First Kiss

by Sophie Bright

  First Kiss

  Sophie Bright

  Copyright © 2018 by Sophie Bright

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking.

  Haruki Murakami

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  1

  Don’t be a baby, Lucy. You can do this.

  These whispered words didn’t make me feel any better. I decided tonight would be the night I would get my first kiss. And it was going to be with Jackson Holler, my brother Dean’s, best friend.

  And my secret crush.

  Jackson’s been a fixture in my family since my brother brought him home in third grade. Our parents realized the two of them would be inseparable and both sets welcomed the other boy as if they were another son.

  My role was the sophisticated little sister who didn’t have time to mess around with stinky boys two years older than me. From the outside Jackson and I had a hate-hate relationship. I would call him a disgusting manwhore and he would call me Lucser, an adorable combination of Lucy and loser, or at least that was how Jackson described it.

  For ten years I’d played the role of hating Jackson, while I covet every moment we were in the same room together. Pretending with the best of my acting ability not to care if he noticed me or not. Sniping back at every rude thing he said just to have a minute interaction with him.

  Pathetic

  Tonight was the night Jackson would find out he owns my sixteen year old heart. If I didn’t do it tonight I wouldn’t have another chance for months. Not only was this party for Dean and Jackson’s high school graduation it’s also a going away party.

  Dean was going into the military and would be going to boot camp in three days while Jackson was going to New York to go to college. They were both leaving me behind to finish two more years of high school by myself.

  Nope, tonight Jackson would be very aware of how I felt.

  With a nod to the mirror I stepped out of my room in my new dress. My best friend, Meredith and I scoured the mall for the perfect dress. She’s the only person I’ve admitted my true feelings for Jackson to.

  The tight navy blue dress hugged my curves ending right above my knees. My chest was pushed up in the best push up bra my after school job could afford and Meredith helped me do my makeup to make me appear older, sophisticated.

  Meredith went out to scout out where Jackson was so I wouldn’t chicken out on the plan we had carefully crafted. I checked my makeup one more time and stepped out of my room. It was now or never.

  I spotted Meredith in the kitchen. My heart sped up when I saw Jackson leaning against the island in a lazy confidence. He was talking to a girl, Britley, who also just graduated. She flipped her brown hair back and released a high pitch laugh at something Jackson said.

  I watched as he let the side of his mouth curve up while his green eyes twinkled. Being around Jackson as much as I had I was well aware of this look. He was in the middle of his seduction routine which meant I needed to hurry.

  With an elegant stride I moved over to the kitchen. I was focused on my target ignoring the blasting music and the bumps and knocks I was receiving walking through the crowded living room.

  Jackson glanced over at me when I was almost next to him. His green eyes roamed over my dress and my heart sped up blasting against my chest. But just as quickly as his gaze was on mine he went back to Britley.

  It was now or never.

  With a small nod to Meredith, the plan was set in motion. Meredith with her bright red hair and dressed in a forest green dress was stunning. The mischief we were causing made her skin glow under the kitchen lights. The freckles on her nose made her look absolutely adorable. The picture of innocence.

  When we were dress shopping I asked her if she had a crush she was trying to impress. The blush she wore after I asked was the only answer I got. I reminded myself after I claimed Jackson that I would find out who she thought of to make her turn such a brilliant shade of crimson.

  Meredith winked at me, a red solo cup in her hand. “Are you ready to party it up this summer?”

  I swallowed and took a deep breath. “I can’t wait. Especially when you show off the new bikini you bought yesterday.”

  “Me, what about the one you bought? The guys on the beach aren’t going to know what hit them.”

  “Summer’s going to rock.” After my declaration I swung my arms around to show off my excitement knocking the solo cup out of Meredith’s hand and aiming all the contents toward Jackson.

  Britley let out an obnoxious scream as she got some of the overspray.

  “Shit Lucser, watch those awkward limbs.” Jackson grabbed a roll of paper towels and handed it to Britley.

  Dean walked in with a girl under each arm. “What’s going on?” he asked not letting go of his harem.

  “Luscer spilled soda all over me.” Jackson’s green eyes rolled as Britley attempted to pat Jackson’s shirt dry.

  “Sorry,” I said not sounding sorry in the least.

  Dean laughed letting go of his girls to give me a hug. “I’m sure it was an accident, Jacks. I don’t know why you two are always fighting. Tell him you didn’t mean to mess up his shirt, sis.”

  Dean kissed the top of my head and I glared at Jackson hoping I didn’t look too obvious. “It was an accident, Jackson. I’m sorry. I’m sure you have another shirt in Dean’s room you could change into.”

  “See,” Dean said. “You know you have clothes in my room. Go change and come back and join the party.” Dean looked triumphant in his solution.

  He let go of me and lifted his arms. Both girls giggled and returned to their position as he led them out of the kitchen into the backyard.

