Victoria Ashley - Slade

     The bacon slips out of my hand and hits him on the cheek, causing me to stop and cover my mouth to keep from laughing.

Watching me stifle my laughter, he grabs for the piece of bacon, smiles and takes a bite out of it. “You think that’s funny, huh?”

     I nod my head and laugh. “Yeah. You should have seen the way your eye twitched when it hit you. It was pretty damn hilarious.”

“I bet,” he replies before shoving the remainder of it in his mouth. “Now eat. I have things I have to do today.”

“Yeah. Like what?”

     He takes a drink of his coffee and then holds the mug under his lips. “Lots of things. Some of them include: work out, run, grocery shopping, clean the house and then go to work tonight. The things that adults do. In between, I plan to just ride and get away. Get out of my fucking head and breathe a little. That’s what I have to do.”

     I look at him a little stunned. For some crazy reason I just didn’t take him as the responsible type. I expected that Cale took care of the things around the house. I have to admit, it’s pretty sexy. I almost like this side of him.

     “I’m done anyways.” I reach for my purse and get ready to pull out my wallet, but he reaches over and snatches my purse away. “Umm . . . my purse.”

     Shaking his head, he sets my purse down and pulls out his wallet. “Never expect to pay when I ask you to eat with me. I asked you because I wanted to treat you to breakfast.” He pulls out two twenties and sets them on the table. “Let’s go then.”

     He stands up right as the waitress walks over. She’s a young woman, maybe in her early thirties. She looks a bit stressed out as she keeps looking back at the counter. “You guys are all set?” She picks up the money and her eyes go wide when she looks at the tab. “Sir, it’s only fourteen dollars. Let me get your change.”

     Looking over at the counter, he watches the two kids that our waitress has been sitting with in between her running around like crazy. “No, ma’am. Keep the change.” He pulls out another twenty, drops it down and grabs my hand. “Have a nice day.”

     I don’t even get to see the woman’s reaction because he pulls me out of the diner too quickly and then jumps into his truck without another word.

I keep wanting to say something, to maybe get a reaction out of him, but I can’t think of what to say. I’m still stunned speechless by his generosity back at the diner. He did seem distracted while we were there. I noticed he kept looking away from the table as if something was catching his attention. Now, I know why.

     “Slade,” I say softly. “That was a really nice thing you did for that lady back at the diner.”

     He looks away from the road with a distraught look on his face. He looks like he’s beating himself up over something. “Yeah, well she needed it more than me. Those kids shouldn’t have to be at the diner while she works her ass off for three dollar tips. It’s not fucking right.”

     I sit here and watch him as he drives. He seems a little worked up and I can’t help but want to comfort him. I don’t even know why. The urge just comes out of nowhere. His side profile is strikingly beautiful and the act of kindness that I just witnessed makes him even more beautiful.

Without thinking, I reach out and grip his knee, running my hand up and down his leg for comfort. He stiffens at first and glances down at my hand with a surprised look, but doesn’t say a word. He just drives in silence, keeping his eyes on the road. For some reason, I keep my hand there the whole way home.

I rub and massage his leg while looking down at my small hand on his muscular thigh. It feels good under my touch; natural. It isn’t until we get back to the house that I feel his muscles fully relax.

When he stops the truck and pulls the key out the ignition, he looks over at me and then down at my hand.  He’s silent for a moment, his body still.

“I need to get ready to go running. I think Cale has the day planned for just the two of you.” He lifts my hand off his knee and sets it on my own lap. “I’ll see you later.”

     I nod my head as I watch him jump out of his truck and walk over to the door. Why is a part of me feeling down for him? Maybe it’s because I feel there’s something more to him than I thought. That maybe he is a real human being after all.

Hopefully Cale keeps my mind busy today. I think I need the distraction.

Aspen

It’s been two days since I let Slade go down on me in the rain and I’ve been working hard to avoid him. Well, besides yesterday morning at least. The only interaction between us has been heated stares from across the room. When I say heated, I mean hot enough to scorch me; to heat me straight to my core.

The thought alone is almost enough for me to get off. He’s so intense, I’m not sure I can handle being in the same room with him for longer than five minutes without getting wet; panties soaked kind of wetness. I’m not used to that kind of want and need. It scares me. Not to mention, I’m still a little shaken up from our diner experience. I can’t quite figure him out. It’s eating at me.

“. . . Aspen. Hey! Are you even listening?”

“Huh?” I look up from the pile of makeup in front of me to see Kayla hovering above me. I give her a forced smile and reach for the mascara. I’ve never had a problem with paying attention before. “Yeah, sorry. I was just thinking.”

She leans over my shoulder and grabs for my red lipstick. “See. Now that’s your problem. You think too much. You better not be thinking about-”

“I’m not,” I cut her off. I don’t even want to think about it. I’ve been in Chicago for four days now and haven’t spoken to Jay since the first night. The only thing I’m missing back home right now is cutting people’s hair and interacting with my clients. Other than that, I don’t even want to think about my life back home. “I’m not worried about him. It’s something else,” I mutter. “Someone just makes me so angry and I don’t understand why I am letting it get to me so much.”

She gives me a knowing look and yanks my hair to the side. “Tell me all about it. Did you fuck someone? Was it Cale or that sexy hunk, Slade?” She drops down beside me and watches as I coat my lashes with mascara. “I want details before we get to the club. You’ve been spending a lot of time with Cale. Hell, you could melt butter off the both of them. If I was single I’d take both on at the same time.”

