Forest Page 5

  “That’s because you haven’t seen it yet.”

  “Why don’t you show me then? Humor me Forest.”

  The muscles on his body flexed when he turned his body to me. I was immediately drawn into him. His body towered over me, leaning sideways on the sofa.

  There was that maddening aroma of sandalwood again.

  I closed my eyes nearly losing myself when I felt his large hand probe my thighs.

  “You alright?”

  “Yeah…”

  It took so much energy to force the response out of my mouth.

  He reached in closer for a kiss. It was just as hot and captivating as the first, but much less innocent.

  Parting my lips with a gentle push from his tongue, they danced wildly against each other. The sweet sting of Hennessy coating the hungry flesh. He stopped again and looked into my eyes.

  “What do you want to know bug eyes.” Smooth, silky, and deep was the sound of his voice against my eardrums. And I shivered against him.

  “Have you fallen for me?”

  “That’s a secret.” He whispered into my ears carefully, as if safeguarding me with his darkest secret that didn’t really tell me anything. He straddled my waist with his firm hips. Forcefully moving my cheek to one side, he placed a series of fire laden kisses across the surface of my skin, branding me with his steaming touch.

  “The moment I laid eyes on you, I had to make you mine. Even if just for a night.”

  His hand traveled across my body to more intimate places and I arched my waist up, beckoning him further. I had nothing to lose and I know he wanted this just as much as I did.

  “If I make love to you, will you be gone in the morning?”

  He silenced me with another kiss, reaching his right arm behind my neck to lower the zipper on my dress.

  Forest was my poison. My secret dark oasis. And he became that seemingly overnight. Emotions that I felt for him admiring him from a distance in high school, smothered me. And somehow, I knew he had the same feeling.

  He worked quickly to pull the red lace dress from my skin, leaving small kisses in the wake of the absence of fabric. Each breath against my bare shoulder produced a heart-stopping jolt into my chest.

  He suffocated me and filled me with unimaginable life all in one.

  Once my body was released from the constriction of the dress, I was hardly guarded by the concealment of flimsy lingerie beneath.

  Figuring it was his turn to rid himself his own meddlesome constrictions, I pulled his black shirt from over his head in one fell swoop.

  I’d finally gotten to marvel at his chiseled body.

  Curves, arches, and dips that made up the whole of his finely sculpted abs. I was in heaven.

  I kissed his chest and he winced awkwardly.

  “Is something wrong?”

  “Just a little ticklish.”

  Ticklish? Surprise, surprise.

  Leaning on my arm, I rose up from my narrow position underneath him and dragged my hand along his chest, committing each bit of his firm skin to my memory. If he really was going to leave before I woke up in the morning, he could at least leave me with the memory of his touch…

  The lower I got to his navel, the deeper the pitch of his quiet moans. I worked my hands gently to the buckle of his belt. He caressed me possessively, putting my hand awkwardly between our two bodies.

  “Can I?”

  He hesitated at my question.

  “Are you sure?” His voice was barely audible

  I nodded my head gently.

  Easing his grip on my body, he allowed me to loosen the final bastion of his tepid defense. He kicked the jeans off of his legs and to the floor.

  I was drunk with the lust of longing, and so was he.

  I thought we would share our bodies for hours, but he played with me. Toyed with my body. Teased me until every inch of me was sore with need.

  I wanted him so badly, but I knew what that would mean. So I enjoyed the muted touches of his bare skin for the rest of the night, keeping my true desire to myself.

  I woke up to the irritating sound of my alarm, and I shut it off as fast as I could find it under my pillow.

  “Forest?” I reached for him on the other side of my bed while I adjust my eyes to the morning sunlight.

  He was gone.

  My hand crumbled a small piece of paper that was left on the other side of the bed.

  “Sorry I had to leave so soon. The shop can be pretty demanding. I made you breakfast. It’s in the microwave. Heat it up will ya? See you soon bug eyes.”

