Peyton's Path: Fighting Fate Book 2

by SM Olivier

  She gulped and nervously picked at the zipper of her duffle bag. “Yeah,” she said quietly.

  I had a feeling her disbelief in herself was just too strong.

  ●

  We were the last ones to show up in the crowded parking lot across from the dance studio. I could feel the tension and excitement in the air as Zane fell into step beside me and took my hand. I linked my arms through Renee’s and pulled her close. I could feel her nerves radiating off her.

  She tensed at first, but then I felt her relax against me. I wouldn’t call her a best friend, but we were definitely friends, and she really was coming out of her shell. She was even comfortable around the guys now, and they were kind to her in return.

  “You’re going to do amazing today,” I told her confidentially.

  “I wish I had your self-confidence.” She sighed heavily.

  “Are you kidding me?” I snorted good-naturedly. “I’m shaking like a leaf inside, but that’s what we do. We clear our minds of all our self-doubt, and we leave everything on the stage. There’s a reason we got the solos. Our bodies know what to do, even if our minds are filled with doubt.”

  She nodded, but I could still feel the stiffness in her body.

  “I saved us a seat,” Zane murmured to me as we neared the bus.

  “When?” I asked in surprise.

  He smirked at me. “This morning before I came to get you.”

  I smiled up at him. I let him lead me onto the bus as the other girls and boys kissed their parents goodbye. I tried to ignore Diane glaring at me as she hugged Bailey and Kayley before they boarded the bus. I really couldn’t feel any remorse for her current situation. She shouldn’t have shared my private information and started lies that had no validity.

  “Good morning, girls, Zane.” Alex smiled at us as we boarded.

  My eyes widened as I took in the interior of the bus. Anya hadn’t spared any expense, that was for sure. It was one of the nicest coach buses I had ever seen. The windows were darkly tinted, blocking out the early morning sunshine. A row of white lights illuminated the walkways. All the seats were made of charcoal-gray leather, and they looked really comfortable. Each set of seats had a small television screen suspended from the ceiling, and wireless headphones were sitting in each chair.

  “Wow,” Renee breathed in wonder as she climbed up behind us.

  “Traveling in style today,” Alex said excitedly. “Find a seat. We’re leaving in ten.”

  Zane led me to the very back of the bus to a set of seats across from the bathroom. He already had a couple of pillows and a blanket on the bench. It made me feel all warm and fuzzy that he’d brought comfort items along.

  “I wish I would have thought of a pillow and blanket,” Renee teased as she stopped in the seats in front of us. She then began to struggle to get her duffel bag in the overhead compartment.

  Zane immediately jumped to her assistance, taking the bag from her hands. He was a gentleman like that. “These buses get so cold, and Peyton has an aversion to the cold.”

  I laughed because he was right. “That’s why I had to get throw blankets for Crew and Kyler’s couches. I swear those guys live in a freezer. I can’t ever sit and watch television without a blanket.”

  Renee gave me a look of puzzlement. She had been giving me a lot of those looks lately. I knew she saw how all the guys treated me, but just like Freddy, she seemed reluctant to ask about our situation, and honestly, I still didn’t know how to describe it without sounding like a… slut.

  “Dad keeps the house really cold, too. In the wintertime he sleeps with the windows open!” Renee shuddered.

  “So does Crew.” Zane laughed.

  “He what?” I moaned. “I guess I won’t−” I bit my tongue, not wanting to finish the sentence in front of Renee.

  Zane smiled and kissed my cheek. “My bed will always be open for you,” he murmured in my ear before taking my bag from my hand. “I promise to keep you more than warm.”

  “Stop it.” I felt the warmth flood my cheeks, gently elbowing him in the ribs as he lifted my bag into the rack. I tried not to notice the sliver of skin that peeked out as he reached up above his head. His happy trail was too tempting.

  Renee shook her head before she took her seat, messing with a remote for the television. “Do you think we can actually watch something on these things?” she asked over her shoulder.

