Evelyn Vine Be Mine (45 page)

I didn’t slow.

I accelerated, flying over the first bump and revelling in the feeling of freedom as I soared through the air, standing up as I flew off the top and then bending my knees to absorb the impact as I landed. Jamie landed behind me and increased his speed to catch up with me, shaking his head a little as we approached a section of very small bumps.

Awesome.

This time I did slow a bit, but still taking the bumps fast, bouncing from one to the other like an Olympic skier. Jamie was still beside me, and when I turned my head, I saw Stone and the girls coming over the bump. I grinned again. There was no way they were going to catch us.

We went over a few more bumps, fast and easy, with Jamie doing a few tricks to show off. Lacking the strength, I’d never been able to do tricks before, especially with the small amount of height these jumps gave.

But now…

I was strong, I was extremely fit…and there was a huge jump at the end.

My body tingled in anticipation as I started taking the jumps faster, gaining speed on a straight stretch as I gunned it towards the last jump. Jamie was right there with me. He flipped up his visor again, ignoring the dust flying in his face as he sent me a worried look, both concerned and warning me to take this one easy.

Excitement rippled through me as I looked away from him and increased my speed to full throttle. Jamie didn’t speed up.

“Evie!” Fredi and Jenny screamed after me, but I didn’t listen. I wanted to fly.

I shot up the mound and stood as I was launched into the air. Using my arms, legs and core muscles, I spun the bike in a full circle, nearly over-rotating, but correcting just in time to hit the dirt facing the right way. The breath was briefly knocked out of me on my landing and I wobbled, the bike still going fast as I tightened my hold on the handles and controlled the wildness of the steering, simultaneously slowing down, even as I heard Jamie come over the bump behind me. I lost control as I hit a rock at the end of the track and the bike veered and then tipped, landing me on my ass on the hot, hard ground.

I wasn’t badly hurt, just a little scratched up. I shook from the adrenaline and I started laughing euphorically, overwhelmed by the fact I’d managed the trick.

I had to tell Jake! And Cooper!

I winced. But maybe I’d leave out the fact I hadn’t so much as worn riding gloves.

I saw Jamie jump from his bike and run towards me, just as Stone, Fredi and Jenny powered around the jump at full speed.

“Shit, girl. Are you okay?” Jamie asked with a broad smile, but there was concern in his eyes as he brushed a hand over my bare legs.

Next thing I knew, Stone was pushing Jamie roughly out of the way and gently tugging off my helmet. I swallowed nervously at his fierce expression as he examined by body, his scowl growing worse as he saw my scratches and grazes. I opened my mouth to tell him I was fine, but found myself tossed over his shoulder like a bag of flour.

“Grant!” I protested.

“Evie are you okay?” Fredi asked with a frown, jogging after Stone to keep up.

I nodded hard.

“That trick was fucking wicked by the way!” Jamie shouted after me and Stone shot him a glare, even as I gave Jamie the thumbs up on the sly. He laughed and Stone marched on, putting me down briefly to climb on his quad bike. He pointed at the seat behind him imperiously, without even looking me.

Annoyed, I stood firm, crossing my arms across my chest. “Who’s going to take my bike back then?”

His eyes shot to mine and the glaring order in them was so intense that I squeaked in alarm and hurried to scramble on behind him, tentatively grasping his shirt. He pulled my hands all the way around him and then set off towards the house at a fast pace, avoiding the rough terrain of the track.

The muscles in his back were tight and his posture stiff as we rode in silence.

He was pissed.

Oops.

TWENTY-EIGHT

Stone climbed off the quad first, hauling me up into the air again before I’d even had time to dismount. He strode fiercely into the house and toward our room, dumping me surprisingly gentle on the bed and then leaving the room again. He barged back in a moment later with a First Aid kit and I rolled my eyes. He caught the movement and glared at me, taking out some anti-biotic cream and rubbing it brutally into one of my many cuts and grazes.

Okay, so maybe he wasn’t especially rough…it just stung like a bitch.

I hissed in pain, but gripped the sheets beneath me and grit my teeth. I wasn’t as delicate as everyone thought. I wasn’t going to cry like a baby over a few cuts and some stingy cream. I didn’t make another sound as Stone moved up my legs and then started on my arms. His hands shook from the effort of being so gentle with me…when he was clearly angry enough to shake me. I wanted to reassure him I was fine…but little Evie Vine hadn’t quite grown enough balls to talk while Stone was in such a rage.

Silently, he capped the cream and placed it back in the kit, sticking a band-aid or plaster on any cuts that were still bleeding. Slowly, he ran his hands back over my battered legs, stopping at the high hem of my shorts and finally titling his head to look me in the eye. I visibly shrank away from the aggressive look in his.

What the fuck where you thinking?! – his eyes scolded me.

I exhaled slowly, nervously and gathered up my courage. “I’m sorry,” I whispered, “I should have worn more protective gear…and I should have let you know that I was experienced. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

I expected him to yell at me, but of course, that would require a long string of words…

Instead, he just growled and shook his head. He kissed my forehead lightly, but I could still feel the anger and – fear? – radiating off him. He lay down on the bed and tugged me down with him.

“But…” I squeaked a meek protest, “Shouldn’t we re-join the others?”

“No.”

“But…”

“You’ve had enough for one day,” he said firmly, closing his eyes and keeping a tight grip on me.

Excuse me?!

I blinked at him, outraged that he’d order me around like that.