  He’d gone and left a gaping ache in my heart in his wake. Grumpily, I rose out of bed and dragged my feet and bare body to the bathroom.

  “Goodness I look a mess!” I tied my hair into a ponytail and brushed my teeth.

  I ran a hot shower.

  The gentle stream of water flowed over my body. For a minute, it felt like light touches from Forest.

  “I wish he stayed…” I mumbled to myself over the bathroom echoes.

  I got out of the shower, dragging my dry body to the closet to get dressed.

  It was the same routine every day.

  Check mail, refresh page ten times, freak-out.

  But this time I was freaking out for an entirely different reason.

  “Delvin’s email is finally here!!” I opened the mail faster than I could blink, and opened the contract document.

  I didn’t think this could ever happen to me in my natural life, but it was happening. And it was real.

  Chapter 4

  Forest

  “Maybe I should’ve stayed at her place. Do you think that was an asshole move?” Don’t know why I bothered asking Derrick anything about my “love-life” but I guess anybody would do.

  “Since when did you start caring about being an asshole Lock?”

  “Ehh shove it smart ass.” I continued replacing the alternator in my car.

  It was pretty obvious that the “genius” behind fucking with my car was Mauve Bedguard. I would confront him today.

  Make the kid regret crossing him. Hope he was ready for it.

  “Did you bother telling Jamie Jordan about what you do? I mean, you might wanna let the lady know that your real job is illegal street racing before she falls in love with you.”

  “No. That’s gonna cause problems I don’t need. All bug eyes needs to know is that I’m a car mechanic. That’s all I’m telling her.” I screwed the new alternator into place and dropped the hood down. “Jobs done.” I could hardly hear myself over the loud drilling. Hiring more staff for the shop was a pain, but it was necessary.

  “So when y’all gonna race?” Derrick couldn’t help but peer his nose into my business.

  “2 am today. Off the 99.”

  “What’re the stakes.”

  “Twenty thousand greens.”

  “Damn! Good luck brother.”

  Lucrative wasn’t even a good enough word to describe this business. It was reckless, risky, and paid me beyond handsomely. Of course, the was always that chance I would crash and die, going a hundred miles over the speed limit. But what was a reward without a little bit of risk?

  Jamie wouldn’t understand. And I didn’t want her getting involved.

  “I thought about buying her a new car with the winnings. I can have her driving around in that dump she calls a car.”

  “Man, is that the sound of you softening up Lock? Never thought I’d see the day!”

  “Please. Don’t get ahead of yourself.”

  I definitely wasn’t going to admit it, but Jamie was softening me up.

  Spent the rest of the day fixing cars and keeping Derrick from pissing me off.

  Eventful to say the least.

  ***

  The minute the clock hit 1:50 am, adrenaline kicked it.

  It would be the first time I was confronting Mauve since he managed to weasel his way under my hood. Yeah, it was time to send this kid a clear message not to fuck with me.

 
; I waited off the agreed exit of highway 99. With a double flashing of headlights, I knew it was him. Steeling myself for the confrontation, I got out of my car.

  “Mauve Bedguard. I see you decided to lure me out by damaging my car huh?”

  The tone of his screeching laugh stung me like nails on a chalkboard.

  Insufferable bastard.

  “Forest! I hear you made it all the way to Mountain Loop before your precious little Subaru conked out on you. Pretty impressive.”

  This kid decided to wear a suit. To a street race. I wasn’t sure I could roll my eyes any harder than I did.

  “Enough yapping. You have the money? We’re racing for twenty stacks. Put it where I can see it.”

  He raised his arm in front of the headlights of his car, illuminating a small briefcase.

  “It’s all in here. We go for ten minutes. Whoever holds the lead the longest wins. Simple, no? Rebecca will signal us off.”

  A tall model looking woman emerged from his car. How this eighteen-year-old youngin’ managed to travel with such company could only be explained one way.

  Money.

