Second sets omnibus, p.19
Second Sets Omnibus, page 19
I blink a few times, processing what the fuck is going on. I’m too tired and way too grumpy to deal with his optimism—which he should kindly choke on until I get more sleep. But noon? Seriously? I haven’t slept this late since… Well, forever. I’ve been up at the butt crack of dawn since I was fourteen, busting my ass at work.
“Is he serious?” I stage whisper to Callum, who pulls my body into his and huffs into my neck.
“Unfortunately,” he grumbles, sounding half asleep.
Rad frowns, bumping his own fist, and sighs. “You all left me hanging. It’s rude. So, what are we doing today? Obviously, my girlfriend is not killing herself at work. So… what should we do?”
I sigh, putting an arm over my eyes. “I’m not your girlfriend, Rad.”
“You can say that and believe it, but no matter what you say, you’re mine. If another man besides my best friends even approaches you, I’m gouging their eyes out and wearing them as trophies,” Rad says with a smug expression, leaning in closer to me to boop my nose.
“I am a biter,” I remind him, closing my eyes and trying to go back to sleep. “And very sleepy,” I mumble.
Rad grumbles under his breath, slinking up to me and pressing his front against mine. “But, Pretty Girl, we could have so much fun today on your day off! I brought my dirt bike! We can go for a ride down at the track. I can show you a thing or two,” he says through fits of fucking giggles.
“You are too damn chipper in the morning…”
“It’s noon! The sun is shining and...” I put my hand over his mouth and peek an eye open, glaring at him.
“If you’re not careful, she’s going to kick you out,” Callum mutters the warning into my neck.
“He’s got a point,” I say, raising a brow.
“Pfft. Don’t worry, Pretty girl. Me and your mom, Stella, had some breakfast from the donut shop. I fed her coffee, and we watched the news. She’s taking a nap, and then she’s got a home health nurse for the day.” Rad grins like this is common knowledge, and my lips pop open.
“Who are you?” I ask, slumping into the bed with a groan.
Rad snorts. “You were worried last night, babe,” he says in a softer tone, running a finger down my jaw. “I wanted to make it better. I didn’t realize this guy was here, though.” His warm, dark eyes light up when his best friend huffs.
“I was-was worried, too,” Callum says through a frustrated sigh. When I peek back, a red tint takes over his cheeks again.
“But I should have guessed where you were headed the moment you walked out the front door. You didn’t even tell me goodbye or invite me to the slumber party, which is rude, by the way,” Rad whines, fake pouting. “Next time, it’ll be at our house!” he says, wiggling his brows again.
I strum his lip and scoff. “Too early,” I mumble again, going over his words. “Wait, you said home health nurse?” My eyes pop wide at his words, making my heart skip a beat.
Rad grins from ear to ear, and he nods. “Your mom is super chill. I like her. She requested donuts every morning, so I guess you’ll see me around here a lot. I kind of dig this place. Anyway, I called my mom...”
“You called your mom?” Callum asks in disbelief. “But you…” Rad waves him off, shaking his head before Callum can continue.
“Yeah, through the church, she has a lot of connections. So, I asked her for a favor,” Rad says, grimacing. “She still calls me occasionally, to see how I’m doing. We don’t talk much, not since my dad kicked me out, but it was worth it this time. There’s a company that does this sort of thing and can come to take care of your mom five days a week. She’ll never be alone, Pretty Girl.”
Rad took every worry from my mind and fixed it overnight. Leaning in, I don’t think and press my lips to his in appreciation. I groan when he takes advantage, thrusting his tongue in my mouth and overtaking me. I’m breathless by the time we come up for air.
“You don’t know how much that means to me. But the cost, Rad?” I whisper, searching his dark eyes that light up with me so close. “You know I can’t afford to pay...”
“Don’t worry. It’s covered,” he says, kissing the edge of my lips. “Now, since I granted you a favor…” He waggles his brows as he jumps out of bed, dragging my reluctant body with him.
“Callum, help,” I pout, crossing my arms.
