The Next Contestant Read online

  But this girl, this Timber has me all kinds of screwed up. Do I want to attempt another relationship? Ah fuck.

  I grab my phone from the nightstand and text her.

  J: Can’t stop thinking about you.

  She replies. Is that so?

  J:It is. Any plans tonight?

  T: Tonight. Ha. I guess it would be tonight since it is already Saturday. No plans.

  J: How about dinner?

  T: Are you asking me out?

  J: I think that was pretty clear, don’t you? Yeah, I want to take you out tonight.

  T: Tsk, tsk, Mr. Jax.

  J: Beautiful girl, can I take you out? How’s that?

  T: How noble of you. Yes, I’ll accept your invite. ;)

  Girls and their damn winky-smiley-face shit. But it’s cute because it’s her.

  J: Are you on campus or off?

  T: Neither. I’m in the dorms but not at your school.

  J: Oh really? Then what college?

  T: Mills.

  Huh. Mills. I glance at the calendar and it dawns on me. I have two concert tickets I won in a gambling match not too long ago for Hot Wired. I’d planned on hawking them to the highest bidder since they’re front row tickets and the concert sold out the same day tickets were available.

  J: Change of plans. Instead of dinner, I’ve got two concert tickets to Hot Wired. Want to go?

  T: What? You mean Hot Wired as in the notorious Fang Fangor, and Jase, Hot Wired?

  J: Yup.

  T: Oh wow. Yes, I want to go!

  VISIONS OF JAX reel in my thoughts as I lie in bed. After being that close, the way his hips felt as he rocked into me, the tingling sensation when his lips greeted my skin, my lips… he’s like an addiction of the worst kind. An addiction I can’t afflict myself with. Men like Jax are dangerous. He’s not the first of his kind to march in to my life but I’d sworn the others off. Jax, I fear, will prove more of a challenge.

  I’m excited to go out with him and I close my eyes, forcing myself to sleep before the sun comes up.

  The day passes quickly. I’ve already called Tiffany and made arrangements to swap dorm rooms for the night, since Jax insists on coming in and greeting me at my place. I take my time getting ready, then grab some things and rush down a level, to Tiffany’s. We swap keys.

  “Be careful and stay safe. Don’t be doing any funky shit in my bed either,” Tiffany says and gives me an evil eye.

  “Please. I’m the one who should be warning you not to be doing the deed in my bed. Make sure your new man doesn’t know or tell Jax who I really am,” I plead with her.

  “Well, I can’t lie to him. He hasn’t asked but I did tell him I was swapping rooms with a friend tonight. He didn’t ask questions but that doesn’t mean he won’t. Besides, I think we are going to stay at his place after the party. He has an apartment not far from Blaze.”

  We say our goodbyes and I head to the bathroom to finish getting ready.

  I’m set: my favorite faded low-rise jeans fit snuggly against my ass, a black sleeveless shirt clings to my shoulders, waves of blonde curls tumble down the center of my back, an antique silver necklace, and a fine spritz of vanilla sugar, completes my dress-to-impress ensemble.

  I’m a little nervous as I wait for Jax.

  The buzzer goes off and startles me. “Yeah?” I answer in a shaky voice.

  “Hey. It’s me. Buzz me in,” Jax says in his deep, sexy voice.

  “Okay.” I buzz him in and rush to the bathroom to check myself one last time.

  He knocks and when I open the door, I have to force myself not to drool. He is so freaking hot that I just want to touch him all over. He has a faded blue Distressed shirt on and tattered Rock Revival blue jeans with a tan and silver buckled belt. His hair is tousled, like windblown in a model kind of way. And he smells good too.

  I feel my cheeks heat up when I catch the glimmer in his eyes. He knows I was checking him out.

  Jax raises his hand and fingers my sleeveless shirt. He lets the same hand fall slowly down my side and stops at my hip. I gasp when his fingers slip along the top of my jeans but then he clasps them tight and pulls me close to him. I can’t help it. I giggle a little. Mostly because I’m nervous.

