by K. G. Reuss
“You’re like him,” I said, my voice wavering. “Your heart doesn’t beat.”
“Are you afraid?” he growled, our bodies still touching.
“No.” I looked up at him, trying to relax. “Because I know you won’t hurt me. Right, Corbin? You won’t hurt me.”
“Never say never,” he replied, his head dipping down, so he was speaking in my ear softly, causing me to shiver. “I’ve been known to tell a few lies here and there, Maggie. It’s just who I am.”
He backed away from me, his green eyes dark, a black ring etching around them.
I pushed past him, going to his front door and pulling it open.
“Maggie?” he called out to me. I paused and stared back at him fearfully. “Option C isn’t so bad. Remember that.”
I didn’t answer. I simply closed the door behind me and rushed away, thinking for the first time that I was in way over my head.
Chapter 58
Corbin had scared me. He and Brax shared a secret.
And yet, somehow, I didn’t care. I loved Brax. I didn’t care what he’d done or who or what he was. We were meant for one another. I’d do anything to keep him safe from whatever he was running from. He needed to know that I meant it. Everything. I meant it.
As for Corbin, he was intense. Beneath it all, he needed help too. Maybe even more than Brax did. And even though he scared me, I was a glutton for punishment and knew I’d try to help him. Because that’s what friends did for one another. They stuck by through all the good and bad times, offering a helping hand. Something about Corbin had me on edge though. Something told me to stay away.
I just couldn’t. I knew him. I knew he needed me too. He was drowning just as much as I was. He’d given me Brax. He couldn’t be so bad that I couldn’t help him.
It was just a matter of him letting me.
Later that evening, I stared down at my phone as it buzzed with a text.
I didn’t mean to frighten you.
Corbin. I bit my bottom lip. He was remorseful. Or lying. Something kept niggling at me. He said he didn’t always tell the truth. But he wouldn’t do that to me. We were friends. He was honest with me. I knew he was.
I trust you. I don’t care who or what you and Brax are. I know you both won’t hurt me.
I sent the text off. He replied instantly.
You’re right, Maggie. We both won’t. Have fun tonight.
I shot him back a smiley face. We were good.
We were on our third official date, and Brax wanted to bet me. I was all for it, especially when he revealed the terms. My heart soared when he said if he won, he wanted to kiss me. I’d been wanting to kiss him for so long, but the timing was never right. I mean, we could’ve kissed countless times after he dropped me off or when we sat holding each other’s hands. But I wanted it to be more than just the standard. It had to mean something. I wanted the memory to be one that would stay with me forever. And him. Someday when I looked back on our first kiss, I wanted to feel again what I felt in that moment. I wanted it to be profound, something that could always pull me out of my darkest moments. Plus, we hadn’t even discussed what our relationship even was. We still hadn’t labeled it. But I wanted to. I wanted to be known as Brax’s girlfriend. I wanted to call him my boyfriend.
I also wanted to see him in a pink shirt so that was what I’d get if I won—him in a pink shirt. And I’d make it the pinkest shirt ever worn!
I wasn’t going to go easy on him. My dad used to bring me to play air hockey. I was good at it. Lance and I even played sometimes. Well, until we broke up. He’d never beaten me. I battled Brax furiously. He was frustrated, so I tried not to smirk too much while we battled.
When I made the winning goal, I jumped with excitement. Brax let out a disbelieving growl before sweeping me up in his arms.
“Looks like someone better learn to like the color pink!” I giggled as he ran his fingers through my hair.
“You are in so much trouble,” he growled, tugging my body closer to his. “You ruined my plans.”
“What plans?” I feigned innocence as I batted my lashes at him.
“The one where I finally get to kiss you,” he replied, staring hungrily down at me.
“What’s wrong with delayed gratification?” I teased him, my heart going wild in my chest. I’d won. I’d get to see him in pink. But I’d also lost a kiss.
“You’re talking to someone who only deals in instant gratification,” he shot back, his nose rubbing against mine.
