Friday Countdown
I could hardly contain my excitement all week. City and I talked every night on the phone and texted during the day. I couldn’t stay away from him and couldn’t get him out of my mind. I tried to keep myself busy and find reasons not to be with him, but it didn’t work. I was falling for the man and falling hard.
Growing up, my mother had drilled in my head that I needed to find a man with a stable job. I needed to settle down, have a family, and live the American dream. I tried for years to find that man, the perfect mold, but all of them were just… boring as hell.
I’d never been willing to settle for anything less than perfect. A picket fence and a beautiful home are worthless if you dread going home to the one you’re supposed to spend your life with. I prefer being single to the doldrums that some of my friends currently dwelled. Sophia and Kayden were the happiest couple I knew and they were complete opposites, they were the ying to the other’s yang.
The students cleared the building as soon as the last bell blared at two in the afternoon on Friday. I had another thirty minutes left and couldn’t seem to function. All I could think of was tonight and what could be – what would be. I couldn’t stare at the clock and watch another minute tick away. I knew Sophia would be tidying up the library and I needed to talk to her. She questioned me all week about City and when I’d see him again, but I hadn’t told her the plan we had. I needed her opinion.
The lights in the library were dimmed but I could see her wandering around, returning books to their rightful spots. I took a deep breath and walked through the door to the torrent of questions I knew I’d face.
“Sophia,” I called out. I didn’t want to scare the hell out of her. I knew most of the staff had snuck out early, but the two of us never took the chance at losing our jobs for a few minutes of our time.
She turned the corner with a stack of books in her hand and a smile on her face, “Hey, Suzy Q, what are you doing up here? Don’t you have any big plans for tonight?” she winked at me. I couldn’t hide the smile on my face. I felt like the electricity and joy radiated off my body. “How many hours until you see him?”
“Maybe I’m not going to see him tonight.” I was so full of shit and I knew I couldn’t fool Sophia, but sometimes I hated that she could read me like an open book.
“Whatever, whore. It’s written all over your face. You’re going to get some cock tonight and by the red creeping across your cheeks, I’d say it’s f*cking amazing.”
“Do you hear how you talk in a school?”
“Prude ass. Every child has run away from this place screaming at two. There isn’t a soul within earshot except for us. What time are you meeting him tonight?”
“We’re meeting at seven.” I plopped down on one of the comfy couches as Sophia placed the books on the table, sitting down next to me.
“My feet are freaking killing me in these damn heels.” She kicked off her shoes and rubbed her feet. “What’s the plan tonight?”
“I don’t even know if I can repeat it.” I shrugged. My stomach was a jumbled mess thinking about the possibilities.
“You can and you will. This is me, girl. I know all your darkest secrets. Shit, you used to lie in bed with Kayden and me and grill us on sex life. We have no secrets. I know you’re a kinky bitch underneath that polished veneer.”
“It’s your fault. I was happy with my bland sex life and you had to go and ruin me with all those trashy novels.”
“Stop changing the subject. What’s the plan with the sexy as sin City?” she grinned and wagged her eyebrows up and down.
I always wanted sex that was worthy of girl talk and for years I lived off the stories that Sophia and my other friends had shared with me. City had made sex worth talking about; I’d finally have some wild stories to share.
“I kind of shared one of my fantasies with him and he’s going to make it happen tonight.” I covered my eyes with my hand, avoiding her stare. I was scared to tell her any more, but she knew every fantasy I had and always reassured me that I was normal and that my sanity hadn’t been replaced by impure thoughts.
“Oh my God. Tell me, tell me.” She practically bounced on the couch cushion. “Don’t hold back now, bitch.” She slapped my arm.
“I told him the darkest one.”
“You didn’t?”
I grinned and my cheeks almost hurt from the smile that had been plastered on my face all day. “I did and he said I’d have it.”
“Kidnapping?” she looked shocked but I saw the twinkle in her eye.
“I can’t believe I told him, but yes. Oh my God, it’s happening tonight, Sophia.”
“I’m so proud of you.” She wrapped her arms around me. “My baby’s all grown up.” She squeezed me and ran her palm down the back of my head. “Tell me more. I want to hear about him. Now.”
“We’re going to meet at the Neon Cowboy, that biker bar out in the country. We’re going to have some dinner and drinks before I leave alone and he makes it become a reality.”
