“We didn’t do anything last night, did we?” I peek up at him.
Smiling he shakes his head. “No, you all but raped me in the parking lot, but I stopped you,” he chuckles.
“Did not,” I say, willing it to be true. The night is fuzzy and the more I learn, the more satisfied I’m with that.
“Whose shirt is this?” I ask, pointing to the foreign white shirt on my body.
“Mine.”
“What? Why am I wearing your shirt? Why am I in your bed?” I raise up, glancing around the room. He watches me in amusement as I frantically stand and search for my clothes.
“You threw up on yours. Keep your voice down, would ya?” He laughs.
“Did you change me?” I ask, horrified.
“No, Lea did.”
“Okay,” I sigh, “Okay. That’s fine.” I relax after he tells me that. Maybe he’s kind of a gentleman after all. Maybe.
“Jesus, when girls wake up next to me, they usually are not this upset,” he says, grinning.
“Like you would know! You probably sneak out while they’re still asleep.” I huff, crossing my arms across my chest. I know he’s only teasing me, but I don’t like that he brought up other girls right now. And I really don’t like that it bothers me.
“Yeah, I guess you have a point. But that shit stops now, okay?” He stands beside me and rubs his hands up my arms.
I glance around the room, then to him. My brow arches. “Okay?”
“You don’t sound so convinced,” he says.
“About what?” I inhale a sharp breath, knowing what could come. My memory is fuzzy, but I remember the beginning of the night when we talked in his car. The unbelievable thing is I hope my prediction is right. My life has been paved for nineteen years. I have a certain image to uphold, and the unpredictable guy sitting before me promises everything but my old life.
“About this, me and you,” he says. He waves his finger between us. I don’t respond with words. Instead, I grab his shoulders and lean in to plant a shy kiss on his lips. His smug grin is satisfied as I pull back.
“I take that as a yes?” He asks.
“That’s a yes,” I say, nodding.
“Well, in that case, what are you doing tonight?”
I shrug, smiling. “No plans,” I say.
“Let me take you out.”
Lea breezes through the door, she tosses her headphones on the bed. Her hair is stuck to her forehead and her workout attire is wet. As long as we’ve lived together I’ve never seen her workout, and I wonder if it’s a temporary thing or if I’m a terrible roommate.
“Hey, I’m going to my mom’s tonight,” she says.
“Are you staying the night?” I ask.
She stops digging through her bag and turns to me. “Why are you so fancy? And why are you asking if I’m staying away tonight?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but I have a date,” I smirk.
“Does my brother know about this?” She laughs.
I shrug my shoulders. “It was his idea.”
“I knew it!” She exclaims as she laughs. “Tell me everything, what’s the plan?”
“He didn’t say. What does he usually do on dates?” I scrunch my nose, wondering why I asked that. Do I really want to know?
“I’m almost positive he’s never taken a girl out,” she says.
“The man whore of ETU hasn’t taken a girl out? How stupid do I look, Lea?” I laugh, giving her a pointed look.
She lowers her head, staring at me until it clicks. “Pretty stupid, he doesn’t take girls on actual dates. He doesn’t have to…”
“Oh.” I hold my hands out, silently asking her to say no more.
A knock on the door halts the questions swirling in my head. Lea tugs a sweater over her head and opens the door. Hayze walks past he, she swats his arm.
“Where are you two going?” She asks.
“The cabin,” he says. With a boyish grin, he shoves his hands in his pocket. “You ready?”
His mustang is cranked and waiting by the curb. I tell him that he’s lucky no one steals it, but arrogance shines through and he tells me no one messes with him. Thirty minutes later my sight is on the cabin for the first time. He turns the radio down and grins at me. The secluded log house sits within yards of the lake. To the side, a dock houses a ski boat. When he slides the car in park I jump out.
“Is this your place?” I twirl around the yard, taking in the forest and the secluded night sounds.
“My dad’s parents,” he corrects me. He catches my elbow, guiding me on the porch and to the front door. The wood continues inside, the dimly lit living room is open to a small kitchen and dining room.
