One Ride (The Hellions Ride) (17 page)

Taking It All In Stride

Tripp has a different look in his eyes now.  He’s his usual serious self, but there is a void in his eyes when he looks at me.  Something is going on back home because both Tripp and Rex are calling in more often.  I wish they would give us an update, but even my dad hasn’t slipped me any information.

As we cross another state line with no map, things are beginning to bug me.   Okay, we fucked.  I thought we had a deeper connection.  Was I wrong?  No, I didn’t misread what is going on between us.  Tripp and I have an attraction there.  Obviously, the thought of a long term relationship spooked him.  Hell, up until I met Fry and Sparkles, the thought of a long term relationship would’ve sent me running. 

Tripp doesn’t want an ol’ lady.  I get that.  Why can’t we move past all this and be friends?  I’m stuck on this ride with him.  I don’t want to hate him and I’m sick of the distance between us.  Fucking Carmine in the hallway was a good thing.  It makes sure I have no illusions about a future with Tripp.  He’s a good time, and this ride is a chance circumstance.  When I get home, it’s time to settle down and get serious about my life.

My dad will handle Delatorre.  Once I’m safe, I can return home.  Time to put my big girl panties on and have the talk with my dad we have both avoided.  Can my dad accept if I want to be an ol’ lady?  He’s chased away every guy I’ve ever brought home.  It’s time he let go and realize I’m not a little girl anymore.

Pulling in, I realize tonight we’re staying in Yellowstone National Park.  If I could feel safe, this would be a nice stop.  Road trips are always nice to take in scenery and such.  On a bike it’s even more of an experience because you feel it surround you. 

I’m off the bike waiting for Tripp to finish his conversation with my dad.  My worry must show on my face because he’s staring hard at me before he pulls me up against him.

The smell of leather, gas, road, and Tripp mixes together in an aroma of comfort for me.  His voice brings an ease over me, as he reassures me.

“You’re safe, Doll.  Things are being handled.  Relax, that’s why we came here.  Let the tension go.”

With that, he pulls away.  Grabbing my backpack while he grabs his bag from inside the saddle bags, I take a moment to breathe.  Tripp will keep me safe.  After the run in before, I know he won’t let anyone get to me.  He takes my hand in his, interlacing our fingers, as we check in to the cabin we’ll be staying in.

The cabin is small, more like a motel room, but in a separate building instead of wall to wall.  Sass and Rex had to get their own cabin to share because the four of us wouldn’t fit comfortably in just one.  The cabins are a basically one open room.  Each cabin has one queen bed, a small living area, a kitchenette, and a bathroom in each.  Not even a Jacuzzi tub, amenities may be lacking but the views are breathtaking.    Immediately, I take a shower.  Road grime does not feel good.  I love the back of a bike, but the wind and air dry out your skin.  Once I’m done, Tripp follows suit.

We’re both in the sitting area.  Tripp’s in the low slung sweat pants he usually sleeps in.  His hair down and wet.  His face is now sporting the rough look of days on the road without shaving.

Rather than sit idle in awkward silence, I decide to do laundry. Going over to our bags, I remove the dirty clothes.  There is a small stacked washer-dryer unit in the cabin, so I get started.  Being on the road, I don’t know how often we will have access to washers so each stop that I can catch up, I do. 

“You don’t have to wash my clothes, Doll.  I can do it when you’re finished.”  Tripp says looking over at me. 

God, he’s hot.  His tan skin, the dragon tattoo that wraps around his back and both his sides, they’re all screaming out to me.  The dragon’s head comes up facing the eagle over his chest.  The body coming across his back as the tail climbs up his ribs on the other side.  The dragon’s body wraps under his Hellions insignia back piece.  The eagle’s talon holds his heart and shield directly over his heart, but its large face and body come over his chest and shoulder.  The intricate details leave a fierce look to the eagle’s eyes.  It’s a look that draws me in.  The longer I stare, the more I feel I’m drowning in the very being of Talon ‘Tripp’ Crews.  Unable to take my eyes off him, I take in the tribal design covering his right shoulder and going all the way down his arm.  Every piece is interwoven together, all protecting him in some way.  Why, in all this time together, have I not taken the time to absorb the many details of the ink covering this sexy man?  His left arm is covered in chains that are broken in places.  The first broken place holds a baby rattle up by the eagle’s beak on his shoulder, the second broken place holds a pocket watch on his bicep, the third broken piece holds a heart with an arrow through it on his fore arm, and the final broken piece comes to the top of his wrist with a coffin. 

Lost in my thoughts and taking in the details, I don’t take in what Tripp is saying as he once again tells me not to do his laundry.  He gets up and walks over to me.  His pants hanging low, show the words that adorn each side of the ‘v’ of his legs and hips.  His right side says ‘take chances’ with the left saying ‘no hesitations’.  The words catch me off guard.  Before I realize it, Tripp’s in front of me, his hands on my hips.  I shudder at his touch.

“Doll, about the hallway...with Carmine…I’m a jackass.”  His eyes look directly at me as I gaze up to meet his stare.  They hide his many emotions, and I wish I knew what was really going on in his head.

“Tripp, it’s okay.  I overreacted.  We had a good time.  We’re not in a relationship.  You’re free to do what you want.”  I manage to get out in a whisper.

“Are we good?  Friends?”  He asks.

“Friends.”  I confirm with a small smile.

