Dad placed a hand on my shoulder. "Your car is still in Andy's shop, remember? But I can take you, if you want."
I sighed partially in surrender, the other part secretly thrilled. "No, I'll let Jordan take me. I'd like one ride in his Porsche before he runs from this drama scene."
The inside of Jordan's Porsche smelled like his cologne—spicy, with a hint of citrus. Sexy. I wished I lived hundreds of miles from the school so I could breathe the sensuous scent for hours, not minutes.
Jordan's finger tapped my hand from the shifter knob. "Hey. Sorry I questioned your relationship with Sam. Your life before today isn't my business."
I tangled my fingers in his, helping him shift gears. "And, now it is?"
"Only if you say so."
A breath stalled in my throat, a debate ensued in my brain. If I said yes, I surrendered a little bit of the control I wanted to keep. If I said no, I ran the risk of pushing Jordan away—something I did not want right now.
"I think I say so."
When we pulled in front of the school, Jordan's Porsche summoned an immediate gathering of wide-eyed gawkers. I slumped in the passenger seat hoping the dark tinted windows hid me from faces I recognized—ones who knew Sam.
"Great," I scowled. "Guess I'm not slipping into school unnoticed."
Jordan's arm dropped around my shoulders, easing me closer. "Not a chance. You'll have to get used to this, I'm afraid. 'Fast and flashy' cars. Remember? "
I caressed the collar of his shirt, avoiding his eyes, but wondering if he could feel my pulse racing in my breath. "So you're a show-off? What are you covering for?
"At this moment, my obsession with wanting to kiss you again."
"I think that's an obsession I'd like to work on."
Jordan tipped my chin up and pressed a gentle kiss to my mouth. "You better go before you're late." One last kiss ended with a promise for a ride home.
Passing through the front entrance security barriers, I felt light as air with the taste of Jordan on my tongue. Heads whipped my direction and whispers followed me down the hall to the locker cubes where I found Sam. I recognized the faded blue jeans draped over worn sneakers, and the shiny mop of dark hair edging the open cubicle hatch. I nervously watched from behind as he angrily tossed his digital pad inside. Cautiously, I touched his arm.
"Sam?"
He turned, head tilted to the ceiling. His soft gray eyes were wet and my heart sank, realizing I caused his pain. He spoke so quiet only I could hear him.
"He's the one, isn't he? The guy you're assigned to."
"Yeah, he's Jordan Mason."
"Damn! I knew it!"
Sam's angry kick dented the metal wall below his cube. A group of his friends passed by, eyeing the two of us. I wondered how far the gossip train had already traveled, carrying the news of what happened this morning.
"Let's get out of here. First period's a bust anyway."
When we reached his jeep, Sam hugged me and I stiffened in his arms. "What?"
I don't want you to touch me. "Nothing," I lied.
As we pulled out of the parking lot, I caught a glimpse in the side mirror of a white Porsche sliding into traffic. I held my breath hoping Sam didn't notice. We usually went to the park on the edge of town, but Sam headed the opposite direction. Suddenly, he veered the jeep off the pavement and onto a gravel road.
"Let's see if he follows us in that fancy car now."
He noticed.
My head bounced against the back of the seat and the restraint scraped my neck. I yelled at Sam to slow down, seriously contemplating how to jump from the jumbling vehicle, when he brought the jeep to an abrupt stop. Clouds of dust covered us.
"Stop acting like this, Sam."
"I can't!" His knuckles turned white from gripping the steering wheel so tight. "Damn. So this is how it's going to be now? You, me and him? Not quite the threesome I've fantasized about."
"Knock it off." I leaned back into the seat. The bright sun beat hot on my head through the open roof and I covered my forehead with my hand to shade my eyes.
Sam's tone softened. "What happened to your knee?"
I inhaled a deep breath long enough to last through a recap. "Sam, Jordan thought he helped a stranger. He didn't know it was me."
His eyes narrowed, "Looked like he was getting to know you pretty fast, or at least your mouth."
"Shut up about the kiss! It just happened and I feel bad you saw us."
"But you don't regret it, do you? The kiss I mean."
My guilty reply slithered out. "No." Not then, or the several times since.
