by S. R. Watson
The game continues with everyone else choosing dare. The dares ranged from flashing a stranger, skinny-dipping into the ocean, putting sand in the board shorts, kissing, and nipple pinching. This is definitely a wild bunch—the men more so than the women. I won’t be choosing dare. Four rounds later and four tequila shots in from my refusal to answer the truth questions, my head is starting to swim. I’ve been asked the wildest place I’ve ever had sex, have I ever had sex with a woman, have I ever been with two men, and finally Landon asks how old I was when I lost my virginity. His question is nothing more than a fishing expedition to remind me of our conversation that day. I sit there stunned at his secret jab. Peyton finally steps in and halts the questions.
“Okay guys,” she slurs. She has completed all of her dares and truths, but just chose to drink for the hell of it. “Nevaeh can’t answer any of your sex questions because she hasn’t had any. She’s a virgin, you morons,” she hiccups.
“I call bullshit,” Landon accuses. He looks at me, but I can’t answer the unspoken question in his eyes. Yes, I lied Landon. I’m going to kill Peyton.
“How is that even possible?” Gavin asks dumbfounded.
“Is it true?” Giselle whispers. I can only nod in the affirmative.
“Virgin, my ass,” Landon responds. “That’s what they all say before you get in that shit and damn near fall in.”
“Oh. My. God. Thor. That is not nice,” Giselle chastises. He is visibly upset at my admission. His fists are clenched and I swear his eyes can singe me on the spot. I try to get up to get away from his punishing stare, but I stumble and fall back to the sand.
“Holy shit. She is out of there man,” Mike says to Landon. My stomach picks this time to roll. I have just enough time to crawl a couple feet away from the group before I toss my cookies. Seeing this starts a chain reaction with both Peyton and Giselle following my lead. The men oddly enough are still somewhat sober. They didn’t consume anything close to the alcohol we did. Gavin is at my side within seconds with a wet paper towel to wipe my mouth. I look over and see Mike and Landon doing the same for Giselle and Peyton. I watch as Landon picks up Giselle and carries her to the truck. I hold on tightly to Gavin and try to remain upright as we follow behind them. The sight of them together is visual torture. I bury my face into Gavin’s biceps. My body feels like Jell-O, yet my heart still aches for the man who has shown me nothing but disdain since I arrived. I get back into my seat with Gavin’s help and then he gets in bedside me. Peyton sits in the middle row with Mike. I close my eyes on the ride back to the apartment and just pray my bout of vomiting is done at least until we get home.
I WISH I COULD just stay in this bed a little longer, but unfortunately my bladder is too full to wait another minute. I begrudgingly get up and make my way down the hall. In moments like this, I wish I had an en-suite bath. My head pounds with every step and I can’t open my eyes past a squint. Note to self—Patron is not your friend. At least the apartment is quiet. I don’t even know what time it is. Maybe the girls are still asleep. I finish my business and decide to brew myself some coffee. Hopefully then, I’ll feel a little bit more human. I’m in the kitchen all of five minutes before the front door bursts open and all three of my roomies come walking in with workout clothes on. What the fuck? I know Peyton and Giselle were both just as drunk as I was last night.
“I see you’re finally up,” Peyton sings. “Landon got us up at the ass crack of dawn and insisted we work the rest of the alcohol out of our system.”
“Yeah. We figured you would appreciate being left out of this ass kicking,” Peyton adds. I look at the time on the clock in the living room and see that it is slightly past noon. On one hand, I’m glad they let me sleep in and let’s face it. I can barely walk without my head protesting each step, but on the other hand, I feel left out of the loop.
“Okay. Who’s making lunch?” Giselle looks over at Landon. “Peyton cooked night before last and I cooked breakfast yesterday. Our new roomie gets a pass so I guess that leaves you babe.”
“Very subtle, baby.” He smacks her on the ass and head towards the kitchen. “You ladies can grab a shower and I’ll start lunch.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice,” Peyton exclaims as she makes a break for the bathroom.
“Damn it. I was just about to get a shower after I had my cup of coffee,” I whine.
