She gave me a sidelong glance. “You mean sleep with my daughter.”
I pulled on my bow tie. The damn thing was about to strangle me.
“I wasn’t born yesterday. And let’s not forget I write about hookups.”
“I’ll be honest, then. I’m asking your permission to spend the night with Montana. And it’s not just a hookup.”
She studied me, partly with curiosity and partly with motherly concern. “You have my permission, but break her heart, and I will do my best to cast you as a creep in one of my books. Oh, and I will make sure readers know who the creepy character is based on.”
I grinned like an ass, when I should’ve been shaking like a fucking leaf. “I have every intention of making sure her heart never gets broken.”
“Then show Montana how much you love her.” She gave me a cheeky smile, when my mom popped out of nowhere.
My mom adjusted her sling over her black knee-length dress. “Georgia, is my son talking your ear off?”
Nah. Ms. Smith is giving me ample warning not to hurt her daughter, or else she will have my balls splattered all over the pages of her novels.
“Train, please fix your tie,” my mom said as she set her brown gaze on me.
I adjusted the noose, or what felt like a noose, then kissed her on the cheek. “I’m going to find Montana.” I weaved through the guests as a soft beat of music began playing from the band.
I found Montana, Austin, and Reagan standing at a table near the dance floor. Montana cuddled up to my side, threading her fingers with mine. With my thumb, I traced circles on Montana’s hand. Then Derek and his girl, Jan, joined us. Like the rest of us, Derek donned a tux and had his brown locks combed behind his ears, while Jan wore a simple short black dress with her blond hair in an updo similar to Montana’s. The only ones in our gang not present were Elvira and Lou. I spied them dancing. I chuckled as I watched Lou, big and wide, trying to wiggle his hips to the upbeat song. Everyone in the circle followed my line of sight.
“That’s just wrong,” Derek said. “Lou is not meant to dance.”
All of us chuckled.
“I guess that girl Melanie said yes to Drew after all,” Montana said.
Next to Lou and Elvira, carrottopped Drew looked awkward as he held onto Melanie’s hips as though he was afraid to get too close. The petite girl appeared equally uncomfortable. I was happy for Drew, though, that Melanie had said yes to him. He might have been related to Nina, but he didn’t have any of her cunning ways.
I was about to kiss my girl, when Ferris’s spiked head of hair bobbed up to us. He hadn’t gotten suspended like Nina had, but my dad had pressed charges against both of them. He’d felt that Nina and Ferris needed to learn that every action has a consequence.
“I still can’t believe your dad pressed charges against them,” Montana said.
I wasn’t surprised at all. My dad had worked hard to build his contracting business, and he couldn’t allow anyone to get away with something they’d done to not only take money out of his pocket but to break the law in the process.
Ferris gave all of us a tentative smile. “Train, is your dad here? I need to talk to him.”
“No. What’s up?” I asked.
“My dad wants to settle my case before it goes before a judge,” Ferris said.
I wasn’t getting involved. “Well, you’ll have to call him.”
“Montana,” Ferris said. “Again, I’m sorry for conspiring with Nina to make it look like you were the one to spray graffiti at school and on Mr. Everly’s building. If you do need some help with math, I’ll be glad to help.”
Montana leaned into me. “I accepted your apology in the principal’s office the other day. So you don’t need to keep apologizing. And as far as a tutor, I’m good. Train helps me when I have a question.”
I glanced past Ferris and tensed.
“What is it?” Austin asked.
Nina weaved through the crowd, beelining toward us. She wore a proud smile as though she had some great news she was dying to share.
Montana swore under her breath. “We should consider a restraining order.”
Reagan giggled. “Or I could sew her mouth shut.”
Ferris even swore. “I’m out of here.” He got lost among the swarm of people.
Not a bad idea, but before I could whisk Montana away, Nina was standing in our group.
The song ended, and Elvira and Lou came over. Another song started, but none of us moved as we stared at the girl who reminded me of a Smurf with her blue hair.
