Running Mate

by Katie Ashley

I didn’t know how long I’d been out when I awoke to the voice of our bus driver, Shane. When I popped open one of my eyes, he was staring down at us. “Sir?”

  “Dammit, Shane, stop calling me sir,” Barrett grunted.

  “I’m sorry, but the bus’s engine has been having issues for a few miles. I think it’s best we stop for the night.”

  “Sure. Whatever.”

  At the feel of his chest rumbling beneath my ear, I realized I had somehow fallen asleep on Barrett. Quickly, I popped straight up. My mortification intensified at the sight of a wet stain on Barrett’s shirt where my face had been. Oh God. I had actually drooled on him.

  Barrett glanced down at the puddle before looking back at me. I gave him an apologetic look.

  “I’m so sorry about that.”

  He grinned. “Don’t worry about it. I’m used to chicks drooling when they’re around me.”

  I laughed. “God, you’re such an egomaniac.”

  “I like to consider it stating the facts.”

  After a quick look at my phone, I saw it was after midnight. Inwardly, I groaned. I knew we’d back on the road by seven, so that didn’t give us much time to sleep. I pulled myself up off the couch, slung my purse over my shoulder, and headed for the door.

  After stepping off the bus and getting a look at where we were staying, I had serious thoughts about turning around and getting right back on the bus. Ohio was famous in the campaign circuit for its eclectic roadside hotels and motels. Most were charming little mom-and-pop places, and although most of the décor was outdated, they were still nice. While I’m certainly not a five-star hotel person, I would have to say our digs for the night probably didn’t even qualify for one star.

  The one-story motel was painted Pepto Bismol pink with teal accents. A giant teddy bear-shaped sign that looked like it had been designed in the 60s sat in front of a swimming pool not much bigger than most kiddie pools.

  Barrett got off behind me. “The Teddy Bear Motel? Charming.”

  Shane grimaced. “I’m sorry, sir—uh, I mean, Barrett, but there’s not another hotel for a hundred miles. I don’t want to push the engine too much.”

  “It’s okay, Shane. This will do for the night.”

  While Ty and Shane unloaded the luggage, Pete worked on getting our rooms, standing outside a booth since the motel didn’t even possess a lobby. With our roller bags trailing behind us, we crossed the parking lot to meet up with him.

  Pete’s forehead was lined with concern. “We’re on opposite ends of this hellhole, which is going to be a security nightmare for Ty.”

  Barrett snorted. “Since this looks like the last place on earth I would be at, I think we’re fine.”

  Ty crossed his arms over his massive chest. “I’ll still be putting you into your room, and I don’t want you leaving without calling me. Then I’ll come get you in the morning.”

  “Fine, Mom, whatever you say.”

  Pete flashed a teddy bear-shaped key in front of Barrett’s face. “They only had one room with a double bed. The rest were twins.”

  Barrett and I cut our eyes over to each other. If anyone needed the twin beds, it was us. We might’ve shared hotel rooms over the last few months, but we sure as hell hadn’t shared a bed. Maybe there would be a couch one of us could sleep on, perhaps even a pull-out.

  Reaching his hand out, Barrett took the key from Pete. “Thanks. Six AM wake-up call?”

  Pete nodded. “Unfortunately, yes. We need to be on the road by seven.”

  Shane cleared his throat. “Yeah, about that. There’s no way I can get the bus seen by seven. I’m going to have to call around for a mechanic. It’ll be at least eight, if not nine.”

  “Son of a bitch,” Pete groaned.

  “Take it easy, man. Worst case scenario, we rent a car, and then Shane can meet us at the convention center.”

  Pete tilted his head, weighing Barrett’s suggestion. “That could work. Okay, I’ll find a rental car for backup as soon as I get inside.”

  “Good deal. The best thing we can do right now is get some rest,” Barrett said.

  “I’ll call you in the morning with the revised itinerary.”

  “Thanks. Night.”

  “Night guys,” I said.

  True to his word, Ty walked over to our room with us. Sliding the teddy bear key into the lock, Barrett opened door. After fumbling on the wall for a switch, light flooded the room. We both stared at the double bed.

  Shiiiiiit.

  I mean, it would have been slightly easier if it had been a king or even a queen-sized bed, but no, it had to be a double.

