Slick

by Kristi Pelton

  “Bodhi. For fuck’s sake. Go to bed. She’s in my bed. Let her rest until morning.”

  His heavy footsteps boomed in the hall and then a slice of light seeped through the doorway. My back was to him; I measured the shadow as he approached, and my heart beat wildly. I kept my breaths intentionally long and even, hoping he’d think I was asleep. Bodhi scared me a little…a lot. I wanted to do things I’d never done. He made me feel things I’d never felt and he seemed hell bent on confusing the crap out of me.

  From behind me the bed dipped, and with my eyes closed, I knew he was leaning over me. I didn’t flinch when his knuckles traced down my cheek or when he softly slid the hair draped over my shoulders away exposing my neck. As quick as that, the bed moved again and the door closed.

  Three days…that’s how long it had been since I’d seen Bodhi. Any of the guys actually. The O-Seed had traveled up the coast for a concert, and I’d spent two nights at Aunt Di’s. I missed him. A lot. The weirdest thing was, I missed him more than I’d ever missed anyone. I’d been away from my friends at school for two full weeks and didn’t miss them. And of course I had no reason to miss my family. Bodhi and I hadn’t spoken since that night, and I wasn’t sure where we stood or what things would be like when we saw each other again. But I still missed him.

  The guys were set to return tomorrow. In the mean time I sat with Ben and Elle, almost dozing off at the end of some movie.

  “Tess.”

  I opened my tired eyes to see Elle and Ben sitting upright looking at me.

  “Yeah.”

  “We need to talk to you for a second.”

  Something had happened to my family. They were far too serious for it to be anything else. Sitting up, I moved to the edge of the sofa.

  “What is it?”

  “We need to tell you something,” Ben said, and that made me think it wasn’t about my family because of his ‘we’.

  “OK.”

  “It’s about Bodhi, sweetie,” Elle added.

  “What do you mean?” My heart began to race. They didn’t seem upset so he mustn’t be hurt.

  Elle nudged Ben in the shoulder, and he looked away from her shaking his head.

  “Tell her,” Elle encouraged.

  “No, Elle. This was your idea. You tell her. He’s going to be pissed!”

  “Someone better tell me, whatever it is.”

  “Where’s your phone?” Elle asked.

  Ben rubbed his temples, clearly worried about what she was going to say.

  With my phone in hand, I waved it.

  “Go to Google.” I did.

  “Search Bain Ellingston. B A I N.”

  I typed it in, hitting search, and waited. Several articles came up. Plastic surgeon. Sailing champion. I scrolled down.

  “What am I looking for?”

  “Hit images.”

  I did and photos popped up across the screen, forcing a sharp inhalation of air. OH MY GOD!! My other hand clasped over my open mouth. Pictures…pages of them…of Bodhi naked. Beautiful shots. His body in all its glory…tight…rock hard…chiseled like a work of art. Hiccups of gasped air was all I could manage. His dick…was right there for the entire world to view. All of it. I’d only ever seen a couple of pictures of naked guys, but nothing like this; I tightened my already crossed legs together. Wow.

  All the required social media classes and the “what and what not” to dos. This was why. And yet, I couldn’t take my eyes off of his perfection. His sculpted body was the most stunning thing I’d ever seen. On the second page, he was with women…posing in the most intimate ways. I zoomed in to see if they were actually committing the acts or just posing. My chin quivered as I determined it was really happening. The girls were perfect too—my God.

  I swallowed dryly. “What? What is..why did..is he? Oh my God.” My words stumbled blindly over one another. “He like…does porn?”

  “No. Not porn exactly. Look, we’ve known Bodhi for a long time. His father is a plastic surgeon down in La Jolla. And when Bodhi went to Stanford, his parents footed the bill without a problem until they found out music was his major. They cut him off completely. He lost his place to live. He couldn’t afford school,” Elle explained.

  My heart ached as I listened to her words.

  “He couldn’t afford shit,” Ben added angrily. “He was too proud to leave Stanford. At one point he was working three jobs, but then his grades were falling. He couldn’t do it. So…”

  Ben pointed toward my phone as if all my questions would be answered.

