Lie to Me

by Preston, Natasha

  I chuck the few tools I needed to do the job in my holdall and head into the studio.

  “Where’s Heidi?” I ask Savannah.

  My sister was sitting down ten minutes ago when I went for a piss.

  Stormy grey eyes peek up at me over the top of an A4 piece of paper. I can see Heidi’s sketch through the paper.

  “She’s gone out for a lunch meeting. Do you need anything?”

  “Just to tell her I’m done.”

  Savannah puts the sketch down and flicks her blonde hair out of her face. I’m sure it smells like coconut. “Great. That’s so great.”

  Yeah, I think so, too.

  The last couple of days, she’s been keeping her distance while I’ve been here. At first, it pissed me off that I was being ignored, but then I realised it was for the best. I don’t want her in my life either.

  I’ll be fucking glad to see the back of Savannah Dean for a while. Well, until Wednesday when I have to pick her up for dinner at my parents’ house. My damn mother would not let me out of it. No woman will ever tell me what to do—I’m always in control, the one in charge—but when it comes to my mum, I do what I’m fucking told.

  Hey, what can I say? I’m pretty sure the woman is either crazy or a witch.

  I tilt my head to the side. This morning, Savannah was wearing a dress, I’m sure. It was mid-thigh length; I definitely remember that. Now, she’s wearing jeans and a black T-shirt.

  “Did you change?”

  “Huh?” She looks down. “Oh, yeah, I spilled my drink. You noticed that?”

  “I have eyes.”

  She takes a deep breath through her teeth. “I’ll let Heidi know you finished.”

  Where’s your dress? Did you get changed here?

  “I can wait for her.”

  Were you naked merely meters away from me?

  “It might be a long meeting.”

  I shrug one shoulder and let my bag drop to the floor. “I have time.”

  Actually, I don’t. It’s one p.m. on a Friday, and by now, I’d be out with Max and Toby, lining up tonight’s fuck. Instead, I’m waiting at my sister’s work with the blonde whose naked body I cannot stop thinking about right now.

  If I spill something on her, will she have another outfit to change into?

  Savannah’s mouth purses, and her grey eyes cloud like they’re about to thunder. “Of course you do.” She stands up. “Take a seat. I’ll be in the storeroom.”

  When she walks past me with her eyes on the ground, my chest clenches.

  Why do I turn into a bigger dickhead than usual around her?

  Closing my eyes, I tip my head back.

  Since she met Brooke, she’s been more involved in my life, too. My mum loves her, both my sisters love her, and she’s been invited to two family events in the space of a week.

  I can’t have her as a permanent fixture in my life. She makes me angry and horny.

  Fuck Heidi, I need to get out.

  So, I leave without saying another word to Savannah.

  Wednesday rolls around way too fast. I have a whole evening with Savannah. It’s been really nice these past four days that she’s been out of my life. Yet, the whole time, I’ve been craving the way we snip at each other.

  I need help.

  I cut my engine outside her building and look up. Apparently, she lives up on the first floor and faces out toward the road.

  Is she looking at me right now?

  Why I feel the need to get out and buzz her apartment, I don’t know, but somehow, I find myself getting out of the car and walking toward the building. I stop at the front door, realising that Heidi told me what floor Savannah is on but not the number. Or she might have told me, and I just didn’t listen.

  This is a great start.

  I’m about to call my sister when I see Savannah through the glass, walking down the stairs to ground level.

  Fuck me.

  Has she always looked like that?

  She’s wearing a pair of dark blue skinny jeans and a grey off-the-shoulder shirt, but she looks sexier than any other woman I’ve ever seen in a little dress.

  Why don’t I like her again?

  Her steely eyes, looking even more prominent with the colour of her top, warily eye me. Our last encounter wasn’t exactly pleasant.

  She opens the door and smiles. “Hi, Kent.”

  My back stiffens. “Savannah.”

  “Are you sure you don’t mind taking me tonight? I can Uber.”

