Mine (Winterburg Book 1)

by Linz VonC

  "What do you want Krystal?"

  She had on another mini dress, and a full face of makeup. She was a pretty girl underneath it all; she didn’t need it.

  "So, I don’t like you. You don’t like me, I hope not anyway." She flicked her hair and looked around "I need you to swap partners for Psych. I have been partnered with your little boyfriend and I see you have been partnered with mine?"

  I glared at her with disbelief. "Cal is your boyfriend?"

  She laughed in my face as she smiled smugly. "What do you call someone who you spend most of your time naked with, exploring each others bodies? Yes dumbass, he is my boyfriend. So we are swapping partners. I need as much time with him as possible. Have a nice life."

  She stalked off. I was furious. How dare Krystal think she can tell me what to do? Cal was my partner! I was about to storm in when I felt a hand on my shoulder.

  "Hey baby."

  It was Luke. His handsome face was creased with worry.

  "Are you ok? What was up with Krystal? You haven’t answered my texts or calls?"

  I blinked at him.

  "Sorry Luke, I am just tired...and you know Krystal, always dependable to be a bitch.""

  He reached up to kiss me as I stepped back.

  "I can’t babe I need to get to class, I’m already late....."

  He frowned and looked at me suspiciously.

  "Can we talk later Luke?" I turned and walked into school not waiting for his answer. I ran down the corridor despite the signs declaring it was banned and that we needed to walk. The day passed in a blur, and eventually I couldn’t avoid Luke much longer. I found him near the bleachers after practice. He was sweaty and looked gorgeous. I felt so bad for being an awful girlfriend but what could I do? I couldn’t help how I was feeling.

  "Here you are," he said happily. "What time shall I pick you up for the dance later?"

  Why had it annoyed me that he assumed we were going together? Of course we would be.

  "Is seven ok?" He asked. He tilted my head up and kissed my lips softly. "Are you ok? I am serious. Something doesn’t seem right."

  I noticed Krystal and Cal sitting on the bleachers. Him leaning back whilst she ran her hands down his chest, whispering in his ear. He literally made me feel like I couldn’t stand, his aviators hiding his eyes so I couldn’t see where he was looking. I just hoped he wasn’t watching us- how awkward. I forced a smile.

  "I just need to relax I think. Tonight will be good for me. Can we just enjoy the night without any pressure or questions?"

  "Of course baby. I’ll meet you at seven. Can’t wait to see what you are wearing."

  He winked and patted my ass as I walked away. Why did it always seem to come down to sex and ass with him? I noticed Cal was now alone, Krystal leaning forward talking animatedly to her little posse. There was no doubt his eyes were on me, and he didn’t look most pleased. I shook my head and hurried back into school, wishing I was anyone but me today.

  Later that evening, I walked downstairs trying not to trip in my heels. I lifted the green dress up slightly as I walked, as my parents insisted on taking a million photos.

  "Guys please, I just want to go..." I groaned.

  Luke held his hands up in a way of apology. "Sorry Mr & Mrs Red, ladies orders."

  They both smiled and wished us a great evening, with me promising to be back at a reasonable time. The drive to the dance was very quiet. We pulled up outside as Luke turned to me.

  "Babe, just have a good night tonight. I’ll be there whenever you want me, ok?"

  I smiled gratefully and we made our way into the dance. The hall was decorated in silver and white, and as we walked in we walked on a plush red carpet- which I tried not to fall over on. Straight away I saw Rosie standing with Hal, a striking boy from our history class. I made my way over to them and embraced Rosie.

  "Babe you look sensational!" I breathed. She really did. She had her hair poker straight and had a full black dress with red slits in exposing her gorgeous legs. Her brown eyes were surrounded by smoky black glitter and her lips were painted a deep red.

  "WOW." I whistled.

  She beamed at me,

  "You think so? Eek. You look amazing as per."

  Hal excused himself to get us drinks when Ethan & Sienna made their way to us. Sienna looked insane in a glitzy gold dress showing off her shiny red hair and tanned skin. Ethan couldn’t take his eyes away from her and her him. We were joined by Luke and Finn, who didn’t appear to have a date.

  "Girls, who wants to dance with me?" Finn held his arms open and did a double take at Rosie. "Rose? Shit man you look incredible." His face changed as he stared at her and held his hand out to her. "Please may I have this dance?"

  He didn’t wait for a response and Rosie rolled her eyes and walked to the dance floor with him. Sienna pressed a glass into my hand whispering,

  "Down that, I popped some vodka in to make it work quicker."

  She winked at me and I struggled to drink it, it tasted like rocket fuel.

  As the night went on I found myself searching the dance floor. Where is he? I bet he didn’t want to come. I can’t imagine dances are his thing. I remembered Krystal’s words and I knocked back the entire drink, signalling to Sienna for another. Hal was standing on the side watching Rosie and Finn with annoyance, who seemed to be extremely close on the dance floor; ten songs later. Sienna nudged me.