  “Bodhi’s always been beautiful,” Elle said matter of factly. “His mom got him into some modeling when he was younger and he hated it. But when he was desperate, he went in for a couple of casting calls. What he found was some quick, easy money for a guy like him.”

  Ben stood with his hands on his hips. “Tess. Don’t get me wrong, he knew what he was doing, but…I think suddenly he realized the path he was headed down and he backed out. But the pictures were already out there. Then other’s started knocking on his door. Then more. It was a mess. He ended up leaving Stanford.”

  I slumped against the back of the couch trying to take it all in. “What about his parents?”

  Ben shook his head with disgust. “Even more disappointed now. They have no relationship.”

  “Oh my God,” I said barely above a whisper. I glanced at my phone again. “Oh my God.”

  “Is it his cock size that scares the shit out of you?”

  “ELLE!” Ben shouted.

  And without warning… I started laughing at her words. I laughed until my eyes streamed tears. Elle laughed alongside me. Hysterical laughter.

  Ben watched us with the hint of a smile. “What is so funny?”

  Wiping my tears and catching my breath, I said, “If you knew my father. Elle’s mom is his sister and she could tell you. He is the biggest control freak in the universe. If he knew for even a half of a second that I am totally crushing on this guy…” I held up the phone of images. “…he would fly out here and take me home. Not because he loved me, but because of what this could do to his career!”

  I wasn’t sure if my tears were of sadness and disbelief or appreciation of the irony.

  Ben chuckled. “Well, if Bodhi knew that you knew about this…fuck me! I’d be dead.”

  “What difference does it make? The world knows doesn’t it?”

  Ben and Elle’s eyes met quickly and then flickered away. I wasn’t supposed to notice. There was still something they hadn’t told me.

  “What?” I asked.

  “Tess. Seriously. Bodhi’s been a bit of a loner since all of this. We are his family. Girls once wanted him because of his money. Then after that, well, they wanted him for his, BIG FUCKIN’ COCK,” Elle laughed.

  Blood invaded my cheeks and my entire body temperature increased as a heat wave engulfed me. I glanced over at Ben who was shaking his head with a smirk on his face.

  “Well, I wanted him before I saw…that.” There it was. My open admission that I wanted Bodhi. “Sorry, Ben, that she is so dis-re-spect-ful!” I shouted toward Elle.

  She immediately strolled over and straddled Ben’s lap. “Ben knows his is the only cock I want.” When their lips joined, I got up to go to the other room, still shocked at what I had learned about Bodhi.

  “Hey, Tess. One other thing. Bodhi came over here the other night freaking out because you’re a virgin.”

  “Damn it, Elle. Can you keep your mouth shut about anything?” Ben stood, taking her with him and then rested her feet on the ground. He was angry.

  “No, Ben. She’s my cousin. She deserves to know.” Her hands were on her hips. Now she was mad too.

  “Well, like you just said. Bodhi is family too. And he trusted you with that piece of information,” Ben snapped.

  I stepped forward. “Why does that freak him out?”

  Elle’s eyes softened toward her boyfriend. “I know he told me that in confidence, Ben. But Bodhi is pretty…hard
to read. She needs to know. Just don’t say anything. K?” She directed the last part at me.

  I nodded.

  “Tess. Mad Bodhi isn’t a real pretty sight. And for whatever reason, when it comes to you, he’s got a thing.”

  They turned to walk down the hall.

  “Wait. What’s that mean? Bodhi having a thing?”

  Neither of them turned around, but Ben said, “We don’t really know. It’s never happened before.” Then Elle giggled.

  I stood there in the living room confused. Was that a joke? Why does it bother him that I’m a virgin? I unlocked my phone and stared at Bodhi…Bain. Bain. A smile crossed my face. Bain Ellingston.

  Where did the name Bodhi come from? I walked out the back door, across the yard and into Ty and Bodhi’s place. His bed was neatly made and a folded note sat on the pillow. I picked it up and unfolded it.

