by Brooke May
The house is bigger than I thought it was. I never understood why people felt the need to have such a massive place to live in. The lounge room is the same size as Jax’s and my flat; a whole wall is nothing but glass, and the view is breathtaking.
Big Piney is in the forefront, dominating the landscape with Maple Ridge.
“Beautiful.” Like the homeowner. Leaving the room, I follow the scent of coffee brewing down into another expanse space. Entering the kitchen takes me by surprise. It isn’t spotless like you see most homes they feature on television. This kitchen is well used and lived in. Three cups occupy the counter, so I help myself to one and make a mad dash to the coffeepot and pour myself a cup. My eyes close as I inhale the nectar of the gods.
Thank fuck for coffee. I don’t think I could function without it.
Taking a drink, I let the hot fluid sear my tongue and all the way down to my stomach. I turn around and slowly open my eyes to find Parker sitting on the stool across from me. A shit-eating grin is firmly in place on his otherwise relaxed, sleep-ridden face.
“Morning.” He reaches up and scratches his head and waves one of the cups for me to take and fill it for him. He reminds me of one of the ginger twins in Harry Potter.
“I’m not Harry, and you sure as fuck aren’t Fred.” I don’t take his cup. This is his house; he can get his own shit.
He laughs. “Even in a great mood first thing in the morning.” Getting up, he moves around to fill his cup. “I wasn’t expecting to see you this morning.” He leans against the counter.
“And why is that?” I didn’t see him last night when we left the party. I’m assuming he came home with his own guest. “What? Do you two not shit where you eat?”
His grin turns into an all-out smile. “It’s fucking awesome the way you cuss. Wish I was that cool.” He lifts his cup but drops it again. “And no, we don’t. Well, I do, but Paige has never.”
“Really?”
I’m a first?
What does this mean for my plot in Paige’s life?
Does this mean I’m special to her?
Maybe I’ll become something more?
Why am I being a total woman and worrying about it all?
“Paige has only ever done random hookups wherever she is partying and has never had the same guy more than once …” His voice carries off as his eyes grow wide with the realization he said more than he probably wanted to about his sister.
“Couldn’t this be a good thing? Maybe she wants something more than a random hookup.”
His head started shaking in the middle of my question. “No, no, that’s not Paige. Don’t get me wrong, man, I like you and all but just because Paige brought you home one night doesn’t mean she is going to change.” He rounds the counter again and takes his seat. “Mark my words. Paige will be done with you soon.”
I don’t know Paige well enough to know if what Parker says is true or not. I honestly don’t want to take his advice, but at the same time, I’m wary not to keep it in mind as I push forward with her.
“You never know—”
“Speaking of a piece o’ ass, tell me about this Megan.” He steeps his fingers in front of him, looking more business than bad boy in that brief instant.
My eyes narrow, and my normal morning expression is back in place. “What do you want to know about her?”
“Well …” He leans back, draping an arm over the back of his seat. “First, is she available?” His eyes turn molten and a salacious grin spreads. “And the other is, is she amazing in bed?”
I know he is changing the subject, and it is too tempting not to take it up. He is interested in Megan, and she has been driving me crazy. What better way to do away with her clingy behavior than to pawn her off on another?
“She’s available.” I start to drink my coffee quicker.
“Yeah?” This perks the little shit up. “And in bed? Come on; you tapped that, didn’t you?”
“She’s all right.” I shrug, not really in the mood for discussing sex with another woman when I just fucked his sister all night. This would give Megan other routes to pursue, all leading away from me.
“Is she pretty tight?”
A clearing throat jerks both of our attention to the entrance of the kitchen. Paige stands there, dressed in jeans and a tight black t-shirt; her hands rest on her hips but she wears a coy smile on her red lips.
“Morning.” Her arse sways as she walks into the kitchen, skipping the coffee cup and going straight for the refrigerator to get something to eat. I’m completely transfixed by the way the dark denim covers and stretches over her arse.