  "Look at her."

  I followed her eyes to see Krystal standing on the side of the dance floor looking incredibly pissed off.

  "Wonder where her date is?" I said out loud.

  "Well," Sienna slurred, "rumour has it she hasn’t got one."

  I looked at Krystal who was now speaking to Ray, one of the football players.

  "It won’t bother her for long." I remarked dryly.

  I searched for Luke, finding him dancing with Wes and Grey, two footballers. He was actually attempting to make the floss sexy. I couldn’t bring myself to watch.

  I felt my phone vibrate in my bag. I opened it to see a text from Cal. My heart was in my mouth. Where was he? I scanned the room, then read the text.

  Come outside.

  I turned to Sienna and said I would be right back. She waved at me and smiled. My heart was racing in my chest. What did he want? Where was he and why was he not at the dance? I walked outside and looked around. I couldn’t see him anywhere, but then I did. He was leaning against a tree, in his usual jeans and t-shirt combo. I walked over to him and stood in front of him shivering, as he handed me his jacket.

  "You look good enough to eat. How is it going in there?" He murmured softly, his green eyes piercing into mine. This wasn’t exactly the behaviour I expected from someone else’s boyfriend.

  "Krystal isn’t happy," I said as I held my chin up defiantly. "She wants to swap partners apparently, you are hers and I need to be with Luke."

  My voice deceived me, showing the jealousy I felt in every fibre of my being. Being this close to him made me want to just melt into his arms and ask him to take me right there and then.

  "Is that right?" He smiled softly. "I don’t think that would be the best course of action, do you? I think we are good together. So fuck Krystal."

  I felt tingles all over my body when he said "together".

  "That’s your job I gather." I snapped, folding my arms as I stared at him with what I hoped was utter disgust. He frowned at me.

  "Of course it isn’t my job. I haven’t even fucked her, does that make you feel better?"

  His eyes flashed with anger, his hands dangerously close to mine.

  Please let it be true. I couldn’t imagine him doing that with her.

  "What you do, and who you do it with is not my business Cal, let’s be honest here." I sighed sadly. It started to rain, and I glanced up.

  "I can’t get wet!" I cried, as I went to move away from the rain when he put his hands either side of me on the tree.

  "What was it you said?" His breath was close to my ear,
all I could smell was his masculine scent.

  I glanced around, noticing we were the only ones standing outside.

  "Cal-" I stammered softly, my eyes drinking his in as he spoke.

  "I want to kiss someone in the rain. I want someone to push me against a wall, kiss me hard and pull my hair to the point of pain. I want to want someone so much they are all I think about."

  He was quoting exactly what I had said yesterday-word for word. My heart stopped, I think. His face was close to mine, his lips brushing against mine as he muttered,

  "Let me be of some assistance here."

  He pushed his body against mine, my bare skin feeling the rough of the bark on my back. I gasped as he kissed me hard, his tongue exploring my mouth, his hands holding mine against the tree. The rain was heavy now, but I didn’t feel it, at all. I kissed him back, my body screaming for him. He pulled away and rested his forehead on mine. He smiled and kissed me again, softer this time. I swear if he wasn’t holding my hands up, I would’ve fell over. I have never felt like this, ever. I felt his eyes burning into mine. I tried to speak but I couldn’t. He moved my curls back from my neck and traced his finger along my collarbone and gazed at me.

  "I can’t stop thinking about you, Raven."

  My heart felt like it was going to explode out of my chest. I couldn’t be trusted to speak. He pulled me towards him, running his hand down my back.

  "I don’t know what to say." I murmured. He lifted my fingers to his lips and kissed them softly.

  "I’ll be straight with you, I don’t want you to say anything. I want you to come home with me, right now." It was a request, but it was one I couldn’t refuse. I stared at him, unable to speak. Why couldn’t I speak?! Suddenly I found my voice.

  "This is what you are used to though." I whispered.

  He slammed his hands on the tree.

  "No it isn’t - trust me. I cannot get you out of my fucking mind. Please. Come with me."

  I found myself nodding, and he smiled then, a real smile that I had never seen before. He led me away from the dance and into his car. My heart pounded; what was I doing?! What was I going to tell everyone?! Cal drove carefully and without so much as glancing at me the entire drive. We pulled up to his house which was exactly as I remembered, but dark. Cal walked around in front of the car and opened my door, slipping his hand into mine. I followed him, feeling like I was walking on air.

  WHAT WAS I DOING?

  Breathe Gretch. It’s just the hottest guy you’ve ever seen, taking you to his bedroom in your dress from the dance you were at with your boyfriend....We climbed the final steps to his room and closed the door behind us. He stood in front of me gazing at me, appearing to be watching me carefully. I slid my heels off and walked over to him. I placed my hands on his chest and he cupped my hand under his jaw and kissed my fingers again.

  "I don’t know what I am doing Cal." I whispered, my voice low.

