Twisted Lies by Nora Cobb

 

Chapter 23

Astrid

 

“I didn’t drive here,” he says, looking at his phone, “I left my car at the Pit. You want a ride?”

 

I don’t answer. Nova answers instead with a giggle, and I wonder if he was even speaking to me. “No, but thanks,” she says, “Derick and I will walk home after we put out the fire. No one messes with us.”

 

Wyatt nods and starts to walk away. My heart bottoms out, and I don’t know what to do as I stand there pretending it’s all okay.

 

“You coming, Astrid?” Wyatt walks backward while looking at me.

 

I peck Nova on the cheek and take off toward Wyatt as we walk toward the old warehouse to get his car. The only noise between us is the wind as we walk quickly in the cold.

 

“I’m going to split the money with you,” I tell him.

 

“You don’t have to,” he replies, “Hold onto it. I know you haven’t fought in a while.”

 

“I might fight that girl so I’m back on the roster.”

 

He frowns. “I thought you said she was dangerous.”

 

“I can handle her.” I sigh and lie at the same time. “If you’re a part of the club, why do you have to fight? Don’t you get a part of the split?”

 

Wyatt runs a hand through his dark hair. “That old warehouse has no electricity. They have to pay for the generators, which you can’t hear over the music. And there’s no running water. They paid to have it turned on. And they pay for the bouncers. And then there are the cops. They drive by but don’t come in. By the time all the expenses are paid, it’s not as much as I need.”

 

I nod, understanding that I don’t have a clue how to run a business. “Do you guys rent the space?”

 

“Never asked, but I’m sure someone is getting paid.”

 

We approach the old warehouse, and the parking lot isn’t as full as it has been in the past. I notice the flashing lights that only happen during parties or when the club first opens for the evenings. I stop and stare, wondering if I should go in and check it out. Wyatt opens the passenger door and waits for me to get in.

 

“What’s going on in there?” I ask.

 

He won’t look at the building. “Private party. We’re not invited, and you don’t want to see it.”

 

I probably don’t, so I get into the car. I pull the money out of my pockets and start to count it. Seventy-seven dollars is not an even amount to divide. Wyatt starts the car as I hand him thirty-nine, but he shakes his head as he turns the key.

 

“That’s yours,” he says.

 

“It’s ours,” I correct him.

 

“Keep all of it, Astrid,” he says, pulling out of the parking lot, “I have a fight for next week.”

 

“With that guy Ace?”

 

He nods. “They seem pretty cool over there. Nova told someone I was her cousin,” he laughs, “It doesn’t faze the Monarchs. Don’t worry, Astrid.”

 

I’m going to worry. I didn’t earn it fairly, and that was hardly a fight. We’re lucky we didn’t get jumped for putting on that show. I roll the bills up tightly in my hand while looking around the seat for a place to hide them, so Wyatt will find the money later.

 

“Put that in your pocket.” His stern words startle me, and I open up my fist, watching the cash spring open like a new leaf. 

 

“What if I paid you?” I smile at his profile as he concentrates on the deserted roads that intersect around the dark, silent warehouses.

 

“Paid me for what?” he asks as a slow grin spreads across his mouth.

 

“A kiss,” I reply innocently.

 

I pull my jacket off and toss it in the shallow back seat. My T-shirt isn’t tight or clinging. Neither are my jeans, so I rely on body language to convey what I desire. I wiggle my hips and lean my seat all the way back. 

 

Wyatt stops at a streetlight, and his gaze slides down the front of my shirt, over my breasts, and floats back up to my eyes. “How much should I charge?” he asks.

 

“It depends on the kiss,” I tease him.

 

Wyatt pulls into a parking lot next to a large self-storage facility. The lights in the parking lot are bright enough to discourage loitering, but Wyatt finds the darkest corner to park.

 

He leans his seat back until we’re reclining side by side. I climb onto his body as best I can in his tight Dodge Viper and press my lips against his mouth, softly and slowly. His mouth presses against mine, forcing it gently open.

 

Wyatt lifts his hands along my hips over my waist. His thumbs swipe the underside of my breasts as he holds me. I wrap my arms tightly around his neck as I lean fully into him. I feel like I’m floating in heaven as my body heat climbs off the charts. His tongue is sweet hotness as it locks with mine. His hand reaches between my legs, and the seat inches back lower.

 

I grin foolishly, watching his deep brown eyes glint in the soft glow from the dashboard when we finally take a breath.

 

“That kiss is going to be expensive,” I sigh, cozying up closer. My hand trails over Wyatt’s chest. My fingers play with the defined hard muscle underneath.

 

“There are other things I could do to you, and it wouldn’t cost you,” he nuzzles my neck playfully.

