Scarlett The Devil's Daughter (4 page)

We reach my father's garage and I stare at
the multitude of vehicles within. I say garage but it is actually a
huge barn filled with all kinds of machines. There are various
motorbikes in every shape and variety. Sports cars mix with station
wagons and there are also several escalades and trucks. I'll say
one thing for my father, he loves his toys. As we wander along the
rows of bikes one in particular catches my eye. Walking over to it
I stroke the gleaming paintwork and run my hands over the
handlebars. I can feel my father watching me and as I look up at
him he nods. With excitement I sit astride the bike and instantly
feel comfortable. He moves away and soon returns with a set of
keys. "Come on Scarlett, let's move it outside if this is the one.
You can show me what you know." Wheeling the bike outside I feel a
connection with it. Despite the fact that there were several others
alongside it this one seemed to call to me. Reaching the yard he
hands me the keys. With excitement I turn the keys and hear the
bike spring into life. The machine purrs beneath me and I can feel
its power generating through me. I can see my father watching me
with a considered expression. "Ok Scarlett now you can show me."
Suddenly to my surprise he moves behind me on the bike. As I feel
him so close to me my body recoils. He laughs saying, "You didn't
think I'd let you just ride off without proving to me that you know
what you're doing did you? Well young lady, now's your chance. My
life is now in your hands show me what you've got." Well I wasn't
expecting this and it wrong foots me. Nervously I try to regroup
and concentrate on what I have to do. It is true I did pass my test
but I haven't had much practice. A friend of mine from home let me
use his bike to learn and it was nowhere near as powerful as this
machine. I wonder if I have taken on too much as I feel how heavy
it is especially with the added weight of my passenger. However I
try to focus and use what I have learned. As we pull away I try to
remember what to do. Hesitantly we move away and it takes all of my
concentration just to control the machine. My father shouts in my
ear. "Use your power within to control the machine. Connect with it
and use your mind to control where you want to go." Digging deep I
focus all of my energy on to the beast beneath me. I feel its power
surge through me and suddenly my body comes alive. We move away and
soon begin to build up speed. I feel the adrenalin kick in and as
the wind streaks through my hair I feel the cold air on my face.
The engine throbs between my thighs and I feel the bike's power
course through my body. Suddenly it doesn't feel heavy anymore. It
is as though we are one and it is as light as a feather. I increase
the speed and forget that I am not alone. Suddenly I am on fire. I
take the machine on the ride of my life. I feel free and happy.
Nothing can reach me; I can go wherever I want to. I tune my father
out and enjoy the new feelings within me. Reaching the top of a
hill I bring the machine to a stop and catch my breath as I look at
the town beneath me. I hear my father laugh behind me and he says,
"Well done Scarlett, you're a fast learner. Don't get too
complacent though. It is when you relax and switch off that you are
at your most vulnerable. Never let your guard down and you will be
fine. Now take me back and then you can get off to work. Lesson
over for today." Without saying a word I return home. He jumps off
and before he can say anything I ride off. He has surprised me
today. I thought that it would be more of a battle. I realise that
all the time he thinks that I am learning he is happy. However I
worry about where that will lead me. I do feel different when I use
my power within me and it excites and disgusts me at the same time.
I don't want to use it for evil. All I want is to be normal and
happy. I must learn to control my power in my own way, not his. The
thought of living my life like he does fills me with fear.

