by Lila Rose
Sighing, I finished making the popcorn and went into the living room. Sitting on the couch, I grabbed the remote and picked a movie, hoping it would have me forgetting. To start with, it worked, but of course my mind kept shoving the image of Wreck laying a demanding kiss on me, and soon my dick took notice of my thoughts. I ignored the vision and told my erection it wasn’t for us to get excited over. I refused to touch myself over that man again.
I wanted to search Wreck out, kick him in the shin, and demand to know what he’d been thinking. Ideally before he wrapped his hands around my throat to choke me for kicking him in the first place. On the other hand, I wanted to bury my head in the sand and forget about it all together as there would be nothing to hope for.
I put the popcorn aside and glared at the TV. Maybe I could ask West what he would do in this situation. He could have an insight where it would ease my mind.
I looked for my phone but realized I’d left it in the bedroom. Glancing to the hall, I wished, and not for the first time, I had the power of telekinesis so I could use my mind to bring my phone to me. I didn’t want to go into my room where it happened.
“You’re being stupid,” I told myself. I got up and walked down the hall right into my room. Only I couldn’t see my phone. I looked over the made bed. Nothing. I searched the floor, but it wasn’t there or even on my desk. Confused, I scratched at my head and thought about the last time I had it. It had been on the desk when I was studying. I moved things around and didn’t let myself think of why everything was already all over the place. It wasn’t because Wreck had shoved me and then looked at me like…. Nope, I wasn’t thinking of any of that. What I would think of was the disappearance of my cell.
The house phone suddenly rang and, of course, the stupid movie I’d been numbing my mind to popped into my head. People had died after receiving a phone call from the murderer. Still, I went back into the living room and snatched up the receiver off the coffee table.
“Hello?”
“Lucas, it’s me.”
“Hi, Mom. How’s everything in Australia?”
“Hot, Lucas. Damn hot.”
I laughed. “Can’t be as bad as here in the summer.”
“I’m sure it is. But that’s not what I’m ringing for. Your Dad and I are coming home for a week.”
“Really? That’s great, when?”
“In a couple of months. Aunt Judy is having a hysterectomy, and she’ll need me to take care of her since we all know men are useless.”
“Mom, you know I’m a man, right?”
“Yes, honey. I did change your diaper for years. But you have a soul, not like the rest.”
Smiling, I shook my head. “Well, it will be amazing to have you both home. Will you be staying at Aunt Judy’s?” Mom and Dad had sold their five-bedroom home just after they’d left, not wanting to look after such a big home when they returned. Currently, they were building a two-bedroom place not far from Zion’s, but it wasn’t ready yet.
“Yes, dear. Don’t worry, your dad and I won’t cramp your style. Speaking of, do you have someone special, honey?”
My mind took me right to an image of Wreck. I screwed that up and threw it out my ear.
“No, Mom, no one special. I’m too busy anyway with school and work.”
“You have to remember, Lucas, that studying isn’t everything. Learn to balance it, sweetheart. Besides, you’re smart, and I’m sure you’ll get good grades no matter what.”
“Thanks, Mom. I’ll try.”
“Good. Is Zion there?”
“He’s not. You can probably try and catch him on his cell.”
“I’ll do that, and I’ll keep you posted on a set date when we’ll be back. Love you, my son.”
“Love you and tell Dad I said hi.”
“If I have to.”
Smiling, we said our goodbyes, but as soon as I hung up, my smile vanished. I blamed the stupid big biker for that. There wasn’t anything I could do about it though. All I could do was take each day as it came and see what happened, but I would keep my walls up around my emotions. I wouldn’t let them latch onto something that could very possibly be nothing.
Instead, I got back to finding my phone. I used the house one to ring my number. I jumped when I heard it ring close, and confusion had me dipping my brows. I walked over to the front door and saw it on the table near there.
“How?” I mumbled to myself. I pressed the End button, and my phone fell silent. I didn’t pick it up though, I stared at it. How did it get down here? Did I imagine it in my room on my desk as I studied? Maybe I had, but I didn’t usually put my phone on this table like Zion used it for his keys and such.
This was weird.
Finally, I put the home phone down and slowly picked up mine. I pressed the Home button. Nothing seemed different. I went through my calls, texts, apps, and photos to see if anything changed; they hadn’t.
“Huh, I must have,” I said to myself. Turning, I went to walk back over to the couch when my phone binged with a text; of course, it scared me. I threw it across the room and grabbed at my chest while I breathed heavily.
I really wouldn’t be good if a murderer was after me. I’d just thrown my only lifeline away.
Grumbling under my breath, I stomped over, picked it up, and looked down at it.
I didn’t recognize the number. I opened the message and read aloud, “Didn’t mean that to happen. Won’t happen again.”
My stomach clenched painfully.
I didn’t have to know the number. I knew who had sent it.
Wreck.
He must have gotten my phone from the bedroom to grab my number from it to send me a text of how he regretted kissing me.
I didn’t need this. I was already a mess from him doing it in the first place. I didn’t ask for a kiss. So what, I’d looked at his internet history. Who was to say it didn’t have something to do with how I had to fix the phone? He didn’t know, and he should have deleted everything if he didn’t want anyone to know, and then he had the nerve to come to my place to… to… what? Kiss me? Test me? Experiment on me?
