Skye chortled.
“Where’s Thea?” Nick asked.
“Bedroom. Go right ahead,” Skye replied.
“Hold it right there, buddy. You’ve been in Skye’s bedroom?” If it were possible, Cian looked even more peeved.
Nick smirked. “Several times.”
“Son of a bitch!” Cian swore, the green monster getting a hold of him.
“Excuse me, once you get over trying to upend each other, Thea’s waiting in my bedroom,” Skye jumped in before they started arm-wrestling. Guys. She rolled her eyes at them.
Nick gave her a sheepish smile. “Right.” He turned towards her bedroom.
Cian walked over and sat down next to her on the couch. Skye refused to look at him.
“Why didn’t you tell me Nick’s been in your bedroom?”
“And how many girls’ bedroom have you been in?” she countered.
“Shit.”
“Exactly.”
NICK KNOCKED on Skye’s bedroom door. He was grateful to Skye for helping him and Thea out. If her father knew, there was no way they’d ever be able to meet. Thea had once told him they should just elope and be done with it. But he wanted her family’s acceptance. He sighed. He was a damn fool.
“Come in,” Thea called out.
Nick opened the door and stopped short, breathless. She looked so beautiful! He stayed where he was, utterly stunned.
Thea’s face glowed at Nick’s reaction. “Do you like the dress?”
Nick swallowed and nodded. “You look… ravishing.” He slowly stepped towards her, his heart in his throat.
Then they were both moving towards each other. With a laugh, Thea flung herself in his arms. Nick caught her and swirled her around, Thea’s feet dangling off the ground. Their lips met in a kiss that bubbled with happiness. When he pulled away, they grinned at each other.
“I love you,” he told her, his heart in his eyes.
“I love you back,” Thea returned. “Can we elope now?”
Nick chuckled and set her down, but kept his arms around her. “You’re going to be the death of me.”
“If you don’t marry me soon, then yes, I am.”
“You think your dad won’t notice if you get married?” he asked hopefully.
“Kinda hard to get that past him.”
“We’ll find a way,” he promised her softly. It was a promise he’d keep, no matter what it took.
CIAN STARED at Skye’s rigid posture on the couch. Hmm, that won’t do. No, that won’t do at all. He braced his hands on each side of her, effectively caging her in against the armrest of the couch.
He struggled not to grin when her eyes widened in alarm and she inched backwards. Then her face filled with resolve as the alarm was replaced by annoyance. There was her fearless-fight-dirty attitude, as predictable as the sun.
“You have to stop doing this,” she hissed.
“This?”
“Trying to manhandle me!”
“Trying? Who said anything about trying, darling? In my opinion, I’m succeeding.”
“Since when did you become a Neanderthal?”
Oh, good one. “Since you became my girlfriend.”
“We can easily rectify that.” She tried to get away from him.
“Oh, no, you don’t.” Enough was enough. He’d given her the time to get mad at him but no way was he letting her use it to keep him at a distance. He pinned her with an icy glare. “Get this, I don’t regret staying over last night. I did it knowing you’d be pissed off. If I had to do it over again, I’d still do it.”
Surprise graced her features. Skye stared at him a bit uncertainly. “Why?”
“Like it or not, we have feelings for each other.”
“It’s only been two days!”
Someone was keeping count. Cian inwardly sighed. “It’s been months, Skye. It’s been years.”
She shook her head, still in the land of denial. He wondered if he could send a bomb to blast her out of there. Maybe a nuclear one would work.
“Are you still mad at me?”
“What do you think?” she snapped.
“Well, alright then.”
Suspicion materialized. “‘Alright then’ what?”
“I’m not letting you up until you’re no longer mad at me,” Cian announced casually.
“WHAT?” she screeched.
Nick and Thea came rushing out of her room and stopped short as they caught sight of Cian cornering Skye on the couch.
“What’s going on?” Nick asked cautiously.