Giselle laughs out loud as she heads toward her bedroom. “Tip for you roomie. You share a bathroom with Peyton so you’re going to have to be a little quicker. She doesn’t shower, she soaks before bathing. You’re in for a wait.” She laughs even harder at my pout. “I tell you what. If she’s still in there after Thor and I finish, you can use our shower.” My thoughts immediately fall on her jacuzzi tub that I have an infatuation with, but then the thoughts of what they may get up to in that tub banishes the idea.
“Thank you, but I’ll wait. Thanks for the warning.”
“Suit yourself,” she says and disappears into her room. I walk back into the kitchen where Landon is pulling out ingredients for our lunch. My plan is to grab a cup of the coffee I just brewed and head to my room to wait for the shower. He has other ideas.
He blocks my path so I’m stuck between him and the counter. He inches closer and my breath quickens at his nearness. I stare at the floor so he can’t see the desire in my eyes. I can feel him all around me and he hasn’t even touched me.
“Look at me,” he demands. I can’t. I think he knows the effect he’s having on me and he’s relishing in it. This is so wrong. I’m not supposed to be having these feelings especially since he has been nothing but an ass to me. I may have been drunk last night, but I remember his insulting words, clearly. He gently grabs my chin and lifts so that I’m forced to look him in the eyes. The acridness I see in the depths of his eyes is at odds with his gentle touch. He walks closer until his body is flush with mine. A tingling sensation stirs low in my belly. I can’t believe my stupid body is reacting to him this way. My hormones don’t care that he is taken.
“So tell me sweetheart. Were you lying back when we were in high school or are were you lying last night? Are you a virgin?” He looks down at my lips and I think my ovaries are about to spontaneously combust. I don’t want to answer his question, but the hardness of his body acts as its own persuader. Damn him for putting me on the spot like this.
“Then,” I say attempting to push my self free, but he doesn’t budge.
“So. No other man has had the pleasure of having you?” His grip is somewhat firmer now, but not to the point of pain.
“No.” Again I try to leave, but it’s no use.
“Why did you fucking lie to me? You fucking obliterated my heart.” He backs away from me, but not out of my way. “I need answers Heaven.” Oh. My. Fucking. God. He just called me the pet name he had for me back then. I don’t even think he realizes it. The hurt in his eyes is unmistakable now, but it’s gone in a flash. I know I need to give him some sort of explanation. This moment was inevitable the minute our paths crossed again. He’s not ready for the whole truth though and I’m not ready to share it.
“Landon. With everything going on with my mom, I couldn’t be in a relationship. I knew there was a possibility that we would be moving if she got accepted into the clinical trials and I needed you to be free of me. Free to see other people. I knew the only way to make you leave me was for you to hate me.” A tear slips down my cheek as I’m brought back to the day that destroyed us both.
“Bullshit,” he yells and I jump. “You were selfish and were only thinking of yourself. That wasn’t your choice to make. I loved you. We could have made things work long distance.
I would have done whatever was necessary. I didn’t want anyone else. Did you know that the remainder of senior year was fucked up because of you? I almost didn’t get my football scholarship to FSU because I attempted to numb the pain with drinking and fucking. My grades slipped and I didn’t care about shit. It took wrapping my car around a tree
to wake me the fuck up.” My tears are flowing non-stop now. I had no idea how much he had suffered after I left. I completely shut down and stayed to myself, but I had Peyton to slowly bring me out of my shell. It hurts to hear that I caused him so much pain or that he was nearly killed in a car crash.
“I’m sorry,” I rasp. “I had no idea. I promise I only wanted to spare you from me.” I can’t do this anymore. If he knew the truth, he would be even more devastated. I sprint past him and this time he doesn’t stand in my way. When I’m safely in my room, I bawl my eyes out until I fall asleep again.
A soft knock at my door causes me to jump up. Disoriented to the time, I grab for my phone as Peyton walks in. She flips the light on and I blink a few times to adjust to the sudden light.
“Lunch is ready. Or do you want to shower first?”
“Are you just getting out of the tub?” I ask in astonishment. I turn my phone and see that a couple hours have passed.
