“I think she already has,” I tell him, smiling. My fingers slip once again as I try to tear the packet open. “I’m sure these things are for children, so why can’t I open it?”
“Stop pouting. Here, let me try.”
Moving the packet away, I pull harder. “No, no, I—” The packet rips open, a little of the powder blowing into Drake’s face. “Oh my Gosh, I’m so sorry.”
He wipes frantically at his face, sneezing as he does. “It’s fine. It’s fine. I don’t even feel anything.”
I don’t have the heart to tell him it takes a few minutes to start working. “Good, good. Let’s do this before he comes up.” Walking over to the bed, I sprinkle a little on some of the pillows. Then from the corner of my eye, I notice his suitcase, and an idea forms.
“What are you doing?” he asks, still wiping his face.
I grin, opening his case. “Well, we have just under half a packet, so why not use it on his prize gem.”
“You wouldn’t,” he says, sounding horrified.
Turning around, I find him rubbing his jaw. “Stop messing. Go wash your face before dinner. And yes, I totally would.” Pulling out a pair of boxers, I cringe but somehow manage to cover the front in itching powder. Grinning evilly, I get up, chuckling when I find Drake scratching furiously at his jaw.
“My God, this stuff is fucking lethal. Why won’t it stop?”
Laughing, I walk over, slapping his hands away. “Come on, I’m sure I have something that will stop the itching.”
“I’ll google it, thanks. I don’t want to make it worse.”
Giving him a ‘whatever’ look, I walk into the hall. “Quick, then. We still have dinner to get through and we’re running behind schedule.”
“God, you’re bossy.”
“I know.” I grin.
“Shit, I left my phone in my room,” he says, patting his pockets.
“Hold on.” Grabbing mine out of my back pocket and clicking on google, I make quick work of finding what I need and burst out laughing. “It says here it’s the first scratch that makes it worse. The more you scratch, the itchier it’ll be.”
“Wish I had known that before,” he tells me dryly.
“It’s not my fault the packet split. And what would you have done differently?”
“Worn a bloody space suit.” His voice is high-pitched and I laugh loudly. “Oh you think this is funny, do you?”
With the tone of his voice and the look in his eye, I step away a little, getting ready to run. “Yes, it is pretty funny.”
He grins, showing all his teeth, and the dimples in his cheek pop out. “You’re so gonna get it.”
Squealing, I race down the hall, my laughter echoing. “No, don’t you dare.”
“You asked for it,” he says, coming up behind me. He grabs me and I giggle, wiggling to get down.
“No, don’t,” I beg.
But he does.
He rubs his jaw over my cheek, and no matter how hard I laugh, beg, or squeal, he doesn’t give up.
“Put me down.”
He does and turns me round with a wide smile, his eyes twinkling. “Now we’re even.”
“Oh we so aren’t.” I gaze up at him, my smile as wide as his, and get lost in him. He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear and my breath hitches. “We should, um… we should go wash our faces and put some vinegar on, just in case.”
He clears his throat. “Vinegar?”
I look away, my face heating. “Yeah. Before you attacked me with your powdered face, I saw someone used vinegar.”
“Seems reasonable. People use it for stinging nettles.”
“Let’s go, then.” I smile, trying to hide the emotion I’m feeling right now. My heart is beating ten times as fast as it was back when we walked into Aaron’s room. My palms are sweating, and for the first time in a while, a male has me tongue-tied, stuck on what I should do. Because I’m pretty sure he was going to kiss me.
Or I was going to kiss him.
That or it would’ve been mutual.
*** *** ***
Tonight was meant to be fun and games, but the minute we entered the dining room, I wanted to walk straight back out.
Angela was moaning at Emily about her dietary plan and that the food didn’t meet her requirements.
Then Aaron kept trying to strike up conversation with me, which I ignored. No one questioned my rudeness, or called me out on it, thankfully.