I sigh when Callum stands tall, stretching his long arms above his head. Every inch of his body stretches, pulling his muscles taut and extenuating them. I nearly drool at the sight of all his tattoos until he throws his shirt on and covers them. A small smile pulls at his lips when his gray eyes meet mine.
“He’s pretty hot, right?” Rad says, throwing his arm over my shoulders. “You’d never guess all those tats were hiding on that virgin body.” I stiffen, but Rad continues his rant. “He’s had a needle before he’s had pussy; it’s a tragedy. Will you fix that for him, Pretty Girl? Will you be the first penis fly trap to grab hold of his trouser snake…” I slap my hand over his mouth, shaking my head.
“Do you ever shut up?” I gripe when he grins beneath my hand. “And seriously, a penis fly trap? What in the… Never mind, I realize that with you, I don’t even want to know.” He waggles his dark, bushy brows, staying silent beneath my palm.
“Damn-damn it, Rad,” Callum curses, throwing his socks and shoes on. He groans, rubbing a hand down his face, hiding the redness taking over his cheeks. “And-and no, he never shuts his trap.” Callum sighs, avoiding my eyes when he stands. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he takes a deep breath, probably centering himself from all the embarrassing shit Rad just threw out.
“There’s nothing wrong with being a virgin. It just means you were saving your experiences for something better,” I say, trying to lighten the conversation. “Besides, virginity is an outdated way of saying you just haven’t had sex. It’s our stupid society that created it.” I roll my eyes at the world we live in, hoping it offers Callum a small light at the end of the tunnel. “Nothing to be ashamed of,” I add again, and he nods, finally letting my words sink in.
Callum slowly lifts his eyes from the floor, searching me for honesty. Licking his lips, he nods. “Thanks, Little Star,” he whispers.
“Little Star?” Rad asks, removing my hand from his lips and locking our fingers together. “I kinda like that. You are a little star, aren’t you?”
I sigh. “I need to get dressed and check on my mom. Maybe wait until the nurse…”
“Oh, she’s already here. I let her in at nine. She’s pretty cool. Your mom took a shower while I did the dishes and… Why’re you looking at me like that?” Rad asks, looking between Callum and me with raised brows, taking in our varying expressions.
“You-you did the dishes? And-and organized the nurse?” Callum asks through bewilderment.
Rad scoffs. “You act like I don’t do anything domestic! How do you think our dishes get done? The laundry? Who picks up your rock sock and makes sure it’s clean for your next round of taming the snake? I mean, come on, dude! I’m not incapable.”
“I’m ignoring the rock sock comment,” Callum says, giving Rad a scathing look. “And the tame the snake comment.”
“Hold up,” I say, lifting a finger. “You two live together?” My head jerks back when Rad stares at me like I’m an idiot.
“My house,” Callum murmurs, shuffling his feet on the floor.
Rad shrugs, pulling me toward my closet. “Of course, we do. We always live in roommate bliss. All right, Pretty Girl. Time to get on those sexy booty shorts and a tight shirt. We’re going to the dirt bike track so I can show you off. And if anyone asks, you are my girlfriend. Slimy fuckers will try to steal you away. I even have a sign that says, ‘I suck Rad’s dick when he wins’ for motivation,” he rambles more, rifling through my closet. “Because that would definitely make me smoke those suckers. The last thing they’ll see is my ass when I beat them.”
“For the last time, I’m not your girlfriend,” I mutter, tossing my hands.
“You say that now. But what’s mine is mine, and you’re fucking mine. You know Kieran suggested putting a tattoo on your ass, and I’m kinda agreeing. It’ll say Property of Rad. The other three can fight it out for you.” He shakes his head like what I said was ridiculous, and I give up.
“I could think of other places to put that tattoo,” Callum whispers, lifting the hairs on the back of my neck.
I shiver, looking back at him when he shyly grins. “So… the track? What the hell is he talking about?” I ask, folding my arms over my chest. “And I’m not holding a sign that says that.” I shake my head when he turns, giving me a disarming grin.
“There are three things you should know about me, Pretty Girl. I like you, drumming, and racing my dirt bike. In that order, too,” he says with a wink, pulling out a black, lacy shirt from the back of my closet and thrusting it at me. “Now, put that on! We have lunch to eat and races to win.”