“No. Giselle told me she warned you. She was exaggerating about how long I stay in the tub,” She grins. “Well maybe a little. Anyway, I came to tell you I was out over an hour ago, but you were asleep. I decided to let you sleep for a bit, but now the food is ready.”
“Well, I’m not having lunch without a quick shower.” I get up and grab an old t-shirt and gym shorts along with undergarments before hurrying past Peyton. I expected them to have already started lunch without me, but when I come out, Landon is just placing plates at the table so I take a seat. Peyton and Giselle are already waiting.
“Oh wow. Did you really make this?” I look at Landon in awe. This food looks too good to eat. The presentation is amazing. I know his dad is a chef, but I had no idea he possessed the same talent.
“I sure did,” he answers proudly. He takes a seat across from me with a smile plastered on his face. It is the first real smile he has sent my way.
“I had no idea you could cook like this.” The smile slips from his face for a second and I realize my mistake. It is my first hint at familiarity.
“Well, how could you? Try it. I promise it tastes better than it looks. It’s grilled, striped sea bass with Indian-spiced tomato salad. It’s best paired with a dry white wine. I think you’ll like the Pouilly Fumé too.” I’m barely over the hangover from last night so alcohol is the last thing I want to see, but he is making an effort to be nice so I will indulge. Besides, the girls are complaining. They’ve already bounced back like pros.
“Hmmm, you’re sexy and you’re a genius in the kitchen. You’re going to make a hell of a husband someday,” Peyton says as she winks at Giselle. I nearly choke on the white wine I just took a sip of.
“Are you okay?” Giselle asks. Her eyebrows knit in genuine concern.
“Yes, I’m fine. The wine went down the wrong way,” I offer. I look over at Landon and he has a grin plastered to his stupid handsome face. The fucker is enjoying my discomfort.
“Maybe one day,” Giselle replies to Peyton’s comment. I take a bite of the striped sea bass to avoid being pulled in that discussion and oh my. The delicious flavor of rosemary dances on my tongue. My eyes close on their own accord as I savor the taste and I can’t help the moan that slips out.
“Are you having a foodgasm over there?” Peyton teases. I nod my head in the affirmative.
“Well at least she’s getting some type of gasm,” Giselle says, adding to the teasing. “I know you’re virgin, but have you ever had an orgasm?” My eyes snap open at this. Okay, moment ruined.
I sneak a peek over at Landon, but he’s looking off into the distance—pretending not to pay attention to the conversation. Giselle sees me looking over at Landon and misinterprets my hesitation to answer. “It’s okay. Don’t mind Thor. He doesn’t mind the girl talk. Peyton and I talk in front of him all the time . . .” Hello. Doesn’t she remember his skepticism last night about me even being a virgin? Why would she bring up that awkward conversation again?
“Give her time to adjust to you two Giselle. You can’t expect her to have the same level of comfort we have with each other after only two days,” Peyton interrupts. I’m glad she spoke up because I’m speechless. She doesn’t know me well enough to get that personal.
“Well, I was just thinking Thor could help hook her up with Gavin. We can make it our mission to help her out. We can call it mission destroy v-card,” Giselle laughs. The liberties she’s taking with discussing something so personal is starting to piss me off. Landon must notice this because he speaks up.
“Cut it out Giselle. You’re making Nevaeh uncomfortable. She doesn’t need our help. That’s offensive.” He looks over at me and the softness in his eyes makes my heart speed up. “Her virginity is a personal choice. I’m sure she could have any man she wants. When she’s ready to take that step, she will not need any interfering from us.” Sensing he’d said too much, he returns to eating his food. The table is stunned silent for a minute. I just can’t believe that his stance has taken an one eighty since last night.
“I was just joking Thor,” Giselle finally says. “I know she’s beautiful and doesn’t need our help. Thanks for pointing it out.” She takes a sip of her wine. “Sorry Nevaeh if I was being insensitive. I get carried away sometimes. I’m just use to being able to say anything to these two,” she says gesturing toward Landon and Peyton.
“Don’t worry about it. It’s forgotten.” As I get up from the table I give her shoulder a squeeze. I begin gathering their empty plates. I need to feel like I’m pulling my weight.
“You don’t have to do that,” Landon insists. He reaches to grab his empty plate out of my hand, but I move it out of his reach.