Was I supposed to reply? “Of course, Wreck, you didn’t mean to stick your tongue down my throat and wrap your arms around me. It was probably an alien taking over your body. You’re too good to kiss me. I’m nothing. I’m no one. I can be used to be played with, I’m just a twenty-two-year-old fool.” I wiped roughly at my face, silently cursing at the tears.
It was fine.
Wreck was confused. He could be, but I wouldn’t let him mess with me. He could do whatever he wanted. I didn’t want to see him or hear from him. I wouldn’t even reply to his text. I had nothing to say. That wasn’t correct. I had many swear words to call him, but I refused to snap out in anger. Instead, I deleted his message.
Chapter Seven
Wreck
I was a motherfucking dickhead. As soon as I sent the text, I wanted to take it back. But I couldn’t. It was too late, and I felt like a fuckhead for it. Now I stood in my room at the compound staring down at my phone, waiting for a reply, but none arrived.
Did he get my text?
Christ, had I hurt him because of the text?
“Fuckin’ idiot,” I cursed myself; of course I hurt him.
Lucas Storey had caught my goddamn attention from the first moment I’d seen him. Which wasn’t when I’d walked into Saint’s house, Lucas’s blood brother. No. The first time, I’d been on a phone call outside when I saw Lucas walking down the street. He’d been mumbling to himself, waving a hand around every now and then. I couldn’t really make out his features in the dark. Still, I’d hidden because his actions amused me. When he walked up to the front door and stopped there, I’d grown suspicious. Until he went back to mumbling and then rested his head against the door, like he knew it would be an effort to walk into the house, and it seemed his day hadn’t been the best to begin with.
I had to hold back a laugh when Death opened the door on him, and he stumbled forward. A
s soon as he was through the door, I finished the call to Hailey, a woman I saw, and went inside, wanting to see what the guy would do next.
However, I wasn’t prepared for the punch in the gut from actually seeing him in the light. I didn’t expect his wild hair, his full lips, his slim build that matched his short stature.
It pissed me off I would notice that about the guy in the first place, so I didn’t interact much with him. What had been immediately clear was that I needed to distance myself from Lucas fucking Storey. Not only was he appealing, which was motherfucking weird since I’d never felt that before for any guy, but his hems and haws and bumbling words made him goddamn cute in my eyes. Too cute since I’d snapped at the prospect over a little comment. Luckily, my brothers took it as me showing the prospect about respect. At the time, I hadn’t even thought of that. I’d known Lucas had heard the prospect’s words and didn’t want him upset over it.
Why was he different to other guys?
Why the fuck would I notice him and his smooth skin and bright green eyes?
I went away from that first official meeting confused as fuck. I thought it was just because I’d been tired, but it seemed every damn time Saint spoke about Lucas, my ears would perk up to hear what was said.
This shit confused the hell out of me.
The second meeting, Saint had called to see if I’d wanted to hang out at his place. I needed to see if the first time was a fluke so I could shove whatever it was down the drain and get on with my days without thinking about Lucas.
Yet, when I’d found the front door unlocked, Lucas in his own bubble with music playing, it pissed me way the hell off. He was unprotected. Anyone could have walked in and harmed him in a way I knew I didn’t want to see. He’d surprised me with his attitude back when I gave him a hard time. When his brother got there, I thought that Saint would help in getting him to listen, but I wasn’t sure Saint had seen just how out of it Lucas became when he was studying. Then he saw it with his own eyes.
Christ, I wanted to take Lucas away from there to the compound where I knew not only I would watch him, but the brothers would as well. I fucking hated the thought of Lucas in his own goddamn world at the library or coffee shop.
He was smart. Probably smarter than all of us, so why couldn’t he see the danger in getting lost around people he didn’t even know?
That second encounter put Lucas on my mind more than I’d expected. I couldn’t stop picturing him in his tee and sweatpants relaxing, smiling, getting angry, even when we’d all got on his case.
The thought of grabbing him, wrapping my hand in his fucking amazing curly hair, and kissing him again hit me hard, shocking me to the core.
My attention to Lucas was a need to look out for him for Saint’s sake. It wasn’t though. And I called bullshit right away.
And then I was left with why him?
I’d never, fucking never, been into a guy before.
What made him catch my attention?
Frustrated, I scrubbed a hand over my face and kicked out at my bed. The mattress tipped up and then back down.
I’d fucked things up. Massively.
But it was probably for the best. I couldn’t be interested in a guy. Women were my thing. I loved fucking them.
Then why had I sought Lucas out after I’d noticed what had been in my internet history? I’d forgotten to delete it—a stupid move on my part, especially after Lucas had had it. Hell, if I’d been in the same boat, I would have done the same and looked through his phone. He would have seen it, so I’d just had to question him about it. I’d planned to play it off as one of the brothers fucking with me and putting that on there, but as soon as I saw him and he started his hemming and hawing, acting like he didn’t see shit, I couldn’t.
Fucking foolish move admitting to Lucas how he drove me insane.
