Freestyle 1: A Bad Boy Romance (Action Sports Alphas) (3 page)

A huge man’s body came toward me over the mass of people.
This guy seriously thinks he can crowd surf?
I thought to myself. Everyone who passed his body along was obviously struggling under his weight, and before I knew it he was being passed directly over my head. His arm swung down and nailed me in the face. I’d had it. I reached back and then swung my fist up as hard as I could. I felt pretty proud as I heard him grunt out when my fist slammed into his back. I was relieved as he was passed to the side and away from me. I turned to continue my mission just as a huge shoe kicked me in the back of the head. Apparently, it was like a crowd surfing train, and I was stuck right in the middle of the track. I reached up and ripped the giant shoe right off the foot before throwing it across the crowd as far as I could.

“Hey! What the fuck!” I heard the guy yelling behind me as I muscled my way through the rest of the people. My strength fueled entirely by anger. After what felt like a lifetime, but was probably only a minute or two, I stumbled out of the crowd, nearly falling on my face as I was pushed free.

A loud, deep voice came from in front of me. “Damn, I definitely wouldn’t want to get in your way.” As I straightened I saw a pair of black motocross boots followed by black and red riding leathers and an incredible set of abs. His muscular chest and arms were covered in ink, and as my eyes reached his face I realized it was the guy from earlier, Steele. He grinned down at me and I realized I must have been staring. I quickly looked away.

“See something you like?” He teased.

I felt my face instantly flush as I made eye contact with him and quickly looked away again.

He was clearly entertained. “You came flying through that crowd like a bat outta hell. The band isn’t
that
bad.” A deep laugh rolled out of his throat.

I regained my composure and looked him in the eye. “No. But those people are. For a minute,” I glanced back over my shoulder. “I really thought I wasn’t going to make it out.”

“Well from here it looked like you had the situation pretty well under control.” He lifted his chin toward the crowd. “Especially when you sent that guy’s shoe flying.”

I couldn’t believe he’d seen that. I shied at the thought that he’d been watching me. I smiled up at him and laughed. “I don’t think he was too thrilled, but it did get me out.”

My eyes were drawn to his strong jaw as he let out a chuckle. “I’ll have to remember that move.”

“Sam!” I heard Jessie’s voice in the distance. I spun around and saw my friend frantically scanning the sea of faces. I quickly turned back to the man as I was leaving.

He glances toward Jess then brought his green gaze back onto me. “See you around, Sam.”

The sound of my name rolling out of his mouth paired with the intensity of his gaze had set butterflies loose in my stomach. My nerves were on full alert as I pulled myself away from his stare and jogged toward Jess.

Jessie spun around just as I was approaching her. The stress in her face instantly fell away when she saw me. “Oh thank God!” She threw her arms around me in a big hug. “I was so worried that I’d lost you in there. I know how crowds can freak you out sometimes.”

I smiled to assure her I was fine. “Well you did lose me in there.” I teased. “Good thing I had all these muscles,” I said as I jokingly flexed my arm, “to bust my way out.”

She laughed, clearly relieved by my humor at the situation. “Good thing! I’m sorry. I didn’t expect it to get
that
crazy in there.”

“It’s all right.” I reassured her. “But next time, we’re standing where
I
want to stand.”

Jess flashed me her bright smile and nodded. “Deal.”

CHAPTER 7

SAM

The parking lot was completely packed as we pulled up outside Torco Grill. The official event after party was due to start in just a few minutes, and it seemed that everyone was already there. I’d never seen so many big, lifted trucks in my life, and Jessie’s fit right in. We both scoured the lot for any open spaces.

“There!” we both said in unison and pointed to a spot in the back corner where a small white sedan was pulling out. Jessie sped toward the opening and parked her monster of a truck with ease in the ‘compact’ spot.

There was a long line leading up to the entrance, and as we approached it Rex came out a side door and waved us over. “Hey, girls, I’ve got your wristbands.” He reached into his back pocket and retrieved two red plastic bracelets.

Jessie smiled at him as she extended her right arm. He wrapped the band carefully around her wrist and snapped it closed. “Cool. Thanks, Rex.”

