“Where are you going?”
“Shower, get ready for the party.” Sasha headed for the door, passing Vinny the joint on her way out.
***
Drops of water splashed against tile as Sasha reached for a towel. It still bothered her, calling Candy a trucker slut. The girls who hung around the club coined the term themselves, saw it as a title of honor, but Sasha couldn’t stomach separatist labels.
She wrapped herself tight in the towel and walked out of the bathroom. Vinny looked up from the corner of her bed, and she almost tripped over her own feet.
“What the fuck, dude?” she yelled, grabbing an empty pack of cigarettes from her dresser and chucking it at his head.
“Your mom saw me come up here.”
“So?” Sasha stripped off her towel, using it to dry her hair. After a moment of silence, she looked at the bed and into a full-on gawk. “For real? Perv.”
“God…damn.”
“Jesus.” She tossed the towel at his face then pulled on a pair of cargo pants. Once her bra was tightly fastened, she turned her glare back to him. “Blood going to your big brain now?”
“That’s still just…yeah! Hey, come here for a minute.”
“No way,” Sasha said, crossing her arms.
“Just a little closer. I wanna see something.”
Sasha crept forward, standing in front of Vinny. He hooked his finger around her belt loop and pulled her onto the bed. He pressed his body against hers, his rough hand gliding along her side.
“Anything?” he asked, dragging his lips along her cheek.
Her spine was stiff. She felt something, all right, digging into her hip. There was also some awkwardness and a bit of impatience brewing in her chest, but he probably wasn’t interested in that.
Slowly, Sasha shook her head. Vinny rolled off her, a long sigh sinking his chest. She’d been shooting Vinny down for years, but this was the first time she felt guilty. It was also the first time sparks filled her body when he rubbed up against her.
Sasha squirmed off the bed, grabbing a brush from her dresser. “So…?”
“Yeah. I’ll see you later.”
Vinny’s shoulders slumped as he walked toward the door. She couldn’t stand that look in his eye. The heavy layer of sadness that gripped his face kicked on her best friend instinct, and she rushed forward, blocking his path.
“I do like you.” Sasha ducked to find Vinny’s gaze, which was difficult since he kept dodging. “A lot. I just can’t like you that way.”
Vinny’s hands landed on Sasha’s arms, making a light slapping noise, and he moved her aside. “I’m gonna down a few shots and try to figure that out,” he said, walking from the room without a glance back.
Chapter Three
Sasha parked in front of Candy’s house, peering in the rearview mirror to adjust her bandana. The clack of heels lured her stare, but the sight of Candy working those hips in her headlights held it firm. She leaned across the bench seat, opening the passenger door. A tight skirt rode up Candy’s thigh as she climbed into the truck. One of the many reasons Sasha loved this old pickup.
Candy slammed the rickety door shut, looked at Sasha, and leaned back. “What do ya think?” She held the flaps of her white leather coat open, showing off the skimpy black halter top beneath.
First, Sasha stared at the stretchy fabric, which clung to all the right places. That tiny white skirt wiped her mind clear, those matching thigh-high boots filling it back up with so many naughty thoughts. Then her eyes coasted along the hints of flesh that led to Candy’s pouty lips, and she leaned in. “Delicious,” she said in more of a breath then a word.
A cute giggle flowed through the cab as Candy scooted closer. “So where are you taking me tonight? Dancing? They just opened a disco in Lexington.”
“Ah shit.”
“The club.” Candy moved away, zipping her jacket. “You’re ditching me, aren’t you?”
“No.” Sasha grabbed ahold of Candy’s tightly coiled arms, wriggling them free. “There’s a surprise for you tonight. It’s just not what I had in mind.”
Candy’s body loosened, her lips curving up. A trace of lavender rushed into her nose, drawing Sasha toward its sweet scent. She grabbed onto Candy’s silky thigh and squeezed. Tingles ignited under her fingertips, creeping beneath her skin and settling in her toes.
A horn honked down the block, and they both jumped.
Sasha shouldn’t feel wrong for kissing her girl in the privacy of her own truck, but she did. The vinyl seat crinkled as she slid away from Candy, back behind the steering wheel. “We should get going.”
***
Cars and trucks littered the compound of Ashby Trucking, a bonfire blazing outside the clubhouse. Sasha killed the engine, music and laughter replacing its rumble.
“There’s a party tonight?” Candy flipped down the visor, checking her makeup in the mirror. “Nobody told me.”
“Huh. Strange.” Sasha jumped from the truck, waiting by the front bumper.
Candy unzipped her coat, waving to a group of men before hurrying to Sasha’s side. “Well, maybe we can just pop in then sneak out and chill somewhere,” she said softly.
“We’ll see.” Sasha hung back, letting Candy enter the clubhouse alone.
Cheers overshadowed the thump of speakers, and Sasha stepped inside. She crept behind Candy, who spun to face her.
“The club threw me a party!” Candy said, her eyes brighter than her smile.
“A little thank you. Go. Have fun.”
“Really?” Candy wiggled out of her tight jacket, backing away.
Sasha nodded, and Candy threw her coat into the corner.
“Somebody get this bitch a shot!” Candy yelled, disappearing into the crowd that swarmed her.
After a quick scan of the room, Sasha leaned against the wall. People slung greetings as they strolled by, and girls danced atop the bar, but her eyes followed Candy. The girl floated around the packed space, her flirty grin charming every person in its wake.
“You’re staring,” Vinny whispered over Sasha’s shoulder, stepping beside her.
Sasha took one look at his smug face and returned her gaze to the crowd. Vinny blocked her view, grabbing her hand.
“Dance with me,” he said, flashing a devious grin.
Guitars screamed through the speakers, and drumbeats rattled Sasha’s chest. “This isn’t dancing music.”
“So what? C’mon.”
Vinny tugged her arm, and she dug in her heel.
“Don’t leave me hanging.” His voice verged the threshold of begging and she gave in, allowing him to guide her away from the wall. His hands fell to her waist, pulling her close. Amid rowdy voices, cackling women, and harsh guitar riffs, they swayed. When she glanced up and into his frosty blue eyes, the noises stopped. Only his hands on her body and those eyes remained.
“Your mom’s watching us.”
Bit by bit, Vinny moved Sasha in a circle. She caught a glimpse of her mother grinning and whispering with Chewy, which incited the urge to storm out the front door. Her body grew rigid, and Vinny gripped tighter, keeping her in a gentle rock. He leaned close, his breath tickling her neck.