  “You look fucking hot. Love the outfit,” he whispers seductively in my ear, then releases me and smiles. His beautiful, perfect white teeth gleam, adding more perfection to his already perfect self. “Ready to go have some fun?”

  “Yes.” I turn and fumble with the door, with the key and finally manage to lock it. When I turn back to face him, he grabs my hand and leads me out of the building, into his black Jag and even leans in to buckle my seatbelt. He pauses in the door, staring at me, and then smiles before he shuts it and makes his way to the driver side.

  “I THOUGHT FANG was dating Sam, Jase’s sister?” Timber asks as we watch Jase, the drummer, vacate his perch, and stride across the stage, as if owning it. Of course the band owns it. They always do. Hot Wired is kick ass and their shows always get a rise out of the fans, me included.

  “Yeah, that’s what it says in the tabloids. Why? You keep up with the band?” I ask and reach around her waist, tickling her side. She giggles and tries to pull away, but I tighten my grip, then nudge her closer, pulling her in front of me so I can wrap my arms around her; you know, to keep her safely next to me. How the fuck am I gonna watch them, knowing what they’re about to do, and keep my dick from prodding Timber in the ass? Maybe having her in front of me isn’t such a good idea.

  The audiences low-hum indicates what’s about to happen. They expect something big. Jase swipes the mic. from Fang’s grasp.

  “Y’all wanna spice up the evening?” Jase’s scratchy voice booms through the speakers. The crowd is roaring, screaming in anticipation. I glance at Fang and watch as he swirls his beer bottle, probably contemplating what kind of reaction this will get out of Jase’s sister, Sam.

  “Oh no. This isn’t going to be good. Especially if Fang responds like he always does and basically dry humps a chick from the audience. I can just see Sam cutting his balls off later,” Timber says and sniggers.

  “I need a hot babe that can shake her ass and doesn’t mind showing some skin,” Jase’s voice booms from the mic.

  The look on Fangs face—murderous. I lean in, push a swath of Timber’s hair behind her ear, and press my lips against it so she’ll hear me over the deafening screams of the audience. “You can tell Fang is really dating Jase’s sister. Just look at the animosity in his eyes right now. See, normally Fang would be scanning the crowd, searching for whatever girl is flashing her tits just dying to be the one they pick. Kinda slutty if you ask me.”

  We watch Heath aka Fang drain his beer, toss it into the trash, and snatch the microphone out of Jase’s grasp, but not before Jase selects his volunteer. A blonde gal with big ass tits is guided onstage by security personnel.

  “Gross. Her top is so small her boobs are falling out,” Timber says as she leans her head back on my chest. I wrap my arms around her tighter, loving the way she feels against me. I can already tell I’m in trouble with this girl. She’s too good to be true, too good to be played with, and probably too good to let go.

  “What’s your name, sweetheart?” Fang asks after the girl halts in front of him.

  “Daisy.” She launches herself at Fang and proceeds to hug him like a lover. “I love you so much, Fang!”

  “Oh please. What an idiot. Some people have no class,” Timber harps.

  “You saying you wouldn’t go up there and hang all over him if you were chosen?” God, she smells so good. I wonder what her skin tastes like, if it tastes like the vanilla and brown sugar scent coming off of her.

  “No, and I’d never flash my tits to get there either. That’s just disrespectful and if I were Sam, I don’t know if I could watch that without tearing the whore off Fang.” Her tone has an edge to it and I don’t doubt that she’d tear a bitch up. “Then I’d dump Fang’s ass. Rock star or not.”
<
br />   We watch as the show goes on. I want to lick her neck as we watch Fang lick the wannabe onstage who is shoving her ass into him. I whistle as they continue to get it on. And then I lean into Timber, blow on the shell of her ear and seductively say, “I remember how your ass felt against me. I wanted to strip you right then and there and feel that tight ass...” I pause as she shudders. “I can’t stop thinking about you.”

  Timber doesn’t respond, only sways back and forth in my arms, but then we begin rocking to the music, bounce up and down with the crowd, scream and holler and sing along. It’s amazing how fast time goes when you’re having fun… or fantasizing about having this girl lying underneath, wondering how good she’ll feel as you slide—

  Timber flips around, locks her hands behind my neck then smiles real big. “Thank you! This… this has been one of the best nights ever!” She flips back around but tilts her head back, still smiling.

