As silently as I could, I walked toward the place I knew Charity and her friends would be hanging out. A fire crackled in a cheap aluminum grill, so no one would see my approach. Instead, I’d be able to hang back and watch unnoticed.
Only a few stragglers sat around the fire. So either everyone wasn’t here yet or they’d walked down the beach. One couple was making out while another just sat and stared into space, obviously high. Across from them sat a single girl, absently digging her feet into the sand, a bored look in her eyes. Kayla. I strolled up to her, and she looked up at once.
A smile started to form on her face, but then quickly turned downward as her eyes glazed over. “It took you long enough. What happened? You weren’t sure if you wanted to go out with me? I guess I’m really not your type.” She looked away and stared out over the water.
I was embarrassed, as I should be. I could have kicked myself. Instead, I sat down on the blanket beside her. She kept her eyes lowered, refusing to look at me. My heart felt torn in two, and I didn’t even know her. I placed my hand against her cheek, hoping she’d forgive me. “I’m here, aren’t I?”
She peeked up, her eyes still glazed. Yes, she was going to hurt me badly, but I couldn’t see how to prevent it now. I knew how Charity and Morgan were — I immediately corrected myself; it didn’t matter. There was no turning back. I wanted this to work. My heart pounded, and I felt compelled to kiss her right there. Kayla felt it too. She licked her lips in anticipation. I couldn’t though, not yet. Still, the compulsion was a driving force. I felt as though I’d known her for weeks, not hours. I had to speak. I had to do something. The desire consumed me, and I didn’t want our first kiss to be in front of others who were making out because they didn’t know what else to do with their time. I wasn’t like that … with good reason, something my ex had never understood.
“Let’s go for a walk,” I said, reaching for her hand and standing up.
Kayla followed my lead without any questions, so I led her down the slope of the dune to the hard-packed sand along the water’s edge, holding her hand tightly in mine. It’d been forever since I’d been on the beach at night. The soft lap of the waves against the beach, and the hint of suntan lotion, fish, and salt drifting in the air always reminded me of when I was a child. How my mother had enjoyed spending the days at the beach. How she’d lift me over the waves.
Not wanting to think about my mother, I turned my attention back to the beautiful woman beside me. “Not that I care, but where’s Charity?”
“Humph! As usual, she and her boyfriend took off almost immediately after we arrived. I’d been waiting for you for more than an hour. I’d just about given up and was going to call in a plumbing emergency to get you here, but thought they might get a little suspicious when I requested you by name.” The words tumbled out of her mouth in a flood of truth, something I wasn’t accustomed to.
A roll of laughter overcame me and I couldn’t stop. The girl was adorable.
She huffed, attempting to pull her hand out of mine. “Great! First you make me wait. Now you’re laughing at me.”
“I’m not laughing at you,” I said, refusing to let her go. “Well, not at you anyway. You’re right, Kayla, I am a snob.” I pulled her in front of me, taking her other hand in mine. “I was so excited to see you tonight, and then I went and talked myself out of coming because I knew you couldn’t be interested in me. Once I got home, I realized I owed you because of the work you did for me — Wait, that didn’t come out right. I wanted to come, but I’m scared, and you’re so honest, and I just don’t understand …” I moved my hands to her shoulders, pulling her even closer. Watching how her eyes smoldered in the dim light, there was no resisting this time. I reached behind her neck, but held back a few inches to gauge her response. Closing her eyes, she lifted her chin. We were alone now, and she wanted to kiss me, too. I closed the distance, lightly touching my lips to hers.
Her lips were warm and yielded to mine. I moved softly and tentatively, but pulled her closer, entangling my fingers through her long curls. Her hands wrapped around my waist as she took a deep breath. My heart pounded out an erratic rhythm, and it no longer mattered that she came from money or that she lived three states away. I wanted to make her mine. Never had I felt so compelled by a girl, and I’d only known her for a few hours.
