Slick

by Kristi Pelton

  I knew Bodhi liked me. I saw it in his eyes and I felt it in his kiss. Everyone around him seemed to see it too. I’d hurt him by leaving, but I had been too tired and flustered to deal with the situation right then. I needed to find a way to make it up to him…and I would.

  Elle and I spent the day shopping in Beverly Hills. I take that back. We were in Beverly Hills, but rather than shopping, I spent my day checking my phone for a text from Bodhi. One that never came.

  As fate would have it, we rounded a corner and came across a vintage music store. Elle moved on to the next boutique, but I darted into the music store. The place was filled—wall to wall—with… everything. I laughed out loud at the sheer amount of memorabilia in this place. Bongo drums, harps, albums lining one wall, trumpets, saxophones…holy hell.

  “Can I help you young lady?” a deliciously hot guy asked. Behind him old man sat in the corner at a desk.

  “Hey. I’m looking for something cool for a friend.”

  “Something cool, eh?” he smiled, and though he was adorably cute, he had nothing on Bodhi.

  I looked at the old record players each with a delicate needle. My grandfather had one of those.

  I turned back around. “Yeah. Something no one else would have. Maybe from someone famous or something.” I shrugged.

  “Do you know what town you’re in? We’re just off Rodeo drive for a reason.” He winked.

  I was so excited to get something for Bodhi. Even if I didn’t know what yet. I followed him back to another room where guitars hung suspended from the ceiling, lined the walls, and sat propped up in stands on the floor. WOW. So many.

  “Before I start showing you things, how much are you looking at spending?”

  My eyes widened. “I don’t know really. Tell me what I’m looking at. He’s a guitar player.”

  He flipped on a light that illuminated the room.

  “I have autographed sheet music—probably a grand. I have guitar picks from various artists—around the same, sometimes more. I have guitars, but that’s getting in the thousands…” he continued to ramble on, but that’s when I saw it. A black and white autographed guitar encased with a few photos and a pick.

  I smiled and walked toward it. Maybe not one of his favorites, but certainly one of mine.

  “I take it you see something you like?”

  I nodded. “I do. I want this.”

  The door chimed from the other room.

  “Tessa?” Elle shouted.

  “Back here!”

  She came back with several bags for herself…in that short of time?

  “You getting something?”

  “That.” I pointed. “For Bodhi.”

  “You’re shopping for Bodhi? As in Bain?” The guy asked.

  I tilted my head. “You know him?”

  “Bain Ellingston? Who doesn’t. The O-Seed are awesome. Bodhi’s a friend…comes in here pretty often. He’s gonna love this.” He pointed at the framed guitar.

  Waving my hands frantically in front of me, I said, “Ok. Ok…don’t tell him. Please.”

  This guy’s smile was Polaroid perfect.

  “What’s your name?” Elle asked and pursed her lips.

  Oh God. Trolling Elle.

  “Gunnar,” he chuckled. “Hey, because this is authentic, I’m going to have to write it up and file your name. Do you have a few minutes?”

  “Sure,” I said, rolling my eyes at Elle’s batting lashes. Poor Ben.

  “I have an appointment up at the spa. Meet me up there? Both of you?” she asked, shaking her ass as she strolled sexily away. The door chimed as she left.

  Gunnar raised his brows. “Wow.”

  I wasn’t sure what the wow meant. Wow she’s hot? Wow she’s crazy? I simply smiled. After we completed the paperwork, he carried the case holding the guitar out back and slid it in the trunk of a beautiful sleek, silver Porsche Cayenne.

  “Mac’s got the store. I’ll run you up to…your…friend.” His tone was amusing and I smiled.

  “Elle’s a good girl. Just flaunts what she has.”

  He slid a pair of aviator Ray Bans on. “So tell me. You and Bodhi?”

  I felt the grimace hit my face. “We are…” I had nothing. “I don’t know what we are.”

  When his hand scrunched up my hair and he gave me a friendly neck rub, I smiled…a little uncomfortable.