  Tessa, I’m sorry. B

  Those words melted me. All I wanted to do was hold this man…make him forget about the pain of having his parents turn on him. Living with the regret of his decisions…how could I possibly hold that against him? I knew all too well what not having your parents felt like.

  After I slid his folded T-shirt at the bottom of the bed over my head, I curled up beneath the covers. I realized that note did little to clear up my confusion on this whole situation, but I wouldn’t turn my back on him.

  The bright blaring light was blinding as I squinted up at Ty.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked, my voice thick with sleep.

  “We had to drive all fucking night to get back here. Just making sure you’re here.” He flipped off the light. “Sorry. Go back to sleep, Tess.”

  He pulled the door shut and my pulse pounded in my ears as I gathered my wits. If Ty was home that meant Bodhi was home. Was it Bodhi who wanted to get home so badly? A thrill shot through me and matched my pulse beat for beat.

  I didn’t move…I simply closed my eyes and listened for his voice. Nothing…. silence. After about ten minutes, I heard heavy footsteps on the deck out back. The outside door opened and closed. I anxiously waited as the bedroom door then opened and closed. The room was pitch black, but I knew it was him. My body suddenly awakened fully…coming alive at his mere presence. The last time I’d seen him, his mouth was on me…my mouth, my breast. I wanted so much more.

  It took every thing I had not to change my breathing when he got into bed. The bed was king size. There was plenty of room for both of us. But somehow it felt more like a twin. The heat coming off his body was suffocating, and I needed out from under the covers.

  “Tessa.” The whisper of my name caused my entire body to tremble.

  “Yeah?” I said just as softly, frozen in place.

  “Look at me.”

  After a deep breath, I turned over almost afraid to look at him now that I’d seen those pictures. I had never been good at reading guys, but his reaction when he kissed me the other day…had blood flying through my veins.

  The room was so dark I didn’t think I’d see him very well…but his brown eyes focused solely on me.

  “Hey,” I said and smiled. “I thought you didn’t sleep in your bed.”

  His lips curled up.

  “I’m really tired tonight.”

  I could hear fatigue in his voice. I so badly wanted to touch his face but I didn’t.

  “You all probably should have stayed the night. Why didn’t you?”

  “I need your phone number.” His words caught me off guard and he pulled his phone out of his pocket.

  “Ok. Now?”

  “Yes. Please.”

  He entered my number into his phone and put it on the nightstand.

  “Ty could have given that to you,” I teased.

  My humor was lost on him. No trace of a smile. “I wasn’t going to ask him for your number.”

  “I understand.”

  An uncomfortable silence took over the room, but his gaze never left mine.

  You confuse me, Bodhi,” I admitted.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to. Did you get my note?”

  I nodded. “I’m sorry too. I kind of just threw that whole virginity thing out there. I didn’t know it was a such a big deal.”

  He propped his head up on his elbow and his other hand lifted my hair and tucked it over my shoulder.

  “Tessa, don’t. You did nothing wrong. I handled that poorly.”

  Self-consciously, I looked down. But as quickly as I lowered my chin, he was lifting it.

  “Tell me what’s on your mind. Does it bother you that I am in bed with you?”

  “No. I like you being here.” I couldn’t believe I just said that.

  “Then what’s on your mind?”

  I swallowed and shrugged. “I…I just have a lot of questions I guess. But I’m afraid to ask them.”

  Even in the darkness, I could see his brow lower.

  “Tessa. You’re sleeping in my bed almost every night, you can ask me anything you want.”

  I smiled with a brilliant thought.

  “Anything?” I clarified.

  “Anything.”

  “OK. Tell me what’s on your mind.”

  Snickering, he ran his hand through his chestnut hair. “Well played. I walked into that one.” He shook his head, a little exasperated. “Let me just say this. I came home to find you in my T-shirt. In my bed. I’m not sure anything could have made me happier.”

  Even though hearing those words thrilled me, I was still hesitant about where things stood between us.

  “Do you regret what happened the other day because of what I told you?” I asked.

  A gruff chuckle resonated up his throat. “Hell, no, Slick. Not a chance.”