  “I’ll be right back,” Jackson told Britley before turning his focus on me. “Maybe you should change too. That dress is for a woman not a little girl.”

  My cheeks burned from embarrassment when Britley laughed before going outside to grab another drink. Meredith came up to me and hugged me.

  “This was a stupid idea,” I whined into her shoulder.

  Meredith pushed me back so I was arm length away from her. She shook me a little to make sure she had my attention. “I told you this was stupid idea, but you didn’t listen. Now it’s done. He’s changing and you know it won’t take him long. Go or your opportunity will be lost. So you might as well get in there and see what happens.”

  She shook me again for good measure before letting me go.

  “You’re right.”

  On rubbery legs I walked up the stairs to Dean’s room and opened the door without hesitating to think of how badly this could end.

  I gulped when I saw Jackson’s naked muscular back. His blond hair was tousled from shrugging out of his wet shirt. It stuck up all over and I wanted to run my hands through it to
make it even more messy.

  When the door clicked shut behind me Jackson turned and my mouth went dry. His abs were cut in ridiculous squares of muscle. I clenched my fists so I didn’t reach out and touch him.

  “What are you doing in here, Luscer?”

  I pushed my shoulders back and walked toward him hoping he didn’t notice my legs were shaking with each step.

  “I’m here to give you your graduation present.” My voice was low and he cocked his head.

  “What?” he asked with hesitancy.

  When I was less than a foot away from him I spoke again. “ I said, I’m here to give you your graduation present.”

  “Oh yeah?” Jackson ran his hands through his hair making it stand up even more. He was adorable. “And what did you get me?”

  “I didn’t get you anything. I’m going to give you something.”

  Why was I talking? My plan was to go up to him and kiss him making him lose his cool and kiss me back. I was ruining it by talking, yet I couldn’t seem to stop myself.

  “What are you going to give me, Lucy? You’ve already gave me a soda shower. What’s next a bean dip shampoo?”

  “No.”

  His eyebrow cocked up and he stood frozen in front of me waiting for an answer.

  “A kiss.”

  Jackson’s head leaned back and he laughed. I watched his pecs jump with each outburst. I was mortified his first reaction was to laugh but I wasn’t backing down until I felt his lips on mine.

  “Lucy, I’m not going to kiss you.”

  “That’s fine. I was planning to kiss you.”

  “You’re sixteen and I’m eighteen. This is illegal.” His voice rose and his face wore a nervous expression.

  Yet he didn’t move. I was taking his stillness as a good sign.

  “I won’t tell if you won’t. I want you to be my first kiss, Jackson. You’re going off to college and by the time you come back I’m sure I’ll have kissed other people but I want you to be my first.”

  “Lucy this is crazy.”

  “It’s just one kiss, Jackson. I’ve seen you kiss plenty of girls. Why won’t you give me my first? I only want you because I want my first to be good.”

  This was a lie. I only wanted Jackson and nobody else would ever compare.

  “I don’t know.”

  “Whatever, I didn’t think you were going to be such a prude about this. It’s just a kiss Jackson. You know what? I’ll just go back down to the party and find someone else.”

  It was a last ditch effort. Ever since Jackson was little he couldn’t stand to be challenged. Before I could turn around and head for the door his hands landed on my shoulder and he pulled me into his hard chest.

  I started to grin but he wiped it away when his lips crashed onto mine. After that, all I felt was Jackson. He tasted sweet and sexy. His hard lips guided mine showing me what to do.

  My mouth opened to his tongue when it zipped across the seam of my lips. His tongue entered mine schooling mine on how to dance with his. My hands were glued to his chest and I could feel the fast beat of his heart under my palm.

  Jackson’s hand held the back of my neck keeping us attached as his other hand grasped my ass and pulled me into his erection. I gasped into his mouth feeling the hardness dig into my stomach.

  My body instinctively pushed closer to him wanting to be surrounded by the heat pulsing off of him. With timid slowness I let my hands rub up his body until they were attached around his neck.

  Jackson’s hand squeezed my butt before moving up to the underside of my breasts. I cursed my push up bra, hating that I couldn’t feel his fingers though the padding.

  In a flash Jackson’s body was ripped from mine. We were both panting. I started toward him my lips tingling from his kiss but he stepped back and turned toward Dean’s closet.

  Just before I could ask him what happened Dean busted into the room. “What are you doing in here, Lucy?” Dean glanced from me to Jackson’s back.

  Jackson let lose a shaky laugh and shrugged on an old t-shirt of his before turning. “Luscer wanted me to be her first kiss.”

  “What the hell,” Dean yelled stepping closer to me.

  “Don’t worry, Dean. Nothing happened. Like I would ever kiss her. She’s like the most annoying little sister I never wanted to have.”

