s best if I keep my drama to myself. Like Tyler said, I need to stay clear of bad boys, and looking at Phillip I can tell he is every bit of a bad boy. I need to focus on my next pickpocket; I need money. My seat vibrates, and the familiar thunder of a motorcycle sounds behind me. I look in the rearview mirror and find Phillip on his bike, staring right back at me in the mirror. A huge smile creeps across my face, and my toes curl in excitement. How many ramps did he search for me? He swings his leg off the bike, carrying something black in his hand. I frown, unsure what it is. I climb out of the car and that’s when I see it—a helmet. It’s small, so I know it’s not for him. My face falls. What is he planning on doing with that?

  “Pretty sure I said don’t make me come find you,” he growls, his tone coming off angry.

  I cross my arms and pop my hip out. “Look, Phillip—”

  “Lip,” he interrupts.

  “What?”

  His left eyebrow lifts as he shoves a hand in his jeans pocket.

  “My name is Lip,” he reaffirms, his tone coming off strong and confident. I cock my head to the side and eye him from boot, built torso, to rugged face. He looks like a Lip.

  “Okay, Lip,” I continue. “I can’t get involved right now. I’m just…” I shake my head, humiliated to say I’m living out of my car and poor. Looking at Lip, I’m sure he has no problem finding girls. He can definitely do better than me. “I’m not the girl for you. I have too much baggage right now, and I can’t get involved. Not to mention I’m staying in my…” I look at my car, but decide against telling him I’m homeless. “I’m staying with my brother until I can find a place to live.”

  Lip cocks his head to the side, that tongue of his flicking his lip ring. My stomach flutters with lust. I want to bite that lip ring.

  “The way I see it, you should really come with me then.” I snap my head toward him, and my mouth falls open with shock. “And why don’t you let me decide what woman is good enough for me, hmm?”

  “What?” I mumble. He walks up to me and grabs my chin softly, lifting it so I have to look at his brown eyes. There is something about gazing into someone’s eyes that makes you vulnerable. You see more than just the color of the iris—you see the color of their soul. The intensity of them has me taking a step back, and I draw in a sudden breath.

  “If you’re staying with your brother, then why are you out here picking strange men’s pockets?” he whispers. I furrow my brows. “It’s dangerous,” he breathes.

  “Not that it’s any of your business, but…” I inhale, looking at my fingers while I think up an excuse. “It’s just complicated,” I exhale.

  “Come with me, Cherry, just for the night.” He shrugs. “If you don’t like it, I’ll bring you back to your car,” he offers. “Come on, there’s a party tonight. Don’t make me show up alone,” he flirts, a gorgeous smirk lifting the corner of his lips. Fuck, those lips are amazing. I tear my eyes from him and look at my feet.

  “I’m sure you don’t have trouble finding a date, Lip,” I reply, sweeping my hair out of my face. I peer up from under my eyelashes, risking a look at him, and find his chest rising as he juts his chin out. He looks even sexier, and is making it that much harder to reject his offer. I shouldn’t have looked.

  “I don’t have a problem finding dates, no.” He laughs. “But there’s something about you, something that has me searching six freeways trying to find you.”

  “Six?” I repeat meekly. He smiles a big grin and nods.

  “Yeah, six.”

  Fuck me.

  “Do you normally chase strange women along the freeway?” I tease, crossing my arms.

  “Nah, just the ones who have a nice rack.” He winks, his tone not holding any humor. My face falls, my urge to tease him vanishes. For some reason, I want to look at my tits, to see what he’s seeing, but I hold his hard stare.

  He steps toward me, and I uncross my arms. “Come,” he whispers. My eyes flick to his; hearing him say the simple word sounds so erotic. He grins like a Cheshire cat. Oh, yeah, he knows what he’s doing.

  He tucks my hair behind my ears, his finger skirting against my skin, and pushes the black helmet on my head. He smiles, and little wrinkles form around his eyes.

  “What?” I smile in return, his energy contagious.

  “You look fucking adorable,” he whispers ever so softly, like he didn’t mean to actually say it. His eyes flick to mine, as if he just realized what he said out loud. His smile fades into something hard, his eyes never leaving mine as he awaits my answer. After him putting the helmet on my head, I don’t see him getting on his bike and riding off solo.

