by Candace Shaw
“Good morning, babe.” He pulled her toward him, and she rested her head on his rock-hard chest. “Sleep well?”
“I could use a few more hours. Are you always this chipper in the morning?” she asked, pulling away and grabbing her toothbrush and toothpaste.
“You are definitely not a morning person.”
Her sarcastic laugh filled the air. “Nope. I need coffee first.”
He laughed and popped her butt. “Love the way it jiggles.” He stood behind her and encircled his hands around her waist, placing a kiss to her shoulder.
“Are you going to watch me brush my teeth?” she asked. “This could get messy.”
“I like messy.” He kissed the crook of her neck tenderly, eliciting a soft moan from her. “Last night got kinda messy.”
“Luckily, I was able to lick up all of the whipped cream.” She wiggled her butt on his erection that had wedged itself between her cheeks. “All right now. We’re supposed to be downstairs in an hour so we can head out to the track.”
“Nervous?”
“Nope. I know the potential of Pretty in Pink. She’ll be fine,” she answered.
“Can’t believe you signed up for this competition,” he said, looking at her through the mirror. “There’s going to be a lot of mean hogs out there.”
“I can handle it.” She shrugged. “I handled you last night, didn’t I?” she asked with a wicked grin.
“Yes, you certainly did.” He bit the side of her neck and slid his hands away from her. “Going to get dressed. I ordered breakfast for us when I got up, including a pot of coffee for you.”
“Perfect.”
He stepped out as she went ahead and brushed her teeth. When she was finished, she rushed out of the bathroom to find him on the couch with his laptop. Leaning over, she kissed him deeply. Sliding the laptop to the couch, he pulled her on top of him, unleashing his enticing tongue around hers.
She lifted her head and pulled away from him, but he playfully yanked her back down. “Where you going?”
“Bryce, I came to give you a good-morning kiss. I just wanted to make sure I’d brushed my teeth first. Going to hop in the shower.”
He released her and slid his laptop back onto his thighs. “You know I can get used to your good-morning kisses,” he said seriously.
She laughed it off as she closed the bathroom door and leaned against it. While she enjoyed waking up to him and being playful, they had to stick to their agreement from last night. There was no getting used to anything between them. Sleeping in his arms had been one of the best nights of her life. She’d been warm and cozy nestled against his chest. During the night, he stirred in his sleep and planted a few sweet kisses on her neck. She loved the gesture, but she had to keep telling herself not to get too comfortable with him. Their relationship was strictly sex and only while they were in Vegas. The thought of that made her a little sad, but she shook it off and hopped into the shower. She had to stay focused on winning the race, but all she could think about was making love to Bryce.
After breakfast, they headed down to the parking lot to retrieve their bikes to jet to the track.
She slid up on her bike and leaned over seductively. “Are you sure you don’t want to ride behind me?” she asked, giving him her best sex kitten smile.
“As appealing as that is, I’m not riding a pink bike. Besides, we’ve never ridden together like this before. Could be fun.” He put on his helmet and straddled his motorcycle. “Follow me.” He dropped his visor and backed out of the space.
She nodded and placed her helmet on. She revved up her engine and kicked up the kickstand. She gave the go signal, and he zoomed off with her following. There were other bikers headed down to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It was about a fifteen-mile trek, but Bryce had prewarned her they should just cruise and not show off considering a lot of the bikers on the way would be racing, as well.
Once they arrived, Syd registered and placed the number given to her on the back of her jacket. There were quite a few different races that day. Syd had only entered one since she’d decided at the last minute to go and most of the other slots were already filled. So she’d signed up for the three-lap race for women. She just had to stay in her, lane which would be hard to do. She loved to drive fast, and, thanks to her training, she knew how to weave in and out of other motorcycles safely.
Bryce pulled her onto his lap as they sat in the stands watching the races below. There were two more before it was her turn, and she was told to be ready during the one right before hers. Bryce was being such a sweetheart, rocking her back and forth and rubbing her back. A girl could get used to this, she thought. However, she pushed it aside because that wasn’t going to happen. They were just going to have fun in Vegas and then return to Atlanta without looking back.
Thirty minutes later, she headed down to the designated area. She’d already parked her bike there as instructed earlier, and she hopped up on it, holding her helmet and gazing into the stands to find Bryce, but she didn’t see him. Her eyes perused the area where she’d left him and there was still no sign. She figured he went to the restroom or to grab something to snack on at the concession stand. She was completely surprised at herself for being so concerned as to where he was. He wasn’t her man, but at least while they were there he was, and she wanted his nod of encouragement before the race began.
Her cell phone vibrated from the inside pocket of her jacket. She unzipped and reached into it to read the text. She’d avoided contacting Megan or any other family members since she had arrived in Vegas except to say she’d gotten there safely. She was hoping her recent text wasn’t one of them.
She glanced at the text message as a wide smile inched across her face. She read it in his sexy, deep voice that he always seemed to use with her recently.
Turn around.