  “I get it. Bodhi is lucky to have someone show such a nice gesture for him. Be careful. Bodhi has a past.”

  I nodded. “I know.” My cheeks heated.

  “Just be careful, Tessa. You seem like a nice girl. Where are you from?”

  He parked out on the street only a half of block from where we started at the store.

  “Massachusetts.”

  He grinned. “I knew it was somewhere east.”

  Awkward and fidgeting, I sat as he stared at me. “Where’s her car? I can put it in there?” he finally said.

  I pointed two stalls away.

  He got out, so I followed and watched as he put the case in the back of the convertible. He extended a card to me; I took it.

  “If you ever need anything while you’re here, call me.” He yanked off his glasses so I could see his eyes. “If things don’t work out with Bodhi, definitely call me.” His grin widened.

  I was starting to understand this flirting thing. And Gunnar was unquestionably flirting. Completely unprepared for when he put an arm around me, I gave him an awkward one-armed hug.

  “Seriously, Tess. Good luck. I hope Bodhi appreciates the gift.”

  I gave him a simple squeeze and said, “me too.”

  “I’m so nervous.” My hands were shaking as I sat in the passenger seat of Elle’s car.

  “What the fuck ever. He wants you. You know he wants you. Just fuck him already.”

  She laughed, but something was off with her. Elle wasn’t herself. She seemed irritated and fidgety. I had been ready for a nap after shopping, but she was bouncing off the freaking walls. So…we didn’t nap. We showered, ate, and got ready for tonight. I was exhausted.

  I hadn’t talked to Bodhi since I bailed on him last night after the intrusion but…I was excited to see him and show him his gift.

  “Lock the car,” I reminded her after she put the top up on the convertible.

  The band was already revved up and playing. A mixture of Ty’s and Bodhi’s voices swam through the air, and I immersed myself in the sound. I closed my eyes, listening to Bodhi’s raspy tone hitting the low notes. A shiver rippled through my body.

  “Don’t forget you leave in a month and a half,” Elle chirped with a quick pat on my ass.

  I was very well aware of that.

  The crew already sat inside waving us over when we came in. Elle immediately started jumping around to the music acting silly. Ben kept his eye on her, but she didn’t stray far.

  Not sure why but I hesitated before looking at Bodhi. First, I caught a glimpse of Ty singing away then Bodhi with his cap in place and turned to the back of the stage again. Just seeing the back of him caused my heart to flip over in my chest.

  The Bodhi fan club was up close and center. Mostly blondes, all dancing to the music, their boobs bouncing with the beat. I peeked down at my small ones. Ali wasn’t there. The song ended and I glanced up to see Ty wink at me. I grinned. God, I loved that guy.

  “One, two, three, four…” Bodhi growled and started strumming the hell out of his guitar. When his eyes finally found mine…though just for a second, a vacant expression was all I saw.

  He stepped up to the mic and Ty backed away…his face stoic.

  I want what I want…and it’s not your lips

  I’ll take what I want and it might be a kiss.

  I want what I want…and it’s not your heart

  A feeling lost—better off apart.

  I didn’t like this song. I hadn’t heard it before. Goose bumps scattered over my skin. I knew the song wasn’t personal, so I tried to fake a smile.

  I couldn�
��t resist when I saw her grind

  The what-ifs of her mouth blew my mind

  I decided then I was gonna fuck ‘em both

  First her pussy then her throat…

  The girls in the front row screamed. Unable to prevent my mouth from falling open, my eyes shot first to Ty…to anyone…to make sense of the song. The grimace that shot across Ty’s face when he saw me only confused me more.

  “You want to get out of here?” I recognized the voice immediately. Gunnar.

  His eyes narrowed…he knew I’d heard the words.

  “What are you doing here?” I asked surprised.

  “I heard you say to Elle you wanted to give it to him tonight. I wanted to see his face. Do you want to get out of here?”

  I shook my head. “No!”