  “All right, I’ll go,” I whisper back. My heart slams against my chest, telling me not to do this, not to give in. But the churning in my stomach and the throb between my legs have me climbing on the back of his massive bike with him moments later.

  I wrap my arms around his solid body, and my nipples are flush with his back, suddenly aching with arousal. His vest is hot and smells of leather. The scent has me inhaling deeply; it’s sexy and masculine. Fuck, I’m in trouble. Why did I do this? Why in the hell did I climb on his bike? I know nothing good can come of this. “Just one night,” I mutter, trying to talk some reason into myself.

  Lip shifts in front of me, resting his hand on my knee. “You okay?” he questions, his touch making my knee tingle. I nod, and the helmet that’s suffocating my head shifts forward slightly. I lean back to adjust it when I notice his leather vest says ‘Devil’s Dust’ across the back of it with a menacing-looking skull right dead in the center. My eyes widen. How did I not see that before? He’s a part of that gang the news is always talking about. They say they’re dangerous criminals. I swallow the lump in my throat and blow out a scared breath. Maybe I should step off and tell him this isn’t a good idea.

  He gives my bare knee a tender squeeze. “Hold on, Cherry.” Shit, I can’t get off now. I close my eyes tightly and claw at the front of his shirt in fear of falling off. The bike starts, and everything on my body vibrates with such intensity my vision doubles. Lip doesn’t even look behind him and just jets off onto the freeway. The wind blows in my face harshly, nearly taking my breath away. I look over Lip’s neck and strong shoulders. God, he is the sexiest man I’ve ever seen. Lip darts left quickly, and I cling to him as a squeal sounds from my chest. I can’t help the big smile that forms along my face as Lip chuckles at my reaction. I’ve never been on a bike before—never really gave it much thought, to be honest. But this, it’s amazing. It’s dangerous yet freeing, daring yet comforting.

  I love it.

  ***

  “You want a drink?” Lip asks me. I wasn’t scared of coming to the party before, but now that we’re here, I’m freaking out. We aren’t at a party; no, we’re at the fucking club where his motorcycle gang hangs out.

  “Yeah. A soda would be nice,” I yell, looking all around me. There is smoke dancing up into the ceiling from all the cigars and cigarettes, the smell of booze and cheap perfume strong. There are girls giving me dirty looks, and I’m pretty sure a man is getting head against the wall in the corner. I dig my nails into my palms and follow Lip to the bar. I’ve been to parties, but nothing this brazen. Girls are wearing leather chaps with no panties, and most of the men are shirtless revealing tattoos and piercings.

  “Lip, who’s your friend?” I slowly turn my head toward the unfamiliar rough voice, finding a tall man with dark-colored hair and the greenest eyes I’ve ever seen. His eyebrows are knitted together, causing hard wrinkles to form on his forehead. His jaw is defined, cheeks strong. He’s even more intimidating than Lip, if that’s possible.

  Th
e man holds his hand out to shake. “I’m Bull.” His tone is friendly, contradicting the hard stare that’s chiseled into his face. I shake his hand and muster a smile, my eyes falling to his patch on his leather jacket reading ‘president’. He must be in charge. His strong palm grips my hand, and his arms are bigger than anything I’ve seen before. I gently pull my hand away and shrink where I stand, nerves and fear creeping up my back.

  “I’m—”

  “This is Cherry,” Lip answers for me. I sigh with relief that he took over the conversation.

  “Cherry, huh? I like it.” Bull smiles, nodding. Actually, he doesn’t look so scary when he smiles.

  “She’s truly beautiful, Lip. Why don’t you take her out back, get her away from all this noise and commotion?” Bull suggests. Silence falls between the two and Bull pins Lip with an unknowing stare. I turn my head, watching Lip return the hard look.

  “Yeah, sure. That sounds like a good idea,” Lip replies, his tone dry as he takes a sip of his beer. “Come on, Cherry.”

  Once we’re out back and the music is drowned out, cool air sweeps the hair off my neck. I inhale a deep breath, filling my lungs with clean air. Lip lets go of my hand and steps a few feet in front of me. His shoulders are tense, and his body is rising with rapid breaths. He looks pissed.