“Nick, would you tell your soon-to-be-cadaver friend to let me up?” Skye said through clenched teeth.
“I’d do what she says, Cian,” Nick advised. Cian just shook his head at that.
“Cian, why do you have Skye trapped on the couch?” Thea asked curiously.
Skye made a noise of extreme annoyance at that.
“Because she’s pissed off at me?”
“O—kay,” Thea said, bemused.
“Isn’t this guaranteed to piss her off even more?” Nick wanted to know.
Cian didn’t take his eyes off Skye. She could be as sneaky as him and manage to get away.
She was so mad, she looked ready to spit nails. The only thing missing was steam coming out of her ears. He smiled at the image.
“You can’t keep me here forever!” Of course he couldn’t, Skye thought.
“Trust me, I can keep this up indefinitely.”
He probably could. Skye tried to figure out how to slide away from him but he had her effectively blocked. Any way she saw it, she would have to touch him. With the sparks that erupted between them whenever they touched, she’d rather avoid touching him. After this morning, she’d grasped just how dangerous he was to her system. She simply stopped thinking clearly whenever he was in close contact with her, make that in very close contact.
Nick and Thea looked at each other and in mutual accord took the stools to watch the free show.
Skye thought furiously. He’d said he wouldn’t let her up until she was no longer mad at him, right? Well, vengeance was a dish best served cold. She’d just have to wait until later to retaliate.
“Fine.”
“Fine what?”
“Fine, I’m through being mad at you for last night.” Animosity dripped from her words.
“That doesn’t sound like you’re through with it.” Humor lit Cian’s eyes, making them sparkle.
For a moment, Skye was riveted. His eyes went silvery and sparkly like that when he was happy. Then she shook her head, admonishing herself for getting sucked in again. Where he was concerned, she needed body armour from head to toe. For him.
“I am.” Short and precise. Better not say anything else in case she tripped and gave away her intentions of revenge.
What was that look just now? Cian thought. Her eyes had softened for a minute there. He wondered what she’d been thinking about. “And what about for pinning you down?”
Nick and Thea did their best to muffle their laughter.
“I’m going to let that go as well,” Skye enunciated.
She didn’t fool him one bit. She was planning his demise, all right. She had no clue how well he understood her. He pondered what she’d come up with.
“Thank you very much.”
The moment he let her up, Skye sprang up from the couch and darted away a few paces. Cian sat back, his arms on the back of the couch, a broad grin on his face.
First things first. Skye turned to Nick and Thea. “Thanks a lot, guys. You two were such a big help,” she said sarcastically. They laughed but quickly sobered up at her continuous glare. She turned to Cian and pointed a finger at him. She’d figured out the ultimate way to get her revenge. “As for you… .” She paused for dramatic effect. “I am so tell
ing your mom about this tomorrow.” She smiled in satisfaction as her statement wiped the grin off his face.
Nick and Thea burst out laughing. They’d both met Mrs. Hunter and Cian was in for a long dressing-down for the ungentlemanly way he’d treated Skye. He was definitely in deep shit.
“What?” Cian sat up straight, paling at the thought of what his mother would do to him. “You can’t do that!”
“Sure can. Will do.” Skye marched into her bedroom.
Cian jumped to his feet. He tried the knob only to have it uselessly turn in his hand. “You can’t tell her. I will do anything! Anything! Just name it!”
“You should have thought of that before manhandling me,” Skye shouted.
“Please. Anything,” Cian pleaded.
“You made your bed, now you shall lie in it, darling,” she called out.
Cian couldn’t help grinning at that. Then the thought of his mother splashed over him like a bucket of cold water and he rapped his knuckles on the door. “Will you stop hiding in your room?”
“Go away! And take those two traitors with you!”
The ‘traitors’ sniggered at that and got up.
“Bye, Skye. Great shot. You totally annihilated Cian on this one,” Nick called out as he grabbed Cian and tugged him along. Cian glowered at him but allowed himself to be pulled away. Thea giggled.