  And there it is. This is why she fucking bothers me so much. I feel like telling her to call a fucking Uber then. She always sounds so unsure of herself, like every tiny thing a person does for her is some massive inconvenience. Why?

  “It’s fine,” I spit.

  She folds her arms, carefully because her fractured arm hasn’t healed. It does take away a little of the dramatic flair she was going for. “Do you need to take a nap before we go?”

  “What?”

  “You’re cranky.”

  “You’re too polite.”

  “Being polite is a bad thing?”

  I flex my jaw. “Yes.”

  “Fine. Get in the car, and take me.”

  The intent behind her words is clear; however, I hear it completely different and laugh.

  She rolls her eyes. “Don’t be a knobhead, Kent. Take me to your parents’ house, I mean.”

  “Knobhead. I’ve not heard that one in a while.”

  Savannah takes another long breath. “I really don’t know why I thought accepting a lift from you would be a good idea. In fact, I didn’t. I still think it’s a bad idea.”

  “You always follow through with bad ideas?”

  “Tonight, I am.”

  Fuck yeah. I love this fighting side of her. It’s like, when I rile her up enough, the cover slips, revealing the real Savannah. I’m not sure if she’s hiding something the way Freya was.

  “You should work on that. I don’t do anything I don’t want to.”

  She tilts her head to the side, fire and determination in her eyes. “Oh, you wanted me to come tonight? And you wanted to be the one to pick me up?”

  “You’re hot when you’re angry, Savannah.”

  Actually, she’s hot all the time. It’s just, right now, she’s the whole package.

  “You always use bullshit like that to deflect from someone calling you out?”

  “You’re the first woman to call me out.”

  “Why doesn’t that surprise me?” she mutters.

  “Do you want to argue on your doorstep all night or get to my parents’ for dinner? I’m cool with either, just checking to see which way you’re leaning.”

  She drops her arms, one still bound tightly in a splint. “I’m hungry.”

  “Excellent, let’s go then.”

  I walk around to the driver’s side, and Savannah heads to the passenger.

  “Ah, remember that time you were a gentleman and opened my door?”

  Shaking my head at her, I get in, and she does, too.

  I slam the door. “You had a broken arm.”

  Holding her bad arm up, she replies, “Still do.”

  “You manage just fine. I’m sure your medal is in the post.”

  The engine roars to life when I turn the key. I pull onto the road, and we drive toward my parents’ house.

  The whole drive is silent, but it’s comfortable. We’re about five minutes out when Savannah shifts in her seat. Up until now, she’s been a statue, and I’ve been enjoying the peace. I don’t like talking when I’m driving.

  “It looks really pretty around here,” she says, staring out the window.

  We’re surrounded by forest. My parents are out in the country. They have a lot of land and no neighbours. I want to settle there when I’m older.

  “It is.”

  “What was it like, growing up here?”

  “Fine.”

  “I’ve always loved the countryside, but the city is where I feel at home. Was it ha
rd to transition to the city after this?”

  “Nope.”

  She rolls her head toward me. “Are you sulking?”

  “What?”

  “You’re grunting one-worded answers again.”

  “My first answer was two words.”

  I feel her roll her eyes. “If you’d rather we didn’t speak, that’s fine.”

  I don’t know if she’s being polite now or bickering back. “Why do you want to talk anyway? You hate me.”

  “I don’t hate you, Kent,” she replies, her voice low and breathy.

  “Bollocks.”

  “No, I don’t hate you.”

  I glance at her, but her face is emotionless. “Well, you sure hide it well.”

  “I could say the same for you. Can’t pretend that it’s always a pleasure being in your company, but I don’t hate you.”

  “It could be a pleasure if you wanted it to be.”

  She snorts. “Has that line ever worked on anyone before?”

  “I’ve never had to use a line on anyone before.”

  “You sleep around a lot, huh?”

  The judgment in her words feels like sandpaper against my skin.

