Unstoppable (11 page)

Sarah laughed, “He’s possessive, he’s jealous, and he’s your professor.  That’s three strikes right there Harley.”

I didn’t go over to his house that night, instead, Sarah and I made supper and watched HGTV’s show House Hunters.  We would each try to figure out which house the couple would end up buying but most of the time we both guessed wrong.  Hunter didn’t text me anymore that night either, thankfully.  I was mad at him and still had to figure out how I was going to end things with him.

Monday at class Hunter wouldn’t look at me, which was fine with me.  I had re-read his messages and was again fuming mad at him. 

Tuesday just after the bell sounded for us to dismiss I was just about to leave class when he stopped me.  “Ms. Russell a word please.” I took a deep breath and weaved my way back to his desk.  He walked past me to the door and shut it then he walked back over to his desk and leaned against it.  The silence in the room was tense and the stare he was giving me made me want to run out of the room. 

“I really need to get to my next class.” I told him.

“No, what you really need to do is fucking talk to me.”

“Hunter there’s a time and place for us to talk…school is neither.” I turned to walk out. 

“Don’t fucking walk away from me!” he whisper shouted and turned me around forcefully by my upper arm.  Then his lips were on mine, his hands cupped my face, his teeth biting into my bottom lip.  When he finally pulled away we were both breathing heavy, “Never walk away from me.” He told me. 

“I have to go…”

“Meet me at the coffee shop after your last class, we
are
going to talk Harley.”

I was five minutes late for my next class and couldn’t concentrate on anything the professor was telling us. 

The rest of the day I played over different ways to end this relationship with Hunter.  No matter what, I knew he was going to be mad at me. 

I waited for him at the coffee shop, I was looking over my notes when he walked over to the table I was sitting at.  “Let’s go.” He said. 

“We can talk here.” I told him.

“No…no we can’t.” he glared down at me. 

“I’m not going anywhere, if you want to talk,” I pointed at the empty chair, “Then we talk here.”

He yanked the chair out and forcefully sat down, “This is not the time or the place and you know it.”

I shrugged, “Then we need to stop what we are doing.  It’s only going to get us both in some serious trouble.  You know it and so do I.”

He narrowed his eyes at me, “Go home for one fucking weekend and this is how you act?  Is your college degree not important to you Harley?”

“Yes…you can’t use that against me.”

“Oh I’m pretty sure if I go to dean Shelton and tell him that I have a student propositioning me to pull her failing grades up he’ll have something to say about it.”

I gasped, “You—you wouldn’t!”

“Don’t fucking test me Harley.  Now we are going to go to my place and we are going to talk.”

“No Hunter we aren’t.  You go to dean Shelton and tell him whatever you want.  When I walk out those doors we are through.  We can either end it as friends or nothing at all.” I grabbed my bag and started to stand when he grabbed my wrist and pulled me down so his lips were next to my ear. 

“You better make sure this is really what you fucking want Harley.” His voice sounded harsh and dangerous. 

I yanked my arm out of his, “I know it’s what I want.” I stormed out of the coffee shop and never looked back. 

When I got to the dorm Sarah was cooking supper, “Easy on the door there—ut oh you look mad as hell.”

“You are not going to believe what Hunter just threatened me with.” I kicked my shoes off and hung my purse up. 

“This isn’t good.” she said and waited for me to start talking. 

I told her everything Hunter had said, “He can’t do that right?” I asked.

“I don’t think he will, because the dean will want to talk to other students and house mates.  I’m sure as hell not going to lie to the dean for Hunter.  I’m sure that he knows that too.”

“I’m so stupid, I should never have let things get to this point.” I placed my hands over my face.

“No,
Hunter
should have been honest with you from the beginning.  He could have told you what he was doing but he didn’t.”

“Well now I get to be a nervous wreck waiting to find out if he goes to the dean.” I exhaled. 

“I really don’t think he will.  On a lighter note what are we doing for your birthday this weekend?”

“I sure hope he doesn’t.  I’m not sure, Ryder said a while back that he was going to come hang out that weekend.”