I enjoy my ride to the bar. It is with some
disappointment that I turn the machine off and leave it behind me.
As I enter the bar Drake looks up and I see his eyes sparkle as he
grins at me. "Morning Scarlett, you look amazing today." His words
shock me and instantly I turn on my defensive mode. I look at him
and scowl but he just laughs and comes over to me. As he reaches me
he reaches up and smoothes my hair away from my face and grins at
me. "Your hair is all over the place and your cheeks are flushed.
Your eyes are shining with excitement and I can only wonder what
has done this to you." I laugh nervously. "I got my first bike
today." He laughs and takes my hand leading me to the door. "Come
on then, show me." I follow him out in surprise. As we reach the
machine he runs his hands over it and I enjoy watching his strong
muscular arm caressing my bike. I am mesmerised watching him and
feel a shiver run through me as I wonder what it would feel like to
feel him run those hands over me. Shaking myself out of my daydream
I can see him watching me a strange look in his eyes. "Do you want
to show me your moves Scarlett?" He nods towards the bike and I
blush. The thought of him behind me on the bike is not an
unpleasant one and suddenly I feel excited. I nod saying, "But what
about the bar, we can't leave it?" He smiles saying, "Don't worry,
I'll tell Dylan that we won't be long." I watch as he heads back
inside and suddenly feel uncertain. It was one thing having my
father behind me but the thought of Drake pressed against me will
take all of my concentration. He soon returns and we get on the
bike. As I feel him behind me I almost can't concentrate on the job
in hand. I turn the engine on and he shifts closer to me. I can
feel his leg against my thigh and he runs his hands around my waist
and pulls me closer to him. Leaning towards me I can feel his
breath on my face as he whispers, "Are you ready for this
Scarlett?" Swallowing hard I nod as words are escaping me and I
move away.

Once again I feel the power of the machine
and we speed off down the narrow roads and out on to the highway. I
push myself and the bike and the feeling of pure speed is
exhilarating. I take us to the hill that I went to earlier with my
father and stop to take in the sight. Spinning around I see Drake
grinning at me with excitement and I grin back at him. "How long
have you been riding a bike Scarlett? That was impressive." I can
feel my eyes sparkling and laugh excitedly. "Well if you don't
count my lessons and the subsequent test today is the first day." I
laugh as I see his shocked expression. He soon replaces it with a
large smile and shakes his head. "Well judging by that performance
you're a natural. I'm just amazed your father let you out on such a
powerful bike." My eyes lose some of their sparkle at the mention
of my father and I see him look at me in concern. "You don't like
your father much do you Scarlett?" Sighing heavily I look at him
and for some reason don't hold it back. "No I don't. The time that
I do spend with him is wasted in my opinion. I only see him in the
holidays which I dread coming around. I was pleased that he
arranged this job for me as it means that I have an excuse to get
away from him and the rest of my family." Drake looks at me and
just smiles. His eyes are holding mine and I can't look away.
Whatever the connection is between us is strong and I know that he
feels it too. He reaches up and pushes the hair away from my eyes.
As I feel him touch me it makes with shiver with anticipation. I
want to kiss him so badly which is unlike me. I long for those
strong arms to hold me and to never let me go, to keep everyone
away and for my world to be safe. I watch as his eyes darken
sending me deeper and deeper under his spell. Suddenly we are so
close. His mouth is inches away and I long to draw his lips to
mine. I feel myself shifting closer to him and then suddenly he
runs his hand behind my head and moves my head closer to his. His
lips touch mine briefly, almost as if he is afraid. Then he kisses
me, holding me close and I can feel the passion in him as it
permeates through my body. I kiss him back with all that I have. I
need him so much, the feelings that I have for him consume me and I
almost feel desperate. It is as though he is my oxygen and I have
been starved of it for too long. Behind my closed eyes I can see
all of him. I read his very soul and I know that he feels the
same.

We pull apart and I see the desire in his
eyes. He says huskily, "I knew it would be you Scarlett. The first
time I saw you standing there in front of me I felt it." I inch
closer to him and say, "I know Drake. This is so right, us together
like this. It is as though we were always destined to find each
other." He nods and pulls me towards him again. This time his kiss
is deeper and more passionate. I lose myself in it and never want
it to end. At this moment in time I am the happiest that I have
ever been in my life before.

Reluctantly we pull apart and with a sigh he
says, "We had better get back. Dylan will be going mad as we've
been gone for ages." I suddenly feel bad for Dylan. "Come on then,
we've got a job to do after all." As I start the engine I savour
the feeling of him pulling me into his body. It is the perfect fit
almost as if we were from the same mould. Laughing to myself I
wonder if this day could get any better.

Dylan is mad at us and we have to work extra
hard to placate him. When we got back the place was heaving and he
was struggling alone. We are so busy and don't have any time to
stop. I feel on a high though and whenever I catch Drake's eye he
winks at me and the look he gives me sends molten liquid desire
shooting through my veins.