She stands, throwing her hair over her shoulder, and I see just one of the marks I left on her last night. My dick swells, hardening in my shorts. I want to beat the shit out of her brother, knocking him out so I can fuck her right there on the counter.
Paige sets everything up and starts a shockingly hearty, healthy breakfast. She moves to a bowl and kisses me softly and quickly on the cheek. I grin, turning to Parker, who is slack-jawed and wide-eyed by his sister’s action.
“Morning.” I kiss her hair, taking in the smell of her unique scent.
“I was wondering if you had any plans for the day.” Paige mixes and whips up a few egg white omelets with vegetables and some turkey bacon.
My grin continues while Parker rolls his eyes and snags an omelet.
“Nothing, why?”
She turns, handing a plate over to me. “Spend the day with me.”
I love that she doesn’t ask me; she just demands. I could say no I’m busy and she would more than likely be cool with that.
“Aces.” I sit and dig into the omelet.
“Great.” She takes a seat next to her brother. “Find Oz a pair of pants he can borrow. No skinny and nothing too baggy.”
“Aye, aye, mon captain.” Parker salutes her, barely dodging her jab to his shoulder.
I watch the two of them banter back and forth, making me miss my own sister. I’ll have to give Priscilla a call tonight. I miss hearing her still annoying as hell high-pitched voice. Last time we talked, she was telling me all about this boyfriend our parents loved. Yeah, right. The guy is probably a complete tool, and the old man just hasn’t figured it out yet.
“Let’s go.” Paige slaps the table, leaving the dishes there, and starts for the door, not waiting for me. While I wait, I look around and wonder for a moment where Len could be.
Parker has already left but quickly returns with a pair of pants.
“Hope they fit.” He thrusts them into my arms. My waist is a little bigger than his is. I duck into the hallway, keeping my eyes on Paige as she walks down the long corridor. Slipping my shorts off, I shove my runner covered feet into the pants and pull them up.
Yes, I’m talented. I did all this while walking.
Taking off my clothes is a specialty of mine.
I catch up to her just as she opens the door to the prettiest garage I have ever seen. Garages can be pretty if you know the beauty they can hold. For example, look at all the amazing and majestic cars, bikes, and trucks this one holds. There are no dirt bikes here, and hell, since I know they live up here in Promontory, I’m sure they have another garage for those toys. The bikes in this garage are for pleasure riding and to show off.
That’s where Paige is heading, throwing on a leather jacket.
Right. To. The. Bikes.
She passes them, grabbing another leather jacket and two helmets. My head is already shaking; my skin feels clammy when she turns to me. “Here.” She hands me the jacket and the helmet.
“I-I ca-can’t,” I stutter. Fucking twat waffle, foreskin hell, I can’t do this!
Slowly, I begin to back away.
“Sure, you can.” She forces the gear into my hands and looks back at the bike closest to us. A very nice Aprilia RSV.
Chapter Fifteen
See the drool? The look like I’ve fallen completely and stupidly in love? I like the bike, but no, I won’t
get on a bike for my own mum, so why would I do so for a woman I’ve only fucked?
“I’m sorry. I can’t.” My back bumps into a wall, leaving me stuck.
“You can, and you will.” Paige grabs my hand, pulling the jacket on and forcing it up and over my shoulders.
Can I yell rape?
Because I think that’s what I can claim. She’s forcing me to do something I don’t want—
Ah, hell, I’m screwed.
“It will be fun.” She flashes me a less Wednesday Addams creepy smile. “It’s time to get over those fears and embrace who you are again.”
How the fuck does she know what I fear?
Puffing my chest, I grab the goddamn helmet and slam it on my head.
“I’m not scared.” The snarl isn’t convincing to my ears, possibly because it is one or two octaves higher than my normal voice.
“Sure, whatever you say.” Laughing, she leaves me and walks over to one of the bikes.
