by Jenika Snow
“But why? If you guys like each other why stop it from progressing?”
Molly shrugged. “I’m upset because I’ve most likely ruined our friendship. I’ve liked Ian for a long time, and when he told me he had feelings for me for just as long I let my emotions get in the way. I should have never let it get as far as it did.” She sniffed again. “I’ve screwed everything up, Kiera.”
“Oh, Molly.” Kiera stood and sat in the seat beside her. She wrapped her arms around her friend and pulled her into a tight hug. “You shouldn’t hold yourself back because you’re afraid of what might happen.”
“We’ve just been friends for so long, Kiera. What if I do give us a shot and things go south? I can’t lose him. I mean, we’re attending the same college for fuck’s sake!” Molly buried her face in Kiera’s neck and cried harder. Her friend never swore, so the fact she just did told her Molly was hurting in a bad way.
“Have you actually tried to talk to him about your fears, or did you just run?” She lifted Molly’s head with her hands and looked into her grey eyes.
“You already know the answer to that, although he’s already realized why I am avoiding him. On Monday when he tried to talk to me I was still so angry with myself that I lashed out. He really hasn’t tried talking to me again, and I fear that I have pushed him away for good.”
“You and I both know you could never get rid of Ian.”
Molly offered Kiera a watery smile but didn’t comment.
“I think you should talk to him, get all of this off your chest.”
Molly pushed away and grabbed another handful of napkins. She blew her nose, and Kiera couldn’t help but smile at the loud, trumpet-like sound.
“You really think so?” There was hope in Molly’s eyes, and Kiera wished she could give Molly the answers she needed to make this entire situation okay again. “I can’t tell you what to do, but I think talking to Ian will make you feel a lot better. We have known him nearly our whole lives. He isn’t just going to turn his back on you because of something like this.” Although Molly and Ian sleeping together was huge news, so Kiera was still trying to wrap her head around that revelation.
“Yeah, maybe you’re right.” Molly blew her nose and gave Kiera another teary-eyed smile. “I said some pretty harsh things to him.”
“I’m sure he knows you didn’t mean them. Emotions can make the best of people act irrational.” Kiera gave her arm a gentle squeeze.
“When did you become all philosophical and shit?”
Kiera laughed and shook her head. “I heard that on an episode of Jerry Springer.”
Molly chuckled and stood. “Well, I’m going to head out. Mom and Dad are having the new neighbors over, and I have to act all prim and proper.” She grabbed her keys off the table and headed toward the front door. “But I’m going to take your advice and talk to him, Kiera. Ian deserves better than the way I’ve treated him.”
Kiera watched from the doorway as Molly climbed in her car and drove off. She went back into the kitchen and picked up Molly’s snotty napkins with the tips of her fingers.
“Sick.” Her phone vibrated on the kitchen counter and she quickly tossed the napkins, washed her hands, and grabbed it. Her heart thundered behind her ribs when she saw it was a text from Reese.
Reese: Hi J
Seeing a smiling face from the big, tattooed guy was a little strange, but it had her smiling.
Hi yourself J
Reese: You have plans 2nite?
Just studying 4 my history exam Monday
Reese: How bout’ we go C a movie?
Kiera’s fingers were poised over the keys as she read and re-read his text.
Reese: UR makin’ a guy feel a little nervous over here J
She laughed out loud.
Reese: I swear we R just hanging as friends. No pressure, Kiera
Her stomach did a little flip of disappointment at his next text. Oh what the hell did she have to lose?Yeah, I’d like that
Reese: I was startin’ to sweat. ;) Pick U up at 6?
I’ll be waiting
She couldn’t help the goofy smile that spread across her face. Typing out a quick text to her parents about her plans, she dashed upstairs to find something to wear. Yeah, she might have had three hours until he showed up, but she would need every minute to get ready.