He nodded and then turned to me. I stretched my hand out for him to secure my band as well. “Thank you.”

Rex looked at the line that was growing in length by the minute. “Looks like there’s a really good turn out tonight.” He spun around toward the front doors and motioned for us to follow. Rex pointed back at us as he approached the large man at the entrance. “They’re with me, boss.” The security guard glanced down at us and gave us each a quick once over with his eyes before grinning and stepping aside to let us in.

The DJ had just started his set and the music inside the building was already booming. There was a large bar along the back wall, and another bar in the center of the room. One side of the place had been cleared out and turned into a dance floor. The DJ booth was set up at the front of the dance floor, and crowds of people were already moving around to the beat. The other side had a bunch of high top tables with stools all around, and the walls were lined with big screen T.V.s that were showing motocross and fmx highlights.

Rex gave us each a squeeze on the shoulder as he leaned in for us to hear him. “Have fun, girls.” We both gave him a smile and he headed off toward the back of the room where Jessie’s coworkers were all standing in a group taking photos.

“Let’s go get some drinks.” Jessie suggested and began toward the bar.

We each pulled out a black, vinyl topped stool from the counter and sat down. A very attractive bartender with dark hair, and smoldering dark eyes approached us and leaned his elbows on the bar as he twisted a white towel in his hands. “What can I get for you ladies?” he asked with a mischievous grin on his face.

I spoke up first. “I’ll take a margarita, on the rocks.”

“Same for me.” Jess added.

“Comin’ right up.” He replied as he spun around away from the counter.

***

After she’d finished two margaritas, and a double shot, Jessie dragged me out to the dance floor. She was on an entirely different level than I was, and her dance moves made that obvious. She swayed her hips seductively to the rhythm of the music. Meanwhile I, lacking the liquid confidence, shifted back and forth on my feet uncomfortably and avoided drawing any attention to myself.

Jess reached out and grabbed my hands. “Come on, Sam, loosen up!”

“You know I don’t like dancing,” I pleaded with her.

Just then, Josh walked up behind her and slid his hands around her waist while nuzzling his face into the crook of her shoulder. “Looks like you’re in need of a dance partner, babe.”

Jessie turned her head slightly and gave him a flirtatious smile while moving her body against his. She turned back to me and her movements hesitated. “Hey, Sam—”

I lifted my chin toward the sexy guy standing behind her and winked. “I’m in need of some fresh air anyways.” I spun around and headed out to the patio. There were several people standing around smoking, but the area was pretty much deserted. Everyone was inside enjoying the party. I leaned up against the short, rod iron fence that bordered the seating area and took a deep breath.  After the hot day, the brisk night air was refreshing. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the feel of the cool breeze on my skin.

“So did you fight your way out of that crowd too?” A sexy, deep voice startled me, and I quickly looked back over my shoulder. It was
him
. The guy from earlier with the irresistible smirk and smoldering green eyes.

I confidently lifted my chin in the air. “Nope, this time I managed to make a clean escape.” I replied with false pride before turning away from him and resuming my position.

He walked up beside me and leaned into the fencing. “Glad to hear it. I think throwing shoes inside there is frowned upon.”

I felt my face heat with embarrassment. “How come you aren’t in there?” I asked.

“Well I was, but I noticed a beautiful girl standing out here all alone so I thought maybe she’d like some company.”

He’d come outside to see me? My pulse sped up and I fumbled for words to respond. Before I could straighten my thoughts he continued.

“I’m Cory by the way.”

“I’m—”

He cut me off before I could finish. “Sam, right?” I nodded. “I’ve never seen you around before. You’re a friend of Jessie’s?”

“Yeah, she convinced me to join her for her birthday. This isn’t really my scene.” I admitted.

“And what is your
scene
?” he asked.

I quickly brainstormed for an answer that wouldn’t sound totally lame. “Well, I just mean that I don’t usually spend my weekend at extreme sporting events.”

The side of his mouth turned up and he raised an eyebrow at me. “So you don’t like guys on motorcycles?” he teased.