Sarah wiggled her eyebrows, “Oh hell yes I can’t wait to see that sex god in person!”

“Whatever you do, don’t call him a sex god to his face.” I laughed and so did Sarah.

I thought about skipping class the rest of the week, but Sarah said it would show Hunter how scared I was.  “Don’t let that asshole control you like that.” So, I continued going to class, I continued to wait for the dean to show up and call me into his office, and I continued to get ignored by Hunter. 

Walking back to the dorm from class my phone rang, Ryder was calling.

“Hello” I answered.

“Sup beautiful?” His voice alone sent chills through my body.  I smiled.

“Heading back to the dorm, what are
you
up to?”

“Just finished up a tank job, now I’m going to go inside take a shower, make some grub, watch TV and wait patiently for Friday to get here.”

“What’s so special about Friday?” I asked trying not to smile.

“Ha ha, I’m coming for you, be ready baby!” I could tell he was smiling.

“Is that a threat Ryder McAllister?”

“Mmm, I’m not the threatening type.  I ALWAYS mean what I say.”  Remembering our first night together, the way his touch could set my body on fire, his kiss could make me weak in the knees, “You still there?” Ryder interrupted my thoughts.

“Yep, just text me when you get here and I’ll meet you in front of the dorm.  Sound good?”

“I’m pretty sure I’ll be waiting for you to get out of class, God I can’t wait to see you.” He breathed out. 

“Okay, I’ll see you Friday.  Bye Ryder.”

He laughed, he knew that he had me flustered, “Later babe.”

I decided that since it was my birthday weekend, that Sarah and I would go shopping so I could find something new to wear.  She showed up about twenty minutes after I did.  “You’re not going to believe what I was offered today.  I’m not sure if I should be insulted or if the guy is actually serious.”

“Okay?” I motioned for her to keep talking.

“I was offered a free boudoir photo session.  Some random dude at the mall stopped me outside the fabric store.  He gave me a business card and kept telling me how beautiful I am.”

“Sarah!  That’s awesome, you have to do it!  You
are
beautiful!  When does he want to do them?  Wait…first we should Google him and make sure he’s not some creeper murder type dude.”

“Exactly.  I’ll only do it if you do it with me.  Well not like, in the pictures with me but if you can go with me.”

“I’d be honored to go.”

We looked the guy up and my mouth fell open, “He’s not just ANY photographer holy shit.” The guy was a well-known photographer from New York City.  He specialized in boudoir photography and had even photographed numerous actors and actresses for magazines. 

“I don’t know.  I mean…”  Sarah started to say.

“Sarah shut up.  You’re doing this and I’m going with you.  Call him and tell him we will be there.  Maybe Ryder will stay and go with us—if you’re okay with him being there.”

“Okay fine, you twisted my arm with Ryder going.  I know he’s your lover boy and all but he’s my eye candy.”  She laughed then went to her room so she could call the guy back.  Half an hour later she walked out smiling from ear to ear.  “Sunday at three.”

“YAY!  I want to go shopping for a cute dress before Friday.  Will you go with me to the mall?”

“No.”

“No?  Why?” I was shocked.

“Because I’m making you a dress.” She smiled.

“Sarah you don’t have time to make a dress, let’s just go get one I’m sure they’ve got some cute dresses on sale.”

“I have plenty of time, save your money.  I’ll have it done by Friday afternoon if you don’t like it I’ll go buy you one at the mall.”

I narrowed my eyes at her knowing I wasn’t going to win this argument.  “Fine!” I turned and went to my room.  After doing homework for a couple of hours I decided to go make supper.  Sarah was in her room, when I tried to open the door it was locked.  “Hey I’m getting ready to start supper, I’m making baked chicken casserole is that okay with you?”  I wasn’t sure if she even heard me because of her sewing machine.

“Yep sounds good, just knock when it’s done.”

I laughed, “Okay, I’ll bring you a plate.”

“You’re not getting in this room woman!”

I shook my head and smiled, “Okay fine, jeez.”

I was just pulling the casserole out of the oven when a high pitched beeping sounded loudly.  I looked around the room, “What in the world is that?” I fanned a towel by the smoke detector thinking the heat had set it off. 

