“Have you ever had sex with someone you love?” she asks after silence drags into minutes.
I clear my throat. “Yep.”
“Didn’t end well, I take it?”
“Nope.”
“Would you want to again? Let someone in, I mean.”
I cautiously eye her, not really sure if her question holds any weight or if she’s asking out of curiosity. “Probably. Why?”
“Just wondering.”
I don’t know what to think of that. It’s a bit of a weird thing to wonder, isn’t it? Why would she care if I were open to a relationship again?
“You missed the turn,” she says casually, sinking back in the seat.
“Fuck,” I mutter, braking so that I can make a U-turn.
She puts her hand out on the dashboard as I swing the car around. “Where is your mind?”
“You don’t want to know.”
Rolling her eyes, she says, “Blow jobs again?”
“I think I remember telling you not to bring that word up unless you’re going to do it. And you agreed, babe, so away you go.” I hook my eyebrow at her.
“One day, I’m going to do it, Kent, and you won’t know what to do.”
I snort. “Oh, I’ll know what to do, but I’m game if you want to test that theory.”
“Is sex all you think about?”
Not usually. “You make me hard as fuck. What can I say?”
She turns her head, but I can see the pink in her cheeks from the glow on the dashboard.
“You’re not used to people being so up-front, are you?”
“No,” she mutters.
“No one has told you how painfully sexy you are?”
Her head turns away a bit more. “No.”
“Come on.” As if I’m buying that one. I mean, look at her; she’s the hottest thing I have ever seen.
Her shoulders hunch, like she’s trying to protect herself.
Is she embarrassed?
“You’re serious?” I ask.
“Yes.”
“Look at me, Savannah,” I demand.
She turns, widening her eyes. “Look at the road, Kent!”
“I’ll look at the road when you open up.”
“I know we called a truce, but that doesn’t mean we have to be besties and share everything.”
I ignore her bitchiness. She’s only saying that because she wants to hide away from something.
“What about the guy? The one you were with for a little while?”
“That was nothing really. It was a long time ago, and the whole thing was a mistake.”
“He’s an idiot.”
“Yeah, he really is.”
What did he do to her? She’s lacking in confidence—when she’s not trying to drive me crazy, that is—so was he a dick to her?
I don’t know how anyone can find a fault with the way she looks.
“Well, that was a conversation killer,” she mutters. “Sorry, but I don’t really know how to handle compliments.”
“You could say, Gosh, Kent, that really turns me on when you tell me I’m stunning. Take me now. That would be an appropriate reaction.”
“Your mum really did drop you, didn’t she?”
Laughing, I peek back at her. Her pink lips are pressed together, smiling. I want to lean over and take her mouth, see if her lips are as soft as they look.
Down, boy.
“You’re hilarious,” I reply dryly. “Are you going to the summer festival?”
Why am I asking her that?
“I wasn’t planning on going. Every year, I say I will, but I never do.”
“Heidi will probably make you come along.”
“You go? Doesn’t seem like your thing.”
“Beer and food. What’s not to like? Brooke, Freddy, and Heidi love it, so I tag along with them.”
“Until you find the beer?”
“Exactly. You should come, too … if you want?”
Biting her bottom lip and making me fucking crazy at the same time, she nods. “Yeah, I would like that.”
Did I make that sound like me asking? Well, fucking obviously. I asked her somewhere. Fuck.
If she tells Heidi I invited her, my sister is going to say things. Then, she’ll tell our damn mum, and she will say lots more things.
Why couldn’t I have just left it to Heidi? She definitely would have made Savannah come along.
I’m losing my touch. She is making me turn into some sappy twat, desperate to spend more time with a girl I barely know.
No, I’m not desperate to spend time with her. I’m desperate to fuck her.
Those are very different things. Very goddamn different.
“Kent, do you want the whole road to yourself?” Savannah snaps, holding her good arm out in front of her.
Shit. With a sharp intake of breath, I veer the car back into my lane. We were right on the line, so I wouldn’t have stacked it in the ditch, but how could I have let my car swerve?
She’s going to kill me. Literally.
“Sorry,” I mutter, my heart sinking.
I have got to get her out of my head, but I don’t think that’s going to be easy. I need someone. Anyone.
I need her, but that’s not going to happen.
“Are you okay? I would offer to drive if you’re tired, but—”
I cut in, “But fractured arm and four glasses of wine.”
“Three glasses of wine.”
“It was four, Savannah.”
Her lips purse, and my eyes flit from them to the road and back again.
Jesus, concentrate on driving. If we die tonight because I can’t keep us on the road, I’ll have no chance of getting in her pants.
“Oh, it was four,” she says. “Please tell me your mum and Heidi had four, too. I don’t want to be the only wino.”
“No idea,” I reply with a shrug and turn onto the motorway.
I watch the road for once, but I feel her grey eyes burning a hole in the side of my head.
“What?” I ask.
“Why do you know how much wine I had and no one else?”
Shit. Busted.