  His eyes searched mine. "I do, but if I kiss you again, I want you to be absolutely sure it is what you want." His voice was hoarse with longing.

  ""Please stop kissing my fucking fingers and kiss my lips." I begged him. He brought his lips down on mine, his tongue urgently teasing mine. I kissed him back fiercely, my hands under his shirt, his hands finding mine and pulling away slowly.

  "Fuck...." He whispered. He pulled me onto his lap on his bed.

  "You remember that feeling I told you I would need, Gretchen?"

  I kissed his throat, devouring his scent in my mouth, my hands running down his back and his chest as I pushed him onto the bed.

  "Yes," I breathed as he pulled me back.

  "I’ve got it. Right now. Against everything my body is telling me, I am NOT fucking you tonight."

  I stared at him, his lips swollen from kissing me. KISSING ME! I felt like I was in a dream.

  "You’re not?" I couldn’t hide the disappointment in my voice. He stroked my bare shoulders and sat up, placing me next to him.

  "No, I am not. As hard as it is, when I do that, I want you to be mine. Do you understand? Mine."

  I stared at him, this god like creature that was telling me he wanted ME? I knelt in front of him.

  "I haven’t stopped thinking of you either."

  He kissed me again, deeply until my phone rang, shattering the blissful silence we had created.

  "Shit." Cal’s eyes narrowed. "Is it him?"

  I checked the display. "No its Sienna."

  I answered as Cal laid back on his bed.

  "Babe where the fuck are you? Luke is going crazy saying you’ve left. Have you?"

  My eyes met Cal’s.

  "I’m ok Sienna, tell him I am ok. Tell him I will call him tomorrow. Will you cover for me? Please Sienna. I’ll tell my parents I am at yours tonight."

  Our eyes hadn’t broke contact. Sienna breathed her response slowly. "You aren’t going to tell me where you are you?"

  "No," I whispered. "I can’t. But I am ok, and I’m happy."

  She agreed to cover for me and speak to Luke. I turned my phone off.

  "Do you have anything I could sleep in?" I asked in a small voice.

  "Me?” He smirked, winking at me as we laced fingers

  "Easy there, buffalo Bill." I joked as we laughed easily. I loved that he got my Silence of the Lambs reference.

  He tossed me his t shirt that he was wearing, exposing his chest as i sucked in a breath.

  "You are really staying here?"

  He looked like the cat that had the cream.

  "It looks like it..." I shrugged with a wide smile as he walked towards me and span me around.

  "Let me unzip your dress." He murmured, carefully sliding the zip down and stepped back. I let the dress slide down as I reached for Cal’s t-shirt.

  "My God you are fucking perfect." He whispered.

  I pulled the clothes on and slid into bed, my eyelids heavy and my tiredness sudden. Cal reached around me and held my hand and kissed my shoulder. I fell asleep instantly.

  Chapter 5

  I woke to a pale blue wall that was unfamiliar and certainly not mine. I stirred slightly and felt the warm arms surrounding me.

  Oh. My. God.

  I'm in Cal's bed. With CAL.

  I turned to face him to see him fast asleep. His lips were parted slightly and his long lashes laid on his cheeks. I stared at him, my heart bursting with adoration. I leaned forward and kissed his lips, really softly, and seconds later he was kissing me back. It was insane.

  "Is this what lust feels like?" I wondered aloud to no-one in particular.

  "Do you really think that's all this is? You are the first girl I've ever slept next to and actually slept." He laughed and I hit him with a pillow.

  "Are you ok though?" He looked at me, biting his lip as he did. I curled up next to him, my hands entwined with his.

  "This isn't me. I don't feel good at all about lying here with you whilst I'm officially in a relationship. With your cousin of all people."

  Cal ran his fingers down my back lightly. "I know, I do. But what if you are meant to be with me, then being with him is the wrong thing isn't it? That makes this right?"

  I smiled at his inane logic. He leant on his elbow so he could see me properly.

  "No one has to know yet."

  "So what about Krystal?" I pouted.

  He leaned down and kissed me. "Who?"

  My heart hammered in my chest.

  "I don't think I've ever wanted anyone so much in my life."

  I pulled him down to me, kissing him until he pulled away, telling me he couldn't keep kissing me in his bed and leaving it there. I reached down and turned my phone on, to hear about a million beeps.

  "I'll get us some juice. Lucky there's no school today, now that would be awkward."

  He strode to his door and closed it behind him. OK so, lots of messages from a very drunken Luke. He loved me, he hated me, he was worried about me...I gulped, feeling absolutely evil. I called Sienna straight away. I told her I was
fine, that I would be going home soon and all was going to be OK. I didn't know what to say, but she begged me to call Luke. Cal walked back in and handed me a tall glass of chilled orange juice. I filled him in on the night time events and he kissed me softly.

  "Baby I know this is difficult for you... "

  Did he just call me baby? Oh Lord...

  "But you've got to go with what you want. Do you want me to talk to him for you?" His voice sounded colder now. I shook my head, horrified.