“That's for the ride. And the gas,” I said.
Blaze raised his eyebrows, his face close to mine. He tilted my chin up, bringing my lips to his as he kissed me softly. “I think I got the better end of this deal.”
“Not from where I’m sitting,” I said, gripping his bare ass cheek.
He laughed as he pulled out of me and stepped back. I hopped off the car, wincing at the wetness as I pulled my panties and jeans back over my hips. I’d just had sex on the side of the road with a biker named Blaze. Nothing but class here, that was for sure.
My hand went to my throat, making sure my scarf was still intact. I didn’t need anyone seeing the bruises, much less him. “So,” I said.
“So.” He looked at me, blue eyes that seemed to see through me, and I felt myself get warm again under his gaze. God, this guy made me horny. There was just something about him. I didn't know if it was the biker thing or what, but I just wanted to rip off his clothes and have my way with him.
Blaze slipped his arms around my back, pulling me toward him and lowering his lips to mine. I felt a tingle of arousal between my legs and silently cursed him.
“I’m not driving to Los-uh, San Diego tonight,” I said. “It’s starting to get dark. There’s a hotel up the road a little bit-I can’t remember the name, but it’s the only one around here, I think. If you want to join me…” My voice trailed off, the invitation clear.
He groaned. “I-” He started to say something, but stopped. I couldn’t read the expression on his face.
“I mean-or not. Either way.” I shrugged. “No big deal.”
“I want to,” he said, his hands gripping my arms. “God, I want to. I just-I have to get back. I need to be back at the club.”
“Yeah, no problem. Like I said, no big deal. A little fun, that’s all.” I don’t know what I was thinking anyway, that he was going to come spend the night with me at this posh little hotel on the coast, like we were a vacationing couple or something? He was a biker.
“It was fun, though.” Blaze looked at me, a crooked smile on his face.
“Yeah, I’m glad you stopped to help me.”
“So am I, Dani,” he said. “So am I.”
Blaze waited behind me as I drove out, another gentlemanly gesture, I suppose. He trailed behind me until I pulled over to the hotel, a fancy little bed and breakfast where I’d stayed overnight once before on the drive back home when I’d wanted to decompress before seeing my father. I waved as I pulled into the parking lot, and he returned the gesture before disappearing down the road. I shook off the twinge of disappointment I felt at his not wanting to join me here.
No matter, I thought. I didn't even know him, and it was a side of the road quickie. I didn't need any more shit right now. Anyway, I think I only wanted him to distract me from what had happened with Billy.
I settled into my room, opened a bottle of wine, and poured a glass, letting it breathe. I’d sprung for a suite-well, my father had sprung for a suite, and I figured a treat was in order. It was a gorgeous room-four poster bed covered in pillows, expansive balcony overlooking the cliffs. I had a suite in a perfect hotel, a glass of wine, jazz on the radio, and a bubble bath running in the tub built for two. Well, it was only for one tonight. Still, I was pretty lucky, despite everything.
I dropped my clothes in a pile on the floor. My phone vibrated on the table, and I realized I had cell reception. I’d forgotten about the phone. I tapped the screen to open a text from a number I didn’t recognize.
Bitch.
Where are my phone and my fucking wallet?
My heart racing, I tossed the phone on the bed as if it were radioactive. Billy. I gulped from the glass of wine, grateful for the warmth of the liquid as it slid down my throat. I glanced at the door, irrationally thinking he may have followed me here.
No, I reminded myself. He doesn’t know where you are. He’s just being an asshole. Besides, Billy is too lazy. He’ll get distracted by someone else. He won’t give you a second thought. He was just pissed about his stuff. Calm down, I told myself, taking a few deep breaths. Relax. It’s no big deal. Nothing was going to happen.
I gulped more of the wine until I started to feel calm, warmth spreading through my chest. I grabbed the phone, typing a message.
In the trash. Fuck you, Billy.
Then I deleted it. Screw him. Let him wonder if I was combing through his phone for information to blackmail him with. Damn it. I wished I would have thought of that before tossing his phone in the dumpster. That would have been a lot smarter than throwing away all of Billy's shit.
A bath is what I needed to distract me from all of this. I turned toward the bathroom, and the phone in the room rang. The shrill sound nearly gave me a heart attack.
“Hello?” My voice shook. Billy is not here, I thought. He doesn’t know where I am.
“Ms. Arias? This is Roberto at the front desk.”