by Sydney Lane
"I need coffee. You want anything?" Jeez, even her innocent question turns me on, a new rush of blood flowing to my nether regions.
"A Pepsi." You.
"Gotcha." I watch as she walks away, my eyes following her until she disappears inside. I reach for the gas cap and notice the guy across from me. He's still watching the door of the gas station, waiting for another glimpse of the hot chick in the red boots. Too bad she's taken.
I get lost in my head while I wait. I've got it all planned out. Every detail. Every word. I want to do this right. The only wild card is Jenna. I'm just not sure what she's thinking or if she's even ready for what I have planned. Despite how right this feels and despite how much I want it, I don't want to screw things up.
Tonight's the night. I'm going to lay my heart on the line and prove my love for her. In a weird version of reality, Seth made sense. I have to lose the bet. That means I have until midnight to carry out my plan.
"How do you manage to make pumping gas look so sexy?" Jenna wraps her arms around my waist from behind. Her breasts press into my back as her hands grip my waist, teasing me in public where I can do nothing about it. Naughty girl.
"I'm just good like that," I laugh, replacing the nozzle and gas cap. Then, I spin in her arms, pushing her against the car. Surprise, then desire, flit across her face before I lower my lips to hers. My tongue flicks her plump bottom lip before drawing it into my mouth and gently sucking. Her eyes flutter closed as her breathing deepens and her hands move up my back to the nape of my neck, tangling in my hair. Taking that as my cue, I deepen the kiss, my tongue plunging into her mouth and exploring every inch of it. My hands find her hips, lifting her and lining her up against my groin. A soft moan vibrates across my lips as her body presses into me.
"Keep it PG, guys." We jump apart at the sound of the voice over the intercom. We're both stunned as we look toward the store and see a young guy waving at us. Looking back at each other, we begin laughing as we scramble to open the doors of the car and jump in. Jenna laughs uncontrollably, her face flushed, as she doubles over and holds her stomach. I can barely catch a breath as I fumble to start the engine and speed away.
Nothing is ever boring with Jenna.
We're still laughing when I hit the interstate. "Holy shit! That was embarrassing!" She's always gorgeous, but in this moment, she takes my breath away. Her cheeks are still pink, her hair blowing in the wind, as a huge smile lights up her face.
I'm not embarrassed. Not at all. I want everyone to know she's mine, to know I want her no matter where we are.
"We almost gave that little shit a show." I say between gasping breaths. "How old was he anyway?"
"He looked about sixteen," she coughs out. "Oh my God, Eric!" Then, she bursts out laughing again, doubling over in her seat. Her eyes widen as she turns in her seat and stares out the back window.
"What?" I laugh with her. Her full throttle, no holds barred, carefree giggle is so contagious. For once, I don't care about my parents' expectations or the Brody and Declan saga.
All I care about is in this car with me. Right here. Right now.
"You are not going to believe this... I left our drinks sitting on the gas pump!"
Chapter 17
Jenna
All I've gotta say is it's a good thing I took some Advil. I forgot the caffeine I so badly needed, and my head hurt after laughing so hard.
When I walked out of that store and saw Eric leaning against his car, I couldn't help myself. I admired him as I walked across the parking lot, and before I could talk myself out of it, I walked up behind him and wrapped my arms around his waist.
It had nothing to do with the little game I've been playing. But I think I got played. My skin is hot, feverish, and I shiver when the air conditioner blows over me. My lips tingle from the ravaging of his lips, and my core pulses with longing as I recall the pressure of his thigh between my legs.
Damn, that man makes me horny.
Last night was just cruel. I planned on stripping for him, had even rehearsed the whole routine. Now, I'm not going to claim to be an expert, but I just knew I was going to blow his mind. And then, I got drunk.
It's all Seth's fault. What the hell was I thinking?
"Hey, Eric, what did Brody say when he called?" I've just had a nagging feeling all day, like something eating at the pit of my stomach. Call me crazy, but I just feel like Quincy might need me.