Once the lunch time rush is over we get a
chance to grab something to eat. Dylan looks at us both knowingly
and raises his eyes. "That's all I need, two crazy lovebirds to
contend with. Like I don't have enough on my plate already without
you two sneaking off every five minutes to make out." Drake laughs
as he sees me blush. "Chill bro, we know that work comes first.
It's not that much of a surprise is it?" Dylan laughs. "The only
surprise was that it took you so long. My money was on one hour
after she started." They laugh and I grin at them both. Dylan then
surprises me as he turns to Drake and says, "You still set to
perform tonight?" Drake nods and I look between them. "What do you
mean perform?" Dylan puts his arm around Drake's shoulder and
grins. "My baby brother is something of a rock star. He writes
songs and plays the guitar. Once a week he performs in the bar and
he has got quite a following." I look at Drake in surprise and he
smiles. Dylan carries on. "The trouble is we get really busy
because of it and it will be too much for just us to handle so I've
had to ask Layla to help out." Drake snorts and I look at them in
confusion. "Who is Layla then?" Drake grins wickedly at his
brother. "Dylan's wet dream. He has stalked her for ages but she
has a boyfriend and you wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of
him." Dylan looks annoyed and snaps, "You don't know what you're
talking about. Anyway I've got paperwork to do. You two can manage
between you for a couple of hours, it's the least you can do after
earlier." He walks away and I can tell that Drake hit a nerve.
"What's that all about?" I say as he slams the door behind him.
Drake grins. "Layla Sullivan is his high school crush. She is your
typical willowy blonde with curves in all the right places and a
face that men would kill for just to get a smile from it. The
trouble is she is already taken and so extremely off limits. He
can't get her out of his mind though and doesn't want anyone else."
I feel sorry to hear it and feel a great deal of sympathy for
Dylan. "How awful. Do you think that things may change and she will
leave her boyfriend?" Drake suddenly looks nervous and says, "You
don't leave him Scarlett, he has to leave you and given the fact
that there isn't anyone else in this town that could hold a candle
to her, present company aside, that is extremely unlikely to
happen." Jumping up he pulls me towards him. "Just to keep me going
for the next hour or so." He kisses me sweetly and soon all
thoughts of Dylan and Layla fly out of my mind.

I watch Drake clear a space and set up his
guitar. I am looking forward to hearing him sing and realise that
there is so much that I don't know about him. Before long I see
Dylan's face light up and I turn to see who has caused it.
Instantly I realise that this must be Layla as a truly beautiful
young woman sashays into the bar. Drake was right she is pure
perfection and as much as I want to instantly dislike her there is
an aura that surrounds her that makes you instantly want to be her
friend. I watch with interest as Dylan approaches her smiling and
kisses her on the cheek. I hear him say, "Thanks Layla, you're a
godsend." She smiles at him and I can see how genuine she is as her
face is so open and natural. "No problem Dylan, anytime you know
that. Now where do you want me?" The look on Dylan's face is
priceless and as I catch Drake's eye we grin at each other and he
raises his eyes. I have to turn away before the laughter takes
hold. Dylan takes her into the back to give her a t shirt and stow
her belongings. When they return he brings her over to me.
"Scarlett meet Layla, she will be working with us tonight." I smile
at her and she looks at me with interest. "I'm pleased to meet you
Scarlett. Are you new in town because I don't think that we've met
before?" Nodding I say, "Sort of. I'm staying with my father for
the summer. I don't spend much time with him and usually live in
Rivercreek Falls." She smiles brightly. "Well that explains it
then. Bad luck on having to work your vacation though." Grinning I
look over to Drake and laugh. "Don't be, it has its advantages."
Following my gaze she laughs. "Lucky you, he's gorgeous and you
will be the envy of all the other girls in the town. They've been
trying to land him for ages. You must be really special." Sighing
heavily I say, "I know, I don't want the summer to end now." She
looks concerned. "Of course, you won't want to give that up when
you have to that much I do know. Well enjoy it whilst you can, oh
and don't pay any attention to his groupies tonight." I look at her
in surprise. "His groupies, who are they?" Dylan laughs. "You know
Scarlett; I told you he had a fan club. They wouldn't miss this for
the world." My face falls and Layla looks concerned. I shrug and
say, "As long as that doesn't include Morgan then I'm fine about
it." Layla looks confused and Dylan says, "Don't worry about it
Layla, I'll fill you in later."