Get Off on the Pain (11 page)

I swallow hard, trying to keep from telling him what I really want. As bad as it sounds—I want him inside me, fucking me hard. I really can’t tell whether it’s the wine talking or me, possibly even both.

Not saying a word, afraid that I’ll say something I may regret, I just continue to snap photos, holding my breath as he moves naturally for the camera.

An hour in and we have over a hundred shots. The only other words exchanged between the two of us were from me giving him orders. I swear it felt as if I were holding my breath the entire time. There were so many other things I wanted to ask him to do. The way my body reacts to him is crazy to me, almost scary.

He looks up from sitting on the edge of his bed, grabs my arm, and pulls me between his legs. My breath hitches as he grips the back of my neck and brings his eyes up to meet mine. “You can go now.”

“Wait. What?” I back up as he releases my neck. “So now you’re going to just kick me out after I took all of those photos of you practically naked, and you can’t even be decent enough to talk to me. You really are an asshole.”

Running a hand through his hair, he closes his eyes and exhales. “I have somewhere to be. It’s no place for you. Trust me.” He stands and reaches for the shirt lying on his bed. He throws it on and walks past me. “You really shouldn’t want to hang around me. It’s better if you realize that quickly, Lyric. Now go home.”

“And how the hell do you know that? You have no idea what kind of person I am and where the hell I came from. Do you think I’m just some sensitive little girl that is going to fall for your charming ways—which by the way, you have none.” I take a deep breath and try to push back my anger. No one has ever tried telling me to stay away before and I don’t like it. “I can handle you. I’ve been around a lot worse. Trust me.”

A small smirk spreads across his face as he walks over and slips his hand around my waist. He pulls my body flush against his and I can’t help the small breath that escapes me. His touch feels so powerful that I lose all sense. “See the way this makes you feel? This is not safe for you.” He brushes his bottom lip over mine as he whispers, “You’ll stay away if you know what’s good for you. Now go home before it’s too late.”

Pulling away from me, he reaches for his leather jacket and throws it on over his black shirt. “Thanks for bringing my jacket back.”

“Fuck you,” I growl out. “And your stupid jacket. I’m so tired of men always trying to tell me what’s best for me, so don’t worry, I won’t be coming around anymore.”

He backs me up against his bed and holds me up by wrapping his arm around my waist and squeezing me roughly. “Look, I like having you around, Lyric, but liking something isn’t a path I can travel down. You getting close to me is dangerous for you,” he growls out. “Now go home.” He releases me and backs away, keeping his troubled eyes on me.

The look on his face as I turn and walk away is a mixture of relief and regret. I’m so pissed at myself, because in a weird, screwed up way this only makes me want him more.

I SIT AT HOME, WATCHING Bailey practically face rape Landen in the living room, until finally I’ve had enough. I need to get some fresh air.

For some reason I still can’t get past my last conversation with Memphis and it’s been eating at me since. I mean . . . why the hell do I even care? He’s no one to me, yet it angers me like nothing else for him to just push me away. In fact, I’m so angry that I couldn’t even force myself to go through the photo shoot edits, despite how bad I’m really looking forward to it.

I clear my throat as Bailey sticks her hand down the front of Landen’s pants and growls, proving that I am in fact invisible now. Who needs to pay for porn? I have it in my living room. “Oh, please don’t mind me. Just pretend that I’m not even here.”

Landen gives me the middle finger and nibbles on Bailey’s neck, causing her to giggle like a drunken little schoolgirl. “Landen!” She squeals. “Stop it! Stop! Oh no, wait . . . now that feels good. Don’t stop.”

Rolling my eyes, I stand up, slip on my jacket, and walk toward the front door. “Later, horny assholes. I’ll be back.”

“Sure . . . bye . . . take your time,” Bailey yells out between giggles.

I make a disgusted face. “Oh, I definitely will, but go to your damn room this time. I’m not paying rent to sit on cum stains. Next time you fuck on my couch you can pay to get that shit cleaned, so I better not come home to disgusting white stains.”

I walk outside, slam the door shut behind me for a dramatized effect, and get ready to walk over to my jeep, but stop myself. I haven’t been able to get any exercise in for a while and I’m starting to feel restless. A walk will be good right about now and will hopefully calm my thoughts, or at least make me forget about that ass.

I shove my keys in my jacket pocket, deciding to walk instead, letting my legs guide me. A rush is starting to build. I need something exciting right now and I know just the place to go.

As I’m walking my phone starts to ring from my other pocket. I reach my hand in my jacket and pull it out. My reaction is always the same seeing his name on the screen. I scowl when I see my father’s name flashing as it rings. It’s been almost six months since I have even heard from him. It pisses me off that he always expects me to pretend everything is normal, and to be happy when he calls. I can’t do that shit and I won’t, especially not tonight. I’m sick of it.

I’ve had enough crap from men. If that man taught me anything, it’s to stand up for myself and never let anyone walk all over me or kick me when I’m down. That’s all he was ever good for, but it also goes for him. Damn hypocrite.

“Go to hell,” I say into the phone as I press the answer button. As quickly as I answered it, I disconnect the call.

I slip my phone back into my pocket and smile to myself, but then I hear distant shouting. I wasn’t prepared the last time I stumbled upon this place, but I’m definitely ready to enjoy myself tonight. The buzz from the wine has worn off and suddenly—I want a different kind of buzz.

