The Day He Came Back

by Ward, Penelope

  He went to open his mouth.

  “Don’t you dare make an innuendo out of that one, Masterson.”

  “You know me so well…”

  “That you have a dirty mind? Yes. You’re pretty funny, too. I’ll give you that.”

  “Funny. Alright. I’ll take that. Anything else?”

  I wanted to say incredibly handsome and charming…sexy. Instead, I winked. “That’s it for now.”

  He took his keys out. “Let me drive you home.”

  “I told Marni to expect a call from me for a ride.”

  “You’re gonna make me face her again? I might not survive it a second time.”

  That made me laugh. She had been harsh with him.

  He disarmed the car. “Come on. I’ll take you straight home. No detours.”

  I supposed there was no harm in letting him drive me. “Okay.”

  He came around and opened the passenger door for me. The familiar smell of his car—leather mixed with his cologne—was as arousing as ever.

  As he began to drive off, he looked at me. “I know I said no detours, but…”

  “But…” I laughed.

  “Steak ‘n Shake is right down the road, and I never did feed you tonight. I figure the humble likes of Steak ‘n Shake is a good way to counter the rich and entitled impression Marni has of me. They also make my favorite milkshakes. Win-win.”

  My stomach grumbled. “I could go for a shake.”

  “Yeah? Let’s do it, then.”

  When we got to the drive-thru, we each ordered a steakburger, fries, and a milkshake before scarfing the food down in comfortable silence while parked in the lot.

  When he noticed me typing on my phone, he asked, “Who are you texting?”

  “I had to let Marni know you’re taking me home.”

  “What did she say?”

  “Not sure you want to know.”

  “Show it to me. How bad could it be?”

  Unsure of what would be worse—letting him see it or withholding—I reluctantly handed him the phone.

  Marni: He’s a devil in sheep’s clothing. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

  Gavin’s smile faded to a frown. “Her love for me knows no bounds. I’m touched.” He shook his head. “Wow.”

  “She has a lot of preconceived notions that come from years of listening to her disgruntled mother’s stories about working in Palm Beach. I don’t believe her, incidentally.”

  “Good. Tell me why, though.”

  “Because I base my opinions on actions, not assumptions. And you’ve given me no reason not to trust you. You’ve been honest with me—at least, I think you have.”

  “There is something I’ve bent the truth on.”

  “What?”

  “I said my mother wouldn’t find out about this, and the fact is, I can’t guarantee that, especially with my meddling brother around. I can try like hell to keep things from her, but that woman has her ways sometimes. So tonight is a little bit of a risk. I’m technically putting your job in danger if somehow my mother finds out. Being here with you right now is really selfish and inconsiderate of me. But I can’t help wanting to be around you. And spending this time with you tonight only made it worse.”

  How could I be mad at that?

  “What other truths have you bent?”

  “I’m pretending I’m okay being your friend right now, when all I want to do is taste your lips.”

  I swallowed. He wasn’t the only one. I’d been staring at Gavin’s luscious mouth all night, wishing I could feel it on mine.

  “I think you’re incredibly beautiful,” he added, “in a way that makes my pulse race every single time I look at you. Everything about you is different in a good way. You’re genuine as fuck, and I love being around you.”

  Hardly able to breathe, I said, “You’re infatuated with me because I’m different. That will wear off.”

  “Not sure how you could know that.”

  As much as I loved being around him, too, I fell into self-protective mode. “I don’t want to be someone’s summer fling. I don’t think you’ll hurt me on purpose. I just think you’re having fun with the idea of me right now.”

  “If you think that’s all this is, then why did you agree to come out with me tonight?”

  That was a damn good question. There was only one answer. “Because on some level, I can’t help myself, either. I’m probably just as curious about you as you are about me.”

  “Okay, so we know we’re bad for each other—or mostly, I’m bad for you—but yet…we want to be around each other anyway. So why bother trying to stop it?”

  I didn’t want to stop it. And that scared the hell out of me. Instead of answering, I shut down. “I think you should take me home.”

  “You’re deflecting. Okay. I’ll take that as you agreeing I’m right.”

  He started the car and took off down the road.

  After he turned onto my street, I pointed toward my house. “It’s this one right here.”

  “I know.”

  Surprised, I asked, “How do you know?”

  “I saw it on Google Earth.”

  “Creepy much?”

  “I looked up your address in my father’s directory.”

  “You wanted to see just how bad the other side lives?”

  “No. Not at all. I was just curious. Not in a bad way.”

  After he parked in front of my house, he looked out the window toward our modest home. “It’s…nice.”

  “You’re so full of shit.”

  “What do you want me to say? Nice rust stain on the side of the house?”

  “At least that would be accurate!”

  “I don’t think it’s bad at all. It’s a cute house.”

  Feeling anxious, I looked toward the front door. “I’d better go before my mother notices the car.”

  “Do you really think Renata would be mad that you’re with me? Or is it because of my mother?”

  “It’s all about Ruth. My mom thinks you’re great. It has nothing to do with her feelings toward you.”

  “Okay. Good. That would have sucked.”