  There was nothing else in the room but two uncomfortable-looking chairs that no one could sleep in. After dropping his suitcase, Barrett walked over to the bed and grabbed a pillow before turning back to me. “I’ll sleep on the floor.”

  I shook my head. “That’s awfully chivalrous of you, but you don’t need to do that.”

  Barrett’s brows wrinkled in confusion. “Wait, you want it?”

  “Of course not. I meant neither of us is going to sleep on the floor. We can sleep together.”

  “Are you sure you really want to do that?”

  “After all these months together, I think we’ve reached a level of intimacy where we can deal with sharing a bed. You’ve helped me pee for goodness sake.”

  With a laugh, Barrett replied, “I didn’t actually help you pee. I just stood there in case you passed out.”

  “Same difference.”

  It was then I realized Ty was still standing in the doorway, and the expression on his face told me he thought Barrett and I were entering dangerous territory by sharing a bed. I imagined he was thinking the minute we went horizontal, we would attack each other out of pent-up sexual need.

  “If you guys are good, I’m going to ask you to lock yourselves in,” Ty said.

  “We’re fine, bud. Go get some rest,” Barrett replied.

  Ty gave him a pointed look. “You guys make sure to do the same.”

  From the look on his face, Barrett wasn’t picking up on the double meaning of Ty’s statement. He merely smiled and shut the door in Ty’s face. After bolting the locks, Barrett said, “We’re good.”

  “Goodnight,” came Ty’s muffled reply.

  “Night,” Barrett called back.

  With the door shut, the room seemed even smaller, and I inhaled a deep breath as the walls seemed to close in around me. Even though it was the last thing I needed, “Touch-a-Touch-a-Touch-Me” from Rocky Horror Picture Show began playing in my mind.

  “Did you say something?”

  “Oh, uh, no. I was just humming.”

  “Go ahead and grab the bathroom,” Barrett said.

  “Okay. Thanks.”

  I grabbed my suitcase and wheeled it across the threadbare carpet into the bathroom. Once inside, I locked the door, though I wasn’t sure why. It wasn’t like we hadn’t experienced this setup up tons of times before when we ended up in smaller hotel rooms. The glaring difference this time was the fact that I’d be coming out to only one bed, not two, and that one bed was a very tiny double.

  There was also the fact that things had changed between us since the last time we’d been in close quarters in a hotel. Maybe they hadn’t changed for Barrett, but they sure as hell had for me. In my somewhat old-school version of romance, the act of sleeping with a man could sometimes be more intimate than actually having sex. Usually, the sharing the same bed part came after a night of sex, but it was still pretty intimate, so I wasn’t thrilled with the prospect of getting so very intimate with Barrett when my feelings for him were currently so very volatile.

  Trying to calm my nerves, I went about my nightly routine of taking off my makeup and brushing my teeth before slipping into my pajamas. Once I was finished, I tossed everything back into my suitcase. Since I was sure Barrett needed the bathroom, I couldn’t continue hiding out, so I unlocked the door and stepped into the bedroom.

  Apparently I’d taken lon
ger than I’d thought to get ready for bed because Barrett was already fast asleep. He must’ve been pretty exhausted after the events of the day because his shirt and pants lay crumpled on the floor next to his side of the bed. When I pulled back the spread, I gasped. In his exhaustion, Barrett hadn’t bothered to put on his pajama pants. He remained in his black briefs, exposing his upper thighs—his hard, very muscled upper thighs.

  Get a grip, Addison—and no, that grip can’t be on the Bear!

  The mattress dipped down as I slid into the bed. Barrett was a major bed hog, so I scooted over until my leg was on the very edge of the mattress. As if his sexual Spidey senses were alerted of a female presence, Barrett rolled over, slinging his arm over my breasts while he covered my thigh with his. His warm breath fanned against my neck.

  Oh God. This was so, so bad. His close proximity caused my male-neglected vagina to sit up and take notice. I pressed my thighs together, trying to lessen the growing ache between them.

  Pinching my eyes shut, I willed myself to go to sleep. Instead of counting sheep, I tried counting all the lead roles I’d had in musical theater, but I could barely get through middle school before I was biting my lip from the overwhelming need for sexual healing I felt.