He sighs, his shoulders sagging, before answering me. "Jenna, just promise you won't be mad." His knuckles grow white as he grips the steering wheel with both hands. I knew it. Something happened last night.
"Just tell me before I decide to kick your ass." My pulse becomes erratic, and I can feel my heart fiercely beating in my chest as I silently pray that nothing happened to Quincy.
"Basically, he was calling to tell me that Quincy was with him and everything was fine. He didn't want you to worry in case you heard..." He gulps, his tongue wetting his lips before continuing. All it does is make me more nervous. "In case you heard that Declan found out about them."
"What? Why didn't you tell me? How could you?" I'm about two seconds away from making him pull over and turn this car around. My best friend needs me, and I'm not there for her. I'm such a shit.
"I know I should have told you, but he said he was taking care of things. You know her, Jenna. She would have called you if she needed you, and he said she was with him. Just this once, let someone else take care of her." His words cut deep. She's my BFF, like a sister to me, and we're always there for each other. I feel like I've abandoned her.
"What else did he say?" I ignore his comment, afraid I might say something I'll regret.
"He just said Declan knows. Honestly, he wanted to take care of her himself. You know he'd never hurt her, right?" He lets out a deep breath before continuing. "Jenna, we're only going to be gone for two days. You can call and check on her later. Just don't let this ruin our plans." I can hear the resignation in his voice, like he knew this would happen if he told me.
"Eric, he may love her, but she's my best friend. I only have one. I will physically hurt someone if she's not ok." I feel helpless, and I hate it.
"Yeah, well, I have two best friends, and one of them is going to be hurt no matter what happens. How do you think I feel being thrown in the middle of them, knowing that somebody has to lose? She may be your only friend, but at least you still have her. When we go back home, I can't say the same for me. Can't we just have this weekend? Just this one night for us?" His emotional plea stuns me. I had no idea how much he was affected by this screwed up situation.
Making up my mind, I plaster on a smile. "Yes! Yes, we can. Because you are completely right. I'll call and check on Quince, and then, we'll focus on us." Because I love you.
"Good. That's good." He smiles, breathing easier, because he expected me to say no. "I'll make sure you don't regret it." He reaches for my hand, his thumb brushing back and forth over my knuckles. It's reassuring. It's sweet. And it's exactly what I need.
But I have one more question. "Do you like Quincy? I mean, do you blame her for all of this?" I couldn't take it if my best friend and the man I love didn't like each other. I'd be just as torn as Eric is between his two brothers.
"You know what, Jenna? I used to blame her." That hurts, but I know it's just because he doesn't, couldn't possibly, understand her. "I used to blame Brody, too. But I don't anymore. I'm beginning to understand. I mean, not all of it, because I feel like she should have been more honest and Brody shouldn't have crossed the line with her. But I get it. Jenna, nobody could have kept me from you either. Not my friends, not another guy, not a brother. I would have found a way to have you, no matter who I had to go through. If he feels even half of what I feel for you..." His voice trails off as he links his fingers with mine and pulls my hand to his lips. "Yeah, I get it."
My heart melts into a pool at my feet. That's the closest we've ever gotten to talking about our feelings, and I'd love to tell him
how I feel, except the emotion rising in the back of my throat blocks the words on my tongue. If I open my mouth, I'm going to cry. Like, ugly cry.
So I keep my mouth shut and bask in the moment.
He loves me.
He may not know it yet, but he does.
Chapter 18
Eric
Shit. I almost spilled my guts while driving down the road. I've got to get a grip or else I'll ruin the whole thing. For a terrifying moment, I thought she was going to ask to go home. By the way she's checking her phone every five minutes and nervously tapping her foot, it's obvious she's worried about Quincy.
As soon as we drive into Asheville, though, Jenna's face transforms. She sits up in her seat and points at various things as we drive by. Did you know that the Vanderbilts built the Biltmore in the 1880s? That there are over 250 rooms and a bowling alley? Did you know the McDonalds in Biltmore Village has marble floors and a baby grand piano? She answers her own questions as she stares in awe at everything we pass.
I knew she would love it.