  “Mom said they have an on-demand menu. They have over twenty movies on it. They’re older, but there are some really good ones in there.” Zane smiled before he took the seat closest to the window.

  I took the seat beside him, and he immediately pulled me into his side before covering us with the blanket. I snuggled up close to him, confirming my assumptions that the seats were indeed comfortable. The next three hours were going to be cozy, and just what I needed right before my first competition with my new school.

  ●

  The longer I laid on Zane, the more I became restless. We had chosen Wedding Crashers to watch, and the light-hearted romantic comedy was exactly what I needed. Until Zane started to gently caress me. I didn’t even think he realized he was doing it. He had always been a demonstrative person, but since we’d had sex, he had been more expressive physically.

  I had been laying against his chest, and somehow, his hands had found the bare skin between my jacket and pants. His long fingers continued to trace patterns on my skin, and occasionally he would drop a kiss on my head.

  When had I become so libidinous? It was like a door had been opened, and no matter how hard I tried to keep it closed, it kept swinging wide open. I wanted him.

  Like, right now.

  I looked around the darkened bus and noticed it was still and quiet. Some people had slipped off to sleep, while others were watching their own movies. Only a few people were actually talking. I didn’t know whether it was nerves or excitement that kept everyone so subdued.

  As the bus drove on, the urge to fool around with Zane engulfed me. Over a week ago, I wouldn’t have thought myself capable of even entertaining these thoughts in a half-full bus of people, but the opportunity was presenting itself. We were in the back. No one was across from us. The opposite seats in front weren’t occupied. Bailey and Wendy were in the seats in front of those, but they hadn’t even looked back at us once. Renee sat in front of us, by herself, but she was sucked into The Devil Wears Prada.

  In Zane’s reclined position, I could see that same sliver of skin taunting me. I reached out and traced the happy trail and heard him hiss out a surprised breath. I could feel the tautness in his body as he allowed me to continue to stroke his bare skin, his erection pressing against the zipper of his pants.

  I grinned in satisfaction as I reached for his belt buckle. Suddenly, his hand shot out to mine. His eyes were wide…surprised. I raised my eyebrow at him, licked my lips, and tilted my head in question. Lust filled his eyes. He stifled a moan and jerkily nodded, his eyes darting around the bus just as I had moments ago.

  I removed my headphones and resituated myself and the blankets around us, just in case someone looked back. I hoped it would appear like I was napping in his lap. Unlike Coach, Anya didn’t seem to mind when the guys sat down next to the girls. I figured that she thought her presence, along with Star’s, Alex’s, and a couple of other instructors, were enough to dissuade any of us from fooling around.

  It took me a couple of attempts, but I finally released his belt buckle, undid his button, then pulled down his zipper. He had on boxers that opened up in the front, so it was easy access for me. He lifted his hips slightly, pulling his pants down a bit.

  I grabbed him and heard him hiss again. With my hand wrapped around his warm, hard length, I reveled in the feel of him in my hand, my thumb swirling around the bead of precum from the tip. His legs tensed under my hand, and his fingers shook as he grasped the back of my neck. I knew he was exercising some serious patience.

  I stroked him several more times before I turned to look at hi
m. Desire and another strong emotion filled his eyes as he watched my small, pale hand encase his darker, hardened length. He thrust his hips forward, and I knew I had to stop teasing him. Leaning in, I took his cock into my mouth, pulling up to lick the top, almost humming in satisfaction at the saltiness there. I didn’t know why Madison didn’t like giving head. I felt…powerful when I did it.

  To me, there was something exhilarating knowing I had the control to make my men lose theirs. Of course, it helped to know they enjoyed it, that I could give them that fulfillment.

  I licked the head several more times before I took him fully, taking in more of his essence into my mouth. He ducked his head, and I watched him bite his lip, knowing the war he was fighting to be vocal yet surrounded by others.

  I ran my tongue along his whole length and could still smell the soap he used this morning. He smelled delicious. Finally, I opened wider, relaxing my jaw as I took him deeper. His hips jerked, and I felt his breathy sigh.