But it was the minute the wedding was brought up during dinner that I wanted to pull my hair out. Hallie asked Angela how her speech was going, and Angela didn’t take it too well. She seemed very confrontational over everything. Needless to say I think I’ll work with Hallie to write one up for Angela to read that day. I’ll just keep it short and sweet and make sure Hallie gets hers perfect.
At last, dinner is over and everyone is ready to play ‘murder in the dark’. Well, almost everyone. I’m still wondering if they’ll let me hang out in my room since a surprise guest of Amelia’s arrived during dinner.
“Are you playing, Angela?” Jesse asks, trying to include her. All dinner he’s been trying to keep her satisfied, steering everyone away from topics that get her mad. How he puts up with her, I don’t know. I’m guessing his love for Amelia is stronger than his annoyance for his future cousin-in-law.
“Gosh no. I’m not a child,” she replies snottily.
“She never played as a kid,” Amelia mumbles under her breath.
I fight my grin. “Are you sure, Angela? The lights will be off in the house. I’m sure it will be more entertaining than being in your room.”
She turns her nose up at me, giving me a distasteful look. “I’ve got better things to do than run around the house in the dark. Now if you don’t mind, I’ll be away for the night. My aunt Sharon is taking me out.”
“Mum’s picking you up?” Amelia asks, hurt clear in her voice and expression.
Angela smirks. “Yes. Didn’t she tell you? We’re going out for drinks with her new husband and family.”
“No, she didn’t.”
“Oh well, not to worry. You get to play your game. Toodles.”
She walks out of the room, her hips swinging side to side. Everyone’s gone silent, but then Hallie speaks up. “Anyone else happy she won’t be here to poop on our fun?”
I would’ve been happier if she’d taken Aaron with her, but I don’t voice that.
“Come on, let’s get started. I’ve been dying to play this for a week.” Jesse stands, his face lighting up.
Outside in the garden, I grab the small box that was delivered earlier today and open it. “You’ll each wear ten ribbons around your neck, each of you having a different colour. Once you’re caught, you have to hand a ribbon over to Jesse, who will be on first. Once he has six different coloured ribbons, he can come back outside and choose a ribbon for who will be on next. That way, the people still hiding inside won’t know who is on and who to hide from. Here is the meeting point for those without ribbons, but once a new person is chosen to be on, you’re all back in the game until you run out of ribbons. The front left-hand side of the mansion is off limits, and so is outside of the property. Does anyone have any questions?” I ask, looking up to see another light flicker off. It’s a bit of a good job Shane knows his way around the mansion or we might be searching for him.
“Don’t forgot everyone who’s caught has to do a shot when they reach outside.” Jesse grins. You’d never think he was a lawyer, too boyish and innocent looking.
“The first person to lose all their ribbons has to drink a pint of… I don’t even know what it is, but it’s look vile,” I tell them, scrunching my nose up at the offending drink on the table.
“It’s one of Grams’ concoctions,” Drake chuckles.
Well that explains it all.
I’ll be drinking that vile drink within the hour, I just know it. I can practically taste it already.
“Don’t worry, I’ll protect ya,” Aaron says, seeing my express
ion.
I give him a dirty look, wondering what planet he’s on. “I’d rather drink the drink.”
Drake laughs next to me, covering it with a cough. “Right, let’s go. First to go in are the girls. We boys will follow in a couple of minutes.”
I give him a wide-eyed look, wondering if he’s lost his mind. I was hoping to follow him so I didn’t get lost myself.
Maybe I could get away with sneaking to my room.
“I’ll find you,” Drake whispers, making me shiver.
Smiling, I nod, then go to follow the girls into the house. “Wait, you need to do a shot first,” Jesse tells us, handing each of us a glass.
I down the shot, wincing at the burn in my throat, then move to follow behind the others who are giggling. Once I walk into the house, the girls are gone and a shiver runs down my spine. The thick heavy curtains do a perfect job at blocking out the moonlight from outside, so finding my way into the main hallway is harder than it should be.