  I rubbed my hands together, not really knowing what to do with them. “Well…thank you again for a really fun time.”

  Gavin just stared at me, his eyes heavy and fixated on my lips. Between that look and his arousing scent, I was so turned on. The last thing I wanted to do was leave. I wanted to taste him.

  “Don’t look at me like that,” I said, though I loved the way he was looking at me.

  “Like what?”

  “Like you want to…eat me or something.”

  “I do. Very badly.” He cocked a grin and shrugged. “Hey, you said you wanted honesty.”

  The muscles between my legs clenched. “You’re so bad.”

  “I think you like that about me, though.”

  “What makes you say that?”

  “Because you’re still here. You could’ve run out of the car, but you don’t want to leave. I can feel it. You’re scared, but you don’t want to go.”

  He reached over for my hand and threaded his long fingers with mine. My hand seemed so small inside his. He was a big guy.

  He rubbed his thumb gently across my hand. I somehow felt it over my entire body.

  We sat in silence for several seconds before he said, “I want to kiss you.”

  The strain in his voice and the hazy look in his eyes told me he meant it.

  I wanted that, too. But I knew the moment my lips touched his, that would mark the beginning of an inevitable heartbreak.

  “I have to go,” I whispered.

  Still, I didn’t move. I felt an invisible pull between us, or maybe it was Gavin’s hand moving me toward him.

  The next thing I knew, he had taken my mouth with his, groaning down my throat the moment our lips touched. He sighed as if a long hunger had been satisfied. There was no easing into it. The feel of his hot and greedy mouth, his tongue circling mine, was incredible. So rather
than retreat, I did what felt natural. I opened wider to let him in, no longer caring about the repercussions.

  I wrapped my hands around his face, and my fingers traced his beautiful bone structure. Moving my mouth lower, I bit gently at his cleft chin, letting my tongue glide along it. I loved that little indentation.

  My chin worship lasted only a few seconds before he began to devour my mouth again, this time faster and even more intensely. Our bodies pressed together.

  An indeterminate amount of time passed as I allowed myself to be completely lost in him. His smell, his taste had overpowered any sense of right or wrong. Kissing him was addicting, and anyway, the one time I attempted to retreat, he pulled me into him harder.

  And I loved it. I loved how assertive he was, how he controlled every part of this, how he kissed me like he was making love to my mouth.

  I was so wet, and my arousal just kept escalating. Now his mouth was on my neck, his hot breath skating over my skin, his fingers digging into my side. My nipples were so hard, wanting desperately to be sucked. But he stopped short of that, moving his mouth back up to mine. I wouldn’t have stopped him from going lower, but a part of me was relieved. I wasn’t sure I would’ve stopped him from doing anything he wanted.

  That realization gave me just enough strength to really pull back this time.

  Panting, I barely got the words out. “I have to go.”

  Ignoring me, he pulled me in for another kiss, and the frenzy started all over again.

  I melted back into him, but spoke over his lips, “I really do have to go.”

  He nodded, nipping at my neck, his hands cradling my face. “I can’t stop.” He kissed me again. “I’m addicted.”

  After another moment, he finally ripped himself away from me and leaned his head back on the seat.

  Covering his lips, he said, “You’d better run before I kiss you again.”

  “Okay.” I started to let myself out, my breaths still heavy. “Goodnight.”

  When I was halfway to my door, he called my name.

  I turned to face him. “Yeah?”

  “I hope that cleared up the fact that this was, in fact, a date. It was always a date. We’re dating.” He smiled mischievously.

  I pursed my lips to stop myself from laughing and stumbled away. I wasn’t even drunk, yet I felt buzzed—high.

  He waited until I’d safely entered the house before driving off.

  Once inside, I jumped at the sight of my mother standing with her arms crossed. Shit. This was not good.

  She looked worried. “What are you doing, Raven?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “What are you doing with Gavin?”

  “You saw his car…”

  “Of course I saw his car! No one has a car like that in this neighborhood. You were parked out there for over a half hour.”

  “Please don’t be mad.”

  “I’m not mad. I’m just…worried.”

  “About Ruth?”

  “Yes. Of course. If she finds out, not only will your job be on the line, but mine, too.”

  How could I be so dumb? For a moment there, I’d forgotten it wasn’t only my head on the line. That was stupid of me.

  “You don’t think Gunther would let her fire you after all these years, do you?”

  “Make no mistake, that woman wears the pants. Even though he has a good heart, he only has so much control. She’d torture him until she got her way if she really wanted to get rid of me.”

  The guilt began to set in.

  “I’m sorry, Mom. I don’t mean to be jeopardizing your job.”

  She placed her head in her hands. “I hate putting you in this position. You should be able to date whomever you want. I know that.” She let out an exasperated sigh. “How did this come about anyway—you and him?”

  “Well, we’ve gone to get coffee a couple of times. He’s always been very friendly with me. Then he asked me to go to this improv club with him tonight. I know I told you I was going out with Marni. I’m sorry. I didn’t want to upset you. Anyway, Gavin and I…we actually performed together. It was open mic night. We had such a great time.” I paused. “Mom, I really like him.”