I make my way toward the crowd and stand up on my tiptoes to get a glimpse at the fighters that everyone is screaming at. It’s hard to tell from this distance, but one of the guys looks familiar. I push my way through the crowd to get closer and that’s when I realize why. It’s that Trevor guy that I got into it with the last time I was here. He’s fighting some tall, skinny guy with long, blonde hair.

Trevor swings his elbow out and hits the other guy in the nose, before throwing his arms up to cheer the crowd on as the lanky guy stumbles backward. He doesn’t say anything, but you can see the rush in his eyes and the adrenaline he gets from the attention. I’ve seen that look many times before.

His eyes scan the crowd for a minute until they land on me. He gets ready to turn away, but then stops. A cocky smile spreads across his face before he grabs the other guy by the neck and forces him to stand up straight. They’re both out of breath, but Trevor seems to hide it better. He’s definitely more trained and has better skill. “Sorry, man. I’m done playing.”

I watch as Trevor swings out one more time and punches the other guy in the side of the head, causing the guy to fall down on his knees as Trevor releases the hold he has on him. He grips the dirty ground in defeat.

The crowd cheers while a small group starts to boo and yell for Chris—I guess his name is—to get up. He doesn’t. He shakes his head. He’s done.

I swallow as Trevor’s eyes land back on me and he pushes his way past the few guys surrounding me, stopping directly in front of me. Someone throws him a bottle of water and he catches it before opening the cap and taking a long drink. He wipes his mouth off. “I knew you forgot something.” He smiles, his teeth still slightly red from blood.

“Oh yeah,” I say, still not quite impressed. “And what was that?”

He takes a step forward and spits out a mouthful of water before grinning. “To give me your number . . . and your name. I may need that too . . . you know . . . to ensure I’m calling out the right one when I come.”

I can’t help the small smile that takes over. I have to admit, he is kind of cute when he flirts, cocky, but cute. It’s still not going to work, though. “Sorry, Trevor. I–”

“What are you doing here?”

Oh that voice. So deep and commanding and full of authority . . .

My whole body trembles at the sound of Memphis’ voice behind me and a chill runs up my spine. I feel him move against me, causing another shiver as his body skims mine, before he looks over my shoulder and I hear his voice close to my ear. “She’s not interested, Trevor. She just came to find me. She shouldn’t be here.”

I pull my arm away as he grabs my wrist, pulling me away from Trevor. “Really? Let go. What is your deal?”

Trevor reaches over me and grabs Memphis’ shoulder. “Hey, man. I knew your ass wouldn’t stay away for long. It’s all good.” He steps closer until I’m practically smashed between them. “She’s cool, bro. I can take care of her. No worries. Want me to set up a fight? I think Matt is good to go another round. I’ll keep her safe and entertain her.”

“No fight. She’s leaving with me, Trevor. She doesn’t need your protection.” Memphis looks at Trevor as if he has something important to say, but must decide against it. “We’re out. Don’t worry about her. She isn’t
yours
to deal with.”

A few people pat Trevor on the shoulder and he gets distracted so he starts backing away. “Alright,” he says, sounding confused. “See ya later, man.”

I wait for Trevor to turn away before I confront Memphis. “I’m pretty sure I’m a grown woman and can take care of myself.” I push my way past him and start heading for a quiet spot. I can barely move with the crowd being so packed together, but I manage my best, pushing people out of my way. I can feel him following close behind me, so I continue as I fight my way through. “You told me to stay out of your life. Why the hell do you care what I do? This is stupid.”

He steps in front of me and starts pulling me behind him. The crowd splits, instantly allowing him—us—to pass through until we’re out in the opening and away from the noise. “I really don’t fucking know to be honest. All I know is that you don’t need to be at a place like this. Guys like Trevor are no good for you.”

“And guys like you?” My heart is beating so fast right now that I feel like puking. I’m furious.

“Like I said. No good for you.”

I shake my head and let out a small breath. “So you’re the same as Trevor?”

He nods his head. “In ways.”

“Okay.” I turn away and bite my lip. “I should be trusted to leave alone with you, but I shouldn’t talk to him in a big crowd with witnesses. Well that makes a lot of sense.”

He runs his hands through his messy hair in frustration. “Just come with me. I have something I’ve been meaning to do and I’ll feel better not going alone.”

I watch as he starts walking away. A part of me wants to tell him to fuck off, but the bigger part is screaming to follow him . . . so I do.

I hear people screaming Memphis’ name but he just picks up speed, ignoring them.

When I catch up to him, he’s standing on the passenger side of his massive, black truck, holding the door open. “Get in.”

“Wait.” I look behind me. “Why is everyone screaming your name? And why did everyone just make a damn path for you when you walked through? Were you supposed to fight tonight?”

He gives me a hard look. “It doesn’t matter. Just get in.”

“Asshole,” I mumble while jumping in and pulling my feet inside. I reach for the door and slam it closed before he can manage to shut it for me.

Memphis turns away from the truck for a minute and stares back out into the crowd before leaning his head back in frustration and walking over to his side.

Once inside, he shoves his key into the ignition, but pauses before he turns it. It looks as if he is trying to figure something out. Most likely, he’s probably trying to decide whether or not to kick me out of his truck. Too bad I’m curious now, because I’m not going anywhere, even though I have a feeling he tricked me into leaving with him.

“You really didn’t want any company did you?”

He grips the steering wheel. “Nope. Doesn’t matter. I’m not leaving you here.”