“That’s the second time in less than a week that somebody has set off one the emergency post.  It happened late Saturday night too.”

“Oh, I was trying to figure out what it was.”

Sarah shook her head and laughed, we walked over to the window and opened it.  The beeping was loud enough I wanted to cover my ears.  Sarah pointed, “That post, see the light flashing?”

“Should we go see if somebody needs help?”

“Nah campus security is pretty fast.” We looked both ways, “There they are.” She pointed at the police car.

While we ate supper we talked about our classes and Sarah showed me some of her online portfolio for the fashion line she wanted to start.  She was by far the most talented person I had ever seen.  “I can’t wait to see my dress now!  At least tell me the color, please?”

“Black.” She answered shortly with a grin. 

“And?”

“I’m not telling, but I will tell you supper was amazing!  Off to my station I go.” She patted the top of my head and went back to her room. 

I loaded the dishwasher then decided I would go take a shower.  After I was finished I laid down in bed and started reading Handled by S.E. Hall and Angel Graham.  I should have known better than to start reading the book…because at four thirty in the morning I was finally finished.  Class was going to suck since I would only be able to get a couple hours of sleep. 

Thursday afternoon dad walked in to my shop and waited for me outside the paint booth. 

“What’s up?” I asked when I walked out.

“You going to see Harley this weekend?”

I nodded, “Planned on it.  Why?”

“So things okay between you and her?”

I shrugged, “We’re talking again.”

He nodded his head, “Well I need you to keep an eye out for anybody suspicious this weekend.  Prez just got another call about the Emergency Posts being tripped.  Last weekend a girl claimed a guy tried to drag her behind a building but she managed to get away.  Another one got set off last night too, same kind of story but the campus security couldn’t find anybody in the vicinity.”

“No shit?”

“Yep.  The posts are the ones not too far from the dorm Harley’s living in and the two females were blondes.”

“And they can’t describe the guy?”

“That’s what the security guards are saying.  The dean thinks the girls are getting some kind of threat and that’s why they aren’t fighting the suspect.”

I nodded, “I’ll keep an eye out.  I’m leaving here after I finish Jose’s frame tomorrow.  Mom know I’m going?”

Dad laughed, “Oh yeah and she’s pissed that you two aren’t going to be here to celebrate.  I tried to tell her you were a little too old for birthday parties.  She started crying and demanded we start trying to make another kid.”

My eyes got big, “Uhhh…”

“You know the saying, if momma aint happy.”

“Aint nobody happy.” I finished.  “So you two are going to try for another?”

“She’ll change her mind trust me, all I have to do is play the labor and delivery video from the day that you were born.” He said.  We both laughed.  I knew now why they had stopped after me at least.

After he left I went inside and showered then put a pizza in the oven.  While it was cooking I packed my overnight bag.  Then it dawned on me that I wasn’t sure if I was going to be sleeping at her dorm or a hotel.  I thought about calling and making a reservation then changed my mind. 

Friday morning I woke up to somebody ringing my doorbell at a little before eight.  I threw my covers off, whoever was here this early was going to get their head ripped off.  I pulled the front door open and there stood my mom. 

“Happy early Birthday baby boy!” She held out the biggest cupcake I had ever seen.  I stepped out of the way so she could walk in.  “My day is busy today so I wanted to come by here first since you won’t be around this weekend.”  She looked like she was going to cry.

“Thanks Mom.” I hugged her.  She sniffled against my chest.  I tried not to laugh but I couldn’t help it. 

“You’re such a brat!” she pushed at my chest and wiped her eyes.  “You two have never not been here for your birthdays.  You and Harley have always had dinner with us we’ve always had a cake for each of you.”

“Dad told me you want another kid.” I raised one eyebrow at her. 

She waved a hand, “That was baby fever, I watched the delivery video.  I’m good.”

I shook my head and smiled, “Thanks for bringing me this.” I peeled the paper wrap away from the cupcake and was about to take a bite when she stopped me. 