  I smile back as I stare into her eyes, then glance at her beautiful mouth, and back at her eyes. Leaning in, I wrap one hand behind her neck and tilt her head. When she doesn’t stop me, I take her lower lip into my mouth and suck on it, then slowly release it. Her breath hitches. I palm her hip and pull her closer.

  She tenses, turns to face the band. I snake my hand around her waist, continue to slip my fingers under her shirt and let them rest on her naked stomach. She leans into me and closes her eyes.

  I brush the hair off her shoulder, lean down and slide my tongue over her ear, gently wetting the inner shell, then blow softly into it.

  She moans a little.

  I stop teasing her ear and pull her against my hips then move suggestively. She follows along and we roll with the music.

  Later, I try to slide my hand down further, but stop when my thumb hits the button of her jeans. She places her hand over mine and interlocks her fingers with mine. I get it. She’s not that kind of girl. I lock my fingers with hers but still kiss her neck, and she lets me.

  JAX KEEPS HIS arm wrapped tight around my waist as he leads me out of the concert hall.

  “I’m not ready to end our night out. Want to come to the frat house?”

  “Um. Hmm. No. I don’t think that’s a good idea.” I wish I could tell him the truth but it’s too soon. He’ll dump me off at home and I’ll never see him again, or at least not on a date, with me.

  “I’ll be decent, I promise,” he says and tickles my side.

  “I’m not worried about that. It’s just… well, there is someone there that I used to date, and I don’t want anything to do with him. That includes seeing him.” Please don’t ask who!

  “Oh yeah? Who?”

  Great. Why did I think lying and using my brother’s exes name was a good idea? “Um. Kolby.” I cringe knowing this is such a bad idea.

  “All right. I can understand that so I won’t ask questions.” He releases me to open my door. Such a gentleman!

  “Thank you for not asking.”

  Jax leans in, brushes his fingers along my cheek and smiles. “I don’t care about your past or who you’ve dated.” He smiles and it radiates warmth throughout my body. Such a sweet genuine smile that I know will turn sour when the truth comes out.

  He slides into his seat and we head toward my place. Jax reaches over, takes my hand, and entwines his fingers with mine. The ride is filled with silence other than the hum of the tires on the road. I feel a twinge of ache knowing I really like him, that he’s probably a user and even if he isn’t, the inevitable knowledge of who I am will certainly come to light and ruin whatever we could have.

  Jax pulls into a parking space in front of my building and turns the car off. He slips out, makes his way around to the passenger side, and opens my door, holding his hand out to help me up. I take it and wonder if I should invite him in, but then he’s already leading me to the front door.

  “Are you coming in with me?” I ask.

  “Of course. What kind of gentleman would I be if I didn’t walk you to your room?” He smirks and nudges me with his hip. We take the elevator up to the fourth floor before I realize my screw up.

  “Fourth floor?” He eyes me warily.

  “Oops. Sorry. I’m…” I pause to think of an excuse. I laugh nervously. “I hit the wrong button. My best friend lives on the fourth floor. I guess you kind of make me nervous.” I glance down at the lighted button, knowing my cheeks are flushed.

  He slips behind me and wraps his arms around me, his chin resting on my shoulder and his breath tickling my neck. He inhales and then grunts before raising his head. “Let me guess. Tiffany?”

  “How’d you guess?” I tease. The elevator stops and the doors open. Jax reaches around me and punches the second floor button. The doors close and we descend to the second floor.

  “Wild guess. Every time I’ve seen you you’ve been with her.”

  The doors open again and Jax slips out from behind me, grabs my hand, and leads me down the hall. He flips me around when we reach my-Tiffany’s door, and presses me up against it. A grin plays on his lips and a tiny crease forms on his left cheek, adding to his charming good looks. With hands now planted on either side of my head, he leans forward. His grin fades, and his gaze turns sultry. He’s too close. I can feel his body heat radiating through my own tingling skin.

