Bradford Bastard (Bradford Bastard 1)

The bike rumbles beneath me and my head rests against Tanner’s back, too exhausted to even think about having to spend the next few hours socializing and partying with my new friends, but I don’t doubt the moment the vibe of the track party settles into my soul, I’ll somehow find the energy to party all night. What can I say? Tanner made me come four times, and to me, I can’t find a better excuse to celebrate. Besides, the thought of going home and ending this night hurts something deep in my chest.

My fingers dance across the ink decorating his strong arms as we ride toward the glowing lights surrounding the track. It has to be well past midnight by now, but there’s even more people here than before.

The crowd is rowdy, and I don’t miss the way curious glances linger on the bike as we re-emerge into the world. I was so much happier out there, covered by the darkness of the trees, but I just know the moment I get off his bike and the girls swallow me into their arms, they’re going to demand an explanation, and honestly, how can I explain something I don’t completely understand?

Tanner cuts back through the crowd, and I see the catty stares coming from the group of cheerleaders hovering directly in the center of the crowd. The words slut and whore are thrown at me, and my fingers flinch on Tanner’s arm. “Just say the word and I’ll end them,” he murmurs, having the power to do just that.

I shake my head. The girls of Bradford Private have been mostly welcoming, despite seeing this connection between me and Tanner, and up until now, they haven’t said a damn thing, but I see it in their eyes. They think I’m stealing something that belongs to them, something they’re entitled to, but I doubt Tanner sees it that way. “Nah,” I tell him, more than able to handle myself. “I’m not looking to start a war with a bunch of cheerleaders. They’ll quickly learn that I won’t fall victim to their bullshit and get bored.”

We ride right across the track and back up to where we’d been hanging out before, and I’m surprised to find Ilaria and Arizona still chilling with the guys.

Tanner cuts the engine, his gaze lifting to the back of Logan’s RAM to where Logan and Chanel stand locked in some kind of argument, looking as though they’re about to start tearing shreds off each other. “They’ve been going at it for twenty minutes,” Hudson says, noticing Tanner’s stare. “But looks like they’re not the only ones who’ve been working out their issues.”

My cheeks flush as Ilaria laughs, holding that same scrap of material the cheerleader started the race with and spinning it around like some kind of lasso. “Damn straight, girl,” she cheers, a drink in her other hand. “Hope you gave it to him good.”

Jax and Arizona laugh as I brace my hand against Tanner’s shoulder for balance as I slide off the bike, my pussy clenching with the movements. “The next one of you to say anything gets a fist straight up your ass,” I warn them, eyeing Riley and Jax, knowing they’re the most-likely culprits.

Riley grins back at me and makes a show of zipping his lips, but it only lasts a second. “For the record,” he says, unable to help himself. “I would have at least taken you to dinner before fucking you in the woods.”

“For the record,” I throw back at him. “You would have fumbled around with my bra strap and come in your pants before I’d even touched you.”

He narrows his eyes and I grin wide. “You know damn well that I can handle my shit.”

I shrug my shoulders. “I’m yet to see it,” I tease, watching Tanner from the corner of my eye as he moves off his bike and saunters toward the back of Logan’s RAM, probably finding himself a beer.

Riley scoffs. “You want to see me in action?” he questions, up for the challenge. “Pick one girl, any single one of them, and I bet I could have her bent over within ten minutes.”

“Bullshit.”

Riley laughs and steps toward me, his brows bouncing with excitement. “Oh, baby girl. You’re about to witness a god at work.” He slings an arm over my shoulders and, in the same instant, turns us to face the crowd at our back. “Who’s it gonna be?”

My gaze scans the dancing bodies, being careful with my selection until finally landing on a girl from my biology class. She’s popular, and I’m sure all of the guys have already slept with her at some point. “Her,” I tell him, pointing her out. “Maddison Matthews.”

Riley grins as Tanner appears at my side, and just as I thought, there’s a drink in his hand, but when he presses some girly shit into mine, a wave of butterflies swarm through my stomach. Tanner follows my gaze and scoffs. “Ain’t no way, man. Maddi won’t go for a round two with you after you fucked her sister.”