“You’re going to chicken out. Oh God, he’s giving you time to change your mind.” She stood up and started pacing the room.
“Calm down, Sophia. I’m not going to chicken out. I’ve wanted someone like him and tonight I’m getting more than I could ever dream of – my fantasy becoming a reality.”
“You’ve never done this shit. You’re like I used to be – Ms. Missionary-Style. I expect details tomorrow and I mean a full report.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll give you a full briefing.”
“I want every last f*cking detail too, got me?”
“I got ya, Sophia. I better go get my stuff and head home. I want to rest a bit before I see him.”
“Good luck with resting,” she snickered.
“I know. I could barely sleep last night,” I sighed.
“I used to get that way when I would see Kayden after time apart. There’s no feeling like it.” She smiled and hugged me. “Now, go. I have to finish up and get home to my fantasy man.”
“You still feel that way about Kayden after all this time?”
“I still get butterflies when I see him, Suzy. That’s the difference you know – that feeling has never gone away. I’m still get excited like the first time we met.”
“I envy you, Sophia.”
“You’ll find your Kayden, babe. I think you may already have if you don’t let your stupid OCD checklist get in the way.” She tapped me on the forehead.
“I got to go. We’ll debate my sanity and compulsions another day.” I waved to her as I walked out the door. “Later, Soph.”
“Don’t forget to call me, Suzy, or I’ll hunt your ass down,” she yelled to me as the door closed behind me.
“Hey, Sugar,” his voice filled my car via speakerphone, but he didn’t sound as excited as I felt.
“Hey, City. I’m almost to the bar.”
“I’m going to be fifteen minutes late, f*ck, I’m sorry. The tattoo I was working on took longer than I thought. Can you wait for me in the parking lot?”
Damn. That bar gave me the heebie jeebies and I didn’t fit in, not even in the parking lot. “Yeah, City. I wouldn’t dream of walking in there alone.” I felt a sick. “This isn’t part of your plan is it?”
“Hell, no! We’re still having some drinks first. I need you to not overthink everything tonight. I want you a little tipsy for what I have planned,” he laughed.
The excitement took over and all second thoughts vanished. “Okay, City. I’ll be waiting for you.”
“Do not go inside alone. Understand me?”
“I won’t. I promise.”
“See you soon, sugar.”
After tossing my phone on the passenger seat, I rolled down the window welcoming the cool air against my clammy skin. The events of the night played through my mind. City would be my kidnapper. My lungs burned as I screamed the lyrics to the song on the radio, ”Dark Horse” by Katie Perry, the bass causing my windows to rattle with each beat.
Pulling into a spot hidden in the shadows, I turned off the lights and waited for City to arrive. In the rearview mirror my face glistened from the humidity in the air and I wanted to look flawless. City had seen me at my worst, but I wanted to look beautiful for him in front of his friends.
The lighted mirror behind my visor was more forgiving as I blotted my face with an old napkin I found in the glove box. My lips lacked color as I smacked them together, making kissy lips. Slathering on some Buxom lip gloss from my purse, I rubbed my lips together with a pop. They tingled as the peppermint oil started to plump my lips, soaking into my skin.
A loud knock on the window made me jump and I hit my head on the visor. “Shit,” I said. I turned to get a glimpse at my knight in shining armor, but it wasn’t City outside my car. It was a guy that looked vaguely familiar. He stood there staring at me and alarm bells went off in my head.
I cracked my window an inch, thankful I had rolled them up when I arrived. “Can I help you?”
“Why’s such a pretty lady sitting out here alone? Come inside, beautiful.”
Hell, he creeped me out. “I’m waiting for someone.” I didn’t want to hold a conversation with him. His hair was a mess, gray hair lined his face, and dirt was smeared across his tattered t-shirt. A sour smell caused me to wrinkle my nose – he’s the a*shole that wouldn’t leave me alone the first time I came here until City and Bear stepped in. Shit, where’s City?
“You can wait inside, let me buy you a drink.” His face came closer to the window and I could smell the alcohol on his breath mixing with the body odor that I couldn’t escape. My heart raced and my palms started to sweat. Just stay in the car.