I breathed in her breath, tasted her on my tongue. “Kayla,” I whispered under our kiss, “please … we have to stop.” I didn’t want to, so I hoped she would. She did, but with a questioning look and a longing that still filled her eyes. “I’m sorry.”
She smiled. “I’m not. That was nice. I’m glad to see that maybe I’m your type after all.” She released a quick laugh, but then looked embarrassed.
“You are exactly my type, Kayla.” I threaded my fingers with hers and started down the beach again. The ice had been broken. She liked me. I liked her. I’d do my best to forget everything else.
We walked for miles, talking about nothing important. We discussed movies we liked, movies we hated. Books we loved, books we hated. What we thought about different music, laughing at the fact that not only did we listen to the same music, we listened to the same channel. We lived states away, and yet we were always listening to the same song at the same time, an interesting factor of satellite radio.
There were also many differences in our lives. Kayla lived on several acres of land with horses; I’d only sat on one once, and only for a few minutes. I spent my free days at the beach or springs kayaking; she’d never sat in a kayak.
Kayla stopped near the water’s edge and stared up at me, a smile on her face. “So, back to books … you really read the entire series?”
“I like to learn.” I shrugged. “Since all the girls love the series, I wanted to know why. Personally, I don’t get the attraction to the actor. He always looks angry, but I understand the character in the book. He was old-fashioned and chivalrous.”
She smiled. “I agree.”
I nodded, hoping she really did agree. Most girls didn’t seem to appreciate values and chivalry in a real guy. At least not the ones I’d dated. Even though I’d given my ex-girlfriends my reasons, they pushed me. I knew the first date wasn’t the time to broach the subject, but it was better to let Kayla know now, so she wouldn’t react the way Morgan had.
“Let’s sit for a while before we head back.” I gently coaxed Kayla to the sand beside me. This was a serious conversation. I’d hated it when Morgan embarrassed me about it, so better to find out immediately. “Can I ask you a question?”
Kayla nuzzled up against my side. “Of course. How else will you learn who I am?”
A small laugh popped out of me, even though I didn’t feel like laughing. “Are you? I mean … have you ever?” I looked down at our entwined fingers. “You know …” I felt like a fool. It was too soon for this conversation. “Never mind.”
She stared at me for a second, then her eyes widened. “Are you asking if I’ve ever been with a guy?”
Yes, it was too early. I’d evidently read more into the evening than she had. I exhaled loudly, hanging my head in humiliation. “Yes. I’m sorry.”
“I haven’t! And I’m not planning to tonight either!” Obviously misunderstanding my question, she wriggled herself from my arms.
I pulled her back down again. She was feisty. “That’s not what I meant. You thought I was asking you if you wanted to — right here? Remember, I was the one who stopped the kissing.”
“Oh, yeah … I guess I overreacted. I just thought you were different, Jesse.”
Nudging up her chin, I locked eyes with her. “I am different, Kayla, and I’m relieved to hear that you haven’t. It’s so uncommon. But I haven’t either, and it takes a lot of pressure off me.” I swiped at my brow, laughing, but my insides ached at how many times I’d had to defend my choices. “You can’t imagine the pressure a guy has to deal with.”
“It’s not much different with girls.” She sighed and leaned against my shoulder
again. “So … where do we go from here? It’s obvious that we’re both each other’s type, but we live six hundred miles apart. Is that a problem for you?”
Kayla had a way of breaking through all the walls and just saying what she intended. Good thing, too, or I wouldn’t have this opportunity with her.
I pulled her closer and pressed my lips to hers again. “How ’bout we start with another date, and then we’ll just take everything day by day. I would like to take you to do one of my favorite things tomorrow. What do you say?”
Her eyes lit up, and she was the same Kayla I’d been with all day. I wouldn’t worry about next week or next month; I’d simply enjoy this time with her.
After a few more probing questions about our different lives, and several short kissing sessions, we made our way back to the circle. Charity had returned with her clique, but she was sitting by herself, an unusual occurrence. Her eyes flipped wide, then narrowed into slits when she saw us walking hand in hand.