“Wait!”  She pulled a candle and lighter out of her purse stabbed the candle into the middle of the cupcake and lit it.  “Make a wish!”

“Seriously?!”

With her hands on her hips she glared at me, “Humor me Ryder!”

I blew the candle out five seconds later, “Happy?” I grinned.

“Yeah yeah,” she waved her hand, “I better get to the fitness center, let us know when you get to the campus and when you’re getting ready to come back.”

I laughed, “Okay.”

Another quick hug and she left.  I put the cupcake in the fridge, I’d save it to share with Harley since she loved chocolate cake. 

After making some phone calls to clients and parts companies I went and mixed the paint for Jose’s bike frame.  About two thirty that afternoon I was finished and ready to leave after I showered.  I text mom to let her know I was leaving, to which she replied for me to be careful. 

I pulled into the college parking lot a little past three thirty, yes that means I was speeding but I couldn’t wait to be around Harley.  I called her phone but she didn’t answer so I asked a lady that was walking through the parking lot where I could find the dorm house.  I sat on the steps for about ten minutes before I heard a high pitch squeal and looked up to find Harley running full speed toward me.  The heavy set lady walking with her smiled big. 

Harley launched herself at me, “Oh my god I missed you!” she breathed against my neck.

“Hello to you too, fuck I’ve missed you.” I breathed in her fruity scent and tightened my grip around her waist.  The lady she was walking with cleared her throat. 

Harley released me, “Sarah this is Ryder, Ryder this is my adorable roommate Sarah!”

I expected Sarah to shake my hand but she swatted it out of the way and hugged me.  “You smell good too!  She never told me you smell like a sex god.”

“Oh my god.” Harley mumbled and covered her face, clearly embarrassed.  “She has no filter—none.  Like she wasn’t born with one.”

I draped my arms over their shoulders, kissed Harley on top of the head then looked at Sarah.  “Feel free to tell me whatever she has told you about me.” I grinned.

“That you’re a stallion in…” Harley stepped out from under my arm and covered Sarah’s mouth with her hand. 

“Do
not
listen to her!”

“I need to go get my stuff out of the truck.” We all three walked through the parking lot.  I pulled my bag out of the back seat then grabbed the cupcake out of the passenger seat. 

“Did you make that for me?” Harley asked with big eyes.

“Really?” I asked.  She knew that I was a disaster in the kitchen unless it was very, very simple.  And to me, baking was not simple.

“Your mom?”

“Yep, she brought it to me this morning but I wanted to share it with you.”

“Awwww—“ Sarah said with a smile.

When we got up to their room, Sarah quickly retreated to her room leaving me and Harley in the kitchen.  “She’s making me a dress, her deadline is about up so she’ll be busy for a couple of hours.”

We sat down at the bar and cut the huge cupcake in half and ate it.  “Come on, I’ll give you the speed tour.  “Her room, living room, my room.” She pointed. 

I walked over to her, “I’d like to see your room.”

“Oh no you don’t Ryder.” She shook her head and tried to walk backwards away from me.

So I bent down and picked her up bride style and walked to her room.  I kicked the door shut behind me and walked over to her bed.  “You’re not trying very hard to stop me.” I laid her down on the bed and covered her body with mine. 

“We can’t…” I interrupted whatever she was going to say by kissing her.  For a split second she tensed up then relaxed.  I could feel her heart thumping through her chest so I knew she could feel how hard mine was hammering in my chest.  Our tongues moved together, she slid her hands up my shirt and caressed my back then slid her hands under the waist of my blue jeans.  I pulled away from her.

“We don’t have time for that, but later,” I pressed my hips against her so she could feel how hard I was, “I’m going to give you the ride of your life.” Before she could say anything her cell phone rang, the song What Does the fox say played, meaning Star was calling.  I kissed her quick again then rolled off of her.  I could hear Star talking, when Harley told her I was there Star yelled at her to turn her speaker phone on. 

“HI RYDER!” Star yelled.

“Hey beautiful,” I pulled Harley onto my lap and kissed her neck.

“Happy Birthday tomorrow, I wish you guys were here.  I’m making Harley a present that you’ll like too!”