“Thanks, but I’m going to wait here.” I couldn’t stand looking at him anymore. Why won’t he just go away? I heard a motorcycle pull in the parking lot and come to a screeching halt next to my car. Peering through the passenger window I saw City climbing off his bike quickly and coming at the scumbag outside my window.
“Get the f*ck away from her,” City roared as he stood toe to toe with the a*shole.
“I just asked her to come inside for a drink.” He looked City in the eye and didn’t move. He must have a death wish.
“She doesn’t want to be bothered. Go the f*ck home, you drunk bastard. Stop bothering all the ladies here or at least mine. Do I need to beat that message in your stupid ass head?” City grabbed his shirt, crumpling it in his first.
The man threw his hands up in surrender and tried to back away, but City had a firm grip on his shirt. “Come on, man. I didn’t know she’s yours. You need to keep better track of her. Pretty things disappear all the time around here.” He grinned and my skin began to crawl.
“Beat it, jackass. Next time I won’t speak. I’ll just bash your f*cking head in so the only thing you can do with that mouth is drink through a god damn straw.” City released him and shoved him backward. The man stumbled before falling on his ass.
City opened my car door and held out his hand, but I couldn’t take my eyes off the guy on the ground. The look he gave me was pure hatred.
“Come on, sugar. I’m here, he won’t bother you.”
Placing my hand in his, I didn’t say a word as I closed my door. I stayed close as we approached the bar. My nerves were shot and I needed that drink more than ever.
He stopped, grabbing my arm turning me to face him. “Are you okay, Suzy?”
“Yeah, Joey. He didn’t hurt me, but he’s creepy as hell.”
He wrapped his arms around me, cocooning me. Melting into him, I buried my face in his shirt. Unlike the man from the parking lot, City smelled amazing – the mix of musky cologne with his natural scent. My hand drifted across his chest until I found the piercing I’d become fond of touching. “Sugar, keep doing that and we won’t make it through the first drink before I take you in the bathroom and f*ck you raw.”
I leaned back with a smirk on my face. “I can’t help myself. It’s nice to finally touch you after such a long week.” I buried my face in his shirt again, not letting go of the little metal object attached to his body.
“I have another piercing that could use some attention,” he said through clenched teeth as he grinded his cock against me.
“Nah, I’m good. Drink first, then you can do anything you want to me.”
Did I just say that? I needed to learn to filter my promises – he was not a bland and boring lover – he liked his sex hard, fast, and he had mentioned my ass. Don’t even think about it.
“Anything?” he whispered.
“Within reason.” I smiled against his chest – thank God my face was hidden.
“That’s my girl. Always thinking.” He laughed and wrapped me under his arm before walking through the doors of the Neon Cowboy and into the firing squad of males that had egos to protect and manhood to showoff. Lord, help me.
The guys I’d met the first night insisted that we sit with them. I reassured City that it was fine as long as he never left my side. The a*shole in the parking lot already put me on edge and a table full of strangers didn’t help put my mind at ease.
Bear and Tank talked me into lemon drop shots and beer. I couldn’t exactly order my virgin daiquiri sitting at table full of bikers. I tried to fit in, calm my nerves, and get in the right frame of mind for my ‘kidnapping’. I listened to them talk about bikes and tats - a world foreign to me, but still entertaining. They looked scary but they were good guys that just wanted to hang out, drink beer, and bullshit.
Bear looked just like his nickname – wild, curly overgrown hair, a beard, big, and burly. When he stood, I could picture him like a grizzly bear on its hind legs ready to attack. When he spoke about his kids and old lady, he reminded me more of a teddy bear. I quickly learned my first impression of him had been wrong and I needed to be more open-minded. Wilder shit had happened.
“What are you two kids doing tonight?” Bear asked as he washed down the last sip of beer.
I felt the heat crawling up my face and I couldn’t answer his question. I sat there and stared at City. I’d let him field that question.
“Nothing much, Bear. Just going to kidnap this beautiful creature and use her how I see fit.” He winked at me and looked at Bear with a cocky smile.
I glanced around the table and everyone was staring at me. I’m sure the picture in their mind was accurate minus the actual kidnapping part.
Bear slapped City on the back. “That’s my boy,” he said with a laugh.
City leaned over and nuzzled his face in my hair. “Why don’t you head out and I’ll find you, sugar,” he whispered in my ear. I shivered at his words. I wanted him to play this game.