Both of us glanced elsewhere, unable to face each other. An uncomfortable silence settled between us. I shifted in my seat, trying to look around without being conspicuous.
"He's parked under the trees at the turn off."
"Oh," I muttered, searching the side mirror until I saw the Porsche tucked in the shadows.
"Do you want to get out of the sun and go sit under that tree over there?"
"I don't know, Sam."
"Ten minutes, Marli, is all I'm asking for. He can wait. Hell, you've been in my life for two years and he's been in yours what—maybe an hour?"
"It's not that simple."
"It is that simple. Give me some respect, would you? Don't walk away like I never mattered."
Sam's statement hurt, but my don't-tell-me-what-to-do attitude ruled the moment. I shoved the jeep door open and dropped onto the gravel. The jarring pain to my knee shot to my teeth.
"Fine. You want to talk? You got it. Ten minutes!"
I marched towards the tree in the middle of the field. Sam cursed and slammed the driver's door, running to catch up to me. He grabbed my hand, halting my angry steps. His arm hooked my neck and he nuzzled my hair.
"I'm sorry."
I wound my fingers through his and tugged his hand under my chin. "You matter, okay?"
We dropped at the base of a tree and I curled between his long legs, resting my head against his chest. His voice cracked.
"What happens now? Tell me how I'm supposed to let you go?"
"Sam, we knew this day would come."
"Did we? You've talked so much about dropping out of The Program I guess I hoped you'd follow that plan."
True, I'd thought about leaving, but when I read Jordan's portfolio after viewing the pod and realized I'd been matched with someone who shared my likes and dislikes on silly things like no lettuce on hamburgers, and strawberry shakes rocking over chocolate ones, my future suddenly didn't seem so grim. When I kissed him, I knew for sure.
Sam's calloused finger lifted my face and he lightly touched my mouth. "Your kisses taste different."
"That's ridiculous." Could it be true?
He kissed me again, long, easing me down in the deep grass. I'd wrapped myself in his Sam's arms almost every day over the past two years, but at this moment what once felt right, now felt wrong.
My head swirled with thoughts of how Jordan's lips felt on mine and how his arms felt around me. Then, as if a channel switched in my head, my thoughts flipped to Jesse's lips, Jesse's arms.
I shut my mouth tight against Sam's and pushed him back. "No more." He pulled away and my breath hitched when his purposely brushed over my breast. "Sam!"
He propped himself on his elbow, his other hand pressed to my stomach. "What?" A grin curled the edges of his lips, his hand sliding under the edge of my shirt. "It's not like we haven't played this teasing game before, Marli."
I pushed his hand away. "Don't."
Sam bent for another kiss, his fingers brushing up my thigh and snaking under my skirt.
"Stop it!"
His mouth stifled my protest, the kiss rough and territorial. And he didn't quit. He reached further, tugging at the sides of my panties. Panic-laced anger consumed me and I slapped Sam's face—hard, the sharp snap echoing across the field. I rolled out of reach, scrambled to my feet and smoothed my skirt down.
"Fuck! What's gotten into you?"
>
"Me? Where do you get off groping me?" I stomped toward the jeep, my knee throbbing from thrashing through the tall grass, the palm of my hand smarting and hot. Unshed tears tightened my throat.
Sam grabbed my elbow and whirled me to face him. "I know where the damn line is drawn.
"Do you? Is the line inside or outside my underwear?"
His answer came out in a low growl. "Lay off! I'd never damage the precious 'candidate.'"
He rubbed the side of his cheek where a definite red print of my hand glowed. My feet slid defiantly across the gravel when Sam yanked me closer. His jaw clenched tight and a bead of sweat glistened along the heavy ridge hooding his intense glare. I'd never seen Sam this angry.
"Sam, let go. You're hurting me."
His hands clamped my shoulders and he shook me. "You hit me!"
I cowered, waiting for the strike back, but the sound of a racing engine stopped anything from happening.
Gravel pinged metal fence rails sounding like machine gun bullets, and billows of blue smoke smelling of burned rubber snaked over the Porsche's tires. Sam released me when Jordan leaped over the fence. My stomach knotted with fear. This would end badly.
