Read Online How I Became Lotus Raine...the Porn Star by Erika Ashby - Free Book Online Page B

my arm and pulled me behind him into the elevator.
    My back was to his chest as I stood in front of him. I could feel his presence behind me even though we weren’t touching. I swore I could hear our hearts beating through the buzzing chatter that filled the tiny moving box. The door opened yet again, and more people squeezed in. I didn’t know whether to groan in protest or moan in agreement with my body now being pressed against Brent’s.
    His breath hitched as I pressed into him. I had the urge to drop my back against his chest, but made better of that desire since there were people around and all. I felt hot and cold. I felt a bead of sweat rolling down the back of my neck. I knew the confined space wasn’t responsible. Brent’s hand brushed past mine, and I jumped a bit at the contact. I heard him snicker behind me, and I smiled. Then I felt his finger, trailing up my bare neck claiming victory over the droplet of sweat his presence was responsible for.
    We finally reached the lobby and as soon as the door opened, I pushed my way through like I had just been trapped in an erotic gas chamber and was desperate for air. I needed to cool down, and I needed distance from Brent. His presence was torturous enough, but his closeness was deadly.
    “This way,” he chuckled, shaking his head. I followed him as we made our way out the front doors of the apartment building. I stopped in my tracks once I saw where we were headed.
    “What the hell is that?” I crossed my arms in protest. No way was I about to get on the back of a motorcycle for the first time ever with someone I basically just met, no less. I wasn’t sure if I could trust him with my well-being. I also knew I was teetering on the looming thought of if I could actually trust myself around him. I didn’t do too well the first time and I wasn’t needing to cling tightly to him once again—on the back of a bike.
    “It’s my ride,” he laughed, grabbing his helmet.
    “Then it looks like I’ll be driving.” I turned to walk away, but he grabbed my hand and pulled me close to him.
    “Please,” he pleaded softly. His eyes were even softer. How could I say no to that?
    I looked back and forth between him and his bike. Hesitation and worry were eating away at me. I’d always wanted to ride a bike, that wasn’t the problem. Brent was the problem. I was on an assignment. He was my assignment. And I was about to jump on the back of my assignment’s motorcycle and hold on tightly as his bike vibrated beneath us.
    “It’s just,” I stuttered. “I’ve never been on one before.” I felt embarrassed for some reason. More than anything I felt like he was going to start thinking I was some stupid girl instead of a mature woman because of all the superfluous analyzing I do. I wasn’t one of those chicks who were willing to do anything in hopes of impressing some guy. That part I could care less about. I wasn’t trying to gain the attention of the man. I already had it. That’s what I was needing to avoid—when I was on the clock I reasoned. Which technically I was on the clock 24/7 while I was there.
    “I promise to be extra careful.” He smiled as he lifted the helmet and placed it over my head. “I have a feeling you’re going to enjoy the ride.” He winked as he clicked the latch together. I had a sense that he meant that in more ways than one.
    He threw his leg over the beast of a machine, looking like he just rode out of a magazine. I didn’t get it. I needed distance between us. I wanted distance between us. But everything was working against me, throwing us together instead. I placed my hand on his shoulder as I threw my leg over, sliding in behind him. I propped my feet up like he had told me to, and leisurely wrapped my arms around his front. The motorcycle thrummed to life beneath us, and Brent kicked the kickstand back.
    “You ready?” he yelled back over the noise. I nodded against his back. “Then hold on tight.” I firmed my grip