Hard Ride (Filthy Dirty Desires)

She has no idea what she’s playing with there. That guy isn’t good enough for her. Hell, neither am I, but at least I know what she needs right now and could definitely deliver those goods for her.

I shake his hand again, harder this time. “Thanks, man. You’ve been a great friend. Even if you let some young punk asses into your club.”

Lewis laughs, staring at the boys in question. He lets out a sigh when he spots Betty. “Is that the police chief’s daughter?”

I nod. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of her. Make sure she makes it home safe.”

“Be sure that you do. I don’t need that kind of trouble in here.” He gets up from his stool and nods to Curly before slipping away into a door near the back.

I return my attention to Betty. I know exactly how I’m going to take care of her.

Three

Betty

* * *

“Bullseye,” I say with a sway of my hips. “And that, gentlemen, is how you play darts.”

“Throw darts,” one of the college guys corrects me. “You don’t play them, you throw them.”

I roll my eyes. “Whatever, Dart Police.”

Preston, the guy I’ve marked as a potential candidate for a night of letting loose, defends me. Sort of. “Leave her alone, Brent. Who cares if she calls it the wrong thing?”

I should call this night a bust.

When I was getting ready tonight, I had big dreams of having a little fun, but these guys are anything but that. Every time they speak to me, it’s like they bring me down a notch. I haven’t even had a sip of alcohol, because I didn’t want to be drunk and make bad choices. However, I’m still hanging out with these guys, making bad ones.

I study Preston’s blond hair coiffed perfectly to one side and picture having sex with him tonight.

Ugh. I can’t.

Just the thought of sex with him makes me more stressed out than I already am. I want someone who will think for me, so I can just relax and enjoy what he’s giving to me.

Someone like Silas.

This is all his fault. If not for him and his banana, I probably wouldn’t be here seeking sex in the first place. If Jenna hadn’t mentioned his abs in the store today, I’d most likely be at home, fantasizing about him in the safety of my bedroom, not trying to hook up with a guy whose gelled hair looks like it could survive the winds of a Category 5 hurricane.

“I’ll be right back.” I rush away from the guys and head toward the women’s restroom to compose myself and possibly climb out a window.

Once inside, I cross to the marble counter and splash cool water on my face. What was I thinking? I should just head home.

Before I can turn around to leave, someone steps into the bathroom with me. The click of the lock ricochets against the lime green walls, and my pulse races when I stare at the man reflected in the mirror.

“What are you doing here, Betty?” Silas asks. His voice is raspy, like he’s in pain just talking to me.

“I…” I have no answers for him.

“This isn’t a place for someone like you.”

“What’s someone like me?”

“Someone sweet. Classy. Someone who takes the time to help Ms. Wegman get her groceries ‘cause she can’t see to read the labels, even though she’s an ornery old bird. Someone smart enough to run the town grocery store, but too young to know she can’t expect a boy to do a man’s job.”

Whoa, I sound amazing. Well, except for that last part about my age.

I spin around, leaning against the sink to move away from the man who’s taking up all the small space with his big muscles. “I…” I decide to tell him part of the truth. “I needed something.”

His eyes catch fire at my words. “I know what you need.”

I suck in a breath. “You do?”

He steps closer, landing his hands on my hips, lifting me onto the counter. “You need to be fucked the right way.” He crushes his lips against mine, and my body comes alive like it’s my first day of living.

My heart beats at a frantic pace as his tongue tangles with mine. I can’t believe Silas Irons is kissing me.

He breaks the kiss, his chest rising and falling just as fast as mine. “You taste just as sweet as I imagined you would.”

I want to pull out my cell phone and record this event, because it’s too unbelievable. “You’ve thought about this?”

He touches my hair, tugging lightly at the strands. “I’ve thought about a lot of things, sweetheart. Things you probably have no business knowing.” He steps between my legs, and I squeeze my thighs around his lean hips, holding him in place.

“Like what?” I ask, feeling braver than I ever have in my life.