“You were sitting next to me, and I had to judge the chance of you throwing up in my car.” The words spill from my mouth so smoothly, I’m seriously impressed. That sounds plausible, too. I don’t know what it is about her, but I notice everything. Like the smell of her hair, the darker grey flecks in her eyes, and the way she tilts her head when she’s flirting. It all seems to automatically register with me without any effort on my part.
“I’ve never been sick through alcohol.”
“Never? Isn’t that like some rite of passage that everyone has to experience once?”
“I’m not going to worry about never having puked up vodka.”
“One night, I’m getting you absolutely shit-faced.”
She laughs and turns her body in my direction. “Shit-faced?”
“Yep. Don’t worry; I’ll hold your hair back.”
“Wow, such a gentleman.”
“Believe it, baby. I’ve never held a girl’s hair back before.”
“What? Do you usually let them vomit all over themselves?”
“Hell yeah, I do. They got themselves into that state, and I’m not risking getting it on me.”
“But you’re making an exception for me?” she slowly speaks the words, like she’s thinking hard about each one.
I grit my teeth. Yeah, I seem to be making all sorts of exceptions for her. It’s doing my head in, but I can’t help the way she makes me feel. Admittedly, that’s pissed me off half the time, but the other half is good. Real good.
“That’s what I said,” I reply tightly.
“Well, thanks.”
“You’re actually looking forward to this, aren’t you?”
We turn into the city, and my heart drops. I’ve only got her for another ten minutes.
“I think I am. I’ll probably not say that in the morning. What does that say abou
t me?”
“That you want to catch up on all the fun things you missed from being so perfect, growing up.”
“I’m not perfect, Kent.”
Could’ve fooled me.
“You certainly won’t be when you’re puking your guts up in my toilet.”
“Your toilet? What makes you think we’ll be at your place?”
I roll my eyes. “I’ll be on my best behaviour. No matter how much you beg me to take you, I won’t put my dick anywhere near you.”
She snorts. “Thanks.”
“I’m more than happy to get you off with my tongue though.”
“Oh, there it is. I was wondering when you’d turn it dirty.”
“It’s only a matter of time, babe.”
Her eyes dance. “I would really love to watch you come on to a woman.”
“Where were you all night?”
“I don’t mean me. I’m curious to see why women go for all that arrogant bullshit.”
“I’ll show you next time.”
There is something seriously hot about her watching me put the moves on someone else. Would she be jealous? Yeah, she’d definitely be jealous. Would she get turned on, knowing I was only doing it for her? There’s no way I could leave with someone else when there was a chance of getting up close and personal with her.
Her eyes turn stormy, and she takes a ragged breath. “Oddly, I’m looking forward to that.”
You’re not the only one.
We reach her building.
“Thank you for the lift, Kent. Tonight has been great.”
I dip my chin. “That’s all right.”
She opens the door with her good hand, slips her handbag over her shoulder, and grabs the tub on the floor.
“Do you need me to carry that?”
“Oh, I’ve got it, thanks.”
“Savannah,” I call as she swings one leg out.
Looking back over, she replies, “Yeah?”
Am I actually doing this?
I hand her my phone.
Her eyes drop to it and then back to me. “Huh?”
“Your number. I can’t get you shit-faced one night if I can’t reach you.” I could, of course, find her at work.
I want her number.
She sees right through me but doesn’t make a comment. Instead, she rests the tub on the chair between her legs—fantastic place to be—and taps her number on my screen.
“Don’t use my number to sign up to daily sex position subscriptions or anything like that.”
I laugh and put my phone back in the cup holder. “I swear.”
With a smile, she picks up her stuff and gets out. “Good night, Kent.”
“Night,” I reply.
When she’s inside and climbing the communal stairs, I leave. I can’t see her once she’s past there anyway. I drive home, which doesn’t take long, as I’m only twenty minutes from hers. At this time of night, the city isn’t rammed with traffic.
I take the lift to my apartment and let myself in. My phone, now in my pocket, feels heavier. I want to take it out and text her.
She’s drunk, so I should make sure she got in okay.
Fuck it. I’m not the type to overthink talking to a woman.
Kent: You get in okay? Not passed out in the hallway?
Savannah: Couldn’t make it. Going to camp on the stairs tonight.
She’s joking, of course, but I kind of need confirmation.
Kent: Get in bed, and send me a dirty pic.
Okay, so although I wouldn’t say no to a picture of her, that’s not exactly what I’m after here. I want her to tell me she’s in a certain part of her apartment. She’d better not be outside.
Savannah: Sorry, just put my PJs on.
Good. I walk to the fridge to get a bottle of water to take to bed. It’s still too early for me to sleep, but I feel like I need to lie down. Trying to figure her out is just as exhausting as trying to figure out why I want her so badly.
Kent: Next time. ;) Night, Savannah.
I wince as I press Send. I already said good night when she got out of my car.
Savannah: See you at the carnival. Night.
Shit. Sighing, I scrub my face with my hand and close my eyes. I’m looking forward to it.
11
Savannah
It’s Saturday, and I have plans. I feel like I should mark it on the calendar or make an announcement in the newspaper. This past week, I’ve gone out more times than I have in the previous three years.