I blink a few times when he throws himself on my bed, giving me an expectant look.
“Should I be worried?” I ask Callum out of the corner of my mouth.
He snorts. “With him? Always.”
“Wonderful."
Nothing gets my blood pumping more than riding my dirt bike up and down the dirt hills at Raccoon Run, nestled deep in the woods, and hidden from the authorities. If they knew what we were up to out here, they’d haul us all in and slam the book in our faces. I’m too pretty to go to jail.
But out here, it’s just me, five solid acres of woods, winding dirt paths, and the privacy to compete against the other fools stupid enough to go up against me. Pfft. Like they’d ever win.
Throwing my head back, I cackle despite the heavy helmet weighing on my head and threatening to send me off my rapidly accelerating bike. This is the fucking time to be alive! The wind in my hair. The stiff competition. And the hottest girl in town is waiting for me on the sidelines. Since she wore me as a gag, I haven’t gotten her out of my head. She’s like this sexy little bug living in my brain, constantly screaming at me to follow her around and be her damn boyfriend.
Adrenaline pours through my veins when I peek behind me, hearing the telltale sign of the other assholes gaining. Their engines whine and rev up, steadily coming around the last turn I came around three seconds ago. Whenever I think I’ve taken the lead and relax, they catch up. Someone’s upping their game, and we can’t have that. I’m the reigning champion and intend to keep it that way. They’ve been a pain in my ass for the last three laps, and now it’s time to smoke their asses.
“Eat my tires, assmunchers!” I shout, holding the clutch; I lightly use my left foot and change gears, darting further away from the competition.
Looking back, I grin. Suckers. They always think they can take on the great Rad, but they never can. I haven’t lost a race in two years and don’t plan on losing today. Especially not in front of my Pretty Girl—my girlfriend.
As ridiculous as it seems, I have to remind her a lot that she’s mine. Fuck. I guess ours. Right? I mean, we made a deal to share her affection and gain her interest. I don’t know how I will pound it into her head more…maybe pound her pussy? God, I can’t wait to have that girl again. Shit. Now is not the time, Little Rad. We have important things to do, like win this race so I can claim my prize and my girl.
Speaking of…
I grin, rounding another turn and climbing the last rocky hill. Every bone in my body jostles at the dangerously high speed I’m rolling with. Pushing it faster and harder than before, I make it to the top, overlooking the trees and people waiting along the rocky dirt road. As soon as I come down the hill, there she is with a grin a mile wide, jumping up and down with excitement at the bottom of the valley. Cal grins down at her like the love-sick dope he is and hoots when I pass with his fist into the air, cheering me on. After so many months of moping around and feeling guilty, I finally see Callum’s joy return. And it’s all thanks to the bouncing Central girl beside him.
When I cross the finish line—first as always—I turn circles with my bike, kicking up the dust around the losers, finally trickling in.
“Holy shit!” my pretty girl says when she walks forward with a smile. God damn. That tight, lacy, black top I had her wear makes her boobs jiggle with every step. The stark image of my face, motorboating her titties, comes to mind, and I know what I’m doing tonight.
That and teaching Cal a little thing or two in the bedroom. Tonight, I’ll cook dinner on the grill like a sophisticated gentleman and then motorboat my girl. Hashtag—goals. Hashtag—adulting.
“You were amazing!” she shrieks again, jumping up and down with a beautiful smile.
My pride blooms even bigger at her compliment, and I grin, pulling her close once she’s in grabbing distance. If I had my way, I’d ride off into the sunset with her clasped behind me, holding my waist tight. But I rarely get my way, so holding her against my body is as good as it will get.
“I had a good luck charm here today,” I say, throwing my helmet off and into Callum’s unsuspecting arms. He grunts, narrowing his eyes at me with a shake of his head, securing the helmet on the bars of my bike. “It was all you, Pretty Girl. Oh, and the panties I stole from your drawer this morning. I’ll keep them forever in your honor,” I chuckle, tapping my pocket where a black, lacy thong sits like a good luck charm.
