by S. K. Rose
Fortunately, tomorrow the EkoTek convention is in town, so at least when Scarlett shoots me down again, I’ll have something to look forward to.
Getting out of the car, I fix my tie and take a deep breath.
Here goes nothing.
I’m welcomed into the house by a bubbly Julie who takes me by the arm and gives me a short tour of the house. Since our talk last week, we’ve become something akin to friends. After breakfast, we hung out the rest of the day, chatting and watching movies. The girl can throw back shots like a champ and is the only person I’ve met who can whoop my ass on Dance Dance Revolution.
Before leaving to entertain her other guests, Julie nods her head toward the backyard and winks. I mouth a “thank you” and head to the sliding door. I pause when I hear hushed voices to my left.
Not feeling particularly good about myself for being a snoop, I stop to listen.
“Oh dear, this just won’t do.”
“I have given them everything, and this is how they repay me? My sweet husband must be rolling over in his grave.”
That has to be Scarlett’s mom.
“The foolish dear must have gotten herself knocked up, how tragic.”
“Not my Julie. She’s just been spending too much time with her defiant sister, thinking she can do whatever the hell she wants with no consequences.”
“Scarlett has been a horrid influence.”
“Trust me, Margarie, I know. What on earth can I do but play along now? I won’t be made a laughing stock...”
I step away slowly, a conversation I was never supposed to hear tumbling around in my head. Wow, just...wow. It was one thing to hear about their mom, but another thing completely to hear the way she spoke about her own daughters. It’s a kick in the gut, especially when I compare her to my own mother. We didn’t have money, but we had a whole lot of love and that’s not something I would have changed for the world.
Sliding open the door, I step onto the wooden back patio. I spot Scarlett right away beneath a giant oak tree, but she’s not alone. There’s a lumbering guy standing too close to her for my comfort. He screams rich asshole from his giant gold watch to his designer suit. I walk along the house, staying in the shadows, until I can hear their conversation.
For the second time this evening, I eavesdrop like a creep.
“Baby, you know they didn’t mean anything. Stop playing these games and just come back to me.” His sleazy voice makes me want to throat punch him. I hold my breath for her response, please don’t fall for that shit.
“You’re a pig,” she snarls back, and my heart soars.
You fucking tell that asshole.
He takes a step closer to her, wrapping his fingers around her forearm. “Look at you, Scar, your baby sister is getting married, and you’re here all alone. Do you think you can do better than me? Stop being such a bitch and give me a second chance, ‘cause this? This is just pathetic…”
This has to be that Cody guy Julie was telling me about. Fucking prick.
I step out of the shadows, my fists clenched in fury. “Scarlett, sweetheart, there you are.” His hand releases her arm as he steps back in confusion. I let out a breath of relief, the sight of him touching her was making my head spin.
At first, her eyebrows scrunch together, but her face quickly brightens as a breathtaking smile lights up her features. “Kane! Sweetie, so glad you could make it.” I slip my arm around her waist, and she relaxes against me as if we’ve stood this way a hundred times before. The palm of her hand lays flat against my chest as she looks up at me with adoring hazel eyes. A bolt of excitement rushes through me at how good it feels to have her close again, even under false pretenses.
Cody points accusingly at me. “Who the hell is this?”
Scarlett twirls a lock of hair as she tilts her head in feigned innocence. “Oh, did I not mention? I’m with Kane now.”
His lip curls. “Whatever. You’ll come crawling back when this joker can’t please you.”
Scarlett grins like a cat who’s eyed a field mouse. “I don’t know, he sure managed to please me last night.” She holds up her fingers and with a whisper adds, “All seven times.”
I jerk her closer, and she lets out a breathy giggle. “How about we beat that number tonight, Freckles?” I growl, my dick hardening at the hypothetical sex.
She gives one last look at her fuming ex before she turns back toward me and bites her bottom lip. I take the hint and press my lips against hers in a kiss. She moans against my mouth as her hand snakes into my hair and grips it forcefully. I deepen the kiss, letting my tongue slip into her mouth. She presses her body so close to mine that I can feel her heart beating furiously against me. I moan against her mouth when her hand finds my dick and gives it a squeeze through my pants.
