True Colors

by Melissa Pearl

  “It’s over, Eric. I’m all right.”

  “No, it’s not. He said it was a warning. Caity, you have to stay away from this.”

  “But what about Indie? I can’t just ignore what I saw. Liam needs to be stopped.”

  Eric spun with a fierce look in his eye. “I want you to stay away from Liam. You have to promise me you will.”

  “I don’t know if I can do that.” I felt bad saying it, but I told him I’d never lie.

  His face crested with anger and sorrow. “I don’t want you to get hurt again.”

  “I won’t. I’ll be more careful, more aware.”

  He looked unconvinced. The shadows created from my bedside lamp darkened the frown on his face.

  “Eric, tonight scared the shit of me. I’m not going to do anything careless, I swear.”

  That calmed him, but he still wasn’t satisfied. “I still think you should call the police.”

  “I know...and I will, eventually. I just want to figure out a little more first. They’re not going to follow a lead on some teenage girl’s hunch. I need some sort of evidence.”

  He shook his head. I could tell he was annoyed with me. I so didn’t want to lose him over this, but I couldn’t just walk away from what I’d seen.

  I wanted to. I wanted to run for the hills...or Wyoming, but I’d seen too much and I couldn’t ignore it. I’d never be able to live with myself if I turned my back on people who so desperately needed help.

  Curse my good soul.

  Why couldn’t I just be a selfish cow?

  Eric’s agitated pacing was driving me nuts. I hated anger. It stressed me out. We needed to end this conversation for the night or we’d never get any sleep, something we both probably needed. I did, anyway.

  Exhaustion tugged at my brain, the aftershock of my attack making me queasy. I just wanted to lie in his arms and pretend none of this had happened.

  “Please don’t be angry with me,” I whispered. “There’s nothing more either of us can do tonight. I’m safe,” I said the word safe as emphatically as I could. “Please, Eric, just come back to bed.”

  He stopped with his hands on his hips, his expression a mixture of longing and regret. “Caity, I was expecting to sleep on the couch.”

  Without warning, tears filled my eyes. “Please don’t,” I breathed. The idea of sleeping alone left me feeling bereft. I blinked at my tears, embarrassed by my fragile state.

  With a soft sigh, Eric stepped back to the bed. “Don’t cry. It’s okay.” Carefully untying my shoes, he placed them on the floor. He then took his off and lay down on the bed beside me.

  “Thank you.” I kissed his cheek. Grabbing his hand, I rolled away from him, pulling his arm over me and tucking it beneath my waist. He kissed the back of my head and shuffled forward so our bodies melded against each other. I ran my fingers down his bare forearm and closed my eyes. His solid form against me eased my rattled nerves, helping me to put the trauma of my day aside.

  I was in Eric’s arms. I was safe.

  With that knowledge, I drifted off to sleep.

  21

  My head was aching as my mind worked toward wakefulness the next morning. Hands gripping me and hurting me slammed into my brain and I came to with a jerk. The arm around my waist squeezed tight.

  “You okay?” And the voice behind me made my insides sing.

  He’d stayed. All night, he’d slept beside me.

  My hero.

  I internally giggled at my swooning self. In spite of yesterday’s events, I felt like the luckiest girl in the world.

  “My silver lining,” I muttered.

  “What?” Eric’s head popped up. He rested his stubbly chin lightly against my ear. Rolling over, I ran my fingers down his perfectly carved face and grinned.

  “You’re my silver lining,” I whispered again, bringing my lips to his.

  Morning kissing was the best way to wake up. I’d never done it before, but it didn’t take more than a microsecond to come to this conclusion. Eric’s tongue wrapped around mine as his arms slid up my back. I flung my leg over his hip, pulling him closer, relishing his firm body against mine.

  Finding an opening, I wriggled my fingers beneath his T-shirt, spreading my hand flat against his back and gliding over his skin. His strong, hard muscles felt divine, and I was once again struck by the unbelievable notion that Eric Shore wanted me. With a soft groan, he pushed me onto my back, his weight pressing me into the bed. Running his hand from my knee to my thigh, he cupped my butt before sliding his hand beneath my shirt. His lips worked down my chin and over my neck, sending spikes of pleasure running through my system.

