Because talking about why would lead to questions and I don’t want those. I can’t even admit to myself the things going on in my mind. The nightmares remind me enough, which is why I avoid them by avoiding as much sleep as I can.
It’s fucked up, but it’s how it has to be.
I walk outside and over to my Aston Martin DB11, I parked it where I usually do when I come down here and away from thehorses so I don’t scare them when the engine roars to life. Though, the distance doesn’t seem to matter because I still feel my phone signal a text before I’m off the property and I smirk when I look at the screen.
Bailey: You don’t have to announce yourself with that stupid car every chance you get, you know?
Wes: I don’t? How else would I make sure you know my every move?
I toss my phone onto my passenger seat and pull out onto the main road, letting the car take off underneath me. I’m finally able to breathe out fully as I lay on the throttle. This is what driving does for me—it’s the best therapy. I had to do quite a bit after I got out of the Army, but still, nothing beats the way I feel when I’m out on the open road with no end in sight, no time limits, just me and the car.
That’s why when I can’t sleep, I take a drive. But Bailey seems to have superhuman hearing and she gets frustrated hearing my car in the middle of the night or in the early morning hours. I try to keep it down, but I like nice cars,sue me.
I don’t go directly home; it’s not like there’s anything or anyone waiting for me there. Instead, I take my time driving through the forested roads that I know like the back of my hand. I don’t even pay attention to the time, I just turn up the music and drive.
When I finally get back to my house, I feel like I might be tired enough to get a couple hours of sleep. Bailey’s car is in her driveway, and I find myself wondering how long she’s been back.
I get inside, and go directly to my room because if I get caughtup doing anything else I know any chance I have to actually go to sleep will slip through my fingers. Though, that’s exactly what happens when I see the light on in the window across from mine.
The window that I know leads to Bailey’s bedroom.
Her curtains are drawn so I can’t see in. But since I know she’s not sleeping, I pat my pockets for my phone, pulling it out to tease her just a little bit more.
Wes: Can’t sleep? I know something that can help with that.
Bailey: Listening to you talk? Because I can’t think of anything more boring.
Wes: One day you’re going to eat your words.
Bailey: I’m so scared.
I can practically hear her monotone voice say the three words, and yet it makes me smile. She’s not scared, she likes it. One day maybe both of us will get to learn just how much.
I can still see that tattoo on her ass, the image of her face down on that hotel bed, her ass on display for me. How it felt in my hands and those two words inked into it.
Bite me.
Fuck, I wanted to.
And her mouth challenging me, we both know the type she is. It’s exactly the same type I like to handle into submission. The type that likes to be put there, right where I want her.
Shit, now I’m hard just thinking about the possibilities withher if we would just give in. I look over at her window, the curtains still drawn, and then back down to my phone.
Wes: I’ll come over and see just how true that is.
I watch for any movement, hoping she’ll tug the curtains aside, open the window and yell at me. Because at least when we’re arguing back and forth, I feelsomething.
The curtains sway and she peeks out, clearly trying to be subtle about it. I tilt my head and raise an eyebrow. She disappears from my view immediately knowing she’s been caught.
I wait to see if my phone will light up again, but it doesn’t. Oh well, probably for the best anyway. Though, when I try to go to bed, sleep eludes me, always staying just out of reach.
CHAPTER 3
Bailey
Lily wasin the middle of one of her outrageous stories when I noticed Wes leaving last night. All my attention focused on him. Even when the words “leash” and “man” were used in the same sentence, I wasn’t able to focus on what Lily was saying because I was glaring at the back of my neighbor.
I tried to stay and enjoy myself, but eventually ended up leaving because my social battery felt almost completely depleted. I do enjoy being around them, and even Jameson and his friends were nice, but I’m an introvert to my core. When I do venture out to a bar or something, I’m not social. If I’m looking to go home with someone, I don’t need pleasantries and they’re the sole focus of my attention.