There he was on the side of the track, wearing a delicious smile on his ruggedly handsome face. She was sure her grin matched his if not wider.
Can you believe I’m actually nervous?
Man up, woman!
LOL!
She shook her head at him and placed her cell phone back in her pocket when the speaker announced through a bullhorn that they would begin in five minutes and to head to the starting line. She cast one more look at Bryce, who yelled out, “You got this!”
Giving him two thumbs up, she shut her visor and headed to the starting line.
There were eight other women racing, as well, but Sydney wasn’t concerned about them. This race would be a piece of cake. She listened as the announcer read out the rules, and she concentrated on waiting to hear the gun go off.
When it did seconds later, she shot off, as did the other bikers as they all sped down the track. Some were neck and neck while a few lagged behind. She couldn’t hear the cheers and wasn’t really concerned because her focus point was zooming around the track again so she could see Bryce standing on the sidelines cheering her on. When she made it around the first time, she was in third place. Her eyes caught a quick glance of his manly physique, and she sped up, passing the woman in second. She was almost about to pass the woman in first, but Syd held back until the last part of the third lap. The ladies were neck and neck. The other biker passed Syd but only for a second. Her goal came into view and the words Bryce had shouted earlier played in her head like a broken record, and she zoomed past the other woman and through the ribbon first. She slowed down and parked on the side as Bryce came running toward her, lifting her off the motorcycle and twirling her in his comforting embrace and screaming at the top of his lungs.
“I knew you’d do it! That’s my girl! They ate your dust!”
He continued with some other compliments as she laughed, but she really didn’t care about winning. She was elated just to be in his arms.
The other bikers congratulated her, and the an
nouncer presented her with a trophy.
They watched a few more of the events, which were mostly performed by professionals riding their bikes over cars or jumping off ramps and doing other tricks with their motorcycles. Afterward, they headed back, had dinner at a buffet and gambled in the casino. They returned upstairs around midnight after having won six hundred dollars between them, which Syd threw on the bed and laid on top of.
He picked some of it up and tossed it on her. “You do realize we broke even? We really didn’t win.” He laid down next to her and pulled her close to him. She rested her head on his chest and tried to shut out the countdown that played in her mind of when they’d be back in Atlanta and back to their normal lives, minus the bickering and bantering.
“Yeah, but at least it wasn’t a total loss. I can’t afford to lose my hard-earned money, especially if I’m contemplating leaving the GBI soon.”
“So you’re serious about taking the bar?”
“I might as well take it.” She sat up and leaned against the pillows. “I can study for it while I’m off and, like you said, do some soul-searching.” She let out a big yawn. “It’s been such a long day. I just want to take a shower.” She scooted off the bed and headed to the bathroom.
She closed the door and threw off her clothes and grabbed her shower cap off the vanity.
A tap at the door sounded, and she opened it to see Bryce in his boxers with his hands behind his back. “Can I join you?” he asked with a sly fox smile.
She ran her hand down his chest. “Of course, Counselor.”
Sydney proceeded to turn on the shower and let the water heat up before she stepped in. She was surprised when he didn’t follow her. She glanced over at him leaning against the counter still wearing the same smile and his boxers.
“I thought you were getting in?”
“I’ll just watch for a moment.”
“Suit yourself.” She grabbed the shower gel from the shelf and the washcloth from the towel rod and lathered up. She glanced over at him again. He’d now stepped out his boxers as his friend sprung forward at full attention. He swiped something from the counter, but it was still behind him.
“Can you wash my back?” she asked, curious to know what he was hiding.
“Sure.” He stepped forward and opened the glass shower door. She handed him the washcloth and shower gel. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him set the gold packet on one of the soap shelves. He scrubbed her back in a rotating motion before sliding the washcloth around to her chest and lowering his lips to her neck. Moaning, she reached her mouth around to his. He meshed his body tightly against hers and wandered his hand between her legs, slipping a finger inside, but their kissing never missed a beat. His erection was strong and hard on her butt, and she wiggled against him, wanting so bad for it to replace his finger. She turned around and faced him, placing kisses on his chest and twirling her tongue around his nipple.
“That feels so good, babe.”
“I know something else that will feel even better,” she said, handing him the packet.
She kissed him softly at first, trying to memorize the feel of his lips so she would never forget them after Vegas. She pulled his head down to her deeper as he delved his tongue into her mouth in a sensual assault that amplified every time their tongues met, and her moans grew louder. He turned her so she was in the corner of the shower under the water flow but not quite getting wet.
She wrapped one of her legs around him and kissed him with more aggression. He lifted his head and trailed kisses along her neck and down to her breasts, pulling and biting them.
“Bryce, baby...you... That feels so good.” She clutched his shoulders as one of his hands massaged her entire feminine area, unleashing shivers throughout her. Squeals erupted from her. She found herself under the shower, but he pulled her back to the corner.
“I don’t want your hair to get wet.”