  I held him tightly to me, lost in the intoxicating dance. My temperature rapidly skyrocketed as our breaths mingled together, our kissing growing urgent with our mounting desire. I started to tug at his shirt, wanting easier access to his amazing skin...his entire body. But then he jerked and pulled away.

  I felt naked as he leapt off me. He ran a hand through his hair as he breathed in through his nostrils. The light brown tendrils fell around his face and he tucked them behind his ear.

  “I have to um...” He pointed behind him. “Mind if I take a shower?”

  My confused frown must have been interpreted as a yes, because he spun and left my room.

  Thirty seconds later I could hear the water running.

  What the hell?

  I frowned, slowly getting off the bed. I rubbed my slightly tender stomach that I had blissfully forgotten about, feeling fragile and worse for wear. Padding down to the second bathroom, I braved a look in the mirror and was pleased to see the grazing on my face was quite minor. My skin was a little puffy and there was definitely a bruise, but it was pale and would hopefully fade quickly.

  My fingers shook as I ran the tips over my wound, but it wasn’t because of yesterday. It was because my hot next-door neighbor just leapt off my bed and looked as though the last thing on earth he wanted to do was have sex with me. The thought was a depressing lump in my gut.

  I clutched my shirt, noticing how dirty it was. Whipping it off, I threw it into the laundry as I walked past, unzipping my fly on the way to my room. I wiggled out of my jeans and was tempted to waltz into the bathroom in my underwear just to gauge Eric’s reaction, but I didn’t want to see the look on his face. Would it be disgust?

  Fighting tears, I reached for a comfy pair of sweatpants and my pink Roxy T-shirt. They were both a little tatty, but I didn’t care. Eric obviously didn’t want me, so it wasn’t like I needed to dress to impress.

  I was thumping my way down the stairs when the front door jiggled open. I paused at the entrance to the living area. My heart tripped and stumbled as I wondered if someone was trying to break in. I gripped the corner of the wall, ready to scream...until I saw my older brother waltz in.

  “Seth? What are you doing here?” My insides skittered.

  My brother, who was old enough to be my father, was a straight arrow. His perfectly cut blond hair and dark blue eyes always took in everything. He was basically a replica of my father...and he would so not be cool with a guy he didn’t know sleeping over at his kid sister’s place. I crossed my arms in an attempt to quell my jitters.

  “Hey, sis. Just checking in.”

  I rolled my eyes and blocked his way before he could come any further into the house. He didn’t really want to be here, but he felt obliged. I could read it on his face. He was a busy guy with kids of his own; he didn’t want the responsibility for his kid sister as well, but he was a good boy and if Dad had asked him to do it, he was going to follow through.

  “Did Dad send you?”

  “No.”

  “Liar.”

  He grinned. “I promised him I would, okay. Give me a break.” His forehead wrinkled. “What happened to your face?”

  “Um...” Brushing the back of my hand over it, I went for casual. “Got hit with a ball at school. Didn’t even see it coming.”

  “Huh.” Seth nodded. “Sounds
like you.”

  “Thanks.” I scowled. “Look, I’m fine. The house is fine. Nothing’s on fire. Would you just go, please?”

  His eyes narrowed. I noticed how his wrinkles were starting to show. He was turning forty soon.

  I lifted my chin to counter his suspicious glare.

  “What’s the rush? Why do you want to get me out of here?” He looked over my shoulder, down the hallway. I followed his gaze, feigning confusion. “Whose Jeep’s in the driveway?”

  Shit!

  I cleared my throat. “It’s Eric’s, our next door neighbor’s. His mom had a party last night and there wasn’t room for his car, so he asked if he could park here.” I shrugged. “I didn’t see any harm in it, so I said yes.”

  Seth looked unconvinced.

  “He didn’t want to leave it on the road. Big deal.” I flicked my hand.

  Seth’s eyebrow arched, just the way Dad’s did when he didn’t believe me.