I turned my face and kissed him on the lips. “Yes, sir. Catch me if you can.” The guys at the table started to hoot and holler as I stood from the table almost knocking over my chair as City caught it. “Sorry about that,” I said as I stood on shaky legs.
“Get going, sugar.” City swatted me on the ass and I yelped. I shouldn’t have done that last shot.
I kept my eyes on the floor making sure not to trip on my way out the door. My eyesight felt fuzzy and my head was cloudy from the vodka. I turned to look back at City before walking out the door. Every man at that table stared at me. City looked excited as he winked at me with a tilted grin that made my panties wet, but the rest of them looked in shock. Maybe City had clued them in on our little role playing adventure that lay ahead.
I smiled and waved, the cool air touched my skin and I walked outside to wait for my captor to find me. My heart thundered and my stomach gurgled as I made my way toward my car. I was ready for him.
What Dreams Are Made Of…
“Were you being f*cking serious?” Tank leaned forward and wanted an answer.
“About what? Using her?”
“F*ck, all of it,” he said with an eyebrow raised and one side of his mouth curved in a smile.
“All of it. I got to go boys. Time to go find my victim for the night.” I stood from the table and threw a fifty down. “You gentleman have a good night with that image rolling around in your head right now.”
They couldn’t even begin to process what we were really going to do. They thought kidnap was just a nice way of saying I was going to take her away from the bar and have sex with her, but I was going to literally kidnap her.
“Can one of you take my bike home tonight and I’ll grab it in the morning?” I asked before walking away.
“I’ll take it,” Bear said. “I’ll tow it to Tanks’ shop.”
“Thanks man, my dick thanks you too,” I laughed as I tossed him the keys.
“At least someone’s prick will be happy tonight,” Bear mumbled as he placed the keys in his jacket pocket.
I didn’t say anything, but couldn’t stop laughing. Poor bastards.
Rolling my neck as I headed for the door, cracking it almost like I was prepping for a game. I’d give Suzy everything she wanted and more.
“City!” A voice rang through the crowd. F*ck. “City!” A hand waved above the crowd and I knew the voice but pretended not to hear her.
I didn’t turn around, but walked faster until a hand wrapped around my arm.
“Oh, Kaylee, I didn’t see you.”
“I was screaming your name,” she huffed, trying to catch her breath.
“Didn’t hear you either. I’m in a hurry and got to go.”
“I’ve missed you, City.” She tried to wrap her arms around me, but I grabbed them and forced them away.
“Stop, Kaylee. I really don’t have time for this shit.”
“You’ve always had time for me before.” She pouted and tried to play the guilt card.
“I don’t now. I have to go meet my girlfriend,” I said hoping she’d get the f*cking hint.
“Girlfriend? Since when?” she looked in shock as she held my arm, digging her nails into my flesh.
“Bye, Kaylee. I don’t have time for a goddamn chitchat. My girl’s waiting for me and I don’t mean you.”
I left her there with her mouth open and gulping for air like a fish. I needed to get to Suzy. I’d already left her entirely too long outside by herself. Damn it. She had to be in knots by now, but then again, it probably helped build her excitement.
Rubbing my face as I walked outside, I couldn’t believe f*cking Kaylee. I was supposed to be only moments behind Suzy; she’d fumbled with her keys trying to unlock her car when I grabbed her from behind. She could’ve changed her mind and gone home with the amount of time that had elapsed.
Her car was parked in the same spot but her door was open and she wasn’t inside. I looked around – where the f*ck was she? I studied every inch of the parking lot, but couldn’t see her. My heart thundered in my chest. I felt sick. I heard a muffled cry but couldn’t tell where it came from over the street noise. “Suzy,” I screamed, panic taking hold.
Her purse lay on the ground near her car; I just had to find her. I couldn’t stand there and wait any longer. I had to move. I ran into the woods behind her car and surveyed the area. Listening for any sound, a man’s voice caught my attention, faint but enough to pull my attention to behind the bar.
I ran in the direction of the noise and saw a man on top of a woman, Suzy, raising his fist before striking her. “You bitch,” he seethed. It was the motherf*cker that had bothered her earlier when I arrived.
