Chapter 8: Fly

"How the hell did I let you talk me into doing crossfit?" Bianca spoke from her spot on the floor. Her muscles were burning.

"Get up before you lock up."

"You might have to carry me back."

He chuckled as he helped her up.

"Holy shit. My thighs are on fire."

She had been on the road for three weeks and it was getting harder and harder for him to hide his attraction her. This last week they had been carpooling together from city to city so Colby wasn't alone and doing all the driving. Usually Jon would ride with him, but after talking it over amongst them, Bianca decided she'd ride with him until further notice.

Colby did end up carrying her up to the room as she got a terrible cramp in her calf muscle.

"Relax. Let me massage it out."

"I think you just want to touch my leg."

"Maybe I do. And maybe you want me to touch your leg too."

"Yeah... Totally." She laid back before she spoke again under her breath, "there's other places I'd rather you touch."

"What'd you say?"

"Nothing."

"I somehow don't believe you." His hands stopped working her calf muscles as he climbed on the bed, half on top of her.

"You reek."

"You don't smell like daisies either, Boo Bear."

"Colby, I swear to god..."

He leaned in and kissed her for real this time and it felt like time stopped. His mouth and hands had minds of their own. He pulled away realizing clothes had started coming off, his hair was hanging loose and he was down to his boxer briefs that didn't do anything to conceal his erection. She was almost completely naked. Her sports bra partially removed and her lower half completely nude.

"I'm sorry. I can't." He stumbled away from her and into the bathroom.

Bianca flopped back on the bed, "Great." There was a first time for everything. She put her sports bra back on and found Colby's shorts before she laid back down on the bed.

She wasn't sure how much time had passed, but Colby did finally come out of the bathroom.

He cleared his throat, "It's all yours." He had a white towel wrapped around his waist, his hair leaving rivulets of water to trail down his muscular chest.

'Son of a bitch.' She mentally facepalmed. He was gorgeous and distracting as hell.

Bianca stared at him before she stood to grab her shower things. He noticed she had on his basketball shorts. He walked around the bed and noticed her panties still on the floor. He dried and dressed quickly in a pair of gray and black joggers and a black progenex shirt. He waited a few minutes after he heard the shower turn off.

He went over and knocked on the door.

"It's open." She followed his entrance into the bathroom through the mirror. She was standing in a magenta colored bra and panty set with her purple box braids on top of her head in a messy bun.

'Fuck it.' He thought. He had to touch her. He had to explain himself. He hesitated for a split second, but reached out to touch the small of her back. Her warm beige skin was always so soft. She didn't protest so he stepped closer to her, his hands resting on the swell of her hips. His fingers slowly running along the lacy fabric that rested on top of her skin.

She was still. She placed her smaller hands on top of his, as he stepped even closer to her. Her back was against his chest, his arms fully enveloped her, her arms resting on top of his. He had to be honest with himself, he really loved the contrast between their skin tones. They made a very exotic looking couple. Couple? Is that what they were? Not quite, but that's what he was striving for… Hopefully.

"I'm so sorry about that." He spoke into the side of her neck, his beard rubbing along her skin. "I don't want you to think that it was something you did or said because I want you, Bianca Pierce. Just not like that. You've had enough guys just want to get you in bed. I'm no different if I'm honest, but I want you. All of you."

She watched him intently in the mirror. He kissed her neck then her shoulder as he loosened his hold on her.

"If you'll give me a chance."

She turned in his arms, staring into his warm brown eyes. She put one hand on chest, over his heart before she kissed him on the lips in response.

He couldn't fight the smile that broke out on his face. Which caused her to smirk at him and roll her eyes. It was a silent response, but it was the one he had been hoping for. It was weird how they understood each other sometimes without even speaking.

"I'll let you finish getting ready." He kissed her forehead and left the bathroom.

Thirty minutes later they were checking out of their hotel and hitting the road to the next city.

"Alright, we should probably stop at the next gas station we come across."

"Sounds good. You alright driving?"

"Look at you giving a shit about me and my terminator knee. So sweet." He teased as he exited the interstate heading towards a gas station.

"Shut up, Col and let me care. It's a rare thing."

"Truth." He nodded thoughtfully.

She playfully swatted him in the arm.

"Do you want any snacks? Beef jerky, water and what else?"

"A Rockstar and like trail mix or something."

"You got it."

"Hey."

She turned to look at him. He used his index finger to beckon her over.

"Yes?"

He tipped her chin gently, before kissing her. She made a satisfied sound as they broke the kiss. She wiped away some of her lipstick from his lips.

"I like being able to do that."

She shot him a look over her shoulder as she walked away from him before she went inside the mini mart.

He was still pumping gas when her phone rang. She rolled her eyes. It was Trevor. She walked away from the vehicle before she answered.

"Hello?"

"Hey. How's it going?"

"What do you want, Trevor?"

"I- uh... I.." He stammered.

"Spit it out." She was losing her patience. She already wanted to rip this guy's face off. Hearing him stammer on the phone was enough to make her blood boil.

"When are you coming to get your stuff?"

"Why?"

"Uh... Jess is moving in and I uh... I was wondering when you'd be able to get the rest of your stuff. I can ship it..."

"Don't bother and don't let her touch my shit. Put it in storage and I'll pay you for it when I come back. Just don't let her throw any my shit away. Can you handle that?"

"Yeah. You've got it. Look, I wanted to apologi..."

"Save it."

She ended the call and got back into the car. Colby was cleaning the windshield when he noticed she was fiddling with his phone. She put the device in the compartment under the air conditioning and heat controls when he heard the heavy beats of Parkway Drive coming from the sound system.

"You okay?" He asked as he started the engine, turning the music down considerably.

"Fuckface just called me."

"And to think I like kissing that foul mouth of yours."

She tried so hard not to smile at him.

"Oh look. Damn, I even make you smile."

"You're pushing your luck."

He shrugged before grabbing her hand intertwining their fingers. He bought the back of her hand to his lips.

"Fuck him, Bianca. Fuck everything he's doing. Don't let it get under your skin. Or do let it. I don't know. But I've got you, Binks. I'm not going anywhere."

They were quiet for a few beats.

"Wanna go burn his apartment complex down?"

She laughed, which made him smile.

"Can we?" She joked back.

"I'll have to make some calls, but..."

She playfully rolled her eyes before she leaned over the middle console and kissed him on the cheek.

"Thank you, cheese head."

"You're welcome Binksy boo bear."

"I still hate that nickname."

"It annoys you so that's what you're going to be called. I don't make the rules."

She couldn't believe he used that against her.

"Fucker." She muttered before turning the music up.

"Don't deny it, baby! You love it!" He yelled over the music which again caused her to hold back another smile.