  “Simple. Get in your ride and let’s get this over with.”

  “I hope you like my new car. Mustang Shelby, just for you.”

  Ignoring his weak attempts at taunting, we walked back to our respective cars and drove to the agreed upon start point.

  When Rebecca’s arms hit the floor signaling the start of the race, all I could see was the path in front of me.

  I floored it as hard as I could.

  To say I was addicted to speed was an understatement.

  It was a rush that came over me like a mad tempest.

  Tunnel vision came over me. My only care in that moment was that Mauve was soundly behind me and in the dust.

  My focus was on the road. My eyes glued to it.

  There would be no way I could let Jamie know about this. It was my primitive secret.

  Sharp turns, bumps, the occasional car on the road.

  Yeah, this was too dangerous for a woman like her.

  The timer that was set on both of our vehicles sounded and I took the nearest exit off the highway to wait for Bedguard to catch up.

  He lost, and badly.

  His car pulled up next to mine and he got out of his. His face was a visible red, and he blew smoke out of his nostrils as he walked to my car.

  Why should I bother showing him the decency of getting out of my car?

  Stupid kid didn’t deserve that.

  “Here Forest Lock. You won. Fair and square. It wasn’t even close.”

  “Glad you’re not arguing the obvious.” I grabbed the suitcase from his frail little hands and put it in my front seat.

  I laughed in his face. Viciously. I guess maybe I should’ve thanked him. Without his meddling, I wouldn’t have been stuck with Jamie that night.

  Nah, no thanks for him.

  “Next time Lock…” he pointed at me as forcefully as he could muster, “…we’re racing for pink slips.”

  Still managed to walk away from defeat with his head held high. Ever the pretentious schmuck. I suppose I could give him that.

  “Twenty-grand in ten minutes. How’s that for an hourly wage?”

  There was no other way to drive back to the apartment than victoriously.

  ***

  Fresh, crisp hundreds. Stacking nicely on the dining table.

  It was always easy money as I was concerned. No reason to stop that bread line.

  Thoughts of that silly girl crept up in my head as I sat in my apartment alone. The smell of her sweet perfume, some mixture of flowers and a burning desire to be noticed. Yeah, I had enough useless materialistic shit to keep me occupied till I reached Nirvana. But it still made me feel empty. It was designer junk without a purpose.

  “Heh, bug eyes.” A stupid nickname, but I thought it fit her well.

  She really did have these massive eyes. They popped out of her forehead like some weird bug. I fucking hated to admit it, but she made me forget about it all.

  The accident.

  The orphanage.

  How was it possible that such a ditzy girl could make me forget about the things that have been plaguing me since I was ten?

  I had to shake her, somehow. Couldn’t have her weakening me. My reputation was on the line. “King of the streets softening up because of some painter.” How the hell does that sound? I spent years putting in work, burning rubber.

  For me it was top gear or nothing at all.

  “Forest, can I come in?”

  The muffled sound of Jamie’s voice carried from behind my front door. What did she want with me? I pressed my lips together and opened the door slightly.

  “What is it?” I leaned my head to the side hoping she would catch my disinterest.

  But damn.

  The way that silky black nightgown hugged her curvaceous body like no one’s business. It was gonna be hard to play that one off.

  “I just wanted to say thanks for cooking breakfast.” She was staring at me with those eyes. I swear, it would be only a minute before she did me in.

  “That’s all? Glad it was good. Good night.” She placed her hand on the door right before I could close it. Didn’t she realize I was closing it for her own good?

  “Wait a minute Forest! I also had something else to tell you. Will you let me in?”

  This was bound to end badly. She knew and I knew it. I hesitated for a minute, staring at anything in the doorway that wasn’t her. Gritting my teeth together, I opened the door and motioned her in.

  Entering the lion's den. All bets are off.

  “Wow, your place sure does look bigger than mine. And nicer. Must cost you a fortune!”