“He’s never lost. Don’t let him fool you with those pant-panties,” Callum says, turning beat red at the prospect of her panties being in my pocket.
Her brows furrow. “You actually stole my panties, you psycho?” She gapes at me, staring at the bulge in my pocket, which I’d love to say is little Rad happy to see her.
You know, I’ve tried for years to get Callum in on my shenanigans and to loosen up. But the man is like a brick wall and never wants to play. Such a pity before, but now seeing him with our girl, well—things are changing in Callum’s world. Actually, in our world. I know Kieran is fully invested in this River thing, and now we are, too. The only person sitting on the bench is Asher. He’ll continue to fight with himself until he gives in and sinks his teeth into our girl. And boy, I can’t wait for that day. Not only will he loosen up and get the large stick out of his ass, but he’ll also finally get laid.
Callum is finally opening his horizons and seeing how easy it is to talk to her. When I walked into River’s bedroom this morning after breaking in through her sliding glass door—which reminds me, I need to punish her for leaving her door unlocked. A wicked grin splits my lips. I guess that’s what my handcuffs are for.
Anywho, the image of them snuggled so closely and the peace on his face I hadn’t seen in over a year was heart-stopping. So, I took a picture. And backed it up several times. If they ever get ahold of it, they’ll castrate me. She more than him. But I like my family jewels and would prefer them intact. I’ve seen what she can do with a knife, and I’m good.
“Once again, you’re unbeatable,” comes a deep voice behind me, causing River to stiffen against my body.
No, damn it, she was just warm and pliable against me. Now she’s as stiff as a board, glaring at Van with so much hate. Finally, she relaxes in my hold, rolling her eyes toward the sky in annoyance at his presence.
Van eyes River like a prize he wants to claim, but too bad for him. She’s fucking mine. Stupid, jealous idiot. It’s like if he can’t have River to himself, then no one can. But I have news for him.
I almost forgot old Donnie Boy started coming down to the track after he had to dump his Central girl into the gutter. Too bad for him. I scooped her right up, and now she’s mine and onto bigger—yeah, bigger—and better dicks. Except we have much nicer personalities, too. We’re the whole damn package, and Donnie is the trash panda begging for scraps.
“Ah, Donnie Boy,” I greet with a smile, pulling a resistant River further into my side.
I frown when she’s still stiff, barely breathing in this toxic idiot’s presence. Don’t resist my love, Pretty Girl. Go with the flow. I’ll never let this idiot touch you ever again or hurt you.
“Fancy seeing you here.” I grin again, tilting my head when his jealous eyes turn to River, who frowns at him with unease.
His eyes light up, jealousy taking him over. If he were a monster, he’d turn green with envy, snatch her out of my arms, and carry her to his kingdom. I’d be the gallant knight with sword in hand, ready to defend my girlfriend’s honor.
“Rivey,” he whispers, furrowing his brows. “You’re here?” His voice dips low in warning, like he’s secretly trying to tell her something.
“Yes, my girlfriend is here. With me,” I say, goading him with a friendly grin.
His eyes widen a smidge, and his head jerks back. Hook, line, and sinker, fucker.
Keeping my hands on her waist, I squeeze her into me, loving how her body feels against mine. God, I can’t get enough of her. I’d eat her… WAIT… I will eat her all up. But later. Maybe I’ll tie Van down and force him to watch as he kicks and screams, and I give River the best orgasm ever.
I love the way Van’s jaw ticks when he glares at her in disappointment and shakes his head.
“How much of a wager did you put on this one?” I ask, once again, poking the Van bear for my entertainment.
His jaw ticks, telling me all I need to know. He’s squandering away what his daddy paid him to step away from River and stay in college. I bet he never told River a thing. I wonder how he did it? Did he just walk away from the precious jewel in my arms like she was nothing more than toilet paper? I bet he did.
His nostrils flare, and I want to cackle at his stupid fucking face. “Callum,” he greets, ignoring me entirely while still watching River with an interested eye.
“Van,” Callum says in a deep voice, inclining his head in greeting, taking a step closer to River. The back of his fingers lightly skims against hers, drawing her into him.