“So we’re just going to lie around for the rest of our visit?” I asked incredulously.

He frowned at me, his eyes still closed, his head not turning to look. “Party tonight. I’m performing. Hang with Bri.”

That sounded like an order rather than a helpful suggestion.

He paused, then added firmly, “Don’t drink.”

I stifled a huff of frustration and opened my mouth to protest his bossiness.

“Only take un-opened soft-drink,” he continued, cutting me off.

I paused this time and considered this. We were at a friend’s party weren’t we? At her home, with Stone to take care of me.

Stone’s eyes opened and he assessed the look on my face. “I don’t trust Jenny’s friends,” he explained, “And the property is huge.”

Fair enough. But I could look after myself!

“Don’t drink,” he said more forcefully this time.

Inwardly, I sighed. “Okay,” I whispered, then turned onto my side away from him, my eyes staying wide open even as he curled up behind me and held me close.

***

I must have eventually fallen asleep, because I woke to darkness, with Briar leaning over me.

“Up you get,” she said with a grin, her blonde ringlets falling in my face.

“What time is it?” I asked worriedly, trying to listen for the sound of the band playing.

“Seven,” she replied, bouncing off the bed and enthusiastically unzipping my bag, “You need to hurry up and get ready. Jenny’s started the barbeque already and the guests have all arrived.”

I hurried out of bed and eyed the outfit Briar was putting on the bed. I shook my head. I wasn’t wearing heels and a little skirt on a property. Stone walked in before I could voice my protest, water dripping down his bare chest, clad only in sexy-looking jeans with a towel tossed over one broad shoulder. He smelt divine. He looked damn edible. His eyes zeroed in on the little skirt and heels almost immediately.

“No,” he said, not elaborating or leaving any room for contradiction. He threw his towel on the bed, grabbed a clean, white shirt from over a chair and tossed me a pair of black boots. “Wear those,” he commanded…and then he left.

No smiles. No kiss or naughty comment.

I growled low and long. I was getting really sick of being told what to do.

This was the reason I hadn’t wanted to date Stone. Hell, we weren’t even dating and he was treating me like a lap dog!

Briar’s cautious eyes met mine and widened with surprise at the obvious anger in them. Her mouth opened and closed, and for the first time since I’d met her, she seemed unsure as to what to do.

Suddenly, I grinned. He’d ordered me to wear the boots, but he hadn’t mentioned anything else. I grabbed the tiny skirt with determination, snatched up a tight band T-shirt Briar had recently bought me, and stormed out of the room, heading toward the shower.

“What about underwear?!” she shouted after me.

“I’m not wearing any,” I growled beneath my breath.

***

Briar was all smiles again as I exited the bathroom.

“What?” I demanded quietly, lifting my chin. Her grin widened but she shook her head and pulled me down the hall so that we could join the others outside.

I stopped and shifted uncomfortably as I noticed just how many people had turned up. More than a hundred people covered the entertainment area, multiple barbeques sizzling and the beer flowing freely from several kegs. There were eskies everywhere and a haze of smoke hung above the crowd – not all of it tobacco. I was hyper aware of my panty-less state, the loose, stretchy fabric of my skirt chafing gently against my bare ass. My breasts jiggled as I took a few tentative steps forward and I blushed.

Great idea, Evelyn. Cut off your nose to spite your face!

Briar didn’t let me pause for long though. She steered me eagerly towards a group of guys and threw an arm around me with pride as she introduced me as Stone’s girlfriend. They leered at me, taking in my long legs and the way my T-shirt clung to my boobs. I recalled Stone’s early words about not trusting Jenny’s friends and found myself readily agreeing. I glanced down at my boots and shifted my feet nervously.

“Hi,” I murmured softly, as Briar began to tell me their names.

“Hey,” the guy nearest to me murmured in what I think was supposed to be a seductive manner. He stroked a finger down my arm and goose bumps appeared as I shuddered with unease. He grinned and moved closer, mistaking my discomfort for attraction.

Briar tugged me closer, even as I instinctively shrank away from him. “She’s Stone’s remember,” she said with a laugh, though there was a hint of warning in her voice.

He chuckled and winked at Briar playfully. “I don’t see Stone anywhere,” he said, reaching out to stroke my hair. The other boys laughed, some of them tossing in their own rude comments.

“You’re fucking stupid then,” came a deep, amused voice from behind us. The boys jumped in alarm, but it was Donny standing behind us, calmly taking a puff of a smoldering cigarette.

“Don,” I breathed with relief, latching onto his arm and inching as close to him as possible.

He gave my hip a reassuring pat and held his hand out to Briar. “Come have something to eat before we start to play,” he told us, pulling us away from the guys. They groaned in protest and cat-called after us, but Donny merely waved over his shoulder at them.

“Sorry,” Briar whispered to me, “They’re obviously drunk already.”

Donny snorted, “They’re assholes sober.”

Donny left us at the food table, where we pushed and shoved our small bodies into the crush of hungry men and hurriedly tried to fill our plates and get out of there as soon as possible. Stone stopped traffic for us, planting his big body in the line and pulling both Briar and I close as he piled food on our paper plates.

“Thanks,” I whispered, smiling up at him. He raised an eyebrow and herded us over to a long table where the other band members sat with Jenny.

“Where’s your plate?” I asked Stone with a frown. He put down our plates and sat down on the bench seat, pulling me into his lap.