Calm down, Kiera. This is what friends do. He’s just being nice, and probably feels a sense of obligation to hang out with you after what happened. She scowled at her negative thoughts. When was the last time she had gone on a date? She reminded herself it wasn’t a date, but two friends spending time together. He had said as much in his text, to her disappointment. Why was she so drawn to him? Was it because he was the image of a bad boy? Maybe at first, but after talking to him Kiera admitted she liked the person that he was, the one he didn’t display to just anyone. Whatever his intentions were, Kiera would make sure she looked damn good no matter what.
Chapter Four
Kiera heard Reese’s car before she saw him. A peek out the window showed him climbing out of his car all six foot and some change of muscled, tattooed goodness. He had changed from the clothes he wore at school, and she could see his short hair was slightly damp, giving the dark strands a spiky look. His faded blue jeans and t-shirt with some design splashed across the chest looked good on him. She stepped away from the window and pressed her now overheated body against the wall. She had opted for a white mid-thigh length skirt with red poppies painted on it and a white peasant top that had red detailing around the hems. It was a little more revealing than she normally wore, and had always made her feel self-conscious about her body, but she liked the colors and designs and wanted to look pretty for him. He knocked on the door twice, and even that sounded masculine. God, she was so nervous and embarrassingly aroused and she hadn’t even opened the door.
Smoothing her now sweaty hands down her skirt she quickly slipped her sandals on and gripped the handle of the front door. Before she pulled it open she looked at herself in the mirror. She had flat-ironed her hair, but no doubt the now silky looking brown locks would become frizzy from the humidity. Her hazel eyes looked greener today, but they tended to change with her emotions, strange as that was. She took off her glasses and stared at herself. She should have taken her mother up on the offer to get contacts, but at the time she had thought it was a stupid idea. Going without the glasses wasn’t an option with her too blurry eye-sight, even if she did feel more attractive without them. She slipped them back on and sighed. He knocked on the door again, startling her and having heat rise to her cheeks. Here she was staring at herself while he waited patiently for her to open the door. Opening the door, Kiera couldn’t look at him at first, not when she knew her face was red as a tomato.
Please don’t let him see how red my face is. Please don’t let him see how red my face is.
“For a moment there I didn’t think you’d answer.” His words were laced with humor, and she jerked her head up. If her face hadn’t been red before it was now. Damn her genes.
She laughed, but it was the nervous kind.
“Wow, you look great.” She didn’t miss how his eyes traveled up and down her body. Kiera shifted on her feet and turned to grab her purse. He probably thought she was some kind of weirdo for how she acted when getting a compliment. When she shut the door behind her she realized she hadn’t even thanked him. There she stood on her porch, being all rude with a face still feeling hot as hell.
“Kiera?”
She forced her eyes up even though she felt like a fool for some reason.
“Calm down.” He smiled down at her. “Why are you so nervous around me?” He reached out and took her hand in his. It was warm and big as he slipped his fingers between hers and gave her a light squeeze.
“I don’t know.” The words came out softly.
He was quiet for a moment and finally said, “I’m the last person you need to be nervous around.”
Easy for him to say, but str
ange enough she relaxed.
“Come on.” He tipped his head toward his car and led the way. When he got to the passenger’s side he opened the door for her. It felt like a date, what with the hand holding and the opening of doors and all, and a part of her warmed at the thought. He got in the driver seat and cranked the engine. “What kind of music do you like listening to?” He turned to her, waiting for her answer.
“I like just about anything, well, except country. I’m not much of a fan of the depressing songs.”
He grinned. “Yeah, me either.” Despite the car being old, he had changed the upholstery to leather and updated the stereo system. She hadn’t really paid attention the last time she had ridden in his car, but made sure to look her fill now.
He must have noticed where her eyes were because he said, “You like it?” Kiera didn’t know anything about sound systems, so she smiled and nodded. It looked fancy enough. He hooked his iPod up to it and ran his finger over the screen, picking a song. Incubus started playing through the speakers, and she smiled.