“Hayze, it’s beautiful! I’m so happy you brought me here.”
He comes to me and wraps his arms around my middle. Smiling as he looks down at me. “I’d do anything for the look on your face right now,” he says. He lips brush mine, but he pulls away too soon. “You hungry?” He asks.
“That depends, are you cooking?”
His brow arches as he points his finger. “You’ll be sorry you said that after you take a bite.”
I laugh and follow him into the kitchen. “We will see. What are we having anyway?”
“Lasagna, my specialty,” he says.
“That’s like the easiest thing to make. What? I’m just saying.” I said. He shoots me a playful glare. I hold my hands out, feigning innocence. I look around, taking in the house from a new angle. “Do you come here a lot?” I ask.
“Yeah, not as much as I used to, I come out here to be alone.”
“So, this is your grandparents place?” I ask.
He nods his head. He grabs a bottle of water, unscrewing the lid with an amused expression. He tosses the bottle back then throws it into the trash can and waits for me to pry more. He doesn’t offer information so I get what I can, beginning with small details.
“Are you close to them?” I ask.
“I am.”
“What about your dad?” I push a little further, remembering how upset he got the first time I asked about his dad. But this time he doesn’t seem upset, he doesn’t snap at me. He stops and seems to consider the question.
Sighing, he says, “Not as close as we used to be.”
As tension fills the room, my questions subside. He points to a bar stool. I take a seat and watch him navigate around the kitchen. As he pulls the lasagna from the oven, the smell fills the room, instantly watering my mouth. He sets the attractive dish of food on the counter and pulls a bottle of wine from the fridge. I have to admit that I’m surprised he can actually cook.
“No more questions?” He smirks.
“I have a ton, actually. Do you want to hear them?”
Chuckling, he shakes his head as he pours the wine to the rim of each cup. “No, pace yourself,” he says.
“Can I help you with anything?” I ask.
“You ask me now that I’m finished.” Laughing, he sets the wine in front of me.
“It looks good,” I say, scanning the food. “And smells good, let’s see how it tastes,” I grin.
Two plates of food and a bottle of wine later, I sit giggling on the couch. A string of profanity flows from Hayze’s mouth. He sighs with relief as the ancient entertainment center powers on. He turns on a movie and sits beside me.
“I have never witnessed an adult tantrum,” I laugh.
“Yeah, well, get used to it,” he says. His tone is playful but I know there’s truth behind his words.
“Thanks for the entertainment,” I smile. “It was worth it.”
In an instant I’m flat on my back, with him hovering over me. “Entertainment’s not over,” he says.
His lips tease my neck, brushing my skin as he runs along my jaw. My fingers dig in his back, urging him closer.
“Patience, sweet Taylor,” he whispers. His voice is dangerously low.
The nip on my ear is almost my undoing. I tug on the hem of his shirt. I pull it over his head and
toss it to the floor. My fingers eagerly trace the new territory, following the inked patterns by memory. From the day I laid eyes on him, his white shirt clung to his chest, showing the dark lines. Each day was a constant reminder of what lies beneath his shirt. I roll on top, slowly kissing the lines. I tug my dress off, when it hits the floor his eyes snap open. He scans my body. His eyes are fiery with lust.
“I didn’t bring you here for this,” he said. His voice is strained. It’s as if he’s warning me, but without a lot of strength.
“I know,” I said. My voice is breathy. “But I want it.”
With his lips pressed in a hard line, he studies me. He sits, guiding me off of him. My face falls. I look at the floor to avoid him seeing my disappointment. He bends down and kisses me. It’s deep, yet soft, hinting he wants more. I feel him holding back.
His hands grip my thighs. He lifts me from the couch and my legs wrap around his waist. Still kissing me, he begins to walk, flipping on the hallway light, he walks me into a bedroom. He ungracefully runs into the door frame and trips before he lays me on the bed.