“It’s fine Lan . . . , I mean Thor. You guys have each cooked and I haven’t contributed yet. Let me do the dishes.” I walk toward the kitchen with Peyton on my heels.
“We have a dish washer, you know?” She props a hip on the counter as I begin running dishwater.
“Yeah, well I prefer the old fashioned way. We had one at home too and I never used the damn thing,” I chuckle.
“We need some cleaning music,” Giselle suggests from the living room. Landon disappeared into the bedroom so it is just us girls singing along to various hit songs. After I finish washing dishes and wiping everything down, I join them in the living room. “Sex on Fire” by Kings of Leon comes on and Peyton cranks up the volume on the stereo. We start dancing like crazy. I really let loose, courtesy of the wine with lunch. I’m swinging my hair and gyrating my hips—so lost in the music that I don’t see that Landon has taken a seat at the counter and is watching the show. I make the mistake of looking into his eyes and holy shit.
He is openly eye fucking me. I look in Giselle’s direction, but her back is to us. For a moment, I freeze—unsure how to react. But then, the vixen in me decides to give him something to watch. I turn the sexy up a notch. I roll my hips and flip my hair like I’m giving him his own private performance—the moves from the strip club are finally useful for something. I don’t look his way, but I can feel his eyes on me like a caress. My body tingles from the naughtiness of it all. I turn just in time to see him leave the room. Peyton and Giselle are none the wiser of our little interaction. The song ends and Peyton turns down the music.
“That was so fun,” she says.
“Yeah, it was. We even got to burn a few calories from that delicious lunch,” Giselle adds.
“Only you would think about that Giselle. It wasn’t even a fatty meal,” Peyton says rolling her eyes. “We need to get ready for our meeting tomorrow morning. Oh, I forgot to tell you about it Nevaeh.” She explains that the sorority that her and Giselle belong to is having a meeting to plan for the new inductees this fall. She tells me to let her know if I want to join. I told her I would think about it, but it’s not really my thing. The girls head to Peyton’s room, but I lag behind. I noticed while doing the dishes earlier, there was some chamomile tea in the cabinet. I decide to brew myself a cup with some milk before retreating to my room. I don’t want to be a third
party to their planning session.
I’m stirring sugar into my tea when two hands grip my hips from behind.
“Those were some sexy dance moves you were doing earlier. Were they for me?” Landon’s mouth is less than an inch from the shell of my ear. Shamelessly, I let myself melt into him. “Answer me Heaven.” He pulls me back further into him and I can feel the hardness of his cock against my ass.
“Yes,” I say trying to hold back a moan. I know he is not mine, but in this moment I don’t care. I can’t see past my own lust and unresolved feelings.
“You’re not making this easy for me sweetheart. I knew you were going to be fucking trouble the moment I saw you. Do us both a favor and stop being a cock tease before I fuck you senseless. My relationship with Giselle is already holding on by a thread and you’re pulling on the fucking string,” he warns.
That got my attention. What problems is he having with Giselle? They look happy and in love to me, but it doesn’t go unnoticed that he called me Heaven again. What does all this mean? Was calling me by his old pet name for me a slip or is he purposely hinting that he still has feelings for me too. He nibbles on my ear and this time I can’t hold back the moan that slips out.
“Damn, you’re so responsive.” He pushes away from me. “I need to walk away now. Goodbye Heaven.”
“Bye Landon.” A sexy smile creeps across his lips before he winks at me. He returns to his room while I stand in the middle of the kitchen stunned over what just happened. Holy fuck, we’re in deep shit. The pet name is definitely not a slip. He didn’t even chastise me for calling him Landon. I grab my tea and head to my room. What the hell am I doing? And what does he mean that his relation with Giselle is hanging on by a thread? They look pretty happy to me—sickenly so. I know that I’m playing with fire and yet I can’t avoid the flames. A ball of guilt sinks deep within my stomach, but I can’t deny the attraction between us. Giselle doesn’t deserve any of this. I don’t know what to do with these feelings because one thing is for sure. I’m still very much in love with Landon. I freaking covet my nice roommate’s boyfriend. This has disaster written all over it.