Yep, I’m a loser.
Heidi is dragging me to the summer festival—or so she thinks. Kent invited me on Wednesday, but I’ve obviously not told Heidi that.
The streets are lined with stalls selling food and drinks and crafts. There’s music and dancing, and I’m finally going to get to experience it from the ground rather than watching a small part of it out of my window.
Hello, having a life.
I chuck my phone and keys in my bag and head out to meet Kent, Heidi, Brooke, and Freddy.
Since dinner at Harrold and Judy’s three days ago, Kent and I have been texting. A lot. It’s mostly been flirty texts and teasing each other, but it’s been fun. I’ve not flirted in years, and it has taken me by surprise how much more confident I feel, knowing someone is interested in me. It shouldn’t. I know confidence should come from within, but after the way Simon made me feel, I was sure no one would ever find me attractive again.
I lock my door and head down the communal stairs to the front door. My building is quite small. I don’t know any of my neighbours but the old couple opposite me. Everyone else keeps to themselves, which is good because I do, too. There’s nothing I would find worse than small talk out in the hallway.
Heidi is walking toward my building when I get out. Her sister and future brother-in-law are behind her. And Kent is trailing behind, looking at a group of women in short shorts and sports bras.
He’s already annoying me.
It’s hot today. I have on a light-yellow summer dress and gladiator-style sandals.
Heidi grins. “How awesome is this! We’re getting our faces painted. I just walked past this stall, and you can have glitter and—”
“Are you drunk?” I ask. This is so unlike her to be all bouncy and wanting to get something painted on her face that isn’t makeup.
Kent laughs and runs his hand over his dark hair. He looks edible in a plain white shirt and denim shorts. “She actually is.”
“Heidi, it’s eleven in the morning!”
“Hey, don’t judge. We also passed a stall selling the most amazing gin cocktails.” She points at me. “You will love them.”
She’s drunk before lunch.
“I don’t know what to do with you right now,” I say, laughing as she throws an arm over my shoulders and hugs me.
“We’re going to get some food,” Brooke says, leaning her head on Freddy’s shoulder.
I don’t miss anything about Simon, but I do miss having someone there who cares. I miss the affection of being in a relationship and being held. Being in someone’s arms, feeling the beating of their heart and the rise and fall of their breath, gives you a sense of belonging. Everyone wants to belong somewhere, to someone or something.
But am I seriously letting my mind go to Kent? He’s not all that fluffy.
He was at one point; he has an ex. An ex who hurt him and made him want to keep interactions with women strictly strings-free.
Sex is something I’ve been missing, too. Three years and nothing. Before now, I just ignored it because I didn’t want anyone near me. But Kent has me constantly hot under the collar, so I’ve not been able to avoid wanting to get physical for the last week. I’ve been a nun for too long now.
Simon was my first and last, the only person I’ve ever been with. Now, that makes me pathetic.
Maybe I should have a one-night stand.
I wrap my arm around Heidi’s back since she’s not letting go of me. “Where to then?” I ask.
> “Tequila!” Heidi shouts, gaining a cheer from the surrounding crowd.
Okay, I wish I were drunk, too.
“Where’s the nearest restaurant?” Brooke asks.
“There’s a nice Mexican on the corner,” I reply, tipping my head in the direction of the restaurant.
“Let’s go then. I’m starving,” Kent says, walking off ahead.
Brooke and Freddy are in front of us. Heidi is slowing us down, but I don’t care because, one, I love her drunk, and, two, I have a nice view of her brother’s butt from here. He might be a massive dickhead most of the time, but he’s very easy on the eyes.
“Kent’s jolly today,” I say sarcastically. “You should have made him have some of those gin cocktails, too.”
She giggles and then pointedly stares at me. “He’s moodier than usual.”
“And that’s my fault how?”
“You two rub each other up the wrong way—which is funny to watch, by the way—but the sexual tension is palpable.”
“There is no sexual tension,” I say as we walk around three women dressed as flamingos.
Heidi stops dead, and I almost pull her over. We let go of each other in the process, and I turn to look at her.
“What’re you doing?”
“I know you’ve been out of the game for a while now, but please tell me you’re aware that you two want to jump each other’s bones.” She scrunches her nose up. “It’s totally gross because he’s my brother, so I don’t ever want any details.”
Oh, I’m acutely aware.
“Okay, let’s get you some food and coffee because you’ve stopped making sense,” I lie.
Heidi rolls her eyes but starts walking with me again.
We both know she’s making sense. Kent might make me want to stab him, jump him, and run away from him, all at the same time, but I can’t lie to myself. I would run my tongue all over that body.
We’re seated as soon as we get inside. The festival and street food means that restaurants are quieter than usual.
Heidi smirks at me as she sits next to Brooke, meaning I’m between her and Kent. He’s on my left, too, so I can’t even whack him if I need to, not without being in pain anyway.
“Can we have five shots of tequila to start?” Heidi asks as the server hands out menus.
“Okay, I don’t think we’re going to be successful in sobering her up,” I say, opening my menu.
Lie to Me Page 9