Page 4 of Heartbeats & Highways

Sounds of the highway filtered through the single-paned windows. Nothing out of the ordinary—just big semis and every now and again a truck without a muffler.

I polished off the burger in record time and then leisurely ate the shoestring fries.

Roxy and Daisy hadn’t said it, but their disbelief that I hadn’t gone with Savage had been written on their faces.

At least they weren’t jealous. If anything, they’d been ecstatic for me.

The thought of Savage made fear swirl in my belly and climb up my throat. The violence he’d unleashed against Toro should’ve been the reason I was afraid of him. But it wasn’t.

His gaze had been steady; and even across a warehouse room, I saw the intensity behind his eyes.

I understood now why violence and lust went hand in hand. I should’ve been appalled. His fists inflicting injury. His muscles coiling in offense.

But something had surged through my veins when I watched him move. A brutal dance that ended with his victory.

And he wantedmeas his war prize.

I shivered and closed my eyes, reveling in the memory.

With a sigh of frustration, I wrenched my eyes open. Ignoring the rest of my food, I kicked off my worn tennis shoes and stripped out of my clothes, wanting to rid myself of the night.

I double-checked that I’d locked and chained the door and ensured the curtains were shut so no sunlight would wake me in the morning.

It was just past one a.m., and my steps were heavy as I trudged into the tiny bathroom.

As far as highway motels went, this one was decent. It might’ve been outdated and faded, but it was clean, and the water pressure was strong and it got scalding hot.

I stood under the spray and washed the night from my hair and body.

My mind kept wandering back to Savage. I hated that I wondered how his lips would feel against mine.

Possessive and sinful.

Before I knew what I was doing, my hand slid down my belly and then between my thighs. I touched myself and then immediately felt embarrassed. But I couldn’t stop. I closed my eyes and pretended it was Savage.

His big, rough fingers spread me and slid inside.

I bit my lip to strangle my cry as he pumped them in and out of me, his thumb gently pressing against my clit.

My own fingers worked faster and faster until I had no choice but to come. I threw my head back as the water beat down on me.

When my orgasm faded and my body no longer trembled, I removed my fingers. I let the water wash away my release, but it didn’t wash away my shame.

I shut off the water and wrapped a scratchy, faded white towel around myself and then did the same for my hair.

Satiated, my mind started working and I began to process my situation. There was nothing to do, I rationalized. Savage had fought; he would not be in any shape to fight again soon, so there was no chance of running into him again.

Hopefully he was already fixated on someone else. Perhaps Roxy or Daisy, who were both eager and willing.

Envy poured through me at the idea he was with one, or both of them right now.

I had no right to feel the way I did.

He owed me nothing.

“Four carne asada tacos, a side of queso, and an orange soda, please,” I said, looking into my bag for my wallet.

“That sounds good. I’ll have the same.”

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