Grabbing a handful of her ass, I grind against her, my dick getting even harder when she writhes against me. Her teeth bite down on my bottom lip, and I hiss in pain, knowing she broke the skin. I shove her against the tree and let my hands move up and down the tiny black dress that hugs every one of her delicious curves.
Somewhere in the distance, I hear a grunt of disgust and footsteps, but in our frenzied state, neither of us pay it any mind.
I slide my hand across the inside of her thigh, and her body shudders with excitement. Her warm tongue licks slowly up the side of my neck before she nips my earlobe. Sliding my hand higher up her thigh, gently pushing my thumb against her wet panties. Her head tilts back against the tree as she lets out a strangled moan.
“Don’t fucking stop,” she cries.
I grin and push her panties out of the way. My thumb presses against her swollen clit as I slide two fingers inside her. Her breath hitches, her mouth opens, but no intelligible sound comes out. Curving my fingers slightly, I plunge them deeper inside, and with each movement, my thumb rubs against her clit. Her moaning gets louder with each thrust of my fingers until I have to clamp my free hand against her mouth. Her eyes close, and I move my hand faster, every muscle in her body clenches and shakes until I feel her release with a muffled scream.
As her body goes limp against the rough bark, I slide my fingers out of her and bring them to my lips. As she regards me with hooded eyes, I suck them clean, tasting her sweet pussy for the second time. Her eyes dip to my zipper, my fingers felt good, but she knows what part of me will truly satisfy her.
The sound of glass breaking from inside the house snaps us both out of the lustful daze. With the back of my hand, I wipe the little bit of blood from my lip. Such a hellion.
Face flushed, Scarlett’s eyes grow large with panic as they dart around the yard. Turning around myself, I let out a breath of relief as I notice that Cody is nowhere to be seen, and we’re completely alone under the shadow of the great tree.
Her beautiful face twists into a scowl as she pushes me away. After fixing her underwear, she yanks down her dress and glares at me. “What the hell was that?”
I hold out my hands. “The part where I got rid of the douche or the part where I gave you an orgasm?”
“I didn’t want…I didn’t ask for any of it.”
“Yeah? Well, ‘don’t stop’ was a pretty clear signal if you ask me.”
She blows out an angry breath. “Whatever. I was just horny, and you were here.”
I scoff, “oh, is that all?”
She crosses her arms. “Yep. You mean nothing to me now that I know who you really are, Karnage.”
I shake my head slowly. “You know, sweetie, I think deep down you still like me. You just wish you didn’t anymore.”
Her eyes roll to the sky. “You were a piece of shit when you were a teenager, and it’s obvious nothing has changed. I’m going to laugh when I stomp your ass out and win the internship for myself.”
My nostrils flare. “You think you’re hot shit, don’t you?”
Her eyebrow raises in amusement. She’s toying with me. “Compared to you? I’m on fire. Don’t come to my house and try to have the upper hand.
I’ll be civil for the sake of Julie and Leo, but that’s it. Oh and thanks for scratching that itch for me.”
My jaw ticks as I remind myself that hitting the bride’s sister won’t be taken well.
“Glad I got to see the bitch side of you before I fell for the fake side,” I bite out.
Her eyes flash with fury.
15
Scarlett
Did he just call me a bitch?
He did not just call me a bitch.
“Get out.” I point to the gate at the side of the house.
His arms cross over his chest as he smirks. “Make me.”
“Nobody wants you here,” I snarl.
“Well, I think Leo wants me here. And for that matter, Julie wants me here too.”
I stomp my foot in the grass and blow out a breath. “You’re the fucking worst. So full of yourself, you’re nothing, and everyone will know it sooner or later.”
His eyebrows waggle. “You know who else was full of me…”
My nose crinkles in disgust. “Ugh.”
