Page 76 of Sangre
“It’s probably for the best. Even though Benz is my bandmate and friend, I never thought he deserved you.”
Warmth spread through Isla when she heard his words. Jac rarely got involved with any of the band’s drama. Other than being an awesome bass player, he rarely spoke and when he did, it was only a few words or grunts. She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Thanks for that.” He lifted his chin at her and sauntered away.
The roar of a motorcycle made her insides tighten as happiness and a huge dose of excitement zinged through her body.Sangre!
“Here you go,” Jim said placing a bottle of water in front of her.
“Thanks.” She brought the bottle to her lips and took a sip. The front door burst open, and Isla watched Sangre swagger—his tight jeans fit just right, and the tattoos danced on his flexing biceps. Her heartbeat increased the more she took him in, and delicious flashbacks of him pounding into her as he held her down with his powerful arms made her squirm on the stool as desire ribboned through her.
His smoldering gaze caught hers as he came toward her, and an intense heat sizzled between them. She met him in the middle, and he wrapped his tattooed muscles around her. “I love the way you feel,” he whispered into her hair.
Acutely aware of Benz in the room, she gave Sangre a quick peck on the cheek and pulled away. “I need a shower.” She didn’t want to hurt Benz. She wasn’t the vindictive type like he could be. Even if Sangre hadn’t come back into her life, she and Benz wouldn’t have made it. The fact was that Benz was a much better friend than he was a boyfriend. She walked into their relationship with eyes wide open, knowing that he’d never stayed faithful to any woman he’d ever been involved with. Somehow, she’d thought it would be different with her. He’d pursued her so ardently that she figured he’d be so happy they were finally together, that he wouldn’t need to screw around. She’d been wrong, and it was okay. Breaking up with him was like a thousand pounds had been lifted from her heart and soul. It was liberating.
“Let’s go.”
“Let me grab my microphone.” She whirled around and went back to the stage. Gage had wrapped up her mike neatly as he always did.He’s so thoughtful. What a sweetie. Melody has a keeper for sure.
“Are you taking off with your new ‘boyfriend’?” Benz’s voice was hard and sharp like glass.
“I’m leaving with myfriend.It looks like you won’t be lonely. I’ll see you at the studio tomorrow afternoon.”
“Fuck, Isla. No one can hold a candle to you. Let’s stop all this before we both have major regrets.” Benz scrubbed his face.
“We’re still friends. I’ve jumped off the roller coaster. I’ll see you tomorrow, and I’ll be on time. Promise.” She yelled, “Goodbye” to the other band members and walked out of the bar.
“Isla, wait!” Lexi called after her. The clacking of her heels reverberated on the sidewalk.
Isla handed her microphone to Sangre who put it in one of the saddlebags. She turned to Lexi. “I’m done talking to you. I told you that.”
“I just wanted to tell you that I’m done with Benz,” she said, her eyes traveling up and down Sangre’s body.
“Fuck off, Lexi.” Isla settled down behind him and linked her arms around his waist. The engine fired up and the cams drowned out Lexi’s reply. Turning her head away, she looked out at the street and the neatly mown grass banks surrounding the various storefronts bearing a façade of brick or stucco.
Sangre pulled away from the curb, and soon the warm air cocooned around her as they rushed past people, houses, and cars. Sangre veered the bike left, and they were soon in front of her house. Streetlights radiated pools of golden yellow on the sidewalks; here and there, illuminated windows cast slivers of paler light across the lawns, and glinting stars danced in the inky sky.
“Do you want to park inside the garage?” she said, pushing the button on the remote. He rode up the driveway and shut off the engine.
Soon they were wrapped in each other’s arms kissing up a storm. Isla had taken a quick shower, and when she came into the living room, the sight of Sangre sitting on the couch—boots kicked off, feet propped on her coffee table, and folded arms adorned in tat sleeves—it was more than she could stand. She ran over and pounced on him like she used to do when they were kids, only now they weren’t, and what once brought on a wrestling match now brought on a major kissing session.
As his hand slid under her top, her insides churned with burning desire for him.I guess we’ll be eating in.
And that suited her just fine.