Yes, you guessed it; the one I was drooling over. She straddles it and then pats the seat of the MV Augusta F4 right next to her. It’s blood red, and I melt a little in the almost too tight pants.
Have I told you red is my favorite color?
No? Well, it is. Why do you think I like her lips so much?
Suddenly, my resolve fades into the distance like a bad rash. My issue with ever riding a bike against seems petty now that I look at the glorious bike she’s offering to let me ride. Jax overcame the difficulties from the wreck I had a hand in causing and is living life to the fullest now. He’s told me he wants to race again, and he is still part of the racing world. He also doesn’t hold anything against me for the accident.
Licking the corner of my mouth, I decide my fate. My bare hands grasp the smooth throttle and handlebars of the bike firmly as I sling my leg over to sink into the comfortable seat. It used to be difficult for me to find bikes I could ride due to my size, but there is no worry with this one. It fits me almost too perfectly. Bringing the bike to life, I let the purring vibrations between my thighs into my body and soul.
“See?” Looking up from the F4, Paige’s cheeks are round with a smile before she starts her own bike and we take off. I follow her along the curves and turns of her long driveway and wait by her side while the gates to her house open to unleash us.
The only thing I have to bitch about is riding in Parker’s pants. They are far too tight around my thighs. Other than that, the ride is a beaut and so is the woman riding next to me. We venture back into Salt Lake City, and she leads me to a community by Hogle Zoo.
We pull to the curb in front of a nice house with a golf course behind it.
“Wait here.” Paige gets off her bike and pulls a smaller helmet out of one of the saddle bags. “I’ll be right back.” As she jogs up the short path to the front door, I admire the sway of her arse in the tight fabric stretched over it. The front door whips open before she even gets a chance to knock.
Taylor is jumping into Paige’s arms before an adult can make it to the door. I watch the hard shell of Paige’s exterior soften in the presence of the little girl. She must truly care about the girl.
In no time, the two of them are walking hand in hand back to me and the bikes.
“Hi, Axle.” Taylor giggles as she climbs onto the back of Paige’s bike and waits for her to help with the helmet.
“Nice to see you again, Taylor.” The smile on both of their faces is infectious, and I find myself wearing one as well.
Taylor’s smile grows when she turns her helmet clad head in my direction. “Where are we going?” I know the question isn’t for me because I have no fucking clue what Paige has planned for us. I just plan on enjoying it.
“Bike park,” Paige answers, straddling the bike once more. Both bikes roar to life and Taylor throws both fists into the air and lets loose a scream of joy. We weave through the streets of the city until we reach a bike park. Paige quickly gets Taylor a bike and unleashes her on the ramps while we sit back with bottles of water to watch her tear up the course.
“I didn’t know this place was here.” Falling back on the bench, I put my arm around the back of it and around Paige. She stiffens briefly and scoots up a fraction.
How strange.
“I discovered while riding around one day. When Park and I were kids, we basically lived at a park like this one. We were either watching the older, more experienced kids or bruising ourselves attempting to be like them.” The fond smile she is wearing slips in the slightest like something from the past grips her. “Believe it or not, a couple of years ago, this business was going under when I came to check it out.”
“They look like they are doing well now.” Kids are everywhere in the park; some on bikes, others either skateboarding or roller blading.
I didn’t think anyone wore blades anymore.
“This was Park’s and my first investment after we made it big.” She rubs her arms. “We sponsor programs here for kids who need a place to escape their home life. More kids would stay out of trouble and out of gangs if they had a positive place to go. Park and I will keep sponsoring the park as long as they don’t turn kids in need away and work with them.”
“That’s pretty awesome of you two.”
She only shrugs it off as if it’s no big deal. “It’s the least we could do.”
A comfortable silence settles between us as we watch Taylor ride and laugh with the other kids her age. She helps little kids who are struggling and even receives help from older ones. Taylor seems like a pretty happy girl. She lives in a nice home in a good neighborhood, and from what I saw of her mum, she has good parents as well.
