Page 22 of Whisper Pretty Lies (Lust & Liars #1)

Hawk

Annie nibbles on her lip. “I can call my mom or go ask Mr. Watson for a ride home.”

“Nah, I’ve got you.” I back away from her with a smirk because this means I get to have Annie on my motorcycle. It wasn’t my plan, but I can’t see anything wrong with her wrapped tight around me. Which was my plan, but not likely to happen.

“That’s probably not a good idea.” She glances at her bare legs. The skirt isn’t ideal for riding, but I’ve given other girls rides home from school.

I pause and shrug. “Why? I have a means of getting you home. I promise to take it slow and bring you straight there.”

“Did you ride today?” she asks and starts toward me. “Do you even have a spare helmet?”

“Of course, Annie.”

“My name is EvanAnn.” She sounds a little disgruntled.

I smirk, loving how I get under her skin, and wait for her to catch up before draping my arm over her shoulders. “I think Annie fits better.”

She doesn’t shrug me off, but she tenses beneath my touch. I don’t tell her the real reason I waited for her, because she definitely would run back inside and not go anywhere alone with me.

All this energy needs an outlet, and the only girl I want is currently walking with me to my motorcycle. I won’t do anything she doesn’t want me to, but I’m willing to encourage her in any way possible.

Other girls were waiting with me at first, until they realized I didn’t want any of them. I could have slaked my lust with my pick of those girls, but it wouldn’t be as fulfilling as fucking Annie.

Unfortunately, what we’ve discovered about Annie this week is she’s loyal to her fucker of a boyfriend who isn’t loyal to her.

We’ve asked around, and multiple people have confirmed he’s fucking around behind her back.

We double-checked with the actual girls people said he fucked, and confirmed he hasn’t given up his fuckboy ways.

Does Annie know? Is she okay with it? Is that part of their deal as a couple? That’s what we don’t know. Because if it’s a secret and she has no idea, we can blow that shit up at the right time.

Will she be broken up by it? Or will she want revenge? Because revenge sex is awesome. I’d vote for revenge sex.

“So, Chase Chadwick,” I say.

She tilts her face up to study me, but doesn’t say anything.

“How’d that happen?”

“What?” she asks. Her eyes narrow.

“How’d you two become a couple?”

She shrugs and looks away. “We were paired together in an acting class in the spring. He said he liked me for a while and we kind of fell into a relationship.”

We get to my bike and I unlock my bag from it. When I take my spare helmet out and offer it to Annie, she hesitates.

“What are you going to wear?” She looks up at me with those big blue eyes. Fuck, everything about her screams innocence, but we know it’s a lie, a front she puts on. Chase holds onto her for a reason. Maybe it’s her time of the month. Maybe she makes him work to get a taste of that pussy.

She’s a fucking temptress dressed in lamb’s clothing.

How long will she keep up the innocent act? How long before she gives in to that heat in her eyes and burns with me?

I tap my helmet, where I have it locked on the handlebars.

She still looks skeptical. I turn my spare helmet over and show her the padded inside.

“It has Bluetooth, so you’ll be able to talk to me during the ride.

We’ll stay on side streets. I won’t go fast.” I reach out and brush a strand of hair behind her ear.

I want to feel her wrapped tight around me.

Her thighs clenching the outside of mine.

If I don’t get to have sex with her tonight, this will be a good substitute.

It will have to be enough. “Your house isn’t far. ”

She shivers and her eyes widen. “On second thought, I could go ask Mr. Watson or call my mom to come pick me up.”

That’s the last thing I want.

“Never ridden before?” I ask.

She shakes her head and my cock twitches. I’m more than willing to be Annie’s first ride on a motorcycle.

“It’s not difficult. If I could get up on stage and perform for you and that asshole Brandt, surely you can do this, Annie.” I lean in and she sucks in a breath, but doesn’t move back. She searches my eyes. “You aren’t afraid, are you?”

Some resolve strengthens inside of Annie. “I’m not afraid.”

“Good.” I step in close and smile when she holds her ground. If nothing else, Annie has been able to keep me on my toes. I lift the helmet to put on her head. When she reaches for it, I say, “It needs adjusting and it can be tricky the first time.”

Her blue eyes are wide as they look up at me. For a moment, I think she’s going to back out again. Instead, she gives me a nod.

Before I lower the helmet onto her head, I need her to know some safety rules. “Don’t lean with me on the curves, hold on tight, and stay centered on the seat.”

