Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
MILES
I watch her come down the stairs, and my heart is in my throat. Something changed inside me tonight when I had her in my bed, and I know she felt it, too. Yeah, the sex was fucking amazing, but the way she felt in my arms…in my bed. She belonged there, and not just for a night.
She’s judging me based on my past lifestyle and comparing me to whoever this asshole is who put up her walls. I hate being friend-zoned again, but if this is what it takes to earn her trust and show her I’m not going anywhere, then I’ll suck it up and be her damn bestie.
When she stops in front of me, I slide the helmet on her head and buckle the strap before putting mine on. She easily gets on the back when I sit down, feeling more comfortable than the first time. Her body presses up against mine, and I feel her arms come around my waist.
Shit.
This is going to be harder than I thought to have her this close and not be reminded how good it felt to be inside her. Gritting my teeth, I will my body to relax as I open the garage door and back us up before shooting down the road .
I purposely take the longer way back to the restaurant where her jeep is. I know she loved the ride earlier, and I want to give her more. I open up my bike a little faster than I did last time, but still keep it at a safe speed.
It’s a beautiful night, and the moon and stars are out bright as we ride along the coast. It’s always been my favorite time to ride.
Except for the occasional car driving by, the roads are deserted this time of night.
It’s just us and this powerful machine beneath us, the warm wind brushing against our skin.
I reach my hand back and squeeze her thigh more for my own need of wanting contact, but I also want to reassure her that she’s safe with me…that she’ll always be safe with me.
I finally slow down and ease into the parking lot, stopping by her red jeep and turning off the engine. Removing my helmet, she places her hands on my shoulder and uses me to swing her leg over. I follow suit and help her with her helmet.
Her cheeks are flushed, and her eyes are alight with excitement. She gets the same rush I do, and it makes me so damn happy to see.
“Thank you for the ride. I can see why girls love being on the back of bikes.”
“It’s called backpacks,” I smile.
“Backpacks?” She grins, and the dimples appear. I’ve grown very fond of making them come out as much as I can. “I like that. Well, thank you for letting me be your backpack for the night.”
“You’ve been my only backpack,” I admit softly.
I see the surprise in her eyes, and I hope that means something to her because it sure as hell means a lot to me.
Several girls have tried to get a ride before, but my bike is special to me.
It’s not something I want to share with just anybody.
I was waiting for the right person to share it with.
“I’m the first girl to be on your bike?”
“Yeah, you were,” I smile.
“But the extra helmet? I thought you carried it with you in case, you know, you took a girl home.”
“The extra helmet is Sophia’s, my sister-in-law.
I borrowed it for our date in case, you know, I got to take you home.
” I grin as she struggles with that bit of information.
“Don’t look so shocked. I have a pretty wild past, yes, but I was single and having fun.
Some things, though, are worth saving for the right girl. ”
“What else are you saving?” Her question surprises me, but I’m glad she’s opening up more and curious enough to ask it.
“I guess you’ll have to keep me around to find out,” I grin.
This pretend friends-only game we have going could be a lot of fun.
I’ll look at it as very long foreplay because I know it’s only a matter of time before the sexual tension between us comes to a head again.
Being with her tonight did nothing to dampen it.
If anything, it made the need ten times worse because I know what it feels like now.
“Hmm,” she says, biting her lip in concentration.
She looks so damn sexy with her face still flushed from the ride and her hair a mess from being in my bed.
Without thinking, I reach my hand out and release her lip, wishing it were my teeth instead.
I spot the mark on her neck, and my dick twitches at the sight.
I trace the dark purple color from me sucking her flesh.
I knew it would leave a mark, and I wanted to.
Her hand goes up and touches the spot my finger is on.
“Yeah, thanks for that,” she frowns. “I’m going to have to wear makeup for days to cover that up.”
“ Or you could leave it as is and let people wonder who the lucky bastard is that got to put it there.”
“You got the bastard part right,” she bites back a grin.
“And I thought I was the funny one,” I smirk.
“I guess you are rubbing off on me.” She reaches into her small purse that was crossed over her chest for the ride and takes out her keys. “Thanks again for the ride and for…everything else.”
“Everything else?” I ask, wanting to hear her say it.