“For fuck’s sake,” I curse when I walk into a door. Reaching out in front of me, I feel my way down a short hallway, coming to what I hope is the main staircase. I’d been planning on hiding out in Drake’s old bedroom on the balcony, but when I hear a door open and close behind me, followed by Aaron’s muttered curse, my feet carry me down the hall towards the pool.
The room is dark, but once my eyes adjust, I walk towards the door to the steam room, hoping no one will think to go in there. There’s no way I’ll be able to handle drinking that drink. It was green, for heaven’s sake.
Please don’t let anyone find me.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
I’m not sure how long I’ve been hiding in here, but it’s become too stifling in the small room. I feel like I’ve been in here hours. Someone must have used it earlier in the day, because the condensation is making me sweat and I feel like I can’t breathe.
Why did I decide to hide in here?
Because you’re a dumbass, that’s why.
Deciding enough is enough, I get up from the corner of the room and open the door as quietly as I can. The room is silent, the only noise to be heard a light buzzing sound from one of the machines. Stepping out, I head towards the back stairs, hoping no one will hate me if I head up to my room for the night. But out of nowhere, a dark figure jumps out in front me, scaring the bejesus out of me.
Screaming, I step back, tripping over something behind me. Strong arms wrap around me, holding me to them. Drake’s chuckling reaches my ears and I bite back a curse.
“Oh my God, Drake, you scared the fucking crap out of me. What were you thinking?”
“Be quiet,” he whispers, still chuckling under his breath.
I slap his chest, breathing hard. “Well that wouldn’t be an issue if you hadn’t scared me.”
“Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. I came in and noticed you opening the door. I knew it was you straight away. How long have you been in there?”
“Too long,” I mumble. “Have you been caught yet?”
“Six times, you?”
“None.”
“Really?” he asks, surprise in his voice.
“Why is that so hard to believe? Everyone probably forgot I was even here.”
He chuckles again and I become aware of him still holding on to me, my body pressing against his. “Nope. Everyone is determined to find you. I didn’t believe them when they said you still hadn’t been caught. Apart from you, I’m the one with the most bands left.”
“Really?” I ask, surprised and kinda relieved that it won’t be me drinking that nasty concoction.
“Yeah. Aaron is on now. He’s got one ribbon left.”
“Great,” I mutter, not exactly thrilled with the news.
“Fuck, what was that?” he asks. My heart starts beating wildly as I look behind me, hearing a door close by before someone screams, then laughs. “Fuck, we need to hide.”
Panicked, we both look around before moving. Problem is we both move into each other. Arms flailing, I try to grab a hold of Drake, who tries to reach out and steady me, but instead we both end up falling… into the pool.
“Holy crap!” I cough, spitting out water when I reach the surface.
“Shh,” he whispers, pulling me to the side as quietly as he can. The pool’s edge cools my back as he presses me against the side, his hand covering my mouth. He pushes closer and my breathing escalates, worsening when I hear the door open.
He’s so close.
Footsteps sound across the floor and I press harder against the wall, wanting to remain unseen. Drake does the same, dipping down into the water until his face is close to mine, his warm breath fanning my cheek.
Yep, seriously close.
“Where are you?” I hear Aaron mutter just as another door opens and closes. I’m assuming he just checked the steam room because movement sounds right above where we are. My whole body is tight, the rush of being caught seriously intense.
He must give up because the door to the pool room opens and closes with a thud. I breathe out a sigh of relief, my whole body sagging against Drake.
“That was close,” I whisper. My breathing speeds up for another reason when I feel Drake’s hard body pressed against mine.
And I mean hard.
Every inch of him pressing against my stomach.
“Yeah,” he croaks hoarsely, staring at me intensely.
I don’t know who moves first, me or him, but all of a sudden, his hands move to my arse at the same time I’m wrapping my legs around his waist and we’re kissing.
No, not kissing.
This is more.
It’s everything.