There’s a little worry in her eyes, but her lips press together and she gives me a tight little nod.

“Help me settle this on you, Annie.” I slide the helmet on her head, and she reaches up to help me guide it down. I have the face shield open. When it’s down over her face, I lean down to fix the chin strap.

She draws in a harsh breath as my fingers brush her neck. When I glance up at her eyes, her gaze is fixed over my shoulder, but her lip is caught in her teeth. I take my time to make sure the strap is in place, maybe a little longer than needed, before backing away to grab my helmet.

She shifts on her feet, tugging a little at her skirt like that’ll somehow turn it into pants, while I put on my helmet. She’s adorable. But easily overlooked in these schools filled with gorgeous girls who are born to be future influencers, models, and actors.

“Be careful not to rest your legs on the metal.” I meet her eyes. “I’d hate to burn your skin.”

I’d promise to kiss it better, but she’s a skittish doe, ready to bolt at the first sign of danger.

She nods, not used to the additional weight of the helmet. I palm the side of her helmet. That worried look enters her eyes again as she searches mine. I make sure the Bluetooth is on in our helmets and close the face shield on hers.

“Can you hear me?” I ask.

“Yes,” she says.

“Good. I’ll get on first and then you climb on behind me.” I show her where she can put her feet.

“Okay.”

I straddle the bike and raise the kickstand. “Your turn, Annie.”

She glances over her shoulder like her tire will suddenly not be flat. Things are going my way and I didn’t even need to do anything to make it happen. Tonight, Annie’s mine.

EvanAnn

My stomach twists in knots as I wish things would go my way for once. But maybe they are. After all, I would have had to call my mom or ask Mr. Watson for a ride if Hawk wasn’t here. Both would have taken time.

I’m not at all convinced riding Hawk’s motorcycle in my school uniform is a good idea. He watches me, I think. As much as I can tell with his helmet swiveled my way. The black visor is practically reflective.

I could back out. I could call my mom. Maybe even Chase could come to pick me up.

Thinking about Chase makes those knots twist even more. I’m about to ride with another guy. Maybe I should call Chase, but he didn’t wait for me to make sure I got to my car. Hawk did.

“Come on, Annie.” His words are in the helmet, surrounding me.

I’m already burning up from him being close and having his fingers on my neck were like fire on my skin. I’m about to climb on the back of his bike, where there’s barely a seat for me, wrap my arms around his waist, and breathe him in.

His voice and scent surround me, and soon I’ll have his warm body pressed against mine. This seems like a horrible idea, even as sparks tingle inside me.

“You can be in control, baby girl.”

Fuck. The way he says that makes my knees weak. How can I like it when he calls me that, but when Chase calls me babe , it irritates the crap out of me? I shouldn’t be anywhere near this boy. He messes with my equilibrium.

“If you want me to slow down, I’ll slow down. I want to get you home safe and sound.”

His words are meant to calm me, and they do, in a way, but they’re also keying me up. Something about him makes everything in me sit up and pay attention.

I can’t stand out here all night. Besides, it would be cool to know what it feels like to ride on a bike. Especially after what Cam said the other day. It’s definitely a main character moment and not a quirky best friend moment.

I step in close and look at what I need to do. Which isn’t easy in the helmet.

“Do you see the footrest?” His voice in my helmet makes me feel like he’s in my head instead.

A shiver runs through me. I put my left foot on the footrest.

“Hold onto my shoulders, baby girl, and swing your other leg around.”

I think I liked Annie better, because fuck, those words make me want things I can’t have. Things I don’t want to want. This is all a bad idea, but I’m in the middle of it now.

I put my hands on his shoulders and swing my right leg over the back of the bike. Hawk’s hand catches my left hip to help steady me, and my breath catches when his thumb brushes my bare thigh.

“You’re doing so good.” His words are low and soft, making my insides melt. “Almost there.”

I settle on the seat, trying to keep some distance between his back and my front, but there isn’t much room.

I tuck my skirt under my ass as much as I can, but the front can’t be helped.

My panties are exposed, but not so anyone can see them.

My breasts brush his back and I inhale as they tighten and grow heavy.

He chuckles darkly and straightens. When I try to lean away from him, he brings both hands to grip my hips and slides me forward on the seat until I’m pressed tight against his ass. My legs spread around his hips in a way that shouldn’t feel as good as it does.

I bite back a little whimper as my pussy clenches.