  I rolled my eyes. “Oh please, as if he’d be here. The guy’s like a God, he barely knows I exist.” My insides thrummed as I mentally begged my big brother to believe me. I hoped Mom hadn’t blabbed about Eric taking me hiking.

  Crossing my arms, I decided to change tactics and gave my brother a pointed look. “Seth, I’ve got my period, okay?” Surely that would freak him out. He used to hate it when Layla and Holly were so open about that kind of thing. “I’m tired, I’m cranky and I just want to be home alone. Let me enjoy this. Please.”

  As I expected, he took an instant step away from me. His hands went into his pockets as he reluctantly sighed. “Okay, fine.”

  “I’ll tell Dad you came to check up on me.” Although he didn’t want me to see it, the thought made Seth happy. It didn’t matter how old he was, Seth liked being Mom and Dad’s golden boy.

  He walked back to the door and eased it open, turning to look at me. “Call me if you need anything.”

  I grinned. “I’m cool, Seth. You go worry about your own girls.”

  He left with a snicker.

  As soon as the door clicked shut, I tipped my head back with a sigh.

  “Who was that?” Eric’s voice made me jump. I spun to face him and noticed his shirtless form coming down the hall.

  Seriously! Was he trying to torture me?

  His jeans sat low on his hips, letting me see the full glory of his carved torso. I wanted to study every contour of his bare skin, but I pulled my eyes away. “It was just my brother checking up on me.”

  Eric grimaced. “Does he mind that I’m here?”

  “He doesn’t know that you’re here.” I scratched the back of my neck, suddenly feeling awkward. “I told him you parked in our driveway last night because your mom was having a party and there was no space left in yours.”

  He looked impressed by my quick thinking, but also really uncomfortable that I’d lied. “Look I can leave. I don’t want you to get in trouble or anything.”

  Looking to the floor, I tried not to let his words sting. He was just looking out for me, but I really didn’t want him to go...unless he didn’t want to stay.

  I shrugged. “You can leave if you want, but I’d prefer you to stay.”

  His eyes lit with a grin as he stepped toward me. “Then I’ll stay.” He kissed my forehead and it took every ounce of willpower not to run my finger down that dip from his chest to his navel.

  I curled my fingers into a fist, commanding them to behave.

  “Want some breakfast?” I needed something to distract me.

  “Sure.” Eric nodded and followed me into the kitchen. We worked in silence, me getting out milk and yoghurt while he chopped up the fresh fruit. I pulled out Mom’s homemade granola and a couple of bowls and we were soon sitting at the kitchen table quietly munching our food. Thankfully, or regrettably, Eric had pulled on a T-shirt before we sat down to eat. The image of his half-naked body was burned into my brain though...and would probably stay there for all eternity.

  We ate in comfortable silence...at least Eric looked comfortable, gazing past me at the clear blue sky and looking relaxed. I pushed the cereal around with the tip of my spoon, willing myself to take another mouthful and just forget it.

  But I couldn’t.

  I was so used to swallowing down my emotions and going along to keep people happy. It was kind of ridiculous. I didn’t care if this was about to get awkward; I needed to know where I stood.

  “Do you not want me?”

  Eric jolted with surprise, looking at me as though I’d sprouted two green antennae.

  I closed my eyes with a huff, dropping my spoon into my cereal.

  “Sorry. I’m just trying to figure out what happened in my bed this morning. I thought...” I desperately wanted to look at him, to figure out what he might be thinking, but I forced my eyes to remain on the table. I wanted to read him so bad. “I must have imagined it.” My voice quivered.

  There was a long, painful pause before Eric finally reached for my chin, forcing me to face him.

  “Caity.” His eyes were filled with longing. “I had to go and have a cold shower. An ice cold shower.” He looked pained. “This morning was most definitely not about me not wanting you.”

  I frowned. “Then what was it about?”

  A half smile pushed at his lips as he tipped his head to the side, looking almost bashful. Reaching for my wrist, he gently tugged me toward him and nestled me onto his lap.