“Call you later. Cian says bye.”
“Good riddance!” came from the bedroom. Thea giggled again and Nick snorted.
“Aw, that hurt, you know,” Cian said, glaring at them both.
“Go away already!”
“Fine. I’m leaving. I’ll pick you up at ten tomorrow,” Cian stated.
“I can’t wait.” Sarcasm oozed from Skye’s words.
Cian shared a look of amusement with Nick and Thea. He sure had a hell of a girlfriend! Then he let out a whistle as he took in Thea’s dress. “Sexy.”
Thea blushed. “Thanks.”
Nick glowered at him. “Keep your eyes to yourself, buddy.”
“Oh, don’t worry, I’m officially a one-woman guy now,” Cian said loudly.
They clearly heard Skye’s snort through the door.
“You guys better go,” Thea counseled. “Knowing her, she can stay there indefinitely.”
“I heard that,” Skye called. “You’re still here?”
“Cian and I were just leaving.” Nick kissed Thea on the cheek. He saw Cian staring thoughtfully at the door. “I wouldn’t advise on it.”
“Yeah.” It would just put Cian even more in Skye’s bad books if he dismantled her bedroom door. Best thing to do was to leave now, and fight another day. Like tomorrow. “Bye, darling. Miss me.”
“Not happening,” came the loud answer.
Nick and Cian grinned at each other even as Thea giggled, then they finally left.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Sunday dawned bright and clear. Why couldn’t it have been overcast and dreary? Skye wondered as she nervously waited for Cian to show up. Why couldn’t there have been a thunderstorm or a cyclone or a freak snow blizzard just for today? Not to harm anyone of course, just so everyone would stay the hell home. That would be a plausible excuse not to attend this lunch, right?
Her stomach in knots, Skye fretted over what could go wrong today. What if they hated her outfit? A beautiful autumn colored dress, it fell just past her knees. The silky fabric of the dress was in different shades of golden browns and reds and swirled around her body. It had a small round neckline and small sleeves. The fabric itself was the eye-catcher, with its shades of autumn colors.
Skye had accessorized it with a red crystal tear-drop necklace and matching earrings. A beautiful red star-shaped-glass-beaded bracelet was strapped at her right wrist. Cute red sandals completed her outfit.
Sitting on one of the stools at the breakfast counter, she admired her dangling feet. The sandals were the cutest thing ever. The straps were star-shaped and criss-crossed over her feet and around her ankle. Ooh, they were just so cute!
She and Kiera were complete shoe addicts. What girl didn’t love shoes? Skye had to be careful of her budget but whenever she could, she splurged on books and shoes. What a wonder it was that shoes could make your feet look so amazing!
And she knew she was trying her best not to think about the lunch itself. Her thoughts shifted to Kiera, who had called her last night. After the traitors and the Neanderthal left, she’d spent the rest of the day catching up on her reading. Kiera had finally gotten her to read the Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones. She’d been right that Skye would find the books totally awesome. She was definitely trying out Darynda Jones’ young adult series next.
By the way, she reminded herself, she needed to charge her Kindle. She’d gone to bed early in the evening, the excitement of the past few days taking their toll on her.
So she’d been jolted awake when Kiera had called her around one a.m. to gush on about her date with Ash. Skye had added her name as well on her list of people to off. Kiera had only laughed at that. Skye smiled at the memory. Kiera’d been all bubbly with happiness. And she’d been darn wide awake.
From what she remembered of their conversation, Ash had called Kiera after he got her number from Skye and asked her out that night itself. Kiera had been surprised at herself when she had immediately said yes. She then proceeded to tell Skye how she’d had the perfect first date ever. Ash had been perfect, he’d looked absolutely gorgeous in a dark blue suit and white shirt. He’d brought her red roses and taken her to the cutest little bistro ever in North End. He was partial to the food there and he’d wanted to share it with her.