  The air between us is dangerously thin and full of his deliciously spicy scent. I shouldn’t ask, but I do. “Do you… um… do you want to come in?”

  “No.” His lips curl and his brows arch.

  “No?” My heart flutters, yet I feel rejected.

  He closes in, dropping his hands to my hips, pulling me closer, lips almost touching mine and his eyes are hazy or burning with desire? “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” he mutters, his voice low, the words broken, yet heated as his lips touch mine. He stays like this, lips near mine, unmoving.

  “Probably not,” I say in an equally broken voice. His lips press softly against mine, his eyes never moving but seem to be asking permission. I quietly give my approval by letting him part my lips with his tongue. Fire erupts, spreading over my entire body. I lose the tenuous hold on my control. It’s been too long since I’ve let anyone in, let anyone touch me. I press myself completely into his embrace, never breaking the connection of our lips, and close my eyes, savoring the kiss.

  My heart races when he slips his hands under my shirt, caressing the skin on my back, pulling me closer. I wrap my hands around his neck and knot my fingers in his thick hair. We’re both panting to catch a breath between the momentary breaks in our lips. The throbbing heat he’s creating with his strong hands, his soft lips, his taste, his scent, and the way he explores my mouth with his tongue—I shiver with want, knowing this is a bad idea. The way I want him, right this minute… I open my eyes and I pull away from his lips.

  Jax opens his eyes and grins before his lips straighten and he looks serious, determined. He grips my body tighter, closes his eyes, and roughly exhales before crushing his lips back down on mine. We can’t stay here like this, in the open hall, for much longer. My usual uncomfortableness with public displays went right out the door, but it’s as if I’m being absorbed into his passion. I want to take him inside but again, that’s a bad idea. I run my hands under his shirt, up the muscly flesh of his glorious back, when he suddenly and roughly, pushes away from me. Then he begins to walk backward, away from me, panting and then grinning. His grin turns into a full megawatt smile, his white teeth gleaming under the fluorescent lighting in the hall.

  I attempt to catch my breath and find it hard to smile through my confusion. I watch him as he continues to back-step slowly.

  “There is a party at the frat tomorrow night. Since I know you won’t come, I won’t invite you, but if I could get out of it I would in order to spend the evening with you. Unfortunately, I can’t do that. So. What are your plans for next Saturday?” He halts in the middle of the hall.

  I roll my eyes at the ceiling and tap my lip. Nothing on my agenda. I glance at him and smile. “I do
believe I might possibly be free that night. It all depends.”

  “On?”

  “The offer.”

  “One special dinner at a very unique restaurant. I’ll make reservations and pick you up at five-thirty.” He continues to walk backward toward the elevator. “I’ll text you later,” he says and turns around. Once he gets to the elevator, he hits the button and then leans against the wall facing me.

  “Thank you for tonight, for taking me to the Hot Wired concert. It was awesome.” I hate to admit that I don’t want him to leave. One date and I can’t stand to be away from him, dread the idea of not seeing him the rest of the week. God. I’m so pathetic!

  The elevator doors slide open and Jax steps in. He holds the doors, his head sticking out, and winks. “My pleasure, Timber. My pleasure. Until next time,” he holds out his palm and blows me a kiss, “Until next time.” And then he’s gone.

  I take the steps up to fourth floor and before I enter my room, I text Tiffany to make sure she’s not occupying it.

  Change of plans. Jax, the gentleman, did not stay so I’m checking to make sure you’re not doing foul things in my room?

  T: Unfortunately not. I’m on my way back from a party. No Vincenzo on my arm. Boo.

  Poor thing. I’ll take residence in my own room then. You take yours. And thanks for covering my ass even if it didn’t need to be covered.

  T: Beeotch! You always know I got your ass. And you got mine ;)

  DANCE PRACTICE HAS been a bitch this week. I suppose I’ve screwed up a few times because my head is in a Jax Nash cloud. I wonder where he’s going to take me to dinner. I’ve tried to get it out of him when he calls or texts, but he continues to talk, purposely ignoring my question.