  “My mother has spent her life jumping into bed with guys before she even knew them. It’s gotten her divorced twice, nearly married three more times after that and I’ve spent years having different guys—some jerks, some really cool—traipse in and out of my life.” He rested his chin on my shoulder. “I don’t want to be like that. If my mom had managed to control herself, she wouldn’t have ended up with such a mangled heart.”

  Sitting back, he pulled me around so I was facing him, tucking my legs on either side of him.

  “I don’t want our first time to be this lust-filled moment... a distraction from all the crap.” Placing his lips against the edge of my jaw, he kissed me lightly and whispered. “I want it to be a conscious decision. A choice. I never want you to regret letting me touch you or make love to you.”

  My insides were melting like butter in a frying pan. I tried to rein them in and force my breathing to slow down.

  Eric picked up one of my curls and rubbed it between his fingers. “Sex complicates everything, Caity, and we’ve only just started. I’m not ready to jeopardise what we’ve got going here.”

  A smile danced across my lips as I buried my head into his shoulder. My zinging hormones were very disappointed, but I was pretty sure my heart just fell in love.

  “Will it be your first time?” I hated asking, but I had to know.

  He cleared his throat as he ran his finger up my arm. “It takes a lot for me to trust people... so yeah. I haven’t gone all the way yet.”

  “Me too.” I had always thought that I’d want my first time to be with someone experienced. I didn’t know what I was doing and I wanted them to take the lead and show me, but sitting there with Eric, hearing his sweet words, I suddenly loved the idea of figuring it out together. If our morning was anything to go by, it wouldn’t be that challenging. I blushed at the thought. “I think you’ll be worth the wait, Mr. Shore.”

  “As will you, Miss Davis.” He nibbled my earlobe and trailed kisses down my neck, finishing with a raspberry just below my chin. I jumped with giggles and tried to pull away from him, but he held me tight and lavished more kisses upon my throat until his mouth ended back on mine. He pulled me against him and ran his hands up my back, deepening the kiss, promising things to come.

  My senses started to catch fire and it would soon be time to pull away, but I didn’t have to make that choice. Eric’s phone rang and our kiss-fest was brought to an abrupt end.

  22

  The phone call was a reality check I wanted to ignore, but Eric was right. Kissing our way through the weekend wouldn’t
solve my problems. Spoil sport.

  So instead, we sat in a cafe opposite Scott Ferguson and Piper Vaughan. I didn’t particularly want to meet either of them, but Scott had called to check whether I was okay and Eric had launched into the story of what happened to me. Fifteen minutes later, he was asking if I’d be cool to go and meet his friend, Scott. I was too confused to do anything but nod.

  Sometimes I hated how my first instinct was often compliance. I was way too easy-going for my own good. Always trying to make others happy.

  Piper sat across from me, her tiny arms folded across her chest. Her dark hair was perfectly brushed and her sharp green eyes ran down my body as she shook my hand in greeting. She looked about as enthusiastic as I felt. I pulled her mask away. Oh yeah, there was no way she’d driven all the way from Palm Springs to spend the morning with strangers. She wanted Scott all to herself and from the look in her eye, she wanted him somewhere private.

  I pressed my lips together, squashing my grin.

  “So.” Scott leaned his elbows on the table. “Eric told me you got into some trouble last night over Liam Donovan?”

  I nodded, still nervous that Eric had let some stranger know all about what I was doing.

  “Look, I know it’s probably really uncomfortable for you talk to me about this.” His gentle eyes were filled with compassion. “But I asked to meet you because...well, I used to know Liam.”

  Regret was evident. I tried to pull his mask away, to see more, but there wasn’t one. What I saw was exactly that.

  I swallowed. “How’d you know him?”

  Scott sighed and ran a hand through his ginger locks. “I didn’t know him that well; but we went to high school together and I used to hang with his older brother.”

  “Mason.”

  “Yeah, he uh...” Scott glanced at Piper. “He taught me how to…um.” He frowned.

  Piper reached for his hand and gave him a soft smile. Scott blushed and then grimaced, his nose wrinkling. “I used to party pretty hard with that guy and we got ourselves into some trouble.”