He backs away and goes back to the small couch.  We spend the evening chatting like old friends.  He tells me about being a kid and going hunting with his grandpa and Rex.  He never mentions his mom or dad, but talks about his grandma and Aunt Jolene.  Before we realize it, we’re both yawning and trying to stay awake, as it’s after midnight.  Going over to the bed, I climb in.  Tripp is way too tall to fit comfortably on the couch.

“Tripp, come get in the bed.”  I invite turning the covers down on the other half of the bed.

“Doll, that’s not a good idea.”

“Why not?  We’re friends, Tripp.  You need sleep, real sleep, not tossing and turning barely resting.  Your legs hang way over the end of the couch.  Quit being stubborn and bring your ass to bed.”  I smile over at him, as he gets up and makes his way to bed.

At some point in the night, Doll ends up wrapped in me.  I’m not sure if she climbed over me, or I pulled her onto me.  Either way, I wake up with her blonde hair spread across my chest, as I lay on my back.  Her arm is wrapped around my torso, her leg entwined in mine.  I have one hand on her back and the other on her bare thigh from those damn short ass shorts she sleeps in, with the scrap of fabric that one might call a tank top. 

We agreed to be friends last night.  Waking up like this, friendship is the last thing on my mind.  I want my cock buried balls deep in her tight little cunt.  Fuck!  Tame it, Tripp.  I’ve got to stop thinking of how good she felt, how tight she was, or how her body molds perfectly to mine. 

Shifting slowly out from under her, I get up.  Taking a cold shower, I’m awake and my dick is only semi hard now.  To get her mind off Delatorre and the drama, we’re going to spend the day taking in the sites here at Yellowstone, then head out tomorrow. 

Checking in with Roundman, Tank is stable, but still in a coma.  The two others didn’t make it.  The club is making arrangements to provide for the families of the four lost brothers, as well as the service arrangements.  From what I gather, it was not easy to get to Delatorre and blood was shed on both sides.  The blow back seems minimal as Oscar Delatorre comes to terms with his son’s transgressions.  Roundman has the Amy Mitchell chick in one of our safe houses, unsure as to what to do with her.  Getting off the phone, my orders are to take my time coming home.  Take Doll out to see some sites before we head back to allow more time for any consequences to come down before the girls return. 

Feeling Comfortable

Spending our day on the trails, we were able to take in the geysers and all their natural beauty.  Everything about being out with Tripp, Rex, and Sass today, felt so normal.  We all laughed, joked, and had a good time.  Putting aside the reason we’re here, it was as if we were four best friends on vacation together. 

Seeing Rex and Tripp together in a relaxed setting is fun.  They razz each other much like brothers do and challenge one another in everything.  The close bond the two share is obvious.

After dinner, we head back to the cabins for an early night.  Once we’re inside, Tripp brings in another bag from the bike.  I’m sitting on the bed when he opens the bag and brings over a large clasped envelope.  Handing it to me, I stare at him in confusion.

“Open it.”  He commands with his hands on his jean clad hips.  His black t-shirt is stretching tight across his chest where his cut is resting comfortably.

Doing as I’m told, I open the envelope.  Dumping out its contents, I find the maps for Nebraska, Montana, and Wyoming.  Tears prick behind my eyes, but I refuse to cry.

“We can’t be predictable, Doll.  We can’t make it a habit of stopping at each visitor center or at each state line somewhere.  I know the maps are your thing, so I picked them up at the gas stations when paying for our gas while you used the restroom.  I’m an ass, but this means something to you.  I’ll always make sure you have what’s important to you.”

Left speechless, I climb off the bed and hug him tight.  His hand rubs my back gently as I enjoy the connection in this moment with this all-consuming man.  He frustrates me in a way no one else ever has.  He can hurt me quicker than anyone has ever been able to hurt me.  He can make me smile in a way no one ever has made me smile before.  There is something about him that I don’t think I’ll ever be able to let go of. 

Friends.  We’re just friends I remind myself.  My traitorous body wanting so much more from this man in my arms.  He hugs me back, his head dropping to the crook of my neck.  As he inhales, I feel like he’s breathing me in.  Sucking my soul further into him, I’ll never be the same again.  We may never have sex again, but Talon ‘Tripp’ Crews will, forever, hold a piece of me. 

There were so many moments today where I wanted to reach my arms around her.  Times that I wanted to kiss her, hold her hand, to be more than I can really be for her.  Long term, there’s no promise of a future.  Therefore I can’t lead her on as much as it kills me to restrain myself. 

It was relaxing to let my guard down and hang out today.  Usually, when we travel it’s for a transport, and I have business on my brain.  The club needs are always on my mind.  To make sure my brothers all have what they need to provide for their families and stay safe is my priority.  It’s been years since I’ve been somewhere and taken in the moments and the memories created.  Memories, that’s what all of this will become once we get back to North Carolina. 

I once asked my grandpa how he could go on without grams.  He said,
“Talon, you live on with the memories you make.  Cherish the times you have with those you love to push you through the times when they’re gone.”

This is a time I’ll forever cherish.  Doll has gotten into a place no one has ever been before.  I don’t know how to handle this.  I don’t know what I’m feeling.  Everything about her is suddenly important to me and not because Roundman ordered me to protect her.  She’s everything because she’s Delilah.  She’s the doll I treasure and value.  A doll to protect and cherish.

After she finishes tracing the route we took on the new maps, we decide to sleep.  After clearing off the bed, we both lay down.  Rather than fight what I’m feeling, I pull her over to me.  Wrapping her arm around my waist, pulling her leg over mine, and placing her head on my chest.  Warmth, comfort, security, and acceptance all surround me as I fall into an easy sleep.