  When I scanned the band for Bodhi, I found him gripping the back of a dark-haired girl’s head from the stage and pushing it toward his guitar…right where his dick was behind the instrument. He rotated his hips toward her, and first she arched her neck back enjoying his touch and then opened her mouth like she was blowing him. The little blowjob simulation pissed me off. All this because I fled his bed?

  Tears pooled immediately in my eyes, but I blinked them back refusing to let him see me hurt. His cruel look alone robbed me of breath. Was this a joke?

  When he drew his hand down the dark-haired girl’s face and shoved his thumb in her mouth…I glanced over at Elle, who was sitting on Ben’s lap with her eyes floating back in her head, what the fuck? I stormed over to the table and grabbed her purse, yanking her keys out.

  “I don’t know what is wrong with her but please take care of her,” I said to Ben.

  He nodded.

  “I’m leaving.” My damn voice cracked and I cleared my throat.

  As I elbowed my way through the crowd, I fought the urge to look back at Bodhi…I wouldn’t give him the damn satisfaction.

  “Tessa!” I heard someone shout when I pushed through the exit.

  Mortified that I’d put myself out there…I wanted to hide. Run. Get the hell away from everyone. I’d been taught composure my entire life and yet I was unable to maintain even an ounce of it. Tears had broken through their damns.

  He’d been so sweet…so tender. My worthless guy radar was horrible. The first guy I really liked, I mean really liked and he broke me in a matter of two weeks.

  “Tessa! Wait!” Gunnar shouted. “Something’s wrong. Bodhi can be a dick, but that was down right cruel. Something’s off.”

  The music inside stopped.

  Brushing my hands over my face, I swiped at the tears and then fumbled with Elle’s keys, finally unlocking the door. I opened the driver door and Gunnar pushed it shut.

  “Listen to me,” he whispered, shaking my shoulders.

  “Get your fucking hands off her!” Bodhi growled and both our heads snapped toward him.

  My blood didn’t just simmer…it boiled the hell over.

  Chapter 14—Bodhi~ She’s a gift

  Gunnar lowered his hands and glowered at me. I’d known him for a hell of long time, but I’d choose her over him in a second. Fuck that bro’s before ho’s shit.

  As beautiful as she was…right now the anger in her eyes scared me. That song was a bad idea.

  “You have no right telling me who I can and can’t touch. You lost that right five minutes ago.” Her yelling proved she was out of control and I hated that.

  “Come back in here with me. I need to talk to you.”

  “Talk to me?” she shouted.

  “Please, I’ll buy you a drink or something ”

  “A drink? A whole drink? How about a shot of suck my dick!” She gritted with clenched teeth. “The girl in there seemed to really enjoy it.”

  I’d royally fucked up. But seeing Gunnar’s hands on her today had sent me flying over the edge. Gunnar Christenson was every girl’s wet dream.

  “What’s been happening between us gives me the right to tell someone else to keep his hands the hell off you.” I directed to her as I eyeballed Gunnar. “And you can move the fuck along.”

  “You’re an idiot, man.”

  “Why are you still here?” I took three measured steps toward him with fists tightened. “Did you kiss him?” I asked her.

  “Kiss him? What are you talking about?”

  I was an almost 22-year-old man who never gave a shit if a girl lied because I’d never given a shit about a girl. But to think of Tessa lying to me was unbearable.

  With my body, I backed her into the car. Fresh tears streaked her face, and even though seeing her like this wrecked me, I didn’t back off. “Don’t lie to me, Tessa. I was there. I go to his store at least once a week. I saw you in his Porsche. I saw his hands in your hair.”

  “Dude,” Gunnar warned from behind me.

  “Fuck off, Gunnar.”

  “Yes. He fucked me! First my pussy then my throat,” she roughly whispered and her lip pulled into a snarl. Then she caught me off guard when she shoved me backward, popping the trunk and opening it. She struggled lifting something and then dropped it at my feet—an eerie sadness filled her dark eyes as glass shattered.

  “THAT’S what I was doing with Gunnar,” she whispered. “Buying something for you, asshole!”