“‘The Warmth’ is a great song.” Kiera rested her head on the leather seat when he pulled out of her driveway and started down the road.
“Beautiful and good taste in music. I hit the jackpot.” Reese turned to her and winked. Before she could fully process what he had said he was picking up speed. He reached over and adjusted the volume. Brandon Boyd’s voice blasted through the speakers, and she was thankful Reese didn’t expect her to talk. Besides, she had no idea what to say. She was still replaying his words. He thought she was beautiful. She didn’t hold back her grin.
Kiera glanced out the passenger side window and watched the houses pass by in a blur. He reached over and lowered the volume, and she felt the heavy, warm weight of his hand on hers. As she looked down at where his hand lay atop hers, a swarm of butterflies invaded her belly.
He glanced at her. “Is this okay, Kiera?” Her breath left her, and he said, “I want this to be okay, Kiera, badly.” Her heart beat so hard and fast she could imagine it ripping right through her chest. He may have only been holding her hand, but it felt so good and right. She found herself nodding in response. He had no idea how okay she was with this. The butterflies in her belly started to go wild, and beads of perspiration dotted the area between her breasts.
“Friends hold hands, right?” The way he said it was low and strangely heated. It certainly didn’t sound like he was asking her seriously, like he knew friends most certainly didn’t hold hands the way he was holding hers. He glanced between her and the road. She licked her lips, and he followed the act before looking at the road again. He shifted in his seat, and she couldn’t help but glance down at his big, strong denim encased thighs. Her eyes widened when she saw the bulge pressed against his fly. Oh. God. He was aroused. For her.
“Yes, Reese.” Her words were thick and low, and she licked her lips again, the damn things suddenly so dry. The way his breathing changed at her low words told her everything she needed to know. Her arousal for Reese Trenton wasn’t only one way. For whatever reason, the most popular bad boy in school, in town, wanted her, geeky and awkward, Kiera Sheppard.
He pulled the Trans-Am into the theater’s parking lot and got out. Before she could open the door he was there, opening it for her and helping her out. She had never been with a guy so attentive to her. It was nice, but strange. After he bought the tickets and asked her if she wanted anything to eat or drink, which she declined, he held her hand and led her down the hallway and into the theater. It wasn’t lost on her that several girls stopped to stare at him, or maybe they were gawking at the fact a guy like him was with a girl like her. The room was dark, and the music above them played something that sounded like it would be in an elevator. Reese took them up the stairs to the very back row of seats. Kiera’s heart raced as she sat down beside him, the darkness covering them in an onyx cloak. There was another couple in the theater, but they were more toward the front.
“Do you scare easily?” Reese was leaned close to her, and despite the shadows she could see his eyes clearly and noticed the fact he looked right into hers. The light from the screen washed him in a glow, but it didn’t hide the clear interest in his expression.
“Sometimes.” To her utter amazement he took her hand and brought it up, looking at each individual finger.
“Your hands are so tiny.” He ran his fingers along each one of hers. Reese held his hand flat against hers, his palm pressed to hers. His fingers went well past hers, and the sheer size of his hand was incredible. The act seemed strangely intimate, especially when he started into her eyes again.
Could he hear her increased breathing? It sounded so loud in the theater, but she couldn’t help it. Every touch and look from him sent a thrill of desire through her. She pulsed between thighs, and her nipples felt hard as her breasts pressed against her shirt.
“This doesn’t feel like something friends do, Reese.” Her words were whispered and strained, and she knew despite the fact she tried to hide her lust for him, she failed miserably. His nostrils flared slightly, and a heated expression crossed his face. She looked at his lips, ones that she wanted pressed to hers. When he didn’t respond she lifted her eyes to his. Everything else around them faded as Reese lowered his head toward hers. Her heart stopped at the first, gentle brush of his lips against hers. She let her hand drop to her lap, but he took it again and intertwined their fingers together, holding her tightly. With his other hand he cupped the back of her neck and tilted her head, deepening the kiss. At the first swipe of his tongue against her bottom lip Kiera moaned and opened wider for him. No kiss had ever felt like this before. It was hot and penetrating, and all he did was drag his tongue along hers, tease and tantalize it until she was chasing it back into his mouth and doing the same. His deep, vibrating groan resonated all the way to her core, sending shockwaves throughout her entire frame.