“You know what I’m talking about,” she rolls her eyes, and I hold back a grin.
“No…No, I don’t think I do. You are going to have to tell me.”
She narrows her eyes at me, and I fold my arms across my chest, waiting for my answer.
“The sex, okay. You definitely have skills that put my vibrator to shame. Feel better?”
“I do, yes,” I grin.
She shakes her head and softly laughs. Turning, she gets in the jeep and shuts the door, rolling down the window. “You do know that you are like a grown child most of the time?”
I walk up to the window and put my hand on the top of the door as I peer in.
“I think you love my inner child when he wants to come out and play.”
“He is charming, I’ll admit.” She starts the engine and looks back at me. “A little too charming for his own good.”
“No such thing,” I shake my head. “And Olivia?”
“Yes?” Her light green eyes hold mine.
“Just for the record. You definitely have skills too, and put everything else to shame.” I back up and grin as I put my helmet on.
“Damn right, I did,” she grins and pulls away.
Laughing, I flip my black visor down and swing my leg over. My life just got a whole hell of a lot more interesting. I start the engine and hightail it out of the parking lot, going a lot faster than when I drove here.
Images of her play in my head like a movie as I speed down the road. I can still feel her body up against me and the taste of her on my tongue.
My brothers are going to have a field day with this if they find out.
I’ve teased them so much over the years, when they became like a complete puppy dog for their girl.
I didn’t understand it then, but I understand it now.
The thought of Olivia never being in my life isn’t an option.
Now that I know what’s between us is real and how deep our connection goes, I won’t give up until she’s mine.
“It’s just a piece of wood. What did it ever do to you?” Jake nods toward the nail that’s pounded further into the board than it needs to be.
My brothers have been coming over in their spare time to help me move things along.
I still have Noah’s crew busting their asses on the deck outside, but I like to get my hands involved with things that are mine.
Construction work also helps get your frustration out.
It’s been over a week since I’ve seen her. Eleven fucking days to be exact.
We’ve texted a couple of times about work, but she always keeps it professional.
When I try to cross the line, she steers me back to work.
I even tried to set up a meeting with her, hoping I could at least see her again, but she always has some excuse as to why she can’t make it and how it’s easier just to do the paperwork by email.
Fucking email.
I really hate fucking email.
“I guess I just have a lot on my mind with the business opening soon.” It’s not untrue.
We open in a few weeks, and there’s still a shit ton to do.
I’ve been practically living here to keep my mind busy.
It doesn’t help that my fucking bed still smells like her, and everything about my apartment reminds me of that night.
I haven’t even been able to play my drums. Every time I sit on the stool, I remember her cumming on my lap and moaning my name, which leads to me taking a shower and jacking off to her image, which by the way, is the only action I’ve been getting lately.
I have no desire to go out to my usual spots and find some company for the night. It’s like she has this spell over me, and nobody but her will fill this void I’m feeling.
If this is what it feels like to get your heart involved, I can see why some people stay single for the rest of their lives. It can make you go mad.
“Are you sure it’s the business and not because a certain someone hasn’t fallen to their knees for your charm yet?” Jake chuckles when I glare at him.
“Let me guess. Savi?”
“She might have mentioned you had a date last week and have been a bear to live with ever since.”
“Are we talking about the girl who has Miles by the balls? Because I really want to be in on this conversation.” Ryder walks over with a big grin plastered on his face. “Oh, how the tables have turned,” he laughs.
“She told you, too?”
“And me,” Travis chuckles, turning a chair around and straddling it. “I’ve been waiting a long time for this.” His eyes shine with laughter.
“Yeah, I bet you have,” I mutter, throwing my hammer down and running my hands roughly through my hair before replacing my ball cap. “Fine,” I say, throwing my hands up in the air. “Let me have it. I probably deserve it for the hell I put you all through.”
“Judging by how shitty you look, it looks like you’ve done a good enough job putting yourself through hell all on your own,” Jake chuckles .
“Thanks for the compliment,” I say, rolling my eyes. But he’s right. I do look like shit. Sleep hasn’t exactly been my best friend these days, and I haven’t shaved in days.