  I clear my throat. “I’m single, and everyone I sleep with knows the score.”

  “You don’t have to justify it to me.”

  “I take it, you don’t sleep around a lot?” I ask even though I really don’t need to.

  “Nope.”

  I raise my eyebrow. “Have you ever had a one-night stand?”

  “No, but you already know I’m not a virgin.”

  “I know, and I think it’s a shame. I would have loved to be your first.”

  She laughs, twisting her body toward me. I like that she’s finally feeling comfortable enough to move.

  “What makes you think that, if I were saving myself, I would let you take my virginity?”

  “Babe, I’d clearly be the one you were saving yourself for.”

  “Right. I would wait twenty-two years to give it up to my boss’s brother, who mostly acts like I’m constantly pissing him off.”

  “I don’t have to act.”

  “Nice. All I’m saying is that a one-night stand wouldn’t be my first encounter.”

  I pull onto my parents’ drive, and Savannah’s mouth opens.

  “I got something you can put in there,” I say, smirking at her.

  She clamps her mouth shut and glares at me. “No, thanks. How do you go from looking like you want to throw me under your car to trying to get in my pants?”

  “It’s a talent. And I don’t ever want to run you over.”

  “Can you tell your face that? You’re always glaring.”

  Shit, she’s noticed. “That’s just my face.”

  “You don’t glare at everyone else, not as much anyway.”

  “Well, maybe they don’t piss me off as much.”

  “Because they’re not as polite or because they won’t give you a blow job either.”

  I laugh, thumping my head back against the headrest.

  “What is so funny?” she demands.

  “I thought you were too proper to say blow job.”

  “Too proper? Why would you think that?” She frowns and looks genuinely confused, not understanding why I would reach that conclusion.

  I need to tread carefully here. I’m not at all scared about telling her straight, but, believe it or not, I don’t actually want to hurt her. “The polite thing doesn’t help. But you always seem on edge and controlled. The only time you’re yourself is when I piss you off so much, you snap back, and you just generally seem like you think you’re above everyone else.”

  Her mouth drops open.

  Surely, I’m not the first person in her life to be saying this?

  “That is so far from the truth. I don’t think I’m better than anyone.”

  I nod. “Okay. That’s good to know.”

  “Do people think that?” Her eyes gloss over like she’s trying not to cry, and her face falls.

  Fuck, I can’t do crying. If she starts bawling, I’m going to throw myself under my car.

  “No, everyone else seems to love you.” She dips her head, and I feel like the biggest piece of shit to grace the earth. “Savannah, I’m sorry.”

  “No, it’s okay. That’s how you feel, and I want you to be honest.”

  “Me, too. I fucking despise liars,” I spit. Freya’s face appears in my mind, grinning at me, the smug bitch.

  Savannah flinches at my tone.

  I’m not doing well here at all. “Sorry, that wasn’t directed at you at all. I don’t hate you, not even close. I’m confused by you.” And how I really feel about you.

  “Kent, Savannah, are you going to sit out there all night?” Heidi shouts.

  Snapping my head up, I realise we are in fact still sitting in my car on the drive.

  Savannah uses my distraction to get out of my car like it’s on fire.

  Why do I even bother opening my mouth at all?

  I follow suit, catching up to her, and we walk the long path to the front door. It’s on a slight incline, so Savannah is a little slower than usual.

  Heidi laughs at us from the front door. If we get much closer, she will be able to hear us.

  “Hey,” I say, touching her back, “I am sorry.”

  I can smell Savannah’s hair as it blows lightly in the warm breeze, and all thoughts of my ex disappear.

  Coconut.

  “You don’t have to be sorry.”

  “I still am. I just don’t know you.”

  Her eyes lift to mine. “You don’t want to know me.”

  “Who said that?”

  “That’s how you come across.” She stops walking and turns to me. This conversation is now not at all inconspicuous, but Heidi has turned around, talking to whoever is standing in the hallway. “You act like I’m beneath you and not worth getting to know. You think you know me, but you’ve just admitted you’re confused by me.”