  “Cut the small talk. What did you wanna ask?” I wanted her out of my apartment before I did something I wouldn’t regret. She folded her arms together raising her nightgown slightly up her leg. I had a feeling she knew exactly what she was doing too.

  Sneaky, sneaky girl.

  “I want to work with you at your shop. You know, maybe paint it over and give it some pizazz. I’m not working at the coffee shop anymore.”

  “You, want to work at the shop? Tell me the one about the model that wanted to be a trashman.”

  “I’m serious Forest. You need a renovation in there anyway.”

  If this was her little way of trying to get close to me I gotta admit, it was clever. But I definitely didn’t need the distraction. Instead of working on cars out back I’d be working on her, for sure.

  I walked close to her so our faces were inches from each other. She was even more beautiful up close. I wanted to take her then and there, force her against the wall and make her scream. Rip that flimsy fabric off and marvel at her sexy body.

  I thought about it really long.

  “Fine. I’ll let you stay for a week. Consider it a trial. If you get in the way, you can consider it done. We clear?”

  She dragged her teeth against her bottom lip and bit it softly. That little moan that came out of her mouth was everything but innocent. Jamie was playing for keeps no doubt.

  “You know what Forest? I know you get off on asserting yourself over me, but you could just ask…” She raised an eyebrow and brought her face closer to me. Then she pouted her lips and all the sudden the jeans I was wearing became a bit too tight.

  “So you think you know what I’m after?”

  “Sure do tough guy.”

  I grabbed her small waist and pressed her body against me. I ran my hands down to her ass and grabbed them as hard as I could. She winced at the feeling.

  I need to taste her again. Now.

  Sliding my tongue between her mouth, I separated her full lips from each other and gorged on her sweetness. We stopped only because we needed to breathe.

  Pushing her back against the wall, I ran my hand down her full breasts and to her thigh. I whipped her leg around my hip and bit into her throat.

  “Forest,” the word came out of he
r mouth like a haggard cry.

  My bite turned into a rough kiss and I placed them up her neck and to her ear.

  “I’ll make you scream my name.”

  My chest was pressed up so close to hers, I could feel the rhythm of her heartbeat against mine. Her adrenaline was kicking in. She was definitely longing for more.

  In one quick motion, I moved my right hand from her thigh underneath her nightgown. The feeling of her sweet slickness inside her flimsy lingerie made me roll my eyes to the back of my head.

  She was fucking soaked. Already.

  God this girl was making high.

  I got 2 centimeters to plunging my fingers inside of her when she grabbed my hand.

  “Forest, not yet.” Breathy words were all she managed to get out.

  “What’s the problem?”

  “I’m not sure…”

  “Not sure about what?” I paused for a second, “You’re not ready are you.”

  “I want it, but I’m afraid I’ll regret it.” She nearly whimpered her words out. By the way, she was pressing up against my cock, I thought for a minute that her mind and her body were exactly on the same wavelength.

  “You won’t regret it. I’ll make sure of it. I kissed her swollen lips again and she flinched. She wrapped her arms around my neck and licked my earlobe.

  Yeah, she was a liar. She wanted this.

  I picked her up and carried her on my chest as I walked her to my bed. When I placed her down, I straddled her waist nearly ripping my shirt over my head.

  “That’s coming off too.” I pointed at her nightgown and slid it off of her before she had a chance to react.

  Her body was perfect. Slim, sexy, tanned. And all mine.

  I grabbed her perky breasts in my hand and squeezed them tight, pinching her supple nipples as I let my hand go. Leaning in and taking one in my mouth, I brought my hand back down to her slick entrance.

  She grabbed my hand and slid my finger inside of her.

  Warm tight and fucking drenched. If it felt this good on my finger, then I could only imagine.

  She arched her back upwards and ground against my hand.

  “Feels so good.” She was staring up at the ceiling with her eyes closed shut. Her chest rose and fell with the slight little sounds she was making. I looked on and it took everything for me not to just take her there.