I try to push past him, but his arm shoots out to stop me.
Shoulder to shoulder, facing opposite ways, I can’t see his face, but I can hear the sudden dip in his tone. “I...didn’t like that asshole touching you.”
Even as my blood simmers with rage, my heart skips a beat. He’s jealous?
He’s jealous, and I like it?
Oh fuck me.
“Well, I was about five seconds from breaking his fingers. But seeing the look on his face when I said I was with you—way more satisfying.”
“I hope that wasn’t the only thing satisfying,” he adds in a husky voice.
I shake my head and push forward again. I need to get away from Kane; he’s poison, infecting my mind and confusing my thoughts. I loathe him and that’s the only thing I want to feel toward him.
“Just wait a second,” he huffs. “I’m going to be at EkoCon this weekend; I figured you would want to know, so you could make sure you go on a different day.”
I bark out a laugh. “Well, I’m going tomorrow, so make sure you go on a different day. It’s bad enough that I’m forced to see you during wedding events; I shouldn’t have to suffer at my favorite convention as well.”
“I already have my ticket for tomorrow,” he grits out. “You move your day.”
“Make me,” I challenge.
His features harden. “Fine, let me just take a gander at my schedule.” He opens an imaginary list and pretends to throw it over his shoulder. “Aww shucks, Freckles, looks like you’ll be forced to see me there after all.”
I shove his arm down. “Fine, just keep your distance. I’m bringing a date, and I don’t need you getting in the way.”
I absolutely do not have a date.
“I didn’t realize guys were into dating stubborn gamer chicks with bad attitudes.” Mocking me, he starts to slow clap. “You should really hold on to this winner. Is it another money bags like Cody the douche nozzle?”
“Who I date is none of your business. You and I are not in a relationship; we had one date—that’s it, and that’s all it ever will be.”
“Bullshit!” he retorts.
“Bullshit?” I laugh. “What does that even mean?”
“We didn’t just have a date, we had a fucking kickass date followed by mind blowing sex. You like me, I like you, so give us a chance and stop being so damn pig headed.”
My eyes narrow into slits. “Didn’t we just cover this? I don’t like you. I can’t stand you,” I spit.
“Yeah?” He turns to me. “So why is it that every time I get close, you swallow as if you’re nervous?” He grabs my wrist, pressing two fingers against my racing pulse. “And why does your heart speed up?” His lips move to my ear. I’m frozen in place. His hand caresses up my arm and slides around the back of my neck. “And why was your pussy so damn wet before I even touched you?” he breathes.
A shiver runs through my body.
A shout followed by laughter breaks me free of his spell.
I jerk back and slap him across the face.
Instead of looking shocked or hurt, he just laughs. “I sure get under your skin, don’t I, Freckles?”
A strangled noise comes from my throat. Spinning on my heels, I storm into the house before my assault turns into a homicide.
Who the hell does he think he is?
Coming here with his blue eyes and magic fingers like he owns me. He keeps wiggling his way into my mind and screwing with the wiring in my brain until I let down my guard and do something stupid.
These games need to end. I have to stay in control.
I can’t fail, not with these messed up feelings, and definitely not in the competition.
I stomp past guests and into my room, slamming the door behind me. Not wanting my sister or Mom to know I’m hiding from the party, I decide against flipping the light on. Moonlight pours into my bedroom through the window and provides enough light for me to see.
I walk to the floor length mirror and take inventory of the confused girl looking back at me. The bottom half of my dress is twisted to one side, and there are bits of leaves and bark stuck in my red curls. My cheeks are flushed, and there’s a wild look dancing in my eyes. I reach up and touch my lips as I remember the way he tasted.
They say to keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
Well, I’m keeping him close alright.
Close to me. Against me. Inside me...
I’m startled out of my heated thoughts by a sudden movement in the mirror. My bedroom door creaks open, and Kane’s face appears in the opening. Not moving a muscle, I watch as he steps inside and closes the door softly behind him.
Silently, he crosses the room to stand behind me.