Kiera had been over the moon over how she and Ash had just clicked. Their first kiss had been perfect! Everything had been perfect. By then, Skye had decided that ‘perfect’ was Kiera’s new favorite word.
What she found most revealing though was the fact that not once had Kiera mentioned Ash’s resemblance to Ian Somerhalder. It was as if she didn’t even see it. To her, Ash was just Ash.
There was a sudden bang on the door, scattering her thoughts. Skye jumped in her seat, startled. It had to be Cian. He’d taken to banging on her door now, probably since she’d never hear him knock.
She nervously smoothed down her dress and stood up. Her pulse sped up with each step she took to the door. Uncertainty held her rooted in front of the door. She was going to meet Cian’s family. What if they hated her? Taking a deep breath, she finally opened the door.
The sight of him sent her pulse into overdrive. He was dressed in a dark red shirt and black jeans. He looked absolutely gorgeous. Her heart did a jumpy melty thing in her chest.
Cian took one look at her and his heart flopped out of his chest to land at her feet. If he hadn’t already been in love with her, this would have cinched it. And he’d thought he’d dated beautiful woman before. Any other women before her paled in comparison. She looked… . exquisite. Made for him.
The dress molded her figure and flared around her hips dramatically. She had done something to her eyes to make them look alluring. Instead of her usual ponytail, her hair was loose.
The tone of her skin looked even paler. His fingers itched to touch her. His eyes traced her from head to toe and stopped at her feet. The shoes! His eyes widened at the sexiest pair of shoes he’d ever seen gracing her delicate ankles. He wondered if she could see where his heart had landed. Anxiety and resolve shimmered in her eyes, causing tenderness to well up in him. His Amazon.
Skye could feel a blush rise up her cheeks. Why didn’t he say anything? Why was he staring at her like that? Like she was his favorite cake and ice cream all wrapped up in one giant dessert. Her face turned redder. What was she thinking?
“Aren’t we going to be late?” she blurted out, not knowing how to break this pregnant silence between them.
A slow, enigmatic smile on h
is face, Cian stepped forward and closed the door with one foot. He advanced slowly towards her, like a stalking panther.
Skye backed away warily. What was the matter with him? He was acting weird.
“Cian?”
“Yes?”
“What are you doing?”
“I’m going to kiss you.” His voice had deepened, become huskier.
What? “You don’t have to do that,” Skye told him a bit desperately, still backing away.
“Oh, but I do.”
“No, you don’t.”
Then there was nowhere to go as her back hit the breakfast counter. Her hands shot out to clutch at it, confirming she was indeed trapped. Panic flared inside her as he moved in, his hands behind his back and lowered his head. No, no, no, no… . . .
Skye’s thoughts scattered as his mouth covered hers. A sigh slipped past her as he simply took her away. She felt as if her heart soared and sang the melody to some unnamed song that filled her entire being with light. A light that blasted past her shields and left her defenseless to this assault on her senses, on her soul.
Cian moved closer to her, his entire body battered with a maelstrom of emotions that rose in him more powerful than before. The taste of her was intoxicating, and he wanted to plunder, demand she give him everything. Longing and desire flooded his senses, tempting him to just take. He reigned in his emotions with an iron control, pulling himself back from the brink.
The heart was such a strange thing. How could anyone feel so much for one person and not have their heart burst from the intensity of those feelings?
Her eyes were still closed. Cian was tempted to kiss her again when she opened them and gazed at him. Heartbreaking brown eyes that held fathomless depths, secrets, so many emotions that she hid with a tough expression. The soft heart that she kept guarded with her prickly attitude. Was it any wonder he loved her? The words sprang on the tip of his tongue, threatening to spill over.
Skye stared at him in awe. How did he do that to her? How did one kiss from him turn her insides to mush? How did he bring about all these feelings inside of her? How could she feel so much for him so fast? It scared her.
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