My hands glide down his bare back. They travel to the top of his jeans and stop at his zipper. He presses his hips to mine and I feel how much he wants it.
“Are you sure?” He groans.
“I thought I was the virgin,” I say.
“I feel like an asshole. This isn’t why I brought you here, babe. If you want to wait, I understand,” he says. His eyes bore into mine, full of question and restraint that dims by the second.
I place my finger over his soft lips. “I have never wanted anything more,” I say.
His lips curl into a smile before returning to mine. As he unsnaps my bra, his reluctance slips from the room. I pull his jeans down, but he stops and pulls a square package from the pocket. I cock my eyebrow at him.
He shrugs his shoulders. A cocky grin takes over his face. “Ya know, just in case.”
I pull him back to my mouth. His hands slide down my body, stopping at the top of my panties. He slides them off then does the same to his boxers. I can’t look away as he tears the foil package and slides the protection on.
His mouth comes back to mine when his finger pushes into me. I gasp in surprise. He pulls back and inspects my face.
“I’m fine,” I whisper.
He retracts his finger. My eyes find his amber irises; they watch me with intent. With a thrust of his hips he’s inside me. I clench my eyes from discomfort.
“Look at me, Taylor.” His voice is hoarse.
I pry my eyes open, fighting to keep them on him with each thrust. Slowly, the pain turns to pleasure. His movements become jerked and rigid before he collapses on top of me. He lies beside me, panting for breath.
As his breathing evens, he wipes his forehead with the sheet and sits up. He positions himself over me, kissing and nipping until he reaches my stomach. My eyes lock with his, they widen as he continues further down. I feel his warm breath hit me. I throw my head back and grip the sheets. The entertainment’s not over.
Waking to a trail of kisses across my arm beats my alarm. I grin, but remain silent as he reaches my face, and my lips. The warmth of his touch causes a tremble through my body. His hand runs through my long hair. My eyes pop open.
His head is propped on his elbow and he’s looking at me, grinning. “Mornin’ class is in an hour,” he says.
I jump out of bed, searching for a bathroom. “Thanks for the show,” he calls out.
I shoot him a glare as I tug on his shirt. “Where’s the bathroom?”
“Second door on the left,” he said. He points to the door, smiling as his eyes run down my bare legs.
Half an hour later his knuckles tap on the bathroom door. “Thirty minutes, babe,” he said.
I step in my jeans and pull my auburn hair back. “People are going to talk; you know?” I said.
“What about?” He bunches his brows together and walks in the bathroom as I walk out.
“The ‘Hayze Clarke’ is bringing a girl to class?”
“You’ve been around Lea too much.” He slaps my back side as he passes by me. “Let them talk.”
“And the girls at the bar?” I eye him. He hands me my purse and shoes, rushing me out the door.
“It will be hard to miss you,” he says, “When my hands are all over you.” He wraps his hands around my waist, kissing my cheek.
“I’m serious Hayze.” I push him away. He scowls and folds his arms across his chest. He leans on the side of his car propping a leg on the front tire. “Are you sure you want this?”
He chews on his lip, looking at the trees. He kicks off his car and walks to the driver side. “Why don’t you just come out and say it, Taylor. You don’t think I can be faithful?”
I shake my head. “I didn’t say that!”
He laughs without humor. “You didn’t have to.”
He gets in the car and I follow him. As he cranks the car, he runs his hands through his hair in frustration. “Why do you think I will cheat?”
“I didn’t say…”
“Just stop beating around the bush,” he said, holding his hand out.
I gaze out the window. The Mustang picks up speed as we leave the tree line dirt driveway and turn on the highway.
“It’s not you that I don’t trust,” I said.
“So, you don’t trust girls? Or what?” He snaps.
“I don’t know!” I groan,
“You were thinking about this before. You didn’t just pull this out of the air! Tell me,” he urges.
I shrug my shoulders. His knuckles turn white as he grips the steering wheel harder, his jaw works on his skin.
“This just seems too good to be true,” I say. “I feel like something shitty is going to happen.”