“No . . . I mean . . . that’s not what I meant. What girl wouldn’t find a guy on a bike sexy?” That last part had slipped out before I’d had a chance to think it through.

“You think I’m sexy.” he cockily responded, now wearing a wicked grin on his face.

“I didn’t say that.”

“You don’t think I’m sexy?”

“I didn’t say that . . .” I caught my breath as he took a step toward me, our bodies now mere inches apart. I looked up into his intense green eye. He leaned down to my level and pressed his lips against my ear. The action gave me chills, the good kind.

“Good. Because if you had, I’d have to convince you otherwise. I could easily persuade you to the side of the
sexy
motorcycle guy.” he whispered, his breath tickling the skin behind my ear.

“Oh yeah? And how would you do that?” I asked quietly.

“I can’t tell you my secrets. You’d have to wait and find out—”

“Sam!” My best friend’s voice broke through our intimate conversation and shattered the tension.

Jess strode toward us, and I instinctively jumped back a few steps away from Cory. He winked at me and said, “Nice chatting with you.” Then he turned and headed back inside. I couldn’t help but watch him as he walked away.

I turned my attention to Jessie. “Hey, done dancing already?”

She glanced at me and then at the door that Cory had just entered and then back at me. She smiled. “I think maybe I should be the one asking you if
you’re
done.”

CHAPTER 8

SAM

The weekend had flown by and Monday morning arrived more quickly than seemed normal. After a morning of work, my stomach was grumbling and I was ready to go grab some lunch. I walked out to the front desk of the store to get Shelly.

She looked up at me and smiled as I approached. “Hey, Shelly, want to grab some lunch?”

“Sure. Let me go get my purse,” she answered.

We climbed into my car and Shelly suggested we eat at a new restaurant called Burger Town. She gave me directions and we headed across town.

The restaurant was in a new building that had dark wood siding, and big black umbrellas shaded the outdoor eating area. We walked inside and saw that the place was packed. Apparently, it was the new,
in
lunch hour hangout. The hostess approached us.

“Hi, ladies,” she said, “table for two?”

“Yes, please.” I answered.

She glanced down at her clipboard. “The wait is going to be about 10 minutes. Go ahead and have a seat right over there.” She wrote down my name and pointed to a bench near the door. “And I’ll come get you when your table is ready.”

We thanked her and took our seats.

“So how was your weekend?” Shelly questioned.

I thought back to the day with Jessie, and my encounter with Cory. For some stupid reason, just thinking about the way he’d whispered in my ear gave my goosebumps. “It was good.” I replied enthusiastically. “How was yours?”

“Mine too. David surprised me with a romantic dinner on Friday night.” Shelly beamed.

“Oooh a romantic dinner, that sounds fun. And judging by the look on your face it must have been
some meal
.”

She giggled and looked down at her hands in her lap. “It definitely was.”

I looked toward the hostess stand to see if our table was ready yet, and my breath caught in my throat. There
he
was. Cory was walking toward the front of the restaurant. He seemed to be garnering a lot of attention as he confidently strolled through the section of tables. He was wearing a black fitted hat pulled down low over his brow, and his array of tattoos showed beneath the sleeves of his dark grey button up shirt. I suddenly realized I was staring and quickly snapped my attention back to my friend.

Shelly sensed my anxiousness. “Are you all right?” she asked.

“What?” I questioned, my mind still stuck on Cory. “Oh yeah, I’m fine.” I added.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him approach us, but I kept my attention on my friend.

“What are you following me or something?” he asked.

I looked up and my gaze was immediately transfixed with his. His eyes were dark, and it felt as if they were peering right through into my soul. “I could ask you the same thing.”

He chuckled. “If you really want me to show you, all you have to do is ask.”

I could feel Shelly looking at the side of my face with confusion. Just as I was about to reply, a tall brunette with extra long legs, and extra huge breasts, walked up and placed her hand on his shoulder.

“There you are. Come on, Cory, let’s go. I’ve got an appointment in 20 minutes.”

My heart sank as I took her in. I hoped that the disappointment wasn’t evident on my face, but I’m sure it was.