“Are you here to cause trouble?” Elvira asked.
Nina fixated on me, while Montana held steady in my embrace. “Train, can I talk to you alone?”
Montana snorted. “For real? When are you going to get it through your thick head that Train doesn’t want anything to do with you?”
Nina’s nostrils flared.
“Whatever it is, Nina, you can say it in front of the group.” If she thought she was going to get me alone, she was smoking some powerful weed.
She pressed her red lips into a thin line. “Fine. It’s not like all of you won’t hear it anyway.” She folded her arms over her chest. “Train, since I cheated on you last year, my life has gone to hell. I regret what I did to you.” Her tone softened. “And I thought you loved me enough to take me back. But I was wrong, and I wanted to apologize to you.” She sounded sincere.
Maybe I was the one smoking the weed. “Why now?” She’d made Montana’s life hell as well as mine.
Nina lowered her gaze to the floor. “Because my parents have decided that I would do better to finish my senior year at a boarding school. And before I leave on Monday, I wanted you to know. So do you accept my apology?”
“Is that your only apology?” I asked. She wasn’t getting away without acknowledging that what she’d done to Montana was wrong.
Nina studied me, scanning my face. I didn’t have to look in the mirror to know that I had to be wearing a hard, mean mask.
Nina focused on Montana. “I only wanted Train back. And I would’ve done anything to get him back. But I can’t have someone who doesn’t want me. So I’m sorry to you too.” Again, her tone was mostly genuine. After all, I’d known the many sides of Nina.
Montana straightened in my arms. “I wish you the best at boarding school. And thank you for apologizing.”
There wasn’t much else to say, and I wanted Nina gone. Apology or not, she wasn’t hanging with us. I had other plans, anyway. “Thanks, Nina.” Then I tugged Montana onto the dance floor, and even though the song was upbeat, I pressed my body against Montana’s and swayed to my own music.
“That was awkward as hell,” Montana said.
Understatement of the year. “But she apologized, and we won’t have to deal with her in school anymore.” That last statement loosened my muscles.
The night was looking up. Suddenly, Montana’s body was flush against mine. The music, Nina, and our friends became history. My body sprinted to life as we barely moved, gazing into each other’s eyes.
“Kiss me,” she said.
“If I do, I’m not responsible for what happens next.” I brought our joined hands down to rest on her chest as I lightly traced a finger over her cleavage. “You’re exquisite,” I said as I dipped down to kiss her.
She let out a soft moan.
That was it. We had to get out of there. “I want to be alone with you,” I said in her ear.
The song ended, and we headed off the dance floor.
“Give me a minute,” she said. “I need to do something. I’ll be right back.” She disappeared before I could tell her that I’d gotten her mom’s approval.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
MONTANA
I ponied up to the lead singer. “Can I steal the mic for a minute?”
“We were about to take a break,” he said as he bowed. “The floor is yours.”
My stomach did a few flips as I held the mic stand, facing hundreds of people. One of
my duties tonight was to introduce my mom. Lucy had spoken to my mom earlier that week to ask her if she would be interested in an author signing for her many fans in the area with the caveat that all proceeds from her books sold at the signing would be donated to the Feed The Hungry charity. With that in mind, Lucy thought it would be good for me to announce the details of the book signing at the ball and say a little about my mom.
“Your excitement about how proud you are of your mom will energize the crowd,” Lucy had said.
“Can I have your attention?” My voice shook.
Conversations ceased as people drew their attention to me. I had no fear when it came to most things in life, but public speaking wasn’t on that list.
I searched the crowd and found Mom. She and Lucy were sitting at a table to my left. Mom smiled, her pretty face lighting up.
I took in a quiet breath, hoping to calm the nervous nellies in my stomach. “My name is Montana Smith.”
Mom sat up straighter as she placed her hand in front of her stomach then swiped up as though she was trying to tell me to take a breath. So I rolled my shoulders back and inhaled.
