Pulling abruptly away, “Now I know how to shut you the fuck up. Get your shit. Time to go inside,” I state as I turn and walk away.

14

Friends

What the hell just happened?! How can he walk away after that? He consumed me. He didn’t only kiss my mouth, he touched my damn soul. I’ve kissed a lot of men, but never has a kiss left me that weak in the knees. There was more behind that moment than a means to shut me up. I don’t give a shit what he says.

“Tripp, you son of a bitch, I’m not done talkin’ to you.”

He stops on the spot, but doesn’t turn around. Rex and Sass are standing still by their bike watching everything as it continues to unfold. He’s making no attempt to acknowledge me. Frustration running high, I march up behind him. I poke him in the shoulder in an attempt to get him to turn around. When that fails, I jab my finger into the top of his shoulder. Still nothing. Walking around to face him, I’m met with a mixture of laughter and lust in his eyes. He’s enjoying this, the fucker.

“You just fucking kissed me. I don’t even know your real damn name and you kissed me! You’ve insulted me, belittled me, taken me from my home to God knows where, and I don’t even know your fucking name!” I say jabbing my finger in his chest.

Our eyes are now locked, battling each other in the stare downs of stare downs. My eyes are full of fury and his full of fun, maybe. Is this turning him on?

“If you’re running your mouth so I kiss you again, it ain’t gonna happen Doll. You’re wound up. You need to release the tension. How ‘bout we see if Jared can give you some ink?”

“You have lost your ever lovin’ fuckin’ mind if you think I’m going to let some friend of yours permanently mark my body. Again, I don’t even know your name. Yet, I’m supposed to trust some guy you know to tattoo me? Really? I may end up with Tripp tattooed on my ass.”

He laughs at me. Not the little ‘ha ha you’re so funny’ kind of laugh. No, Tripp folds over holding his stomach because he’s laughing so hard at me.

“What the fuck is so damn funny?”

Tripp stands up. The smile now gone from his face, replaced with his ever present serious glare, he looks directly at me.

“Get your ass inside. Shut the fuck up for two seconds so you can meet Jared.”

He walks off, heading for the front door. Sass is now beside me, as I stand here with a stupid look on my face.

“Come on, Doll. Let’s make the best of it. I’m game for new ink. You should get that tat you’ve been wanting with another damn bird. We’re stuck here until the guys have rested. Jared may be hot or have hot friends. You’re way too bitchy, loosen up some.”