I roll my eyes at her and push her out of my space. “Neither one. I haven’t slept with anyone.” I look up at her and my eye starts twitching. My stupid nerves are getting to me and giving me away. “What?” I say as her eyes widen as if she’s just figured something out.

Shit.

“You may not have had sex, but you did something sexual.” She shoots to her feet and yells, “You, dirty little slut. You better start talking.”

I stand up and adjust my short red dress. The material is so thin, it makes me feel naked. It barely covers my breasts and hangs just a few inches below my ass. I can’t even wear a bra with this dress. Kayla picked the dress out this afternoon when we went shopping. It’s the first real time we’ve had to spend together since I’ve been here. Her job and family life keep her too busy. I envy her. I want that in my life.

“Maybe I did,” I mumble embarrassed. “That’s all you’re getting because I’m not having you embarrass me tonight.” I look around Cale’s room until I spot my black, leather strapped stilettos. I grab them, buckle my feet in and head for the door. “Ready?”

She takes a bite of her jerky stick and grabs for her purse. “More than ever. Alex is letting me cut lose tonight. Don’t be surprised if you see my hands all over that biker looking stripper. Hot damn, he is fine. I swear he looks more like he belongs in a motorcycle club than a strip club. Lucky for us, he’s in the strip club. Now, let’s go.”

I must not have paid much attention last time I was there because I don’t remember seeing him. The only one that got my attention was Slade. My mind was too clouded that night and I was working hard to keep to myself. Well, not tonight, dammit. I’m out to have a little fun.

* * *

When we arrive at the club, it is jam packed. We literally have to squeeze our way through the door and over to the bar. I’ve never seen such a group of crazy women before. I can’t even see the guys because they’re buried somewhere in the way back behind screaming women. I’m already starting to sweat just from rubbing against bodies.

As soon as we get close enough inside, I see Sarah is tending the bar along with two other women I have never seen. They all seem to be enjoying themselves, despite the crowd - they have waiting on them for drinks. I admire them. I’d be freaking out right about now.

Sarah notices me when we get closer and gives me a smirk as if she remembers me from that first night. I’m surprised that out of a crowd of people, she would remember me. I’m definitely not one to stand out in a crowd. “Hey, gorgeous ladies,” she says with a wink. “What can I get you girls tonight?”

“Something strong,” Kayla yells out over the music. She smiles and leans over the bar. “For the both of us. Especially her.”

I nudge her in the side, causing her to yelp and move away from me. “Ignore her.” I smile and grab for my purse, pulling out some cash. “Just give me a Vodka and cranberry. Easy on the Vodka.”

Sarah smiles and reaches for two glasses, setting them down in front of her. I hadn’t noticed before, but she’s actually quite beautiful. Long amber hair and big blue eyes that make you feel comfortable and at ease. I’m sort of glad she’s here. “So, you ladies are back for more of the boys of Walk of Shame, huh. Well, I don’t blame you.” She scoops the glasses full of ice and starts reaching for the bottles of liquor. “I’m guessing you’re here for Slade.” She looks up at me and runs her tongue over her teeth as if she knows without a doubt, that she’s right. “Nice choice, honey.”

The more she talks, the more curious I get about Slade. She talks about him and the others as if she’s had them all. I’m not sure how to feel about that. I’m not even sure I should feel anything about it. “So, what do you know about these boys?” She slides our drinks in front of us and waves at someone behind us.

“I know they like to fuck.” She throws her towel over her shoulder and leans across the bar so that she’s closer to us. “And I know they’re good at what they do. You won’t find any better. Trust me.” She winks at me and smiles.

Sipping my drink, I look beside me to see Kayla is hanging on every fucking word out of Sarah’s mouth. I’ve never seen her so curious. She’s practically sitting on top of the bar ready to jump on top of Sarah. “So, you’ve been with all of them?”

“Kayla!” I can’t believe she just asked that.

“What! I’m just curious.” She grins and leans in closer.        “So . . .”

Sarah just laughs as if the question doesn’t bother her at all. She looks proud, as if her answer makes her feel good about herself. “I’ve been with two of them. Best experience of my life. Both at the same time and it was hot.”

Okay, now I’m curious. What! Two at the same time?

“Details?” Kayla’s mouth asks what I’m too afraid to.

Sarah raises her eyebrows and jumps up to sit on the bar in front of us. She’s really enjoying this. To be honest, I’m a little nervous. “All right, you asked for it.” She grins at Kayla and then over at me as I watch her with curiosity.

“Well, it was Hemy and Slade. We were at a party at Cale’s house. I had been hitting on Slade all night but he was in one of his drinking binges so he wasn’t really up for it. I finally gave up and was having sex with Hemy in one of the rooms down the hall. Slade walked in, drunk and looking for pussy. I’ve learned that look well. Hemy was laying on the bed with me riding his cock and without stopping, just looked at him.

At first I thought he was going to kick Slade out, but then he asked him if he was going to just fucking stand there or join. I about died when Slade came stalking in and kneeled behind me on the bed, pulled his pants down, rolled a condom on and slipped inside my ass. I will never forget that feeling. Two cocks filling me at once. They never touched each other, but it was so hot. The only bad thing is, Slade has sort of a rule. He never sleeps with the same girl twice and my one chance wasn’t even alone with him. Doesn’t matter, he won’t budge on his stupid rules.”