He watches me carefully through the reflection of the mirror. “Your sister said you might be in here,” he says in a hushed tone. “This your bedroom?”
My mouth goes dry. He’s not touching me, but he’s so close I can smell his aftershave, I can feel his warm breath on my neck. It takes every ounce of self-control I possess to not lean back and melt into his chest.
I clear my throat. “Um, it used to be. I live in the dorms now…” I trail off, watching in the mirror as his hand rises. Carefully, he brushes the hair off of my neck, tucking a few strands behind my ear. With my neck bared so close to his lips, I feel exposed. Vulnerable.
It’s a feeling I’ve always hated.
Or so I thought.
Why is this so confusing?
“Freckles,” he mutters, almost as if he’s talking to himself rather than me. “You’re driving me crazy, I mean pull out my hair and stab my leg with a fork fucking crazy. And damn near every time you open that mouth of yours now, you find a way to piss me off.”
Heat rises up my neck. I part my lips to lash out, but he gives me a sharp look, and the words die on my tongue.
“That being said...since our date, I cannot get you out of my head.” His lips press against my exposed neck, and a wave of desire pulses through me. My thighs clench together as I remember the rough bark biting into my flesh, the way his fingers felt as they slid up my thigh. The pain, the pleasure, the fear that someone could have been watching us.
Kane brings out the feral side of me, one that craves to be tamed by his hand.
I squeeze my eyes shut and take several deep breaths before reopening them. I’m letting him do it again, letting him distract me from the truth. From who he really is—the enemy.
“I hate you,” I whisper. His startled eyes lock with mine in the mirror.
Brow furrowed, he nods slowly. “I hate you, too.” My stomach drops at his words.
Without warning, his teeth sink into my neck, and I let out a gasp of pleasure. My back arches as my head falls back against his shoulder.
“But God do I love to hate you, Freckles,” he murmurs as he licks up the indentation that his teeth left in my soft skin.
He steps away quickly and I have to catch myself befo
re I crash to the carpet. When I’ve regained my balance, he’s gone.
I comb my fingers through my hair and groan. I can’t go back out to the party, not with the whirling emotions that I’m struggling to stay afloat in. I strip out of the tiny black dress and pull on some comfy pajamas. I text my sister to let her know where I am and go to the only place that can calm me.
Taking a seat at my desk, I tuck my legs under me and log into Tactical Heart. I glance at my headset but don’t put it on. Wren always knows when something is wrong. How can I talk about something that I can’t even start to understand myself?
I disappear into my game. I become RedWyrm, and my only problem is deciding which quest I’m going to undertake next.
Around midnight, when the party has been long over, my door flies open. Jules and Nessa tumble into the room, laughing like hyenas.
When Nessa spots me, she claps excitedly. “Yay, we found Scarlett!”
“My beautiful sister!” Jules gasps from beside her. They both charge over and hug me from either side, tugging at my arms until I’m teetering back and forth in my chair.
“Oh my gosh! What happened to your hair?” My sister cries out as she starts pulling debris out of my hair.
I chuckle. “Wow, you guys hit those sangrias hard, huh?”
Nessa pets my arm as she checks herself out in the mirror. “Mhm, they’re yummy. Speaking of yummy, why the hell didn’t you tell me Mr. Gamer Boy was so fine?”
Julie pipes up. “She’s scared because she hates him, but really, she loooooves him.”
Nessa gasps. “Pendeja, you love him?!”
“No,” I scoff. “Absolutely not, I can’t stand him.”
“Nessy, what does pen-day-ha mean?” Julie slurs.
She leans behind me to whisper to my sister. “Pendeja means idiot.”
I look to the ceiling and inhale deeply as the girls dissolve into a fit of giggles.
“I’m literally right here, Nessa. Damn it! I thought this whole time you were calling me nerd or something.”
“That’s ‘cause…” She struggles to talk between bouts of laughter. “You’re a pendeja.” They both fall to the carpet as they clutch their stomachs and struggle to breathe.