“So what exactly is the problem? Is she not into you, or is there someone else she’s seeing…” Travis, being the oldest, always gets right to the point.
“No, nothing like that,” I sigh, deciding I might as well rip the band-aid off and let them have their fun so they can get it out of their system.
“At dinner, she propositioned me. She wanted me for the night with no strings attached. Now I’m friend-zoned and can’t for the life of me figure out how to get the fuck out.
She won’t do anything but talk business with me. I can’t even get her to see me.”
They all stare at me in silence before they roar with laughter.
“Thank you, Jesus, for this moment,” Ryder says between his laughing fits.
“She pulled a Miles on Miles.” Travis barely gets the words out as he wipes his eyes.
“Did she at least buy you dinner first?” Jake wheezes out.
“You guys are real funny. And they call me the immature one.” Sitting down, I lean back in a chair and cross my arms over my chest as I wait for them to calm down.
I get why it’s so funny to them. The irony is not lost on me that I’m being dished what I’ve always served.
“Feel better now?” I eye each of my brothers as their laughter finally dies down.
“So much better,” Ryder grins.
“Now that your childish asses have calmed down, tell me what the fuck I need to do before I go fucking insane.”
“Did she enjoy herself? Maybe the sex sucked, and she’s doing her best to let you down nicely.” I glare at Travis, and he suppresses a smile. He sure is having fun with this.
“Trust me, she thoroughly enjoyed herself. Multiple times,” I add to get some of my manhood back from their teasing. “I’m pretty sure she has trust issues because of some asshole in her past, but how the hell can I prove myself if she’s avoiding me like the plague?”
“She’s scared,” Jake shrugs. “Take it from me, who has experience in this. She needs time. You guys work together, so it’s inevitable that you’ll see her again. Be her friend and show her you’re not going anywhere. She’ll eventually come around.”
“Waiting is not my strong suit,” I sigh, “but I know you’re right.”
“Try waiting for three years,” Ryder chuckles softly.
“I don’t know how you did it.” I shake my head, thinking of how he must have felt, not knowing if Eve was coming back.
“I held onto the parts of her I had and prayed like fuck every night I would get her back.” He lifts his backwards hat and runs his hand aggressively through his hair before replacing it.
“What’s meant for you will always find its way to you.” Travis cocks his head and studies me. “I’ve never seen you this way about a girl, ever. From the looks of it, what’s meant for you has already found you. She just needs to see past the fear to realize it's found her, too.”
“She’ll realize it. I haven’t met a girl yet who can resist your charm,” Ryder laughs.
“Except for our wives, but that’s just because they have better taste.” Jake grins when I give him the finger.
“I think comedy hour is over.” I stand up and grab the hammer off the floor. “Get your lazy asses back to work. I’m not paying you to stand around.”
“You’re not paying us at all,” Travis laughs, getting up from the chair.
“Having me as a brother is worth its weight in gold. You should be paying me,” I grin .
“And he’s back to his old self,” Jake chuckles, grabbing the drill from the table.
“What the hell is that smell?” Travis puts his arm up and covers his nose in the crook of his elbow.
“Jesus, that’s rough,” Ryder lifts his shirt over his nose to try to get some air that doesn’t smell like someone died.
“That would be Gizmo,” I laugh, wrinkling my nose as I watch his paws moving in his sleep as if he’s running free in his dreams. “I guess giving him some leftover chili last night wasn’t one of my greatest ideas. He’s been doing it all morning.”
“You gave a dog chili?” Jake chuckles, using his t-shirt to stifle the smell. “What the hell were you thinking?”
“He kept watching me while I ate and giving me that sad puppy look he always does. I felt bad for him,” I shrug. “I just topped off his dog food with a scoop of it. I didn’t know it would smell like the inside of the devil’s asshole the next day.”
“Yeah, well, now you know, so please save the planet and don’t ever let those fumes pollute the air again,” Travis chuckles, walking over to the tools on the workbench.
“Noted,” I laugh.
Feeling a little lighter than I have in days, I get back to work. The first shipment of wine is scheduled for delivery next week, and I know Olivia will want to go through it and help me with the display shelves.
She can’t hide from me forever. I’m suddenly craving honey, and I’ll do whatever it takes to get one more taste.