After parking, I reach over her to get the tickets out of the glove compartment. When my arm grazes her leg, my body goes into overdrive. Her exuberance affects me in a totally sexual way. Her face is flushed with excitement, and her eyes gleam with anticipation. She's looking at me likes it's Christmas day and she's just figured out I'm Santa.
I'm sure Seth could have a heyday with that one.
She puts her hand out, trapping my hand against her thigh. "Thank you for bringing me. You have no idea how much it means to me." I swear it takes everything I have in me to get out of the car.
"Come on, Sunshine. This is your day." I walk around the car and open her door. Taking her hand, I help her out. Truthfully, this is the last thing I'd be doing right now if it weren't for her, but now I know what guys mean when they say women make you do crazy things.
As we walk toward the mansion, across the beautiful greens, all kinds of images run through my mind. Jenna laying on the grass, her blonde hair a halo spread out around her face, kissing her by the fountains, pushing her up against the wall...
Somewhere along the way, I've gone from wanting to win the bet to wanting to lose the bet, and now... now, I just want her. As we walk from room to room, her chatter is endless. She takes my hand, dragging me along when she doesn't think I'm going fast enough, and the only thing I see, all I think about, is her.
Her smile lights up her whole face, and the light fragrance of her shampoo distracts me every time I get close to her. By the time we get to the end, I've seen about all of the Biltmore I'll ever want to see again. I can't wait for it to be over.
But Jenna has other ideas. "Oh, Eric! Did you see the grounds from upstairs? Weren't they beautiful? We have to go on the tour!" Fuck.
Again, we walk along with a group of people, and I begin wondering just how big this place could really be when we finally come to the greenhouses. It's hot. It's crowded. And I'm aching to get my hands on her.
"Hey, Jenna, come over here. I have something to show you." I reach out, taking her hand and guiding her to the back corner, near some beautiful orchids. "Didn't you say you like orchids?"
She smiles as she walks toward me. "No, Eric. I said daisies. Big difference." I stand behind her as she bends over to smell them, granting me a nice view of her ass, the one I can't stop thinking about. "Wow! They smell wonderful. Come smell."
I stand behind her, my hands on her waist, as I bend forward to smell the damn flower. This is not what I came back here for. Having her body pressed against me fits right into my plan, and I've got her right where I want her.
Glancing over my shoulder, I see that we are as alone as we're going to get. So I grind my hips into her from behind and pull her into me. "It smells good, but you smell better." My voice is husky as I whisper into her ear. She straightens in my arms, and my hands slide around her waist, her back pressed against my chest.
"We're missing the tour." She raises an arm over her shoulder, pulling my face to hers. I lower my head, nipping at her bottom lip with my teeth, teasing her with light kisses. She tries to deepen the kiss, but I pull away just as her tongue grazes my lip. Her breathing hitches in her throat, and her body melts against me.
"I thought you wanted to go?" I'm teasing her, like I know she's been doing to me over the last few days. My hands glide over her smooth stomach, across her hips, to the juncture between her legs. Her heat warms my fingers as I work them up the leg of her shorts. A soft moan escapes her lips.
I become aware of footsteps behind me, and I drop my hand, stepping back. "Hey, guys! We're moving on. We wouldn't want you to get lost, now, would we?" The tour guide's perky voice breaks the heated silence.
"Um, sorry." Jenna speaks first, and a trace of pink streaks across her cheekbones. As we turn to follow the tour guide, she takes my hand again, smiling mischievously.
I wait for the guide to get ahead of us before I whisper, "Sunshine, I'm beginning to think you like dogging. If I'd known that, I could have shown them a thing or two."
Slapping me on the arm, she gasps. "You big perv!"
We burst through the door, laughing and holding hands, to join the rest of the group.
The thing is... I wasn't joking.
Chapter 19
Jenna
I don't know if there's a word for it, but there's something going on inside of me, between us, that I can't explain. It's more than sexual chemistry. It's a soul connection, something deep inside that just won't be satisfied until he's been there, until he's touched all there is of me.