  I’d fallen in love with my nickname. I was so damn tired earlier and now…now I couldn’t imagine sleep.

  “Bodhi…” I whispered and so much feeling went into saying his name.

  “I’m right here.”

  “Kiss me.”

  I could hear his slow exhale as if he had been holding his breath. His tongue peeked out moistening his lips as he scooted closer to me. Maybe it was because he was tired but his kiss was less aggressive this time. His tongue didn’t frantically search for mine…it casually greeted it with a soft welcome. The softness in his lips…the pressure behind the kiss…I never wanted to kiss another man. EVER! The kiss deepened and then ended softly.

  He stopped and stared down at me.

  “Your lips, Tessa. They were made for mine,” he whispered next to my cheek pulling my body closer to his.

  “I’ve never kissed someone like that, Bodhi. I know you have and…”

  “Baby, I’ve never kissed anyone quite like that.”

  Baam! The door slammed against the wall and instinctively Bodhi tucked me into his chest, wrapping his arm protectively around my head.

  “I don’t take girls home. I don’t take girls into my room,” a girl spat out from behind me mimicking his tone. “You’re a no good fucking liar.”

  Chapter 12—Bodhi~ Gone

  You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.

  Ali stood in the damn doorway.

  I kissed Tessa’s forehead, leaned into her ear and whispered, “excuse me,” and then lunged over the bed in a sudden swoop.

  As I pulled the door shut, I caught a glimpse of Tessa’s face, the hall light showed fear…hesitation …and worst of all doubt in her eyes and everything that had just been done had come undone. Fuck!

  When I turned around, Ali slapped me clean across the cheek—the sting of the slap hurt so damn bad.

  “God dammit, Ali. There was nothing exclusive between you and I. You have no right to barge in here. Now get the fuck out of my house.”

  I was showing her the way out by pushing her along as she walked.

  “Get your hands off me!” she gritted. “Does your pretty little eastern girl know about you?”

  “Get out! And, Ali. Don’t act like I was the only guy you were fuckin’.”

  She
reared her hand back again but I stopped her.

  “This is the best you’ll ever have,” she said

  It was rude, but I laughed at her. “Sweetheart. Everyone has had it and I’m done sticking my dick in a hearse.”

  “I hate you!” she shouted and jumped down the front steps of the house.

  I didn’t like treating anyone that way and I hated being a dick…but I’d tried to break it off before now. The last two weeks were nothing but questions about why I wouldn’t knock it out with her. It needed to be over.

  I rushed back inside feeling obligated to explain to Tessa what had happened, but when I rounded the corner, my bedroom door was open and she was gone. A fucking growl ripped through my chest and I grabbed my phone.

  “Hello?” she answered on the third ring.

  “Where are you?”

  “Bodhi…I …”

  “Where are you, Tessa?” I snapped hustling out the back door to the guys’ house assuming she ran to Elle.

  “Listen. It’s OK. I’m not mad I promise. I’m not even upset. I don’t think I realized there was someone else. I mean, I knew…I should have remembered, but…”

  Blood whooshed in my ears and I tried to govern my anger but punched the deck at the guys’ house when I saw no lights on.

  “Tessa. I’m getting pissed. I need to know where you are.”

  “I’m pulling into Aunt Di’s. I took Elle’s car and went ahead and came home. Bodhi, you had business to take care of and I was in the way of that.”

  I roared into the phone, frustrated. “Please come back,” I begged.

  “It’s late. I’m tired. You’re tired. It’s OK. We will talk tomorrow. I’m not upset, Bodhi.”

  “Yeah. Well, I am. You can’t just leave, Tessa.” She ended the call.

  Chapter 13—Tessa~ He sings…

  I wasn’t positive who it was that barged into Bodhi’s room last night bringing our intimate moment to a screeching halt, but after hearing the slap of skin and the hurt in her voice, I assumed Ali.

  I’d come here to have fun…to drink…to live it up with Elle and to hopefully have sex. Silly…maybe. But Elle and I had talked numerous times that this could be my only chance and I didn’t want to blow it.