  My mother closed her eyes briefly. “Oh, Raven. Just be careful.”

  “I think he’s going to ask me out again. I don’t want to say no. And I also don’t want to lie to you.”

  “I don’t want you to lie to me, either. Even if it’s something I don’t agree with, please don’t lie to me. Always tell me where you’re going. You’re twenty, an adult. I know you’re ultimately going to do what you want. So all I can do is warn you.”

  The guilt continued killing me, because as much as I didn’t want to jeopardize my mother’s job, I knew in my heart that after our kiss, I wouldn’t be able to resist Gavin very easily.

  I had a lot to think about.

  Later that night, as I lay in bed, I thought I had it all figured out. I would tell Gavin we couldn’t see each other anymore.

  Then he sent me a text that undid my resolve.

  Gavin: That kiss was everything.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  * * *

  GAVIN

  My brother waltzed into my bedroom and helped himself to my energy drink. “How was your date with Raven the other night?”

  “How the hell did you know about that?”

  “I didn’t, but I do now. Thanks for the confirmation.”

  Great.

  He chuckled. “You underestimate how well I know you. You leave the house at, like, 7:30 on a Saturday and don’t say shit to me before you go. You almost always say goodbye and tell me where you’re going. But you didn’t this time. I know how you are. When you want something, you go after it. And it’s painfully obvious what you’re wanting these days: Raven’s ass.”

  “Lower your fucking voice. This is no joke. Our mother is not playing. She’ll fire Raven and make Renata’s life miserable.”

  Weldon scratched his chin. “Speaking of such, I have a proposition for you.”

  “This better not be blackmail.”

  “Nah.” He took a seat and put his dirty feet up on my desk. “This is something I think will benefit us both.”

  I sighed. “What?”

  “You know I’ve been trying to get Crystal Bernstein to go out with me for ages.”

  “Yeah. What’s the point?”

  “I went with Mother to the club for lunch today. I saw Crystal there with her parents. We talked and really hit it off.”

  “Okay...”

  “Well, basically we were hitting it off because you weren’t around. Then, of course, she asked me if you were dating anyone. Apparently, she’s had a crush on you for some time. Big shocker there—people using me to get to you.”

  “I don’t understand where you’re going with this.”

  “I want you to ask her out.”

  “I have no desire to go out with her.”

  “I know that. I want you to start dating her so you can jilt her.”

  “I’m not following.”

  “You’ll go out with her a couple of times. Then you’ll stand her up. She’ll no longer be into you, because you will have pissed her off. That’s when I’ll somehow swoop in and pick up the pieces.”

  “What’s in this for me?”

  “You get to make Mother believe you’ve moved on from Raven for a little while. She’ll start to watch you less, thinking you’re out of your phase. We can get Crystal to meet you here at the house for your first date.”

  Squinting, I said, “There’s more to this. I can tell.”

  “Well, yeah—an incentive. If you do it, I’ll stay out of your way when it comes to Raven. I won’t call Mother’s attention to it, and I’ll even cover for you.”

  “Let me guess, if I don’t agree to this, you’ll act out even worse than before.”

  “You know me so well.” Weldon snickered.

  “You know, technically, as my brother, you’re supposed to support me and
not be a dick without expecting anything in return. But considering you are a dick, it makes sense that you would blackmail me and try to spin it like you’re doing me the favor.”

  “Come on, Gav. This is a win-win. Crystal will be at the club tomorrow. Just go there, ask her out, go on a couple of dates. But don’t kiss her. Then ditch her on, like, the third date and tell me where to be. And I’ll do my part making sure Mother knows all about the dates with Crystal, so she thinks you’ve moved past Raven.”

  I was too old for this high-school shit. But while I didn’t like the idea of giving in to Weldon, this plan didn’t sound that bad. I really did need to get my mother off my back. A little trickery might not hurt.

  “Do you really think this is fair to Crystal?”

  “She’ll end up with someone better in the end.” He winked.

  I let out a long breath. “I can’t believe I’m about to agree to this. And for the record, I’m only doing this because of the purpose it serves me.”

  “Excellent, brother. You won’t regret it.” He stood up and smacked my arm.

  I smacked him harder, and he stumbled back, losing his balance.

  “I’d better not regret it.”

  Weldon shook his head. “Damn, you really have it bad for her ass, don’t you?”

  “Don’t talk about her ass. Don’t talk about Raven period, if you know what’s good for you.”

  ***

  Ten minutes into this date with Crystal, I was already bored. At least I didn’t want to blow my brains out—yet.

  She had insisted on making an emergency stop at Sephora because she’d “lost her favorite tube of lipstick.” So, since we were across the bridge in West Palm anyway, we had lunch outside at City Place. While I wasn’t really enjoying myself, things were at least tolerable. City Place was always great for people-watching.

  My mood changed when I noticed something out of the corner of my eye: a guy and a girl kissing.

  No, wait. It was a girl and a girl kissing.

  And holy shit. Not just any girl.

  That girl. Marni—Raven’s friend.

  Any doubt about whether it was her went out the window when I saw she was wearing the same vintage Def Leppard shirt she’d had on when she dropped Raven off at the comedy club.