“Then this must be torture for you.” I laughed softly, enjoying his pouting.
“It’s my own personal hell,” he grumbled, squeezing me tighter.
“It’s not hell.” I planted a gentle kiss on his cheek. “It’s more like purgatory. Eventually, you’ll be free.”
“Ooh, you’re a difficult jailor, angel.” He sighed.
I let out a giggle and gave him a smile as I took his hand and brought him to a zombie shooter game. He seemed to lighten up considerably as the night progressed. We spent so much time laughing that he didn’t have time to overthink whatever had been bothering him lately.
When the evening ended, I had so many tickets I knew I’d be able to get the pink shirt hanging behind the counter. I’d been eying it all night.
“Come on!” I shouted excitedly, wanting to get the shirt and see his face when he put it on.
“Hey, Maggie,” Devon Sharp greeted me from behind the counter. I knew him from school. He was on the football team. Jess had a crush on him for five minutes our junior year, but when she’d gone to make a move on him, he’d declined and said she wasn’t his type.
“Hi,” I greeted him. “I need to redeem my tickets!”
“Wow.” He grinned. “Nice haul!”
“Yeah.” I smiled happily.
“I never see you here.”
“Oh, I don’t go out much,” I said. “I’m actually here with Brax.” I looked behind me. He’d been right next to me as we moved through the crowded arcade only moments before. Where did he go?
“Shepherd?” Devon asked, glancing around.
“Yep!” I replied, turning to look for him. I spotted him by a hunting game. I smiled and waved him over to me.
“So, you two a thing?” Devon whispered in a hurry as he put my tickets into the machine.
“Um.” I played with a strand of my hair, unsure about how to answer. “I-I don’t think we’re defining our relationship. We’re just… really close.” I nodded, trying to keep the frown off my lips. I wanted to define it!
“Brax!” I called out to him, wanting him near me. The separation from him always left me wanting.
“Sharp, how’s it going?” Brax mumbled coming to my side.
“Not bad, man. Want me to put your tickets with Maggie’s?”
“They’re all hers,” he replied stonily. I frowned at him. Something was bothering him. It had to be the same thing from earlier. I tried to hold his hand, but for the first time ever, he didn’t lace his fingers with mine, linking us more tightly. Fear began to blossom in my chest. It was only made worse when Brax continued to speak, “You have a girlfriend, Devon?”
“Oh.” Devon chuckled. “Nah.”
“Why not?” Brax asked.
“I don’t know.” Devon laughed nervously. “All the good ones are taken, I guess.”
“Maggie isn’t,” Brax stated. My breath hitched in my chest. What was he doing? And why was he doing it? I thought we were OK! What had happened in the span of five minutes?
“You two should hang out,” Brax continued, his voice thick.
“Oh. Uh…” Devon glanced at me before looking at Brax. “I guess I thought you two were seeing each other.”
“We’re just friends. What do you say, Mags? A date with Devon would be nice, right?” His voice was tight, and he wouldn’t even look at me.
“Sure,” I whispered, my heart feeling like it had been crushed. “Maybe we could do that sometime.”
“Cool.” De
von smiled at me. “So… You have a ton of tickets, Maggie. What do you want?”
“I want the pink t-shirt,” I answered quickly, my heart no longer in making him pay up on our bet. Devon handed me the shirt. “Thanks. I-I need to get home.” Brax wasn’t even paying attention. I had a million and ten things to say to him but none of them seemed right. Deciding it was best for me to just leave, I turned and walked away. My eyes burned with unshed tears as I made it to the ladies’ room.
Hurriedly, I splashed water on my face and stared at myself in the mirror. The happiness was gone from my face. My chest ached. My stomach was in knots.
I couldn’t do this. I knew I couldn’t. There wasn’t one damn reason in the world why we shouldn’t be together. To hell with his doubts! To hell with mine! I wasn’t going to be played again. I’d done it with Lance and wasn’t about to do it with Brax. Straightening up, I decided I was going to demand an answer from him. If he really wasn’t interested anymore, then I’d walk away. I’d give him what he wanted. It would crush me, but I’d do it. I’d do anything for that man, even leave him if he wanted it.