You’re catching on, aren’t you?
I’m wondering why a girl like Taylor would be in the adoptive siblings program.
“Why is Taylor in the program?” For a few minutes, I feel as though my question has fallen on deaf ears, and that pisses me off. I really can’t stand it when I’m ignored like this.
“She’s in foster care, Oz.” She doesn’t look at me, just rests her elbows on her knees. “She had a rough start to life and was put into the system. She’s been with her foster family since she was two months old. Her foster dad is a mechanic for us, and I went from there. I’m not really her big sister through any program. I just took her under my wing is all.”
This woman has so many more layers than I ever thought she did when I first saw her two weeks ago. I admire Paige and the way she interacts with Taylor for the rest of the afternoon. Once we have fed her and returned her home, Paige follows me back to my flat. When I pull up to the curb next to my truck, I’m at a loss for words.
Do I rattle my keys and invite her in, hoping for something more like a complete chick I seem to be with her?
Hell to the no.
“I’ve got to get going. I have some business to take care of tonight.” There is no peck on the cheek; she doesn’t even get off her bike. “You can keep the bike here; I’ll come for it later.”
“Are you sure?” The disappointment in my voice is obvious.
“Yeah, go for another ride tomorrow. It will do you some good. Plus, it looks good on you.” Nodding, she starts her bike again and pulls away before I can say another thing. She makes her way out of the complex and out of my weekend.
Why do I have the sudden feeling I was ditched?
Rubbing my chest, I dismount and push the bike up to the awning of our tiny arse porch. I don’t want anything to happen to this beaut. I barely get the chance to close the door and let my depressing thoughts consume me for the rest of the day when my phone begins to ring. Pulling it out of the leather jacket I also didn’t have a chance to return to Paige, I find my sister’s smiling face while also sticking her tongue out at me flash on the screen.
“What’s happenin’, buggalugs?”
“Axle, I am twenty-five years old; you can’t keep using that nickname.” She huffs, and I know this is going to be a great convo.
“Sure, I can. I’m still older,
aren’t I?”
“Prick.”
“Brat.”
“Mayo shooting hotdog gun.”
I gasp. “Why, Prim Priscilla, did you just call your brother a dick?”
“I sure fucking did. What are you going to do about it, arsehole?”
We both fall into a fit of laughter, her snort at the usual way we start any conversation. This one is PG to say the least.
“How have you been, Cilla?”
She sighs. Fucking sighs. My sister has never been one to do something like that. And then I recall the pecker she’s been dating. “Life has been wonderful for the most part, big bother.”
“What did that arsehole do to you?” He’d better not have knocked her up.
“Noth—”
“Because I will make sure I get my arse back home and kick his into the ocean.”
“Axle, he hasn’t done anything bad.” She giggles and then sobers. “It’s Mum, Ax.” If I thought the prick my sister is dating set me on fire, nothing compares to the rage that boils with the mention of my mum.
A little backstory … my mum takes care of all of us—very well, might I add. She always made sure us kids made it to our appointments and had everything we needed to be healthy. She did the same with my dad.
Yet the woman can’t seem to take care of herself; she’s slowed down over the years. She doesn’t eat often, and when she does, it isn’t the healthiest choices. She constitutes her nightly work as exercise to get her by. In other words, my mum is unhealthy and overweight. My dad is liable to outlive her, and he has messed up lungs. It’s sad.
Priscilla and I have tried to convince her to change her ways, but she just thinks we are being mean. It doesn’t help that my dad refuses to say a word. The woman can be terrifying if she wants to be. Last time I talked to her, I demanded she get a checkup.
“Did she go see the doctor finally?” My teeth grind. Storming to my room, I lock myself in. I don’t need Jax to see me with tears in my eyes. It’s bad enough the bike is outside; I don’t need him to tease me for caring about my mum.