Jordan pushed me safely behind him, squaring to Sam. I clenched Jordan's shirt in my fists and pressed my face into his back, feeling the vibration of the hefty warning he leveled.
"Don't. Ever. Touch. Her. Again." Jordan's arm folded around me, keeping me tight against him. I gripped his forearm, peering around his shoulder.
Sam didn't budge, maintaining an arrogant stance.
"Or what 'Mister Blue-Band?' You'll hurt me?" He attached a menacing chuckle to his dare and raised his fists. "Come on, 'boy wonder,' let's see what you've got."
"Do not underestimate me. I don't want a fight, but—"
Sam swung his fist and I screamed, jumping back. Jordan blocked the blow, thrusting a balled hand into Sam's gut, dropping him to his knees. When Sam started coughing violently, the blue sky overhead swirled in my vision and white puffy clouds spiraled into each other.
My fingers spread over the gravel and in a very far distance, someone called my name.
The lamp beside my bed cast the only light in the dark room. Memories flashed sporadically until my mind centered on one—an instant playback where I watched Sam's body collapse to the ground after Jordan belted him. After several attempts, my eyes finally focused. Jordan sat next to me, a deep crease slicing his perfect brow.
I snickered so hard I snorted."I can't believe you sucker-punched Sam."
Jordan expelled a loud sigh of relief. "What did they give you at the hospital? You're looped."
"Hospital? I don't remember going to any hospital." I scrunched my mouth. "Are you sure I went to the hospital?"
"Yes. I took you myself. Your dad isn't very happy with me."
"Does he know you're in here? He has rules, you know." I conjured up my best baritone imitation. "No boys in the bedroom."
"Trust me. I know. Why do you think your door is wide open? He's on the phone with his clinic. He's not about to leave me alone with you."
Another wave of silliness struck. "Why not? You're marrying me."
Jordan laughed. "Are you sure about that?"
My eyes closed and a silly grin plastered my face, "Oh yeah, because you're already hooked." I opened one eye, finding a shocked look on Jordan's face. "Poor guy. Now you'll have to walk Muffy."
Jordan bent, gently touched his mouth to my forehead. I could smell the rosewood scent of his aftershave clinging to his skin, and wrapped my hands around his neck.
"You smell yummy. I want to lick your skin."
A faint buzz stopped a possible steamy kiss. Jordan removed a silver receptor from his pocket. He pressed the speaker then claimed the kiss waiting on my dramatically puckered lips.
"Hey Jess, what's up?"
My eyes widened. Jesse?
"You've gone AWOL and the 'mothership' is going crazy. Where are you?" I giggled at Jesse's comical reference to their mother. "Bro, are you with a girl? Priceless! Mom will flip out."
"Actually, I think she'll be thrilled. I'm with Marli Davis." Silence. "Jess? You there?"
Jesse's teasing tone turned sullen. "Yeah, I'm here. Why are you there?"
"Uh, because I wanted to meet her. She is my assignee. By the way, you're right. She's beautiful, albeit slightly accident prone."
"Accident? Marli are you okay?"
"Hi Jesse," I replied in singsong.
Jordan kissed me again. "She's fine, or at least tastes fine." His lips pressed the sensitive spot below my ear and I moaned.
"More than fine," I hummed. Any common sense left in my fuzzy brain disappeared. "It's hard to tell which one of you kisses better. Jesse's make my toes curl, but yours—"
Jordan's lips froze halfway to meeting mine. His eyes narrowed. "Jesse kissed you?"
"Shit," Jesse hissed.
I forced a childish frown, sticking out my bottom lip. "You weren't supposed to find out. It's a secret."
Jordan snapped his phone shut. "I should go. I'll tell Rick you're awake."
"Wait!" I scrambled off the bed and my legs folded when the room twirled. Jordan caught me and I stood inches from his baffled eyes. My hand flared on the bare skin below the hollow of his throat and his pulse quickened under my fingertips.
At this moment, I felt coherent and intensely aware of the sensation Jordan's fingers evoked on the ribbon of exposed skin between my top and skirt. "Don't be mad about the kiss."