He wasn’t in the arcade when I came out of the bathroom. I went outside, praying he hadn’t left. What I found broke my heart. He was calling my name, his face twisted in agony. He tugged furiously at his hair, his chest heaving with emotion.
It was breaking my heart. I went forward and carefully rested my hand on his arm. He looked from my hand to my face. Wordlessly, he pulled me into his arms, his hold tight.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” he repeated over and over. I could feel the tears stream down my cheeks as he held me in his arms.“Don’t cry, baby,” he whispered, kissing my cheeks. “Don’t cry. I’m a screw up.”
“Brax Shepherd,” I spoke, my voice shaking. “Do you want me or not?”
“Yes, Maggie. Devil, yes. But I don’t want to hurt y—”
“Shut your damn mouth,” I continued fiercely. “I’ve spent a lifetime being hurt. You’re the only thing that comforts me. And I know I’m the only thing that comforts you. So, answer my damn question. Do you want me or not? Because if you don’t, I’ll go right back into the arcade and give Devon my number.”
“Please don’t.” Brax winced. “I want you, Maggie.”
“Then I’m yours. Always,” I answered, tracing his plump lips with my fingers.
“Promise?”
“Always, Brax,” I promised. “Not even the Devil could stop me.”
He hugged me tightly again, planting a tender, but fierce, kiss on the top of my head.
“He couldn’t stop me either, angel.”
We both knew it was true. Nothing would stop us. Ever.
Chapter 59
Once we were upstairs and in my room, I handed Brax the pink shirt, giddy with excitement.
“You can change in my bathroom,” I said.
“Now?” He frowned down at the shirt in his hands.
“Yep.” I sat down on my bed and stared up at him.
“Shit,” he muttered. He grew quiet for a moment before speaking, “Mags, if I’d have won, would you really have kissed me?”
I would have in a heartbeat!
“Go change your shirt.” Getting to my feet, I kissed his cheek and backed away from him.
Sinking to the edge of my bed, I watched as he went into my bathroom and closed the door behind him. I wondered what it would be like to feel his lips on mine. What would he taste like? I blushed at the thought. But heaven, I wanted to know so bad. I almost wished I’d thrown the game just to find out.
You’re in charge, Maggie! Be brave! Just kiss him!
I didn’t have time to contemplate it any longer because Brax came out of my bathroom dressed in the bright pink, glittery unicorn shirt I’d won for him. I erupted into a fit of giggles. It was everything I’d hoped it would be and more.
“Oh. My. God!” I gasped between peals of laughter. I pulled my phone out and snapped a photo of him.
“You think this is funny?” he demanded, stomping over and looking down at me.
“I-I think it’s hilarious!” I gasped through more laughter. “Unicorn Squad! Brax. . .Unicorn! Oh God! There’s glitter!”
He dove on me, his fingers in my side as he tickled me. I laughed louder, squirming beneath his touch. He continued his torment on me until we were both gasping for breath. I stared up at him as he loomed over me, his legs straddling me. He held both my hands over my head with just one of his large hands.
Releasing my hands, he started to move off me. I didn’t want that. I moved forward, sitting up so we were face to face staring wordlessly at one another. I reached out and touched his soft lips before he cupped my face gently.
“Yes,” I whispered, answering the question he’d asked me from earlier.
“Yes what?” he whispered back, his blue eyes locked on mine.
“I would’ve kissed you.” I moved forward, knowing this was it. This was the moment. I leaned in and tenderly pressed my lips against his. He seemed surprised, but quickly recovered as his tongue swept against mine, his lips dancing on mine. Oh, he tasted so sweet. My heart soared as his fingers tangled in my hair, then went to my waist, and finally back to my face, cupping it gently. He let out a low groan and pushed me onto my back, our lips never breaking apart.