Then I slowly scanned the room before I locked eyes with Train. My stomach went haywire. He winked and gave me a wolfish grin.
I licked my dry lips. “I’m excited to announce, for those booklovers in the room, my awesome mom. Mom, will you join me?”
She smoothed her hands down her dress as she came up on the makeshift stage.
Someone whistled.
“I would like you to meet Georgia Smith, aka Casey Stewart.” As I talked, I kept my sights on her. “She’s a New York Times best-selling author and a best-selling mom. I’m proud of you, Mom.”
Her eyes filled with tears.
“I know I’ve been a rebellious brat since I started junior high. And over the years, I acted out more than most teenagers.”
“That’s what we do,” Derek teased from somewhere on my right.
Some people laughed. Parents shook their heads.
I’d had time to think over the last several days. The bubble I’d had around me for so long burst the night I caught Nina and Ferris in that alley. In some ways, I owed them a thank you. I’d always had an I don’t care attitude even when I made my mom angry. I’d always felt that she deserved to be hurt for ignoring me. And whether it was Nina, Ferris, the warm year-round weather, Train, my new friends, or spending quality time with Mom, I suddenly saw things in a new light.
I grabbed her hand. “So, Mom, I’m sorry for putting you through years of stress. I’ve always known the difference between right and wrong. It’s just taken me until now to admit it. And even though I’ve kept my promise to you since we moved here, I’ve never truly apologized to you.”
She patted her eyes.
“Anyway, I’m getting offtrack.” I faced the crowd. “Lucy Everly and I wanted to let you know that my mom will be signing books next Saturday afternoon right here at this golf club. The proceeds from that signing will go to benefit the same charity, Feed The Hungry, and Lucy will have more to say about the charity in a bit.”
The room erupted in applause.
“Also,” I said, finding Train, “I owe my boyfriend, Train, an apology.”
His eyes were wide.
“Lou told me that things are not always what they seem. And he was right.”
“Hell yeah.” Lou pumped his fist in the air next to Train.
My gaze was unwavering from the boy who’d snagged my attention the first day of school. “I should’ve trusted that you were only trying to find answers to clear my name.”
“Just tell him you love him already,” Austin shouted.
Elvira and Reagan giggled.
My knees were trembling. “Train Everly, you’re the only boy I want, and I do love you.”
Our group of friends hooted and whistled.
Train stalked up, but before he could get to me, Mom gave me a hug.
“Honey, that was a wonderful speech.” She eased back. “Thank you. I love you.”
“I am sorry for all those times I got into trouble,” I said.
Mom patted the area underneath her eyes. Then she flicked her head at Train, who was waiting at my side. “Go. You have my permission to spend the night with him.”
An hour later, after our good-byes to his mom, my mom, and our friends, Train and I were parading through the dimly lit beach house and into his bedroom, where he closed the door. I made myself comfortable on the edge of the bed as he flipped on a light that sat on his dresser. He shucked his shirt before he turned on some music.
I swore that if Skylar Grey weren’t belting out one of her songs, Train would have been able to hear my heart pitter-pattering against my ribs.
He pulled me to stand, then we started slow dancing to the music. It was the same song we’d danced to the night we had sex for the first time. The song might have been the same, but the look in Train’s eyes was far from the same—soft, not desperate or scared, and full of love rather than lust.
He let go of me to unfasten the pins that held up my blond locks. My hair tumbled down. His chest rose as his gaze skated over me, while mine did a whirly loop around his upper torso then down to the strip of hair that disappeared into his tuxedo pants.
He gave me a sexy grin. “I thought my heart stopped the day you walked into computer class, but I was wrong.” His eyes became hooded. “I love every inch of you, inside and out. “And I want to show you.” Then his mouth was on mine, his tongue begging for access.
I opened without protest. When our tongues met, my heart opened up so wide that tears pricked my eyes. I wanted him as much as he wanted me. He moaned as he peppered kisses along my jawline then down my neck. I dipped my fingers into his soft locks as his lips wandered leisurely all over my face and neck.