 

I laugh, slowly rotating my hips against his groin and feeling his cock stiffen in his jeans. I lean in and kiss him again, even slower than the first, lingering over his lips, tasting his skin, and biting his lower lip.

 

Wyatt sighs as his eyelids lower, and his hand goes to the back of my head, pulling me in again. His hands grip my butt, and his fingers play over my curves. His hands warm me as I rub my breasts against his chest.

 

“I want you,” he whispers, “but we shouldn’t go too far.”

 

I pull away and study his face for a hint of a joke, but Wyatt is serious.

 

“You shouldn’t say that,” I whisper, “If you knew how much I wanted you, you would never say that.”

 

His eyes look troubled. “Astrid, I have nothing to give you.”

 

“There’s love.” My voice cracks as I glance into the back seat—the cash balled up on my jacket.

 

Wyatt scoffs, leaning away from me. “Not at Stonehaven. Love isn’t enough. When I look at you, I think at least I won’t be dragging you down with me.”

 

Suddenly, I notice how cold it is in the car, and I start to slide off Wyatt’s body, but his hand grips my thigh.

 

“I feel the same, Astrid, and that’s why I want you to find someone better.”

 

I place my arms around his shoulders again and lean my cheek against his chest. “But what if I only want you?”

 

“I won’t be enough,” he whispers. His fingers barely touch my hair, and a chill races down my back. Wyatt makes me feel electric like no one else can. He continues to touch my skin, swiping his finger over my forehead and brushing my bangs out of my eyes.

 

I watch his eyes as he quietly trails his finger along my face as if he’s trying to memorize it for later when he’s alone. I part my lips, anxious at the thought of him leaving me. It’s stupid and dangerous, but I want to stay right here like this all night. I try to think of ways to make Wyatt stay. Forever.

 

“I want more tonight than a kiss,” I tell him.

 

I grasp his hand, gently stopping the motion, and place his middle finger into my mouth. Watching him, I pucker my lips around his finger and suck on it gently as if it were his stiff cock. I swirl my tongue around it and moan, the sound vibrating against his skin. Instantly, I’m wet.

 

His finger glistens in the faint light as he pulls it out of my mouth.

 

Wyatt lifts me off his body, and I tumble back into the passenger seat. I know he wants me as much as I want him. So what’s wrong?

 

“Take your jeans off.” His voice is thick.

 

I squirm out of my jeans, tugging them off along with my sneakers.

 

“And your panties.”

 

I sit on the leather seat, undressed below the waist. I watch the window cloud with steam from our breath. I part my legs, exposing my soaked pussy to him.

 

“Wyatt,” I whisper. “Touch me there.”

 

His hands stroke my thighs as I squirm and stretch under his touch. His finger trails along my slit, and a chill shakes me as I moan. Wyatt watches my eyes as my chest rises and my breathing fills the car. His finger gently parts me, and I reach out, grabbing hold of the door. His touch is charged after a slow burn. I arch my back, wanting so much more.

 

His finger slips deeper into me, and I move my body against him. Feeling free and wild, I show Wyatt how much I need him as I move my hips. He slips another finger in me, and I buck against his finger until I shudder. A long, low hiss leaves my lips as I tighten my eyes. I cling to his arm as I cum.

 

“I want you here,” I whisper, dragging my hand over his hard bulge, “I want to feel you in me.”

 

His mouth lowers as he lifts up my T-shirt. Placing his mouth over my bra, Wyatt sucks at the thin nylon fabric. His lips pull and release the hard nipple underneath until my hips rock against his hand, soaking it until it glistens.

 

Wyatt doesn’t rush. He lingers over my aching nipple, sometimes sucking hard and sometimes swirling his tongue in tight circles. He grabs the belt buckle of his jeans, and I wonder if he has a condom somewhere in the car.

 

“I’m on the pill,” I offer.

 

“For how long?” he asks.

 

I’m silent. I want to scream in frustration and demand we find a twenty-four-hour quick mart with a rack full of condoms behind the counter. Even if we have to drive for miles. Wyatt moves his hand away; he won’t dare unfasten his belt. He won’t risk it. I cuddle next to him, wanting him even more for looking out for both of us. It’s right then that I know I’ve fallen for him when I realize how much he cares about me.

 

“We could do something else,” I whisper, unzipping his fly, but he stops my hand and squeezes it tight.

 

“No we can’t. Because once we start, I won’t be able to stop.” He won’t look me in the eye. “We should go back.”

 

Wyatt starts the car as I pull on my clothes, feeling defeated. It’s not everything I wanted, but I won’t push him. He’s trying to do the right thing for me, and that means so much more.