  “Um, are you okay?” I ask softly. He lowers his head and runs his hand back and forth through his hair. My thighs clench from the sight of him. It’s dark out here—the only light is from the street lamp from above, casting the meanest shadow over him—but it makes him that much more appealing to me. He looks damaged, broken like me.

  Lip slowly raises his head and tilts his chin upward. He has a look in his eyes that is hungry, primal. I swallow the lump in my throat, and my lips part to allow my harsh breathing to escape. I want him, even though I know I shouldn’t. I know the timing is wrong, and I know a man like him can’t love a woman. But it’s not stopping me from craving him.

  “Fuck, you’re sexy,” he breathes heavily. His eyes tear into my soul, unlocking things I couldn’t yet figure out. He steps forward and cups the back of my neck. “Do you know that?” Glancing up under my lashes at him, I shrug. I’d never call myself sexy, average at most. Growing up, I was nothing but bullied, told how I was a geek and ugly. After hearing it for so long, you start to believe it. His eyes narrow with confusion as he looks me over. “You have no clue how attractive you are,” he mutters as if he can’t believe it. I inhale a shaky breath through my nose, my gaze never leaving his. His gorgeous eyes burn a trail of desire along my skin as he looks me over. “You have the eyes of a saint, but the body of a fucking temptress, Cherry.” My eyes go heavy and my body rushes with adrenaline, making me feel drunk. His eyes fall to my lips, and my chest constricts. I want to pull away and break this spell I’m under, but I don’t move, don’t do anything. “I don’t know if I should kiss those sugar lips or bite them.” My lips suddenly ache with the urge to be tasted by him, to see if he tastes as dangerous as he looks. My gaze trails from his dark eyes to his lips. I bet he tastes like sex and sin.

  As if he read my mind, he slowly lowers his head toward me, as if he’s scared I might pull away. I should turn my head away, but I don’t want to. When he figures out I’m not going anywhere, his lips claim mine with a hard demand, his tongue seeking entry and tasting me with a sense of urgency. I moan into his mouth, expelling the hurt and distress I’ve kept hinged within for months. My fingers tangle into his hair as my legs try to climb him, wanting to become one with his strong build. Our mouths explore each other’s, taking and offering in a dance of chaos. His calloused hands grab at my ass, his touch foreign and rough.

  He tastes like beer and mint, a flavor that is toxic to my resistance. He breathes in my pain and fills me with a sense of hope. A hope that not all men are assholes, and maybe, just maybe Lip is different. He pulls away slowly, nipping on my bottom lip.

  “You scared?” he questions, his words feathering against my swollen mouth. My lips still feeling like his are devouring them, fluttering with phantom kisses. I keep my eyes closed for a second longer, wanting to stay in this state of bliss.

  I thought about lying to Lip and telling him I wasn’t scared at all, but the way he’s smirking, he already knows I’m nervous. Being around a bunch of dangerous bikers, criminals who were known killers around the area, is enough to make anyone sweat. But what really scares me is the way I want Lip so badly, the way my thoughts of realism succumb to his confidence and aura of safety. He grasps the nape of my neck and kisses my lips softly, holding his against mine a second longer than needed.

  “I got you, Cherry,” he whispers. I close my eyes and inhale his scent as I soak in his words. I don’t know what they mean, but I don’t fucking care. I was literally just kissed stupid seconds ago, and the way my body warms with knowing that I’m safe… I can barely breathe.

  He grabs my hand, and we sit down against the brick of the building. Heat wafts off it from the sun bearing down on it all day.

  “You got a man?” he asks, and I look down at the gravel and laugh.

  “You ask after you kiss me senseless?” His lip curls into an arrogant smile. “No, no man. What about you? Any girlfriend or kids?” I question.

  Lip scoffs. “No woman, and fuck no to kids.” He leans his head back against the wall. I laugh at how his tone dipped at the last part, but my fingers dig into my palm with unease at the same time.

  “I’m serious. I can’t have kids. I would make a shitty dad. They’re a deal-breaker for me.” I nod, unsure what to say, and look up at the night sky.