So Kayla hadn’t told Charity she’d invited me? Transported back to six months earlier, the day I’d broken up with Morgan, I dropped Kayla’s hand.
Kayla came to a sudden halt, pulling me to a stop as well by grabbing my arm. “What happened?” she growled. “Did you not want Charity to see you with me?”
How could I keep misreading her actions? What was my problem? I wrapped my arm around her waist. “Just the opposite. I thought maybe you didn’t want her to see you with me,” I whispered.
We were still out of hearing range if we whispered, but Kayla huffed loudly. “Have you been listening to anything I’ve said all day and night?” Her voice had gone up an octave. “Do you think I give a flip what she or anyone else thinks?”
“No,” I said. “I’m sorry.”
“And stop saying you’re sorry. Just stop doing it!” She wrapped her arm around my waist as well and started moving forward again. “Hey, Charity,” Kayla called as we neared the group of partyers. They were all pretty lit up, one of the other reasons I didn’t hang out with them. I didn’t drink, and they never understood it. Years of watching my father slip deeper and deeper into depression, letting go of everything he loved, had sealed the deal. The alcohol my father consumed nightly didn’t fight off his demons; it just numbed him into nothingness. I had no desire for that life.
Charity raised her chin. “Where’ve you been? I’ve been worried about you.” Her gaze seared Kayla, then moved on to me. Maybe I’d read Charity wrong all these years? I was grateful I’d never attempted to date her, though. She would’ve been exactly like Morgan, and I wouldn’t have the opportunity I now have with Kayla, who clearly wasn’t like any of these spoiled-rotten girls. Charity continued, “I’m leaving. Are you ready?” I couldn’t help but smile at her reaction. Although I hadn’t meant to upset her, it clearly ticked her off. She drilled her gaze at me. “And don’t you have some toilets to plunge, Jesse?”
Kayla leapt from my arms, aiming directly for Charity’s throat. Charity had no time to react, and her eyes grew wide with horror.
“Whoa,” I said, launching forward, grabbing Kayla’s waist, managing to pull her back. “I guess I’ll be taking you home, then.” I gently pulled her in the direction of my truck. “What the heck was that all about?” I asked as I opened the passenger door for her to enter.
Crossing her arms over her chest, she fell back into the seat with a loud huff. After closing her door, I walked around to the driver’s side and slid behind the wheel. I sat for a few minutes without starting the truck, allowing her time to cool off.
Kayla pulled in a deep breath, then pushed it out as though trying to calm herself. “I assume the way you treated me this morning and this evening is because you think I’m like her. Well, I’m not! Yes, I have money, but you never would’ve known if you hadn’t come to my grandmother’s house, because I don’t flaunt it. I don’t want people to like me for my money.
“My dad married my grandmother’s daughter, but they never accepted anything from my grandparents. My dad worked hard for everything he’s accomplished in life. And I work too! I take care of my horses and the house. I cook and clean, and babysit when I get a chance. Not that I need the money, he’d give me anything I want. But I don’t want my father’s money. I want to be like him.” Kayla paused for a breath. “And you!” she shrieked. “You assume I’m like her!”
I interrupted her then. “I did assume, Kayla, and I apologized for that. We already hashed that out, remember? You’re angry with Charity right now, not me.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“Don’t be sorry. Just stop doing it.” I smiled at the opportunity to use her words against her. She returned my smile, obviously unable to stay angry long. I liked that about her, too.
“So, my knight in a not-so-shiny pickup, will you take me home?”
“It’d be my honor. You’re pretty feisty, cowgirl.” I couldn’t keep the grin off my face. “By the way, thanks for sticking up for me, but you didn’t have to do that. I make good money, and unlike those putzes, I don’t have to ask my daddy for money; actually, I’m on the payroll.” I laughed, hoping she would too.
She lowered her head, looking embarrassed by her outburst. “I shouldn’t have done that.”