I grabbed him by the throat before he could land another blow; I slammed his body to the ground. The force of his head connecting with the concrete made a horrific sound from his skull cracking. Straddling him, I pummeled him with my fists, feeding off the sound of his jawbone crunching underneath my knuckles. He moaned, but I didn’t give a f*ck. He hit a woman, my woman. Punching him again, I grabbed his head and wanted to bash it into the cement to watch all of his blood ooze out, but a pair of hands began to pull me off him, stopping me.
“City, you’re going to f*ckin’ kill him,” Bear said as he tried to pull me back.
“F*ckin’ bastard deserves to die.” I moved my hand to punch him again but Bear grabbed my wrist.
“Goddamn, man. He’s out cold. Get the f*ck away from him and take care of your girl.”
Suzy. I had been so busy beating the f*ck out him, lost in my anger I forgot to check on her. She lay on the cement with her eyes closed and not moving. She was limp in my arms as I cradled her against my chest. Blood dripped from her lip and nose and I brushed the hair from her eyes to look for more damage. She had a red mark that would turn into a bruise near her temple.
“Suzy,” I whispered brushing my fingers across her face. “Suzy, wake up, sugar.” I gathered her legs off the cold ground and placed her in my lap.
I looked at Bear as he stood over me with wide eyes. “Call an ambulance, Bear.”
“On it, buddy.” He stood over the a*shole laying on the ground unconscious and I saw Bear kick him. “The attacker is knocked out on the ground. I’ll keep him restrained,” Bear said to the person on the phone.
“Suzy, come on sweetie. Wake up, beautiful.” I kissed her warm lips. This is my f*cking fault. “I’m so sorry, Suzy.” F*ck. Her clothes were in place, nothing was torn, but they had dirt on them from being on the ground.
Her eyes started to open and I felt like I could breathe again. I smiled at her, touching her cheek. “City,” she said with a shaky voice.
Her arms started to move, reaching for me. “Don’t move, sugar. Wait for the ambulance.” I didn’t want her to injure herself worse than that f*cker may have already done.
“What happened?” she stared at me with her big, beautiful blue eyes. I could see the confusion and hurt in them.
“I’m sorry, Suzy. I got held up inside and I showed up too late. This wouldn’t have happened if I didn’t force you live out one of your fantasies.”
She smiled sweetly at me. “Ouch.” Her tongue slid across her lip and stopped on the blood.
“You’re bleeding, sugar. Just lie still until the paramedics can check you out.”
“What about?” she didn’t have to finish the sentence I knew what she wanted to know.
“He won’t hurt you anymore.”
She closed her eyes and a tear slid down her cheek. “What did you do, City?”
“I gave the f*cker a taste of his own medicine. He’s out cold.” I wiped the tear away from her cheek with my thumb.
“Is he,” her lip began to tremble, “dead?”
“He’s alive. I wanted to kill the prick, but Bear pulled me off him.” Sobs tore through her as her body began to shake. “Shh, I got you. No one’s going to hurt you ever again, Suzy.”
I held her until the paramedics arrived and a second ambulance pulled in a moment later. Two men pulled her from my grasp, assessing her injuries before placing her on a stretcher and completing their evaluation. I watched as they checked the f*cker’s body on the ground. F*ck him, I hope the bastard f*cking dies.
“We need to take her to the hospital. She’s sustained some head injuries and we want to make sure it’s not serious,” the EMT said. “Would you like to meet us there?”
“I’ll follow you.” I looked over his shoulder and saw them loading Suzy into the ambulance. “Can I speak to her first?”
“Yes, quickly so we can leave.”
I climbed in the ambulance and crouched down next to the stretcher. Her body was strapped in and machines were attached to her arms. Suzy looked worse with the lights shining on her face. “Sugar, you want me to go with you or follow them?”
“Take my car, City. I don’t want it here, please.”
I leaned over and kissed her. My heart felt like it was going to explode in my chest. “I got it. I’ll be right behind you. Don’t worry,” I said, not wanting to leave her, but I wanted to obey her wishes.
She gave me a weak smile before I climbed out and headed for her car, moving as fast I could to be by her side. I had to beg for her forgiveness and I prayed her injuries weren’t serious. I could never live with myself. I found Suzy’s phone lying by her purse and I knew what I had to do. I dialed Kayden and Sophia and knew there would be hell to pay.