  Okay, this was never going to work with him sleeping so close to me. I had to get him to move. “Barrett?” I whispered. When he didn’t respond, I repeated, “Barrett?”

  Dammit, the man slept like the dead. Taking his arm, I moved it off my breasts. Of course, the friction caused my nipples to harden, which just increased the ache between my legs. I tucked Barrett’s arm at his side before shoving his thigh off of mine.

  Even though I was free, I wasn’t going to be able to ignore how horny I was. I would never fall sleep without relief. When Mary Anne had mentioned necessities on the trip, I hadn’t actually thought about how necessary my vibrator would be. On a whim, I’d tossed it into my bag, and over the last few months, I’d used it a time or two in the shower so the water would drown out the noise. Those times had just been maintenance getting-off sessions; they hadn’t been brought on by any male interaction, especially not with Barrett.

  I slipped out of bed and padded over to my suitcase. After unzipping it, I dug into the secret section where I kept tampons and panty liners. Once I had it in my hand, I threw a glance at Barrett over my shoulder. The last thing I needed was for him to catch me with a vibrator in my hand. He would never let me live it down.

  Thankfully, he let out a snore, and I knew I was safe. After hustling into the bathroom, I dropped my pajama shorts and panties. Tonight there would be no fantasizing about Henry Cavill or Charlie Hunnam.

  Gazing at the vibrator, I closed my eyes and wished it were the Bear.

  BARRETT

  A train’s whistle jolted me out of a deep sleep. Disoriented, I rubbed my eyes and tried remembering where the hell I was. Oh yeah—Bumblefuck, Ohio, at the Teddy Bear Motel. Reality was scarier than any nightmare that might’ve plagued me.

  When I rolled over, I found Addison’s side empty. Rising up in the bed, I peered around the darkened room, but I didn’t see her anywhere. At the sound of a long moan from the bathroom, I threw back the covers and got out of bed. I hoped Addison hadn’t got food poisoning from the drive-in-from-hell we’d eaten at.

  “Addison?” I questioned at the door.

  My chest tightened apprehensively when I didn’t get a response. Throwing up my fist, I started to knock on the door, but then a picture of an unconscious Addison flashed before my mind. Okay, forget decorum—I was just going in. Thankfully, when I turned the knob, I found it unlocked, but nothing could have prepared me for what I saw.

  Instead of Addison’s head hanging over the toilet throwing up or her crumpled in a heap on the floor, she had one foot hiked up on the tiny sink. Her pajama shorts and underwear lay wadded beside her left foot, and one of her palms was splayed out behind her on the tile wall for balance. Her other hand was between her legs, moving a pink vibrator in and out of her pussy.

  Addison hadn’t heard me because she was too intent on getting off, and from the looks of it, she was close. Her eyes were pinched shut, and concentration lined her brows. Her chest rose and fell with heaving breaths in between moans of pleasure.

  Holy. Fucking. Shit. My mouth dropped open, sending drool dribbling down my chin and onto my chest. The sight of Addison touching herself sent the Bear roaring to life. He clawed against the confines of my underwear to be freed, sending me shifting on my feet.

  Wait, what were the odds that this was really happening? Surely I was still asleep, and this was all some sort of erotic dream. When I reached to pinch myself, my elbow banged into the door. “Dammit,” I muttered.

  The sound of my voice caused Addison’s eyes to pop open. At the sight of me, she let out a screech of mortification rather than pleasure as her foot fell from the counter and she scrambled to shield her vag from my intense stare. In her melee, the vibrator fell from her hand and rolled to a stop at my feet.

  Refusing to look me in the eye, she stammered, “J-Jesus, h-haven’t you ever heard of kn-knocking?”

  “I called your name, but you didn’t answer. I was afraid you were sick again.”

  “Well, I wasn’t.” She snatched her pajama shorts off the floor and covered her crotch with them.

  This scenario could go one of two ways: I could leave the bathroom and let Addison recover her dignity, or I could offer my services to help her achieve the orgasm she’d just lost. I just needed to know where we stood.

  “Look at me,” I commanded.