She ripped the shower cap from her head and threw it down. “I don’t care.” She panted breathlessly, pulling them directly under the water stream. “I really don’t care.”
He ripped open the packet as she placed kisses along his neck and ears. He lifted her leg higher around his waist.
“Hold on to me tightly,” he demanded, entering her in one thrust.
Circling her arms around his neck, she nibbled his bottom lip. “Yes, Counselor.” She began to meet his thrusts over and over. He held on to her tightly as his muscular arms surrounded her in a warm cocoon. She felt secure with him even when he picked her up, and she wrapped both of her legs around his waist. Sydney knew he wouldn’t drop her as he slid her up and down on him at a fast pace while their kisses matched. After unlatching her lips from his, she leaned her head back as an orgasmic rush hit her and she trembled in his arms.
“Bryce...keep going. Baby, please,” she begged, which was so unlike her, but she didn’t care. Being joined with him was so intense and emotional that for a second she thought she could actually fall for him.
“I got you, babe.” He pulled her with him to the shower seat as she continued the roller-coaster ride she was on. He weaved his fingers into her wet hair as their mouths touched, but they didn’t kiss as she sighed and moaned with each passionate stroke. He stared at her with heated eyes that she found herself falling into the more they continued their passionate tryst. He’d been right. Sex was so much better than riding a motorcycle. She’d just never had the right man with so much stamina and vigor before. Now she didn’t know how she was ever going to be without this feeling of ecstasy.
Bryce’s vibrations began to pick up as she slammed harder on him, and she knew his release was near. He grabbed her bottom and squeezed it tightly as he shivered inside her.
“Ahhhh...Syd...damn girl...uhhh,” he yelled out as she felt his warmth pulsating inside her. She clenched her muscles around him to make him tremble.
“You good, babe?” she asked, wiping the sweat from his brow.
“Do you have any idea how much power you have between your legs?”
She grinned mischievously and clenched herself around him again just to see an aftershock tremble. “Yep.”
He chuckled. “What am I going to do with you?” he asked, lifting her off him. She settled on the shower seat.
“You can regain your strength, and we can go one more round in a few.” She stood and turned off the water.
“Let’s finish this in the bedroom,” he said gruffly, opening the shower door and stepping out first. He took her hand, then surprised her by flinging her over his shoulder as she laughed hysterically.
* * *
On Sunday they attended the closing events, including a desert bike ride and a few workshops on how to do tricks on a motorcycle. That evening, they attended a superstar’s show that was in residence at the casino next door.
After they made love Sunday night, she rested her head on Bryce’s chest, thinking about the next two days traveling back to Atlanta. He rubbed her back before he fell asleep, and that was one of the many little things she would miss. He was always caring and thoughtful, even if their newfound friendship was solely based on sex. At least they’d been able to get out their pent-up frustrations with each other and parlay it into a friendship where they would no longer argue. However, she sort of liked that part, considering he was so sexy and commanding when he was angry.
The next morning, they finished packing in silence. She didn’t know what to say to him since once they left Vegas behind, that was it. He’d been quiet and somewhat reserved during breakfast except for a few phone calls about Mrs. Thomas’s situation. Sydney called the bellhop, and the same one who’d brought their luggage up upon their arrival showed up ten minutes later with a cart. Bryce helped him load and Sydney walked around the room one more time, making sure they didn’t leave anything. She had a habit of leaving shower gel or a sock behind.
“I called down to valet to have them bring around the Range and the trailer. Then I’ll load up the motorcycles. You want to wait in the lobby, and I’ll come get you when I’m out front?”
“Um...sure.” She’d barely heard what he’d said. She was in such a daze. Their fun had come to an end.
“Cool.” He pulled some money out of his wallet and scribbled something on the notepad on the desk and left it there with the money.
“Come on, young man,” Bryce said, patting the bellhop’s back “You can finish telling me about your golf lessons this weekend and your plans for grad school.”
After they left, Sydney glanced at the note and the cash. It was a four-hundred-dollar tip for the maid service. She smiled, grabbed her purse and gazed around the room one last time.
Chapter 10
Bryce pulled into Sydney’s driveway a little after nine on Tuesday night. They’d had a nice trip back and managed not to discuss what had transpired between them in Vegas as they’d agreed. He had found safe topics to discuss in order to avoid it even though all he could think about was her warm, sensual body naked under on top of and on the side of him.
He was disappointed she hadn’t mentioned their tryst. It was truly as if it had never happened for her, though he did sense her guard coming back up. Especially when she didn’t take her shades off until the last drop of sunlight had completely vanished. He didn’t remember her wearing them in Vegas. They’d rested in her hair the majority of the time. He’d thought perhaps they’d share a suite again, but she made her own hotel reservations for the journey back.
He turned off the engine and rested his hands on the steering wheel. “I’ll take your bike off the trailer and park it in the garage.”
She dug around in her purse and pulled out the remote for her garage, as well as the key to her motorcycle.
“Okay. I’m going to grab my suitcase and ice cooler from the backseat.”