I sway, moving into him as my nipples harden, pressing against him. My eyes roll to the back of my head, moaning when he presses his groin against my core. I feel like I’m losing my mind, especially when he grips my arse possessively, rubbing me against him harder.
I deepen the kiss, gripping his hair tightly, needing him closer.
Perfect.
He’s perfect.
Fuck, this kiss is perfect.
“Pagan,” he moans. Hearing my name come from his lips turns my insides to liquid.
My lips tingle from the kiss, but nothing could pull me away. I’ve waited twenty-eight years to be kissed like this, and it’s better than I ever imagined it could be.
His hands roam up the front of my body, cupping my breasts, squeezing gently and making me wild with lust.
“I… ohmigod,” I moan.
He pulls away from the kiss, making me groan from the loss, but the second his lips land on my neck, trailing down to my collarbone, I’m lost again. His kiss is like his touch, hungry and desperate, and I can’t get enough as I grind myself against him.
I want him.
Now.
He stares into my eyes and I feel like he can read every thought I’m having.
“Pagan,” he groans, brushing his thumb against my erect nipple.
When did he get under my top? How did I not notice?
Reality slams into me like a loaded truck and I push him away, my face flushed with embarrassment.
“Pagan?”
The uncertainty in his voice hurts, nearly breaking my resolve. “We can’t do this,” I gasp, my entire body in flames. I’m so turned on I’m surprised I can even think straight.
“What? Why? Did I hurt you? Push you?” he asks, moving closer.
I push him away again. “No, you didn’t. I… we… I work for your family. We can’t,” I tell him, not having any other reason than the fact that he scares me. He scares me shitless because I’ve never, not once in all my life, felt the way he just made me feel. The mansion could’ve been on fire and I wouldn’t have cared or even noticed.
He’ll break your heart, my inner voice teases me, and I bite back a curse.
“Pagan, listen,” he starts, but I ignore him, swimming to the stairs and walking up them.
“I’m sorry, Drake,” I whisper, taking my ribbons off and grabbing the dressin
g gown from the chair before rushing towards the staircase leading to our rooms.
“Pagan, wait,” he calls out. I hear him getting out of the water, but I’m already halfway up the stairs.
When I reach Alison’s room, I barge in, not bothering to knock. She jumps away from watching the television.
“Hey… Pagan, what are you doing? Are you okay? And why the hell are you wet?”
Catching my breath, I just stare at my best friend before bursting into tears. “Oh, Alison, I just made a big mistake. The best one I’ll ever make.”
“Hey, what happened?” she coaxes gently, patting the bed.
I’m about to move when I hear knocking from down the hall. I freeze, looking at the closed door behind me.
“Pagan, open the door, please. We need to talk,” I hear Drake call and my eyes water, ashamed of the way I left things.
“Uh, what happened?”
“I… I just need a minute. Let me go get out of these wet clothes,” I tell her. Instead of waiting for her to reply, I rush into her bathroom, quickly stripping out of my clothes. When I realise I have nothing to change back into, I curse.
There’s a knock at the door and I still, hoping it’s not Drake. I still can’t believe I kissed him, or he kissed me.
“Pagan, I have some pyjamas here for you,” Alison calls out quietly.
I breathe out, kicking myself for being so stupid. Opening the door, I take the pyjamas from her, giving her a small smile. “Thank you.”
“It’s all right. Now hurry up.”
I change quickly, towel drying my hair once I’m done before leaving the room.
“He’s left. I heard him go into his room.”
I stare for a split second before rushing over, jumping into bed with her under the blanket. “I kissed him.”
“And by your reaction I take it he didn’t kiss you back?” she replies, though she doesn’t sound convinced.
“Oh he kissed me back.”
Boy did he kiss me back.
“I’m at a loss. Why are you in here and not bumping uglies with the hot guy? Totally better than Prince Harry if you ask me,” she teases.
Wishing For A Happily Ever After (I Wish Book 2) Page 9