  Although she resisted at first, she finally swept her gaze off the floor. Where I expected embarrassment, I got fire. Jerking her chin up, Addison said, “Go ahead, make fun of me for being so desperately horny I’d get out of bed in the middle of the night to get off in a skanky bathroom. And while you’re at it, go ahead and gloat about how just lying next to you got me hot because it’s the truth.”

  I’d never been someone to be rendered speechless. I usually had some biting remark or smartass comeback just waiting to be released, but with the smell of Addison’s arousal fresh in my nose and her declaration of being turned on by me ringing in my ears, I was utterly and completely speechless. Seconds ticked by as we stood there having a stare-off.

  “When you were touching yourself just now, did you wish it was my fingers stroking your wet pussy?” I questioned hoarsely.

  Electricity crackled and popped in the air around us. “Yes,” she whispered.

  That acknowledgement was all I needed to hear. I closed the gap between us, grabbed Addison by the shoulders, and jerked her into my arms. Dropping my head, I slammed my mouth against hers. Her lips were so much different this time than when we had practiced kissing. Desperate desire and aching need poured out from their softness.

  As I swept my tongue into her mouth, Addison moaned. Damn, if it wasn’t the sexiest sound in the world. Our tongues intertwined and danced around each other as I raked one of my hands through the long strands of her hair and brought the other to cup her breast. When I ran my thumb over the hardened nub, Addison rewarded me with another moan, which caused the Bear to once again claw against my underwear for release. He was just going to have to be patient; this moment was about giving Addison pleasure.

  I jerked back to stare her in the face. “Do you want to come?”

  “Mmm, yes.”

  “Do you want me to make you come?”

  “Yes. Please, Barrett.”

  “Mm, I do like hearing that sassy mouth of yours beg me.”

  Addison grunted. “Do you have to ruin this by talking?”

  “Does that mean you want my mouth somewhere else?”

  When she bit down on her lip, I knew exactly where she wanted it. Grabbing her by the hips, I hoisted her up and placed her ass on the edge of the sink; thankfully, even though it was old as the hills, it was way more solid than I expected. After pushing her legs wide apart, I licked my lips at the sight of her glisten
ing pussy. Then I dipped my head to lick her there. Addison sucked in a breath and arched her hips against my face. After a few teasing licks, I placed my mouth fully on her clit before sucking it into my mouth.

  “Oh God! Yes!” Addison cried. While one of her hands clutched the edge of the sink, the other came to my head. With each pull of my mouth, she yanked the strands of my hair.

  One of my hands once again sought out her pajama-clad breast while the other went between her legs. While my mouth worked on her clit, I slid two fingers inside her wet walls. Addison shrieked in pleasure as she began to move her hips furiously against me. “Barrett, Barrett, Barrett,” she murmured as her head lolled back. I seriously loved hearing my name coming off her lips.

  When her walls started clenching around my fingers, I glanced up to watch as she came completely apart. Her eyes pinched shut as she sucked her bottom lip between her teeth. Fuck me. It was so sexy. She was so sexy.

  Once she finished convulsing, I took my fingers out of her, and she glanced at me with glazed eyes while her face relaxed into a post-orgasm haze. “I’m sure your overinflated ego doesn’t need the compliment, but that was amazing.”

  I grinned. “Thank you. I’m glad to be of service.”

  As she eased down from the sink, Addison slid down my body as she got to her feet. When her pussy met the Bear, I groaned and bucked my hips against her. She reached between us to cup my bulge. “Does the Bear want to be in my mouth or my pussy?”

  My mouth dropped open in surprise. First of all, I couldn’t believe she had actually said the word pussy—it was so not her style. I really dug the sound of it coming off her lips, not to mention the fact that she had indulged me by acknowledging my dick as the Bear. Secondly, I couldn’t believe she was giving me a choice. Most chicks wanted to bypass giving the Bear a lick-down. If this meant she was a fan of giving head, I thought I might come right there in my boxers.

  “I want in your pussy. Now.”

  Tilting her head at me, she said, “Then take me.”

  Like the caveman I felt like, I grabbed her by the waist and hoisted her up to wrap her legs around me. Addison circled her arms around my neck and drew my head down to hers. Our lips met in a frenzied kiss as I stumbled out of the bathroom, and as we crossed the short distance to the bed, Addison rubbed herself against me.