Jordan's eyes remained hooded, his expression unreadable. A slight smirk twisted a corner of his mouth."Tell me Marli, do my kisses curl your toes?"
"Let me check." I pulled his handsome face close, finding an invitation to compare waiting on his lips. Jordan's arms locked at my waist, crushing my body to him.
Dad walked in, catching us in an intense lip-lock, Jordan's tongue halfway down my throat. "Uh-hum!" Both brows rose over eyes burning my direction. "No wonder all hell broke loose today."
Jordan's face turned scarlet. He untangled from my arms and stepped back, putting a respectable distance between us.
"I should go. I've got a lecture tomorrow I'm required to attend."
I looked at the blackness beyond my window. "You're leaving now? But it's dark. It's not safe." Turning to my father, who already anticipated my question and scratched his scalp in frustration, I offered a solution. "Can Jordan stay the night? Please?"
"N-no, I'll get a hotel along the way," Jordan quickly offered.
Dad's resigned sigh confirmed I'd won. "Nonsense. Marli's right—about driving this late at night. You're welcome to sleep downstairs in the spare room." His finger tapped the top of my head. "But you, young lady, will remain upstairs."
I tried not to appear too joyful, but the wide smile on my face hurt. "Thanks Daddy." The endearment daddy I used when things needed to sway in my favor and worked like a charm. The sideways glower from Rick, however, informed me he also knew he'd been played.
A headache from Hell pounded my brain. Whatever made me slapstick silly last night left me feeling the total opposite once I woke. I rolled over and a piece of paper crinkled beneath my cheek. Rubbing my face hard to chase the last remnants of sleep away, I eased up against the headboard and unfolded the note.
Marli—Sorry I didn't wake you to say goodbye, but your dad stood guard at the door. You looked so angelic sleeping and I desperately wanted to hold you one last time. I hope the kiss I left on your forehead will keep 'till I can put another one on your lips. —"Hooked."
6
GOSSIP TRAIN
My restored vintage pink Mustang spent more time in the shop waiting for special parts than in our garage. Running behind schedule and facing the probability of missing a shuttle to school, I conned Rick into letting me drive his twenty-year-old Volkswagen—a trip that turned out to be its last mission.
The "bug" sputtered and jerked when I pulled into a space in the parking lot and I worried it might never start
again if I shut it off. When a poof of blue smoke exited the exhaust pipe with a bang sounding like a gunshot, I feared the junkyard was next. Everyone within earshot ducked. A few swore at me, but that wasn't what attracted their stares.
News traveled at alarming speed and yesterday's events followed me like a neon arrow, pointing to the girl who sucked the lips off some stranger in a fancy car, not to mention letting said stranger attempt to murder her jealous boyfriend. Correction—ex-boyfriend.
I walked down the hallway aware of the thousands of eyes burning into the back of my head. When I rounded the corner, Brit and Alex stood guard at my locker cube.
"Wonderful, locker stalkers."
Brittany appeared annoyed, her tone sharp. "You didn't return any of our messages and your father wouldn't let us talk to you."
I engaged my data pad in the docking unit and downloaded my assignments for today's classes before answering the onslaught of questions coming my way.
"I was busy being passed out. Jordan took me to the hospital and they gave me something to make me sleep. Dad's also royally ticked at the moment."
Alex's breath felt hot on my ear. "Jordan Mason?" Brittany moved closer, officially consuming the rest of the oxygen surrounding me.
"Yes," I whispered. "He came to see me."
"We need some major girl time. Let's go to that new doughnut shop."
"Are you nuts, Alex? I can't skip classes. I'm up for Valedictorian. Rick bribed Principal Anderson with a free checkup on her cat to excuse me yesterday."
"Lunch, then."
"Nope. English test to make up I also missed yesterday."
The bell rang and the hall became a sea of rushing bodies. I scanned my wristband to lock my cube. Brittany and Alex remained permanent fixtures in front of me. I couldn't talk about yesterday's events at school and risk someone hearing, nor could my friends come to my house with Rick watching my every move. Alex's house was the safest to share secrets.
"Can we do a girls night at your house? I'll buy pizza."
Designer Genes - The Boyfriend Cut Page 7