Demented Souls Collection: Books 5-8

Chapter 6-1

Beth woke with a tattooed man on her mind, she couldn’t put her finger on it, but there was something about him she found more than a little attractive. It wasn’t the tattoos, at least not entirely.

She’d seen a lot of tattoos, and while they didn’t bother her, they didn’t usually draw her either. He had nice hair too, but she’d been drawn to him before she’d put her hands in his hair. She liked the confidence he exuded when he walked, as if he knew who he was and didn’t care what anyone else thought. She wished she could figure out how to do that.

Beth got ready and headed for her shift at the salon, telling herself that there was no reason not to go out with Sadist. He might look a little rough but obviously he was doing well for himself, he owned his own business after all. If they were attracted to each other, why not give it a try?

She pulled into her parking spot at the salon, dug the business card he’d given her from her purse and grabbed her phone. Before her doubts got the better of her, she typed out her address and hit send, then something else occurred to her. How should she dress? She sent another message.

Beth: Just curious how to dress tonight? Nice or casual? ~ Beth

Just curious how to dress tonight? Nice or casual? ~ BethStuffing her phone in her pocket, she grabbed her bag and went inside. For all she knew it would take him hours to answer, so there was no point in staring at her phone and waiting. She was stepping through the door when her phone chimed. She pulled it out on her way to the back to put her purse away and collect her apron before getting to work. The message was from Sadist.

Sadist: Casual. Ever been on a motorcycle?

Casual. Ever been on a motorcycle?Beth: No but I’ve ridden a horse.

No but I’ve ridden a horse.She sent the message back, put her phone away and slipped her apron over her head. By the time she’d tied the strings and pulled her hair from under the strap, she had another message.

Sadist: That’ll do. Jeans and boots. See you at 6.

That’ll do. Jeans and boots. See you at 6.Beth dropped her phone in her apron pocket and went out to see what was waiting for her, unable to keep the silly grin off her face.

After her shift, Beth rushed home to get ready. She took a quick shower then pulled on her favorite riding jeans and tugged on her Ariats before trying to decide on a top. Sadist said casual, but she still wanted to look nice. Settling on a loose, flowing bright red blouse, she pulled it on, and double checked her hair and makeup. Beth picked up her purse to remove what she would need for the evening, there wouldn’t be room for it on a bike, and a knock sounded on the door.

“Just a moment.” She finished pulling her ID and debit card then slid them in her jeans pocket on her way to the door. After checking the peep hole to be sure it was him, Beth opened the door and stepped back to let Sadist in. “I’m almost ready, come on in.”

“You look nice.” Sadist stepped far enough inside for Beth to close the door. “But the pony on top isn’t going to work.”

Beth frowned and reached up to touch the ponytail high on the back of her head.

“Don’t get me wrong. I like it, but under a helmet, it’ll start hurting, real quick.”

Oh, a helmet, why hadn’t she thought of that? He’d said he was bringing a motorcycle. She felt like an i***t. “I can do something different if you don’t mind waiting a couple minutes.”

“I don’t mind.”

She headed for the bedroom then stopped and turned back, “What would work best?” She had no clue.

“If you want it pulled back, something low. Or you can leave it loose.” He flipped his head so the length on top of his head swung away from his face, drawing her attention.

“I’ll just be a minute.” In front of the mirror, she pulled the band from her hair and opting to leave it down, ran her fingers through it to restore some of the body she’d pulled out of it when she’d pulled it back. On her way out, she noticed her phone on the dresser and pocketed it. “All done,” she said as she got back into the living room where Sadist waited.

“That’ll work.” He glanced around. “You have a jacket of some kind? It can get cool on the bike, especially if you’re not used to it.”

“Sure.” She went to the closet near the short hallway and pulled out the light sweater she wore while horseback riding.

“Denim or leather would be better. Wind will go right through that.”

Looking at the zip front hoodie she’d grabbed, Beth realized he was right. She put it back and pulled out her favorite jacket, one she’d bypassed before because it was still a bit warm.

“How’s this?” She took the denim jacket she’d stolen from her brother Jared off the hanger.

“That one’ll work.” Sadist seemed content to wait while she finished getting ready, but it made Beth uncomfortable. She pulled the coat on, tugged her hair from underneath and turned to him with a smile.

“All right. I’m ready.”

His eyes skimmed down her body but didn’t linger.

“You really do look great.” Sadist smiled, revealing white but slightly crooked teeth.