  Crew had been more than patient showing and instructing me on how to please a man with my hands, tongue, and mouth. I decided to take his lessons to heart and see if they worked on Zane as well.

  Zane’s hand was fisted by his side, the other gripped the back of my neck with a firm but gentle touch. I took him to the back of my throat while stroking and squeezing his length with my hand, my lips meeting my fist with each pull. From his labored breathing, I knew Zane was enjoying every second.

  I felt the heat between my thighs and knew I was getting wet just from pleasing him. I started shifting uncomfortably, seeking relief.

  As though he could read my mind, I felt Zane reach down to slide his hand beneath my tank top and bra. I realized his end goal when he grasped my nipple in his fingers. He pinched it with enough force to be painfully pleasant. He rolled my peak in his fingers, and it was my turn to stifle a moan. I felt myself getting wetter and wished we were alone so I could ride him to our release.

  I slid my mouth up and down his cock several more times before I finally reached down to gently tug his balls in my hand. He tensed once more while I applied the right amount of pressure to bring him pleasure. It didn’t take long for me to feel the tightening in his balls and the quivering in his thighs.

  He reached down, and in my peripheral, I noticed him grab a handful of napkins from his breakfast earlier. Tapping me on the shoulder, I knew he was warning me that he was about to come, but unlike some girls, I didn’t mind swallowing.

  I shook my head and tugged at his sack as I quickened the pace of my other hand that wrapped around his hot length. I felt him shudder before the warmth of him filled my mouth. With a silent moan, I swallowed it down while his hips gently thrust into my mouth for a few seconds more.

  I knew he was done when the hand at the back of my neck went limp. He sighed and leaned back into his seat, eyes closed. His expression was of total relaxed bliss and made me want to do it all over again. I felt delighted that I could make him look like that.

  I straightened up and covered his lap with the blanket until he was ready to adjust himself. Then I placed my headset back on after running a hand over my hair, making sure it was still perfectly in place. As I searched through my duffle bag for a bottle of water, I felt Zane’s eyes on me. I gave him a coy smile and a wink while I sipped from the bottle.

  His eyes were enigmatic. He pushed my headphones off my ear and murmured, “Thank you.”

  I expected just his appreciation, until he draped the blanket over my lap. My eyes widened when I realized his intentions.

  “Zane,” I whispered. “You don’t−”

  “I want to,” he interrupted me, his voice still full of desire.

  As he adjusted the blanket over both of us, he wasted no time sliding his fingers into my pants and under my panties. His skilled fingers found the wetness between my thighs. He made a sound of appreciation before he pushed a finger in me while his thumb rubbed my clit with precision… just enough pressure to make me stifle a moan. He pumped his fingers in and out of me for several seconds, then added another finger. I closed my eyes and bit my lip.

  He was stretching me so deliciously, and his thumb rubbed a sure rhythm guaranteeing my release. I tried not to make it too noticeable what his hand was doing to me under the blanket by lifting my hips up to his hand so I could ride it. Suddenly his other hand delved under my shirt once more. He pulled, pinched, and rubbed my breasts and nipples, and I had to turn my head into his stomach to stop myself from moaning.

  “Come for me,” he urged as his movements picked up pace and his thumb pinched my clit.

  I had never been pinched there, and it sent me over the edge. I had to bite his shirt to prevent myself from crying out. The sense of euphoria that spread through me was almost instantaneous. I unconsciously rocked my hips against his finger for several beats more before my limbs became jelly. I sighed and closed my eyes.

  Maybe I could take a nap now.

  18

  ●

  Reunions

  The venue where the competition was being held was one of the largest I had ever been to. It was somewhat daunting to see the number of competitors milling around. We had just gotten off the bus, and I could see the same awe on everyone’s faces. I had been to a lot of competitions like this, and it still never got old.

  The feeling of excitement—and the nerves—was in every breath I took. This was nothing like cheering. Cheering was…fun −yes, I admit it now− but this was my future. Behind those walls, opportunities I could only dream of might be in my grasp.

