Page 28 of Torqued

“I swear Spencer, I think you need to make your mind up. Is it me or Hatcher?” Lane shouts at me. Rush doesn’t miss a beat and by the time we stop, he’s standing toe to toe with Lane Shifter. I grasp Rush’s arm tighter, hoping to encourage his restraint.

“I’ve asked you, now I’m telling you. Leave Spencer outta this, or you will regret it.” Rush bares his teeth as his jaw locks. Heat radiates from his body, reddening his face. When his hands begin to tremble, my stomach knots.

Lane looks at me, quirking his brow. “I think Spencer can decide for herself whom she wants to spend time with. She doesn’t need you to do it for her.”

“I’m not doing anything for her, and you’re not either for that matter.” Rush’s body vibrates as his pulse races. He’s going at this as if he’s racing, fast and furiously. I tug on his arm, but it’s like he’s cemented to where he stands.

“Rush, let’s go.”

Lane’s gaze skates over my body, pausing in all of the right places and egging Rush on. He bites his lip, releasing it slowly. “Damn, I bet she tastes good.”

“Fuck you!” Rush fists his uniform, jacking him up against the fence.

We’re surrounded by people and I’m shuffled into the crowd. I’m tossed about like a rag doll, ending up on the ground beneath boots and large men. I cover my head, trying to find my way out of the melee.

Just as I see a hole in the crowd, I look up to find a hand in my face. I’m not even sure who it belongs to, but I grab it and hold on for life. I’m pulled from the dirt and lead out easily.

“Are you alright?” Rush’s hands are all over me, checking for injuries. He spins me around, looking me over before taking me by the hand once again and hurrying to the hauler.

“How did you?” I point behind us at the group of crazed people.

He opens the door, helping me up the steps. The door slams and his hands are on me once again. Rush backs me up to the wall, his hand on the small of my back and the other tilting my chin up.

His eyes burn with a frenzied need and before I can catch my breath, his lips are on mine. I gasp, and Rush takes over, doing what he does best. He’s driving my desire like his stock car, fast and unrestrained.

Rush sweeps my hair over my shoulder and slides his hand around the nape of my neck. His mouth is unrelenting, molding his lips to mine. He commands their movements the way he shifts gears, purposeful, and determined.

His tongue swirls with mine, taking control, staking his claim with every pass. Rush pushes his knee between my legs, giving me a ride and making me soak my panties.

I break away to catch my breath, forcing air into my burning lungs after the race we’ve just run. Rush’s forehead rests against mine. The friction between our bodies amplifying the tension.

“Damn, that was a helluva first kiss.” Rush leans into me, trapping me against the wall, as he holds me close. I could stay like this forever, in his embrace, safe, and wanted.

I take another steadying breath, releasing it slowly. “Yes, it was, but we need to talk.”

“About?” He rears back, searching my eyes. My stomach drops, along with his mood. Rush eases me to the floor, my feet barely on the ground when he steps away from me.

“Rush don’t do this. We have to separate the two, or it’ll never work.”

His head lulls and he runs his hands over his face. “What are you talking about? We’re the same people in here or out there.”

“It might be best if others don’t know about us right now.” I avert my eyes when his lock on mine and frustration flashes in his.

“Let me get this straight, you don’t want anyone to know something is going on between us?”

“Not exactly.”

He backs up, resting against the table and crossing his arms. “How is it… exactly?”

“I’m only suggesting that until you’re established, and we see where this is going, we keep it between us. Why does anyone else need to know?” I straighten my hair and clothes as I make my case. It makes perfect sense, but the look on his face tells me he disagrees.

“Why do I care if people know I’m with you?” He tilts his head, studying me. I touch my brow as sweat begins to bead on it. He’s making me nervous, so I adjust my stance and square my shoulders with his.

I step back, affronted by his word choice. “That you’re with me? I may not be your typical flavor, but I know my worth. I’m not a nightstand trophy Rush, and I never will be.”

He shakes his head, dropping it as he stands. “But you’re the one that wants to sneak around until you decide I’m good enough to talk about.”

“No, but we might need to rethink if you can handle an adult relationship if you keep going around picking fights with every man that speaks to me.”