  Bending down to the broken glass, I saw the guitar in the case along with the pictures. My heart stuttered in its rhythm. The authentication seal next to the pictures and engraved gold metal plate blew my mind.

  A small amount of smoke and fumes puffed out from the exhaust, and I shot up but couldn’t get to her car door before she accelerated.

  “Tessa!” I shouted as her taillights faded.

  “Seriously, dude. If she wasn’t wet for you and if she didn’t just pay me seven grand for a gift for a guy she’s known for two to three weeks, I’d be going after her right now.”

  As I stared into his eyes, I contemplated hitting him. Yet, I knew punching him wouldn’t make me feel any better. Well, maybe a little better.

  “Go away, Gunnar.”

  I picked up the encased guitar—the most extraordinary and sentimental gift I’d ever received.

  I was so fuckin’ stupid. I had wanted to hurt her. I had wanted to know if she cared if my hands were in another girl’s hair. I gently laid the gift in the back of the Jeep.

  “Come on, man,” Ty said from the front door of the bar.

  I nodded.

  “Bain?” Gunnar’s voice made my lip twitch into a snarl.

  “What?”

  “You need to swallow you’re fucking pride, dude. Go to her. Apologize. I just met her and I can already tell you—she’s different. She’s real. Not like the fake shit around here. Don’t blow this.”

  I stepped back in the bar without acknowledging him…but hearing every single word.

  After we broke down the set and stage, we headed home. I went straight to my bedroom. Nothing. The bed still made perfectly. The T-shirt folded at the bottom of the bed made me sick. I sat at the foot of my bed and rested my elbows on my knees.

  I texted Ben.

  Elle with you?

  I released a breath when my phone buzzed right back.

  Tess is asleep on our sofa.

  Ben wasn’t dumb. He knew why I was texting and he made no false pretenses about it. So, after a quick shower, I went to get her.

  The house was dark and quiet. When I spotted her curled up on the couch, my heart found a steady beat for the first time in six hours. Gunnar was right. This girl was it. Everything.

  Her brown mane of hair pillowed out around her. The lips that I loved to kiss were slightly parted and her long slow breaths provided me with the oxygen I needed.

  Unable to resist, I slid one arm under her hair and the other beneath her knees and slowly cradled her in my arms. Her eyes opened briefly and her long lashes splayed over her sleepy expression.

  “Bodhi,” she whispered. “Don’t…”

  I tightened my hold on her. “Shhh,” I shushed softly.

&n
bsp; When she rested her head against my chest, hope danced inside of me.

  Once we were in my room, she held tightly to my neck while I pulled the comforter and sheets down and then gently laid her on the bed. Taking a chance of her running, I moved over to my side of the bed taking off my shirt before laying down beside her. The room was dark, but she was staring at me.

  “You hurt me…” her voiced cracked, and I swear to God so did my heart.

  “Yes.”

  “Please don’t do it again.”

  That was one mistake I would never repeat. I swore to myself right then and there…I would never hurt her again. She needed to hear it from my lips.

  “I’m sorry, Tessa. Give me the chance and I promise you I won’t hurt you again. I was so damn jealous when I saw him touch you. I didn’t even know you knew him and I saw red when I was going into the shop and saw you pull out of the alley in his Porsche.”

  Her hand touched my face, instantly calming the anger that was brewing again.

  “This feeling inside of me is foreign. I don’t know how to handle it.”

  “What do you mean?”

  After a deep breath, I said, “I’ve not felt the desire to have a girl all to myself before. I’ve never cared if they were with someone else. But you…you’re different.”

  It was true. I knew the minute she stepped out of that limo there was something different about her. Her little intimidated wave while standing there with Tyler. She had knocked me for a loop immediately and part of me hoped I never saw her again…then that same night she showed up with Elle.

  “Why? Why am I different?” her voice sounded so small.

  Without reservation, I grasped her hand and held it over my heart.

  “I feel you in here.” I swallowed the minute the words came out.

  “Bodhi…” she whispered my name so softly I wasn’t sure she said it.

  “That scares you?”