I arched into him, dragging my nails up and down his back, feeling his taut muscles and soft skin. His arms went around to my back, where he unzipped my dress. I unbuckled his belt as my dress lithely fell to my feet. The cool air made me shiver but didn’t stop me from undressing him. When he was completely naked, his penis standing at attention, I slid down his tall body until my mouth was face-to-face with his erection. Then I glanced up at him as his chest heaved. His eyes were hooded as he bit down on his lip.
I slowly licked the head. He flinched, grabbing hold of my hair. Then I lost all control as I grabbed ahold of his shaft, hard and silky, and closed my mouth around his erection.
He groaned loudly, causing my nipples to harden and the butterflies in my stomach to take flight. I loved hearing him moan and breathe heavily each time I licked then sucked. So I upped my pace and stroked the velvety skin along his shaft.
When I took a breath, he pulled me to my feet. “My turn.” Then he slowly removed my thong, which was the only piece of clothing I was wearing since I hadn’t worn a bra underneath my dress.
I shimmied out of the barely there fabric and stood before him, completely naked with my hair spilling down to cover my breasts. But he wasn’t ready for nipple action. Instead, he teased and played with my clit with the tips of his fingers until he knelt in front of me and replaced his magical hand with his equally magical tongue. I gripped his head, mainly so I wouldn’t collapse or fall backward. The faster he circled my clit, the faster the raging storm inside me swirled in delight. Stars floated in front of me. I spewed little noises, my breathing growing shallow. I opened my stance wider to give him better access. When I did, he slipped two fingers inside me. The combination of his tongue and fingers sent me over the edge. I screamed his name as my body shook.
Before I had a chance to register anything, I was on my back on the bed, and he was pumping inside me. He sucked on my nipples, one then the other, and with each thrust, I became dizzier and dizzier.
“That’s it, baby. Moan for me,” he said in a husky voice. “How does it feel with me inside you?”
“Amazing,” I answered in a voice that sounded foreign to me.
Suddenly, h
e pulled out. “Roll over,” he commanded. The firmness in his voice sent a wave of pleasure down to settle in between my legs.
I obeyed. Then, with his help, I was on all fours, a position that was new for us. He pushed inside me. He reached around me to pinch my nipple as he shaped my hip with his other hand. The sensations and feelings were too much, yet not enough.
“Harder,” I said as I did something I’d never done before with a guy—I began to play with myself while Train moved in and out, his breathing getting heavier by the second.
I let out soft moans as I pleasured myself while he pleasured us both. I had almost reached a state of orgasm when, once again, I was on my back.
Sweat slid down Train’s forehead. “I have to have those long, beautiful legs around me.”
When I granted his wish, he thrust into me. As we got into a rhythm, his gaze locked on mine. “God, you’re beautiful.” His voice was strangled as though he was trying to hold back.
I slipped my hand between us and worked myself until we both reached that jumping-off-the-cliff feeling of flying into nothingness. When I arched into him, he grunted my name then stilled.
I giggled then kissed him profusely as though I couldn’t get enough of him.
He lifted up on his elbows. “What’s so funny?”
“You took several plays out of one of my mom’s books. Didn’t you?”
He grinned, his sea-green eyes lighting up. “Maybe the one where you were on all fours.”
“Well, keep reading, then. Because I want more of what we just did.”
He smoothed strands of sweaty hair from my forehead before he rolled off me and pulled me to him so we were facing each other. “You’re not weirded out that we did a move or two out of your mom’s book?”
I giggled. “Not at all. But you said at one point you had been.”
He traced a finger over my cheek. “Yeah. But tonight, I wasn’t thinking about anything but you and me. What we just did was natural and fucking awesome.”
“I haven’t asked you how you found my mom’s book.” I knew my mom’s books were in bookstores, but it had been odd that Train showed up in computer class that morning with her book.
Breaking Rules Page 22