“Oh yeah?  You should have called I would have brought it with me.”

“It’s not all the way done yet.  Next time she comes home I’ll give it to her.”

We all three talked for a little while longer until Sarah walked in the room with a white garment bag on a hanger.  We said our goodbye’s and hung up with Star.

“Sorry Ryder but you’ll have to leave the room for a minute.” She told me.

“Fine.” I grumbled as Harley stood up from the bed.  When I walked out of the room Sarah locked the door behind me. 

Twenty minutes later Sarah walked out of Harley’s room but told me I couldn’t go in there since Harley was getting ready.  “You can get ready in my room.” I grabbed my bag and went to her room.  Sarah’s room was decorated completely different than Harley’s, there were sketches of clothes pinned on a cork board, a sewing machine in the corner, deep red silk curtains hung up.  I quickly changed into my blue jeans, black button up shirt with a Harley Davidson logo on the back, and put my black riding boots on.  I sprayed some of my Axe body spray then walked out of her room.  She was in the living room flipping through a magazine and looked up at me.

“Whoa!”

“Bad?” I asked and looked down thinking I had buttoned my shirt wrong.

“Oh my god!  My room is going to smell so good!” She ran past me to her room, “And no it’s not bad you look hot!” she shut her door.  I sat down on the couch and flipped through channels, the only thing on that was interesting was Ice Age.  I was laughing at the sloth when I heard Harley’s bedroom door shut.  “You always have liked that movie.” She said.  I turned around and looked at her. 

“Holy shit.” My eyes must have been huge.

“What?  You don’t like it?  I happen to love it!” she said with her hands on her hips. 

The dress she was wearing was black silk on the top that faded from black, to burnt orange, to bright orange at the bottom.  The V-neck dipped low showing the swells of her breasts.  The bottom of it stopped just shy of mid-thigh.  She had on a pair of black high heels that made her legs look fucking amazing.  I motioned for her to turn around.  The back of the dress dipped low and showed all of her beautiful skin.  She turned and faced me, I was speechless.  Harley snapped her fingers, “Speak Ryder!”

I cleared my throat, “You look fucking hot.  I don’t think we should go out.  Some poor son of bitch will get his ass beat if he even looks at you.”

She rolled her eyes, knowing I hated when she did that, and shook her head, “Too bad caveman.  SARAH I’M READY!” She yelled.  I walked over to her before Sarah could come out of her room. 

“Those heels are to be left on later.” I whispered in her ear.  I smiled when she shivered and her skin pebbled with goose bumps.

Sarah walked out and whistled, “Look at you two!”

Harley handed her cell phone to her so she could take a picture.  Then we all three had to take a picture together. 

We went to a nice restaurant that wasn’t too busy for supper.  Sarah told the waiter that it was our birthday and we had to endure the entire staff singing to us.  While we waited for our meals Sarah and Harley asked me about my business.  “I’ve seen some of the custom paint jobs you did at the rally.” Harley said.

I knew she was talking about the airbrushing I had done on women, “Pretty good huh?” I grinned and she rolled her eyes. 

“Sure if you say so.” She mumbled. 

“What else happened while you were there?” Sarah asked.  I could have told her I lost the most ridiculous bet on the planet and had to suffer through getting my dick pierced but I didn’t.  So far it was between me, my buddies, and the woman that had me popping my load inside of a condom within two minutes.  The result of WAY too many tequila shots.  I had bragged and said it would never happen, obviously I was proven wrong.  Not one my proudest moments in life that was for god damn sure.

“Not much really.” I told her.  To try and change the subject I asked Harley about Hunter. 

She shook her head, “I ended it with him.  Do you think if I had a boyfriend I would let you kiss me?” she quirked one eyebrow up at me.  I wanted to tell her boyfriend or no boyfriend I would always want to kiss her.

The rest of our meal was finished in comfortable silence.  Then we left to go to the club that Sarah wanted to go to.  I wasn’t sure how we would get in since we were under twenty one.  Much to my surprise the guy moved the rope and let us in without asking for our IDs.