  A line of buses and vans were being unloaded around us. Girls and guys in several different colors representing their schools. Some of the competitors looked around in trepidation, while others oozed a sense of confidence.

  “Game faces, team,” Alex said jovially as she began walking towards the building.

  Zane paused beside me, my duffle bag casually thrown over his shoulder. I stopped just to take everything in, observing the direction everyone was headed. The registration tables were in front of the building. The civic center where the competition was being held was at least three-stories tall. The building was made of brick and had wide, tall windows spanning the whole front of the building.

  Anya would check us in, get our schedules, and ready the rooms we would be utilizing for the day. In less than an hour, the competition would kick off.

  Parents, family, and friends would be filing into the building in less than thirty minutes. I looked up at Zane, giving him a grateful smile for his presence. Knowing he was here was the greatest feeling ever. I rarely had anyone in my corner growing up and having him here was so reassuring.

  He looked down and gave me one of his sweet and sexy smiles. “Why are you smiling at me?’

  “I’m just thankful you’re here.” I squeezed his hand. “Mom worked a lot and rarely came to these things, and Lucas and Madison were busy with dirt bike racing, cheering, and, well, life.”

  “You know I’ll try to be here as much as I can,” he reassured me with a kiss to my temple. “And since you roped me into competing again, I’ll be right by your side in the future.”

  To say Anya was excited to have her son competing in a couple of weeks would be an understatement. She had even been excited to find out that Alex, Zane, and I already had a head-start on the choreography. We had determined she wasn’t going to see it until we had all the kinks worked out.

  It had been so long since I worked with a male partner, that I forgot how difficult it could be to learn each other. Fortunately, Zane could lift me with ease. However, we still needed to work on transitions and timing. But we’d get it soon. Our chemistry was undeniable, and Alex was more than excited to see how well we clicked.

  “You could have told me no,” I mockingly grumbled.

  “After you gave me the greatest gift ever?” I saw his brow raise above his sunglasses. “Not likely.”

  I felt my cheeks redden, knowing he was talking about my virginity, but I wasn’t goin
g to take his teasing lying down. “Is that what it takes for Zane Chapman to agree to anything I want? Getting naked and having…coitus?”

  He threw back his head and laughed. I couldn’t help but notice the attention he drew from several of the girls surrounding us. Not only did he look like he just walked off the shoot of Abercrombie and Fitch, but when he laughed like that, it was so damn sexy.

  I felt a mixture of possessiveness and smugness when some of the girls stared too long. I wanted to snarl at them and lick him at the same time. Maybe I’d start rubbing my head on his chest to mark my territory. That was how cats did it…right?

  “Can I rub my head against your chest?” I suddenly blurted out.

  He continued to laugh. “What are you talking about? And…” He lowered his head, so it was near my ear. “…I wouldn’t say I’m an easy lay, but for you I am. I can’t get enough. By the way…best blow job ever. Now, why did you ask me if you could rub your head against my chest?”

  I felt my cheeks heat up once more, but I was embracing the light-hearted banter between us. It was helping me keep my mind off my nerves.

  I chose to ignore his compliment and explained my reasoning, instead. “Well, some of these girls are looking awfully thirsty, and peeing on you would be wrong, plus, I’m not a canine. Although I prefer dogs over cats, I’d rather adopt my inner feline and just rub my head on you to mark my territory.”

  He laughed again. I really liked seeing this relaxed side of him. He always seemed so controlling in everything he did; school, football, his over-the-top cleanliness… almost everything.

  He threw an arm over my shoulder and pulled me in close. “I’m yours, and only yours.” He smiled at me.

  I looked up at him and knew in that moment I was on the precipice of loving him. I knew I cared for him a lot, but until that moment, I felt love was still something I hadn’t experienced for some time. The seeds had been planted. I knew the feeling in my chest and my stomach was love, and not the love I felt for Lucas, Madison, or even Grandpa, but the type of love that could break me.