I couldn’t stop myself. I wanted more. So much more. My fingers swept through his hair, tugging him as close to me as I could, his body mashed against mine, a fire burning in my belly. I didn’t want it to ever end.
“Oh, angel,” he breathed out, breaking the kiss off. I let out a soft sigh, his name the only one I ever wanted on my lips. “Suddenly this shirt isn’t so bad.”
I laughed as he loomed over me, pushing my hair away from my face.
“You’re beautiful, Mags.” There was so much emotion behind his words that my heart clenched.
“So are you,” I answered back, meaning it. He really was the most beautiful creature I’d ever seen.
“I’m really not, sweetheart, but I want to be,” he replied. “You saw how I was tonight—”
“Shh,” I quieted him by pressing a finger to his lips. “You had your reasons. We’re all trying to protect someone, even ourselves. But have faith, Brax. I do. I have faith in you. In us, whatever us is. When you’re ready, you’ll tell me your story. And I’ll be there for you. No matter what. And I always will be. So just shut up and kiss me again.”
“I can do that.” His mouth met mine in a crash of passion, making everything around us fade away.
Chapter 60
“What’s wrong with you? You’re quieter than usual,” Corbin proclaimed, flopping down next to me in the library.
“What’s wrong with you?” I glanced at him. “You’re the one in the library. That’s so unlike you.”
“Oh, I see you brought your attitude today.” He grinned at me. “So what’s up?”
“I have to get Brax a Christmas gift, and I don’t know what to get him,” I admitted sheepishly. Time had been passing by so quickly that I’d failed to stop and think about the holidays. But I wanted to get him something special.
“Ah, what to get the man who has everything. How about a stripper?”
“Ugh, get out of here.” I slapped at him as he laughed.
“Just playing. Seriously, princess, I think I can help you out.”
“Yeah?” I closed my book and looked at him brightly.
“You busy this afternoon?” he asked.
“No.”
“You are now. I’ll pick you up at two. Your place. Wear something sexy.” He got up and backed away, grinning playfully.
“Corbin.” I rolled my eyes at him. “You’re such an ass! How did you even know I was here, anyway?”
“Saturday morning and you’re not answering your phone? Either Shepherd is buried between your legs or you’re at the library. And since we have such a close relationship and you’d tell me the moment you lost your V-card, I figured it was the library.”
�
��You’re so vulgar!” I hissed at him, looking around hoping no one heard him. “Get out of here!”
“Two o’clock, princess! Mini skirt and high heels! Don’t forget!” He called over his shoulder as he left the building.
I wasn’t wearing a mini skirt or heels. I’d opted for a floral skirt and a pink blouse.
“That’s not what I said to wear,” Corbin sighed as I climbed into his car. “Do I need to buy you some clothes?”
“No.” I shook my head. “Besides, Brax likes my outfits.”
“Well, I have to be seen with you. You’re ruining my rep.”
“What rep is that? Chief womanizer?” I raised an eyebrow at him. His response was to raise an eyebrow at me and grin.
“So where are we going?” I asked as we pulled onto the main road.
“Bookstore in Gaines. It’ll be a blast. I’ve got the gift on hold. We just need to pick it up,” he replied, looking over at me.
“But I don’t even know what it is.” I frowned.
“Trust me, Maggie. He’s going to love it.”
I settled back in my seat, believing him. He’d never lied to me before. I trusted Corbin. Plus, he’d known Brax longer. And I was desperate.
Chapter 61
“Romeo and Juliet, first edition?” I asked skeptically, holding the delicate book in my hands. “He’d like this?” I didn’t take Brax for a reader of the classics. In fact, I’d never seen him with a book in his hands.
“Trust me. This will mean something to him,” Corbin said firmly. He turned to the salesperson. “We’ll take it.”
I handed over a wad of cash and had the clerk wrap the gift for me. Corbin took the gift and carried it out of the store with me by his side.
“I need to get him something else. Just in case,” I said weakly, stopping in front of a clothing store.
“Princess, really? You doubt me?”