He broke the kiss and rested his forehead against hers. “That was … shit, Kiera. It was everything I thought it would be.” She opened her eyes just as he leaned back.
“Everything you thought it would be?” If she hadn’t been sitting down she would probably be a puddle on the floor.
He ran his hand over his hair. His scent invaded her senses. It was clean and spicy, like soap and everything that was Reese.
“Yeah, does that freak you out?” She shook her head because she didn’t think she could have spoken anyway, and because she was shocked at his words.
Reese Trenton had been thinking about kissing me? “You’ve thought about kissing me?” Her words were hushed, not because she was afraid someone might hear, but because she was living in a dream world right now. The way he looked at her right then, serious, completive, had her holding her breath and waiting for his reply.
“Since I first saw you freshman year, Kiera.” For a heartbeat they stared at each other. Reese lifted his hand and brushed him thumb along her bottom lip, and Kiera’s mouth parted. With his eyes locked on what he did with his thumb, brushing it back and forth, he said, “I knew you were too good for me, but that didn’t stop me from wanting you.” He flicked his eyes to hers then brought them back to her mouth, as if he was mesmerized by the sight.
“Why would you think that?”
His smile was sad. “Look at me, Kiera.” Oh she was looking, and she liked what she saw, but before she could say anything he continued. “I lead a shitty life, as you are very well aware. I’m toxic, and you’re good and sweet and everything that I shouldn’t want.”
All of this seemed unreal. Here was Reese Trenton, the guy she had secretly desired for the past four years. She had told herself over and over again that the fact she could never have him and that he was the ideal bad boy were the reasons she lusted after him so hard. But as she looked into his eyes, ones that were so blue they seemed from another world, she knew that wasn’t the case. After talking to him, getting to know that yes, he may be dangerous and aggressive and everything that personified the male gender, he was
also a hero. He had saved her from Josh for no other reason than she was in danger. He thought she was too good for him, but she didn’t see it that way.
Kiera couldn’t find the words to express all of this to him, so she did the only thing she could think of. She kissed him. Hands on his shoulders and nails curling into the hard flesh right beneath the cotton of his shirt, Kiera let her lips slide along his and touched her tongue to his. He seemed surprised by her sudden actions at first, but it only took a millisecond for him to slide his hand behind the back of her neck, pull her more closely to him, and take control of the kiss. The theater faded away until it was just the two of them. She wanted to be as close to him as possible, so that nothing separated them. There had never been a time when she had felt that need so strongly, not even with the two guys she had dated. To her disappointment he pulled away just as the lights dimmed. His breathing was just as harsh as hers.
“We have to stop, or I won’t be able to.” He gave her a lopsided grin. “Not that I give a shit about missing the movie, but I don’t want to do this with you in a public setting.” His words sent heat through her body and had her pulse racing. Images of what they could be doing alone slammed in her mind, and she felt herself grow wetter between her legs. The movie started, and he took her hand in his and placed it on his thigh. For the next two hours Kiera stared at the screen, but she didn’t even know what she was watching. Her thoughts were jumbled, and her body felt on the verge of combusting.
After the movie Reese took her to a little Italian restaurant, one where they had wine bottles for candle-holders and opera singing in the background. The hostess, a girl she recognized from school, eyed them curiously. Kiera didn’t miss the way the girl’s gaze kept going to their conjoined hands. It was strange that in a matter of one week a whole lot could change in her life. The hostess’s name badge stated she was “Kelly”. She handed each of them a menu once they were seated but made no move to leave. Kiera looked at Reese, but he was already looking down at his menu.