  “You don’t have kids, do you?” I can feel him staring at the side of my head, but I don’t take my eyes from the stars. I just keep looking into the dark abyss.

  “Does it matter?” I whisper. “I’m alone now, and I will be for who knows how long.” Lip doesn’t reply, and I look over at him. His brow is lifted and his face is hard.

  “Someone did a number on you, didn’t they?” Lip looks me over, and I pull my gaze from his before I see that same kind of sympathetic expression cross his face.

  “Someone taught me that if you want to live, you have to have patience.” I exhale loudly, closing my eyes to fight the tears. Lip grabs my hand and stands, pulling me with him.

  “Come on. Let’s go get a drink or something.”

  I smile, relieved he isn’t going to push any further about me having kids.

  LIP

  I watch Cherry closely as she searches the crowd in the club. She seems nervous, but more curious than anything. I take another pull on my beer and drape my arm across her shoulders, my fingertips nearly brushing the top of her tits. I sweep my eyes up her frame, landing on her chest. Man, she’s got a nice rack. She is so small standing next to me; it makes me wonder how small she would feel under me naked.

  I didn’t know what to think when I pulled over on that freeway the other day, but I sure as hell wasn’t guessing it’d be a girl like Cherry. She’s a spitfire, though. Most chicks go weak in the knees when they’re around me, or are so scared they walk on the other side of the street to avoid me. Being a part of the Devil’s Dust definitely has its perks—lots of pussy, and respect from those that fear us. But Cherry? Let’s just say she wasn’t something I was expecting.

  “You want a drink?” I whisper into her ear. She nods, but doesn’t stop watching the crowd. It’s nuts in here tonight. Girls are fast, drugs are flowing, and the booze is top-notch. Heading toward the cooler, a small busty brunette steps in front of me.

  “Hey, Lip, you look good tonight,” she flirts. Recognizing her voice, I realize it’s Chasity. She is a common ho around here, but she has the pinkest, wettest pussy I’ve ever had. She ain’t tight by no means, and she’s fucking annoying as hell with the way she clings, but she gets the job done. She has on a white tube top, her nipples clear as day through them, and a skull belly button ring shining against her tanned skin.

  “You wanna go somewhere quiet?” she pur
rs, caressing her hand up my stomach.

  I look over my shoulder at Cherry and groan. Fuck.

  I grab Chasity’s wrist, shaking my head. “Not tonight, babe.” Her face instantly drops into a pout. She pops her hip out, her mouth falling open.

  “‘Cause of her?” she sneers, looking around me at Cherry. I follow her line of sight, and find Cherry smiling at a couple of guys trying to dance with some girls, who have clearly had too much to drink cause they are falling everywhere. Watching Cherry giggle, seeing her without her knowing I’m seeing her, she looks fucking adorable. Cute and adorable isn’t something you see around here much. I trail my gaze back to a fuming Chasity.

  “Yeah, ‘cause of her,” I state up front.

  “That is so fucked up. You always want me.” She shakes her head, her lips pursed. Her self-assuredness pisses me off.

  “Nah, that’s where you’re wrong. You’re just the closest pussy around when I need to get my rocks off. You’re always open, if you get what I’m saying.” Her mouth falls open with shock, and her nostrils flare. “If you think we have anything more than me fucking you, then you have less brains than I thought,” I insult, pushing past her.

  “You are a fucking prick!” she yells in anger as I head toward Bobby, who’s sitting on the cooler.

  I tap his shoulder, urging him up.

  “Hey, man,” Bobby greets. “Who’s the hot chick you’re with? I haven’t seen her around here before. She like to double team?” Bobby laughs, referring to Cherry as a club whore. My lips form a tight line as my hands fist at my side. A strike of jealousy paining my chest, I rub at it with my fist, the feeling unfamiliar and unwelcomed.

  “Back off,” I respond, my tone dry. Bobby’s face falls before turning into a big-ass smile.

  “All right, I get it she’s yours.” He laughs. I stare off, not liking the fact that I’m more than intrigued by Cherry. “Where did you find her?” he continues. I glance over to where Cherry is standing and find Bull behind the bar, smoking and talking to Cherry. Bull grins and glances at me. I swallow hard and look back at the cooler.