Beth’s stomach fluttered. That tiny flaw, imperfect teeth, made him seem more human and approachable. She checked her pocket for her keys, and finding it empty, remembered she’d left them on the table next to the door and picked them up on their way out. Sadist waited while she locked up. She tucked the keys in her jacket pocket, transferring her phone from her jeans to the inside pocket of the jacket while she was at it.

“Which lot are you in?” She turned and looked up at him.

“Out this way.” Sadist nodded toward the nearest parking area.

Beth walked out with him and found a motorcycle parked next to her car. She couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped as they got close.

“What?” he asked.

“You’ve got good instincts.” She waved one hand toward their vehicles. “That’s my car.”

“Really?” He shook his head. “It was just an empty spot near the building.” They went to the bike and Sadist handed her a helmet.

Beth turned the helmet over in her hands, trying to figure out what would be the best way to get it on.

“Here,” Sadist took it back, turned it and held it up. “Look at me.”

She looked up at his face and he slipped the headgear over her face and head, settling it snuggly on top of her head. “Comfortable?”

Beth thought about it for a second. “It’s heavy, but it feels good.”

“Good, tilt your head back.”

She tipped her head as far back as it would go and felt his fingers brush the underside of her chin. Her stomach flipped and her heart jumped until it felt like it was right beneath his fingers.

“All done.” Sadist stepped back. “You ready?”

Beth could only nod, she couldn’t force words past the lump clogging her throat.

“Let me get it started before you get on, then step over it just like you would a horse, all right?”

Beth nodded again and watched as he swung one leg over the back of the bike then kicked the starter. The bike roared to life. Sadist looked at her and nodded. She stepped up and looked at the bike, finding the foot peg folded against the frame in front of the rear tire she bent down to flip it down, but Sadist caught her before she made contact. She looked up to find him shaking his head.

“It gets hot fast, use your foot,” he shouted over the rumble of the bike. Sadist stood and kicked his foot back, catching the peg with his heel and pulling it down.

Beth nodded, then swung her leg over the back of the bike. He was right it was like getting on a horse, but easier, because you didn’t have to climb first. With her toe she flipped the other peg down and got both feet settled.

“Ready when you are.”

Sadist reached back, grabbed her wrists and wrapped her arms around his waist before putting his hands back on the grips. “Try to lean with me.”

Beth frowned but nodded. She was a little uncomfortable as he walked the bike backwards, but once they were out of the parking space, he twisted one hand and they shot forward. The sudden movement surprised her. She tightened her grip around Sadist’s middle and grinned inside the helmet, even though no one could see her. This was fun.

She held on tight for a few minutes but soon relaxed as he drove easily thought traffic. At the first corner, when he leaned with the bike until she was sure they were going to fall over and be smeared across the pavement, her grip tightened again, only to relax again once they were safely through the turn and upright once more. The low rumble and vibration beneath her was nothing like being on a horse but just the same, it was somehow relaxing and exhilarating at the same time. Beth didn’t really understand why and at the moment, she didn’t care.

The city seemed to fly by and before long, Sadist slowed the bike and pulled into the minuscule lot in front of what looked like a little strip mall. He parked in an empty spot in front of a nail shop that was closed for the day and killed the engine. Beth knew she had to get off first, so she stepped off and out of the way, fumbling with the strap to her helmet, trying to get it off.

“Here, let me.” Sadist’s voice drew her attention and she looked up. He popped a plastic clip with practiced ease and Beth felt like an i***t. She’d been trying to loosen the strap. She took the helmet off and handed it to him, not sure what she expected. He flipped it over and showed her the straps. “See, they adjust but once they’re set, you just un-clip it. It makes it easier, not having to refit it all the time.”

“That is easier.” She nodded but she wasn’t sure what good it would do, it wasn’t like it was her own personal helmet.

Sadist put the helmet on the seat of his bike and turned back to her. “Come on. I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.” He walked beside her to a small BBQ place that occupied two storefronts in the small shopping center. Looking at the name painted on the glass, Beth realized she’d heard of the place and it was supposed to be really good, but she’d never been here. He opened the door for her and followed her in.

They stood at the menu hanging on the wall, looking at it a moment.

“What do you want?” he asked. They spent several minutes deciding what to eat, then placed their order at the counter before finding a table. Sadist led her into a second room, one that was almost empty, to a small table in the corner. Beth was amused to find a cardboard six-pack carrier full of plastic squirt bottles, picking one up, she discovered they were different flavors of BBQ sauce. Curious she squirted a small amount on one finger and tasted it. The flavor was really good but now her mouth burned. She picked up her soda and took a long drink, hoping to cool the flames that now engulfed her tongue. It didn’t help much. Sweat ran down her face and she panted, trying to cool the heat but it didn’t help much.