  I hold my hands up. This is getting us nowhere. “Truce? Let’s put whatever preconceived ideas we have of each other aside and start again.”

  She bites her lip, considering my proposition. Finally, she smiles. “Okay, that sounds good. Arsehole.”

  “Now, that was uncalled for. I’m the one—”

  Laughing, she turns back and starts walking. “I was kidding.”

  She probably wasn’t, but I deserved it. I catch her again just as Heidi looks back at us both.

  “Seriously, could you drag this out any longer?” she says sarcastically.

  Savannah slows her pace.

  “How old are you?” I say.

  “As if you didn’t think about doing it, too. You’re just annoyed I got there first. Arsehole.”

  “Okay, you need to drop the arsehole thing, princess, or I’m going to make you.”

  “How?”

  We’re now in earshot of Heidi, so I clamp my mouth shut. Savannah looks at me over her shoulder and lifts her eyebrow in challenge.

  Oh, it’s so on, girl.

  “Kent!” Mum shouts, running from the kitchen into the large, open hallway. She runs at me and wraps me in a death hug.

  “Jesus, woman, I saw you only a few days ago.”

  Pulling back, she slaps my arm. “Less of the woman, and days feel like months when it’s your children.” She turns from me and addresses Savannah, “Darling, I’m so glad you could make it.”

  “She didn’t have a choice,” I mutter.

  Mum ignores me and hugs Savannah with the same intense grip that she hugged me.

  Crazy woman.

  “You coming through to the kitchen?” Heidi asks me while Mum and Savannah are talking.

  Damn it, I’m standing here, watching Savannah, like a fucking creep. She looks different now.

  “Sure,” I say. “I need a drink.”

  “Kent Lawson, you are not having anything to drink if you’re driving,” Mum says, following us through.

  But I
think I’m going to need one tonight. “Fine.”

  “What are you two drinking?” Mum asks Savannah and Heidi. “I have a bottle of white open.”

  Savannah walks past me and smirks. “Sounds good to me.”

  Little fucker. She had better not get drunk.

  Dad is in the kitchen, stirring what smells like his famous pasta sauce. He looks up from it for a brief second and says, “Hey.”

  He’ll not interact until it’s done. I think he loves cooking more than us.

  Mum pours three glasses of wine.

  “I’ll grab a Coke then,” I say.

  “Good boy.”

  “Are Brooke and Freddy coming?” I ask, taking a can from the fridge.

  “No, they can’t make it now.”

  I close the door. “I wonder what they’re doing instead.”

  Mum points at me, but her mouth smiles anyway. “Don’t.”

  Savannah takes a sip of wine, and her stormy eyes flick to me. Watching her lips press together as she swallows is agonising. I stand closer to the massive island in the middle of the kitchen as my dick starts to swell at the thought of those lips around my cock.

  Is she doing that on purpose?

  I glare in warning, but that only seems to spur her on. She sits on the stool next to where I’m standing, and Heidi sits next to her with Mum opposite. I would go and pretend I’m interested in Dad’s cooking, but if I move, everyone is going to see the raging fucking erection I’ve got going on.

  I can smell Savannah’s hair from here, and it’s quickly becoming my new favourite scent. Swallowing hard, I open my can of fucking Coke and swig. My throat is dry as hell. She looks at me with her mouth slightly parted and eyes full of heat.

  I don’t think I’m confused about how I feel anymore, but I do think I’m in trouble here.

  9

  Savannah

  So, I definitely moved too close to Kent. It seemed like such a good idea when he was looking at me like he wanted to rip my clothes off. It was a massive change from the way he usually looked. I should have stayed put and kept a little distance.

  Now, I’m so close, I can feel his body heat and smell his aftershave.

  He laughs at something his mum says, and his arm brushes mine. The touch is electric. I bite my lip.

  What the hell is going on? How can I go from disliking him one second to wanting to be under or on top of him the next?