“That sounds like a good plan. After we punish Jackson enough, and I decide to take him back, we can go on as real friends.”

There’s tightness in his expression when I mention Jackson. “Are you sure you even want that guy back, Holly? He doesn’t seem like he’s that into you.”

I turn my gaze away from him. “Did he say that?”

Trip puts his index finger under my chin and turns my face towards his. “No, but some of things he said…someone who really cares about you wouldn’t say those kinds of things.”

I swallow hard. “What did he say?”

“He told me he could take you away from me anytime he wanted because he owned you.”

“Is that why you two were fighting?” I question in almost a whisper.

Trip nods. “I don’t know what came over me. The things he said, they made me snap and I lost my cool. I said some things I probably shouldn’t have. That’s why he punched me.”

I bite my lip and reach up to touch his face. “Your nose got broken because you were defending my honor?”

He smiles. “I guess so.”

His admission of such a sweet gesture moves me. On instinct I lean forward and kiss him softly. “Thank you.”

The pull towards him is ridiculous and I know he’s a player, but damn it I can’t help wanting him. The slippery warmth of his mouth closes over mine and I shut my eyes, enjoying every second.

Desire glazes over his hooded eyes as I pull away. He reaches up and moves a strand of hair away from my face. “You’re welcome.”

Without warning we throw ourselves together for another kiss. My arms wrap around Trip’s neck and he tugs my hips closer. Our tongues whirl together and Trip sits up, cradling me in his arms, pulling me against his chest. One of his hands snake up my back and finds its way into my hair, while I reposition my legs until I’m straddling him.

He groans against my neck as I move my hips, rubbing my crotch over the erection in his jeans. The seam of my shorts presses against my clit and I close my eyes imagining what it would be like if we were naked doing this. I’ve often wondered what it would be like to be with someone other than Jackson, and Trip makes it feel like it’ll be even better than I imagined.

My damp panties cling to my skin as I continue to ride Trip. “God, sweetness. You don’t know how much I’ve thought about this over the last couple of days. It’s been so hard to deny myself this.”

My tongue darts out and I lick his top lip. “Then stop fighting it.”

Trip slides his hands down my body and finds the hem of my riding shirt and tank-top. Soft fingers find their way onto the bare skin of my lower back before working their way up to my breasts. His nimble fingers slide inside one of the cups of my bra and he pushes it down, allowing my nipple to spring free. He rolls my tightened bud between his fingers and licks the inside of my mouth.

“I’ve been thinking about getting these titties in my mouth all damn day. I imagine everything on your tight little body tastes like heaven. Please tell me that you want this…”

I swallow hard. This is so out of character for me, but for some reason I’m drawn to Trip like crazy. I know it’s wrong to want this with him, but my body doesn’t understand that. All it knows is that this feels amazing and it can’t get enough.

I open my mouth to tell Trip to take me, but my front door opens and I freeze at the sound of Jackson’s voice. “Holly? Are you in here?”

I shove Trip’s hands out from under my shirt at the same time Jackson walks into the house and spots us. “Jackson? What are you doing in here?”

Jackson’s eyes narrow. “I came to apologize for being an asshole, but I can see you both are clearly busy.”

I jump up from Trip’s lap as Jackson turns and walks out the door. “Jackson, wait! It’s not—”

Trip grabs my wrist. “Don’t insult him by telling him it isn’t what it looks like.”

I frown. “Can’t you see how hurt he is? I have to find him.”

“Let him go, he’ll get over it. If you chase him down you might as well be ready to beg him to take you back. Do you really want him to have the upper hand in your relationship again?”

It’s second nature to chase Jackson down and apologize to him. I’ve been doing that over and over for the past year. Every time we fought, he would turn things around and everything would always end up being my fault—just like this situation.

As if Trip can read my mind he says, “It’s not you who needs to do the chasing. He cheated on you, remember? You aren’t together now, we weren’t doing anything wrong.”

I allow him to tug me back down on the couch and tuck me under his arm. “I hate playing games with people.”

He sighs and kisses the top of my head. “You’re too sweet for your own good.”

Maybe Dad was right. We’ve just begun this little game and it’s already becoming dangerous.

Chapter 8

Bringing Down the Giant

HOLLY

Trip and I sit in at the front counter together going over more financial documents. Over the last week we’ve spent every day going over some aspect of this track together. Yesterday I finally got Trip onto the track for the second time. He knows how to handle himself pretty well on a bike. I was impressed with his skills, considering he told me he hasn’t been on a bike in a few years. It reminded me of the real reason he’s here, and helped me to get over the crazy moment we shared together on the couch.