He pauses as the thought plays through his mind. He sighs as we pull into the campus. “I won’t cheat on you,” he says.
“But something shitty might happen?” I tease. His face remains serious as he pulls into a vacant space.
“Never say never,” he says as he climbs from the car, leaving me behind. He walks from the car. I speed up and catch his arm, spinning him around.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Taylor,” he sighs, bringing his hand to his forehead. “Just stop reading into everything.”
And just like that everything changed. Suddenly I was in high school again, vowing to keep my virginity intact until marriage. I was with the same guy for years and never moved passed the kissing stage, never wanted to, but one date with Hayze and my head is all fucked up. I handed my virginity over to him without a second thought, knowing who he is and what he does to girls. I don’t know why I’m surprised at his attitude today.
“God, I’m an idiot,” I say, pushing past him as I stalk by. I’m not sure where I’m going, certainly not class, or to my dorm where his sister could throw ‘I told you so’ at me.
“Fuck, what was I thinking?”
“Excuse me?” I snap around. “What were you thinking? What was I thinking?! I’m the one that gave my virginity to some guy that couldn’t care less—”
“Stop,” he says, cutting me off. His voice comes off almost as a plea. A group of students pass by us then he looks at me again, shaking his head. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. So whatever crazy ass scenario you’ve come up with in your head, drop it.”
“I’m not making this up, you’re acting like an ass,” I say, shoving my finger in his direction. I’m standing a foot away from him but I’m keeping my voice calm and low, student’s pass by us without any indication of our fight that’s going on.
“I believe you’re the one that started this…you said I would cheat,” he says. I roll my eyes, and then check my watch, seeing that it’s close to class time I walk away from him. He, of course, follows me.
“I did not say that, Hayze.”
“You didn’t have to,” he says, trailing behind me.
Turning, I shrug. “I’m sure y
ou have some concerns, too. I can’t be the only one.”
He cocks an eyebrow, and then gives me a smug grin. “Yeah, I guess you’re right, after spending twenty-four hours with you I’m concerned about my mental health,” he says, laughing. I roll my eyes. I should’ve known he wasn’t capable of a serious conversation.
“Whatever, see ya around,” I say and walk off.
“C’mon babe, that was a joke,” he says.
“Yeah, that’s the point. Everything’s a joke with you.”
Do you even remember what we’re arguing about?”
I finally reach the building, when I walk up the stairs I stop, knowing he would follow me into the classroom. His eyes are lit with amusement when I face him. “Yeah, I do, the way you treat women. It’s repulsive. I’m starting to feel like one of them…”
Last night everything was perfect. Obviously it was too good to be true. Since we got in the car, we’ve fought and he’s been distant. I’m starting to feel like one of his one night stands.
He pulls me into his arms and presses a light kiss on my forehead. “You’re much more than a conquest,” he whispers on my skin, sending chills down my body.
“Was that your attempt at being sweet? Don’t call girls that, it’s degrading,” I scold him.
His body shakes with laughter. I try to push from him but he keeps me locked to him. “Okay, I will personally go to each of them and ask them on a proper date, would that make you feel better?”
I untangle myself from him, searching his face, I frown. We didn’t have the official talk last night. Not only did I give my virginity to the biggest player I know, but I did it without figuring out his intentions. He could leave here right now and screw half of the university’s population and I could say absolutely nothing to him about it.
“Do whatever you want Hayze,” I say with a sigh.
He grabs my arm. “Hey? I’m joking, okay? I wouldn’t do that, not anymore.”
You mean you would actually take girls you’ve already slept with on a date? Not ever,” I say. Hoping it insults him, but his grin grows wider and I know he has no conscious.
“You have a point,” he says, grinning at me.
“I’m late for class.”
He pulls me into a quick, second hug. “Pay attention; don’t let your crazy mind get the best of you in there.” I swat at him, playfully but he steps away at the last second and I hit air instead. He chuckles at me as I walk off without another word.
Hazed (Hazed & Unfazed #1) Page 10