Christ, I didn’t even know if I was someone he’d go for, but it’d been too late. I’d had him in my arms, my brain telling me to feel things out, see if it was just a damn phase or some shit. But when I had him there, in my arms, with my lips on his, and I felt him start to pull back, I didn’t want to let go. I took his mouth, and he seemed to like it. He grabbed on instead of shoving me off.
That fucking kiss.
That goddamn kiss.
It’d be seared into my head for the rest of my life.
I thought it’d be weird kissing a guy, but in the moment, it hadn’t been. Then I royally screwed things up when I freaked out, hearing Saint’s voice. I’d seen the flash of pain on Lucas’s features, and my gut had twisted. It still did each time the moment ran through my mind.
Then I went and royally screwed up more by sending that text in a moment of fear.
Fear because he was a guy.
Fear if anyone found out and the shit we’d get.
Fear over liking it.
Fear over wanting more and what that meant for me.
I wasn’t willing to change my life. I liked my damn life as it was. Lucas couldn’t just rock into it and have my head and body switching things up.
He couldn’t.
So it was good I’d sent the text. He’d get the picture. That was if he got the text. No, he did. I’d stolen his phone off his desk when I’d stood and managed to get his number in my phone before I hit the front door. He would have since seen it.
Then why did I wish he hadn’t?
It was a dick move.
I should have just left it alone and never seen him again. I knew it’d be hard, but he’d managed to dodge me after seeing what was on my phone. It brought me back to wondering why he’d dodged me? My lips tipped up. If I was to guess, it would be because he was scared he’d crack under pressure and admit everything.
It would have been good to see, but then I wouldn’t have felt his sweet, plump lips on mine.
Groaning, I dropped my head and rubbed at the back of my neck.
I had to forget him.
A knock sounded on my door. The compound was in full swing of a party happening in the common room, but I wasn’t in the mood.
Opening the door, I found Hailey on the other side. I knew after having her more than twice she would think we were something. We weren’t, and it was going to suck telling her that.
“Hey, baby,” she cooed, stepping close and rubbing her hands up my chest. “Miss you out there. You going to join the party, or do you wanna make your own in here?”
She would be a good distraction.
But who was I kidding? Even as I stared down at her big tits, my dick didn’t even take notice of the chance to get off. If anything, he was damn asleep. Unless I thought of Lucas.
Jesus Christ, my dick throbbed from only the thought of his name. If it could speak, I was sure it’d be saying, “Huh? Lucas is here? Where?”
I’d also be a bigger asshole than I was if I gave her something she thought she wanted and made her think there was an us.
Fuck my life.
I lay my hands over hers. “Darlin’.” Her eyes narrowed. “It’s been good, but it can’t go on. I’m not looking for an old lady.”
“Wreck, do not do this.”
“Hailey….”
“No. You want me. I know you do. I would make a great old lady. Head whenever you want. I’d even let you fuck me in front of your brothers.”
“See, that’s the thing. When I get an old lady, which won’t be any time soon, I won’t want anyone to touch them, look at them.” I could see the stubborn glint in her eyes. “Hailey, you’ll find someone that’s it for you, but it ain’t me. Still, if you ever need anythin’, you know I’m here. Yeah?”
“I’m needing now, Wreck.” She tried to slide her hands up further, but I held them in place.
“You ain’t gonna get from me anymore, darlin’.”
She smirked. “I’m sure I could persuade you.” I didn’t expect her hand to drop, but it did, and next she cupped my junk. “See, baby, you’re on the road to getting hard for me.”
Problem was, it wasn
’t for her I had a chub.
Fucking Lucas.
Grabbing her hand, I gently shoved her back. “Not happenin’, Hailey. Don’t make this any harder than it already is.”
She laughed. “But that’s what I’m aiming for.”
I shook my head and crossed my arms over my chest. She wasn’t getting anything else off me, not until I had my head on straight, and even then, she wouldn’t because she was after one thing. She wanted to be someone’s old lady. It would never be with me. I could handle her for a few hours if an orgasm came at the end, but not all the damn time. Made me sound like a prick, but she’d been willing for me to stick my dick in her, and I made sure she was satisfied in the end.
“We had something special starting, Wreck. How can you do this to me?”
“You saw more than what I was offerin’.”
She planted her hands on her hips, and I knew shit was about to get ugly. “You could just tell me the truth, that you’re having problems sexually since the last time you didn’t want to fuck either. I’ll be sure to tell the other girls to steer clear because your dick isn’t working.”
The last time was when I saw Lucas sitting in a café with a guy I didn’t know. They’d been laughing, smiling, and touching. I hadn’t meant to go up to their table, but I felt I had to, for Saint’s sake. I had to make sure Lucas was safe with whoever he was with. I’d hated the guy he was with right away. It wasn’t until I heard they were friends that the burn inside me calmed.
I was supposed to take Hailey to the compound and fuck her. I couldn’t. My head wasn’t in the right space, so I dropped her home. However, before she got out of the car, she tried to rub me over. My dick didn’t show interest. I pretended I wasn’t feeling well. She didn’t know I went back to the compound, got hard instantly when I thought of Lucas, and tugged one out.
