I have no idea if she’s coming back or just how serious her family issues are. Scarlet told me her relationship with her dad is crap, so I can’t help but be worried. We have two weeks of free time after Colorado, and yet, I’m scared to leave, in case she tries to get here and misses us. I want her back here with me.
My hands run over my head, again and again. Not even music is getting my head in the races tonight. My times on Friday were impeccable, and I attribute that to the fresh anger over finding Scarlet gone. Yesterday, we pulled a 24-hour day and, in the end, there was two point five points separating me from the number one spot. The guys were giving me side-eye, but were smart enough not to comment. AfterHours is breathing down my neck, hoping for a win here. There is a large sum of money on the line and we could all use it right now. I know my mood has been shit since we left San Diego, and I’m passed caring. Honestly, if I haven’t heard from Scarlet after today, I might fly to Florida to find her.
“Time!” The crew pit member yells into the locker room. I stand reluctantly, and make my way to the doors with the other guys. Introductions take forever, until it’s my turn. I’ve been practicing the same tricks since I was eleven, so throwing some random Bar-hops and clickers while the crowd cheers along to Fort Minor’s “Remember the Name,” doesn’t take much concentration. When my intro is over, I ride over to where the others are lined up behind the gate. Our helmets come off while we wait for the National Anthem, and I let my gaze wander around the arena. I easily find Evi and Ayda at the yellow pit. Since the girls started traveling with us, we’ve upgraded them every step of the way. Ayda waves at me, and I lift my hand in response. My eyes land on Evi next, who gives me a gentle nod and sad smile. She knows more than anyone how messed up I am over Scarlet leaving. Evi had to break the news to me and is probably sick of me always asking if she has any updates. Scarlet hasn’t contacted Evi either and that is what really throws me.
I get ready to race, straddling my bike and fastening my lid in place. I know this race is my last chance to bring it home for AfterHours. I owe them for signing me and not dropping me over the incident in Araminta. Even though I know I wasn’t in the wrong, the publicity could have killed it for me. I need to remember that. I need to focus, so I can close in on those two point five points and get the hell out of Colorado.
The checker flag goes up, and we take off. I find my line easily and am able to avoid any side swipes from the other riders as I make my way through. My engine hums, like the beautiful beast it is, and my muscles feel the vibration from the handlebars. The bike becomes one with me while I drift into the corner with the holeshot. I complete lap after lap, keeping pace and, more than not, I’m leading the fight. After two days of riding, the loam is starting to loosen in some spots and avoiding it becomes a challenge after a few more laps. On my last ride over the double jump, I throw in a Nac Nac, which gets the crowd riled up again. The momentum from the landing shoots me forward, causing a larger gap between myself and the bike behind me. I cross the line first, before I feel myself exhale completely. Adrenaline shoots through my veins. I pop my lid off right away and push my sweaty hair back from my face to watch the boards. Everyone comes in, and soon after, my name flashes in neon green as the winner. “YES!” I shoot one fist in the air, before the guys land on me. Sam lifts me off my feet, they’re all jumping around and celebrating. The four of us round out the top ten. It’s a huge National win for AfterHours racing.
We head back to the locker rooms and shower up. I grab my phone and twist it in my fingers, before caving and pulling her number up.
I took first. I miss you.
Seconds pass and she doesn’t answer. Sighing, I tuck my phone into my back pocket and follow everyone out of the locker room. In the parking lot, Evi and Ayda spy us and run toward us. Evi is swept up in Elias’ arms while Ayda takes turns hugging and congratulating all of us. I hug her back and force a smile to my lips. They all want to head to the nearby bar to party since it’s our last night and such a huge win, but I can’t get excited.
“I’m going to head back,” I tell Dean, who shakes his head but lets me go. I keep telling myself if I get some rest, I won’t be such a grumpy ass tomorrow.
I catch a cab and head back to the smaller cabin-style home that Dean rented for the trip here. I let myself in and grab a water bottle before heading to the living room. I throw on the TV and take my phone out again. Zero texts. Zero missed calls. I shake my head, resting it back against the cushions and close my eyes. A throbbing pain is starting behind my eyes. I turn the TV off, ready to just crash on my bed, when a I hear a knock at the front door.
Groaning in frustration and ready to castrate Dean if it’s some girl he told to meet him here, I stalk to the door and open it with more force than necessary. “Hi,” Scarlet says softly, and it takes my eyes a minute to adjust and realize she is standing in front of me. My gaze greedily inspects her from her messy ponytail, makeup free face, and bare lips that are usually painted, over the pink sweater and grey cotton shorts that showcase her tan legs and painted toes. My mouth waters, and my heart wants to burst from my chest.
My eyes lift and meet hers and the chocolaty orbs glisten in the dark. I snatch her up in my arms and her body sinks into my embrace willingly. My hands find their way to her face, slide into her hair, before I’m bending to take her mouth with mine. All the pent-up frustration and missing her over the week bleeds out of me into the kiss. Her coconut scent fills my senses and feels like home. Her little sighs and breathy moans are my undoing. I legit growl, reach down and grab her by the backs of the legs and lift her against me. Her arms wrap around my neck, her legs gripping my hips. Somehow I manage to get us up a flight of stairs and into my room. I lock the door before dropping her to the bed. She bounces slightly, and a mischievous grin tugs at her plump lips. “I missed you too,” she tells me, her chin tilting slightly.
I tug my shirt off over my head and drop my jeans to the floor, before coming down on her. My fingers loop around her shorts and underwear, sliding them down and tossing them to the side. Scarlet’s hands yank her sweater off and throw it to the side, instantly revealing her full tits. I groan, leaning up to kiss my way around her sun-kissed skin, before sucking a nipple into my mouth and rolling it around, gently biting while she gasps and arches underneath me. Her pelvis connects with my dick and I shudder. I release her nipple with a pop, trailing my lips down her rib cage, biting and sucking, kissing and licking over her flat stomach. “Trent,” Scarlet moans my name, and I reward her with a nip to her inner thigh. Her eyes are bright when they connect with mine, filled with lust and fire. I plant myself between her legs, hooking one arm around her thigh, spreading the other one wider, and lean in until my mouth touches her pussy. She jumps slightly, her fingers burrowing in my hair, twisting and pulling There is a slight sting on my scalp that makes my dick throb and sends pleasure over my entire body. My fingers flex and grip around her fleshy thigh, and I pull her closer, spreading her open and pushing my tongue as far inside her as I can go.
“Oh god!” she shouts, and her head tilts back while I fuck her with my tongue, eating her as if she’s my last meal. Scarlet’s hips lift, twisting and writhing in my grip. She might have bruises tomorrow where I held her, and for some reason, I like that idea. I switch to her clit, working it while she chants my name, sucking, biting, and flicking it until she comes hard, her back arching, while she grinds her pussy all over my face. It’s the hottest fucking thing I’ve ever seen, the strangled sob that tears from her throat fills my chest with pride. I can’t wait any longer. I stand, grab a condom and yank my boxers off in one quick go.