The day couldn't have been more perfect. The mansion, the gardens, the horses. I felt a little bit like a princess, and my prince was making me feel very special. He's being so sweet and charming, so damn sexy, that he's screwing with my plans.
I still plan on making tonight very enjoyable, but also very difficult, for him. And then, tomorrow, he'll get his guitar, and I'll jump his bones.
He'll never even know what hit him.
Easy.
As we drive further into the mountains, I get caught up in the scenery. This city is so beautiful, and he's certainly taken care of all the details, making me love him a little more with each new thing. It's just that he's so damn stupid.
Yes, stupid. Who else would've made that bet?
Idiot.
Asshole.
Fucker.
And holy shit! We're at the Grove Park Inn! I sit up in my seat, plastering my face to the window as we drive into the resort. It's beautiful. It's romantic.
He's totally forgiven.
"Oh my god, Eric!" I throw myself at him, causing him to run over the curb. We get jostled, and I fall across the console, our heads smashing into each other. "Ow!" He grabs his cheek, and I grab my head. That hurt.
When he bursts out laughing, I let out the breath I've been holding. He could have gotten mad, could've said anything, but instead, he laughed. And my heart skips a beat, basking in the moment. It's so cool to be with someone who actually 'gets' me.
"Are you trying to kill us or something?" In that moment, his laugh, his beautiful face, it's just perfect. And then, he drops his hand from his eye. I gasp, and he arches a brow in question. "What?"
"Um, nothing." Looking around, I gesture to the buildings around us. "It's just so beautiful. Yeah?"
"Yeah, I kind of got that right before you tried to knock me out." He gestures to his eye, and I really wish he'd stop doing that.
Opening his door, he steps out and walks around to open mine. He may be a fucker sometimes, but Eric is always a true Southern gentleman. I still can't believe this day. That we're here. Together. In Asheville.
Hand in hand, we walk inside to the registration desk. "James. We have a reservation."
The young girl at the desk begins typing, looks up at us, her eyes lingering on him, then resumes typing. "Sir, what name did you say the reservations are under?" I have to give her props. She doesn't bat an eye.
"James. Eric James.
" I almost feel sorry for him. He doesn't have a clue his eye is blackening and swelling as we speak.
A few more minutes pass. Her eyes nervously scan over the screen as her fingers fly over the keyboard. "Mr. James, sir, I'm sorry, but the hotel has been overbooked. There are no suites available tonight." She pauses when he curses under his breath. "Sir, the Grove Park Inn would love to pay for your accommodations at another hotel. And issue a credit for a future stay with us."
"But I made reservations." His grip tightens on my hand as he shifts foot to foot. "You don't have anything?"
"Sir, the hotel has overbooked, and we take full responsibility. I can get my manager if you'd like to speak to him." Again, her eyes linger on his face.
It's time for me to intervene before she asks about the lump on his face. "You know what? That's fine. Let's just take their offer, and we'll find something else. We're here, we're together, and we'll get a free stay the next time we come." His disappointment is obvious, but I know he won't make a huge deal out of it.
"Yeah, sure." He exhales sharply, running his hand through his hair in agitation. I hate to say it, but he's totally sexy with his black eye, Metallica t-shirt, and disheveled hair. She prints a voucher for the other hotel and hands it to me.
We walk back to the car, and even though I'm a little bit disappointed, my excitement overshadows it. I'm in Asheville with the guy of my dreams, and nothing is going to mess that up. With a bounce in my step, I smile in his direction. "Oh, come on, let's make the best of it."
This has been a wonderful day.
Nothing can go wrong,
Chapter 20
Eric
Well, this totally sucks. While I drive to the other hotel, Jenna chatters and giggles the whole way. She acts as if nothing is wrong, and it makes me really want to believe that.
It's just that I wanted this night to be special. And staying at the Grove Park Inn was part of the magic of the trip. If she's happy, though, I'm happy.
When I pull into the lot for the other hotel, I'm pleasantly surprised. It looks like an average budget hotel, but at least it's not rundown. Other than the creepy clerk who kept staring at me, everything seems clean and tidy.