  Dean and Jackson laughed while I burned with mortification. I opened my mouth, but before I could blurt out he seemed to be enjoying my kiss less than a minute ago and his dick would prove it, Jackson interrupted.

  “It was a good try, Luscer. Maybe you should go find some other guy who doesn’t mind an annoying gangly teen to kiss. I’m sure there are enough guys downstairs drunk enough to kiss you.”

  “Hell, no. Lucy you don’t need to kiss any of these asshats at this party. I don’t want to get in a fight at my party.” Dean glowered at Jackson and for good measure punched him in the arm.

  To add insult to injury Jackson had the nerve to pat me on the head before walking out of Dean’s room still laughing at me.

  Tears burned the back of my eyes and I blinked rapidly. Dean wrapped me in a hug before I could run out of his room.

  “Why would you want to kiss Jackson? You two always fight. It just doesn’t make sense. Besides he’s too old for you, Lucy. You could get him into a lot of trouble. He thinks of you as a little sister.”

  I sobbed into Dean’s shoulder as he hugged me tighter. “It was a stupid dare that’s all.”

  “Was this dare with Meredith? That girl’s a bad influence. I told mom and dad they should keep you away from her. I wish you would find new friends to hang out with. Especially since I’m going to be gone and won’t be able to protect you the next two years of high school.”

  A hysterical giggle burst out of me and into Dean’s shoulder. For some reason he never liked Meredith. If he only knew I was the real bad influence in our relationship.

  Dean wiped my cheeks and smiled at me. “Go wash your face and come back down. I want to hang out with my sister before I have to ship out. And don’t make anymore bets with Meredith.”

  I nodded my head. Dean kissed my forehead. “I love you little sis.”

  When he left his room I went into mine and crawled under the covers still in my dress. Meredith came in later and curled up with me. Through my tears I told her what happened.

  Meredith admitted she saw Jackson leave with Britley right after he came downstairs. I cried on Meredith’s shoulder cursing my stupidity until I fell asleep never going back downstairs.

  2

  Seven years later.

  Damn, I’m really going to miss this view.

  I forced myself to stop pouting and staring out the window at my apartment’s view of a beautiful lush green mountain. Well, it wasn’t my apartment anymore or my view.

  Dean was going to be here any minute and I needed to be prepared for his lecture, or worse his pity. When I called him in a moment of panic Dean set up my move back to his house without me having to lift a finger.

  My back slid down the bare wall and didn’t stop until my ass hit the floor.

  Twenty three year old grown woman and I’m moving back in with my brother, aren’t I a catch?

  As much as I want to blame my ex-boss/boyfriend, Richard Whitten, I needed to take control of my life and start being responsible for my action. Making better choices would help too.

  I lost my job and now my apartment while my married ex-boss/boyfriend was still happily living with his very forgiving wife.

  A loud knock brought me back to life and my boxed up apartment.

  “Lucy, open up.” Dean’s voice filtered through the door.

  I jumped up and opened the door and was enveloped in Dean’s strong arms. A sob I had been holding in burst out of me but I bit it back quickly. There was no use for tears.

  “Oh, sis it will all be okay.”

  “No it won’t. I feel so stupid. I should have realized he was married.”

  “It doesn’t matter it
’s over now. You probably want to clean up, Jackson’s going to be up here any minute and knowing you I’m positive you don’t want to be caught showing weakness in front of him.”

  My whole body jerked at hearing Jackson’s name. I refused to talk about him since that embarrassing night all those years ago.

  “What do you mean, Jackson’s here?” I ground out dabbing my cheeks with my shirt sleeve.

  “Now don’t get mad. I figured it would be faster if Jackson came and helped us. I had him park the truck so I could warn you.”

  “Dean.” Before I could tell him what a bad idea having Jackson here was the man himself showed up.

  Jackson’s green eyes were still the same but the similarities of his a bullying eighteen year old self I remembered ended there. When he was in high school he kept his blonde hair short but now he let it grow out and made him look even more sexy it’s a little darker now too. His shoulders were broader his muscular arms framed his jaw dropping abs which were shown off by his tight shirt.

  “What the hell?” Dean screamed. I jerked my head away from my perusal of Jackson.

  Dean grabbed my chin and I tried to jerk away from him. “Did he give you that black eye?”

  Before Dean showed up I went back and forth wondering if I should try to use cover-up on my face, but in the end I decided not to. I would be living with Dean until I could get my shit back together and I didn’t want to keep caking on makeup until my bruises went away.

  “I’m going to kill that mother fucker.” Dean was ready to storm out of my apartment and magically find the man who had helped ruin my life.

  “No it wasn’t him. Dean calm down.” I grabbed my brother’s arm and waited until he gave me his attention. “We were out to dinner and his wife sucker punched me. I didn’t see her until she was on me.”