“No harm done.” I slid her next to me. “You really are my type, Kayla. What time do you wake up? It’s a long drive where I want to take you, so we need to start early.”
“I’m up by five at home so I can take care of things before I go to school. I’ve been sleeping in on spring break, though. How ’bout six?”
“Perfect. I’ll be on your doorstep at six a.m. sharp. Bring a bathing suit and a change of clothes.”
She rested her head on my shoulder. “So you won’t make me wait for an hour?”
I turned on the engine and shifted into drive. “I’ll never be late again. I promise.”
She shivered on my arm, and I wondered if she was cold or if my words had actually caused her reaction. I reached for the heater and turned it on low just in case. She relaxed into my arm, and it felt incredible. I leaned my head on hers and inhaled. She smelled good. Her shampoo, I suspected. I couldn’t quite make out the scent, but it blended with the sea air and a hint of the campfire, and was intoxicating. I sighed deeply, and she looked up at me. Her eyes held a question that I couldn’t read yet, but I was sure with time I’d know everything about her. Kayla was very open; she held back nothing.
When we arrived at her house, I got out of the truck and quickly headed around the front to her side of the cab, but she was already out. So I took her hand and led her up to the door. My heart started pounding again in anticipation of another kiss that would carry me through the night. She didn’t disappoint. She turned at the last second and stopped right in front of my face. I didn’t pause this time. I touched the side of her face, noticing she didn’t close her eyes until I started kissing her this time. I gave in to the kiss completely. She wanted this as much as I did.
I couldn’t stay long, though. Her grandmother would be looking for her, and Charity would be home any minute. But I made the most of the few precious moments we had. I’d remember this night forever, I was certain. Even if we were over in a week, I’d treasure this night with this wonderful girl in my arms forever. When we parted, I simply stared into her eyes again. I didn’t want to let her go even for seven hours, but I forced myself to back away, and then to turn at the steps and leave. When I got to my truck, I looked back and she was still standing there. I barely had the strength to shift the truck into drive.
Chapter 5 - Kayla
Still lost in the evening — in Jesse’s kiss — I walked into my grandmother’s house, feeling as though I could float across the room. Gram had been right. Jesse was wonderful. Sweet. Smart. Funny. Perfect. Just our first date and I couldn’t imagine being with anyone other than Jesse … ever.
“Gram!” I poked my head around the wall of the kitchen, where she often leaned over the counter while finishing the morning
paper’s crossword puzzle.
“In here, Kayla,” Gram called from the sunroom at the back of the house.
“Oh, Gram! I’m in love!” I plopped down into a chair next to her.
Gram set down the book she’d been reading. “I thought you would be. I saw the same thing in him I saw in your father, and I knew you would fall as head over heels as your mother had. I was afraid Charity was going to try to scoop him up, but he had no interest in her, just as your father had no interest in Melissa.” She sighed. “It’s as though I’m watching a remake of the same play I saw twenty years earlier.”
“Really?” I laughed. “Jesse thought you were trying to set him up with Charity.”
“Why on earth would I do that? She’s been seeing that one boy for a while. They seem to like each other a lot. Nathan, I think that’s his name.”
“I can’t see why anyone would like Charity—”
“Kayla M’Lynn!”
“Sorry. It’s just … she said the rudest thing to Jesse tonight. Yelled at him, asking didn’t he have toilets to plunge. I was so mad he had to drive me home.”
Gram sighed again. “Charity’s got a good heart; she’s just always trying to get attention. When it’s just her and me, she’s never trouble.” She waved her hand as though she were swatting away a fly. “Don’t worry about her. How do you think Jess feels about you?”
My heart felt warm all of a sudden. It felt good to talk with Gram about Jesse. I’d missed this kind of talk for the last few years. “Well, he asked me out again. Said he’ll be here at six a.m, so I guess that’s a good sign.”
Love Like Crazy (Crazy Love Book 1) Page 3