by Jackie Wang
I wadded up my dress and threw it at Kieran's chest. “You owe me a new dress. This one cost five-hundred dollars you know.” I was playing with him but he seemed genuinely sorry.
“I didn't know,” he said, putting the dress in his saddlebag. “I'll buy you a new one. I mean, I did win—oh fuck, the money!”
“What happened?”
“It’s in the jacket. All of it must be soaked by now.”
I wanted to mock him, but I was too exhausted at that point. I patted him on the back. “It's okay, we can dry it when we find a place to stay. It'll be crumpled but still usable.”
And that was how we ended up drying Benjamins inside a seedy motel room at three in the morning. With a mini hair dryer so small and useless it might as well have been a toy.
And I'd never admit it out loud but...I kind of had fun.
Just a tiny little bit.
Chapter Six
Rachelle
We could’ve booked separate rooms but I didn't feel safe sleeping alone. We'd checked into a place that looked like Bates Motel off of Psycho and if I took a blacklight to the room, oh the things I'd see. Kieran dragged me into this mess. The least he could do was play bodyguard.
Our room had two twin beds, shag carpeting throughout, an old TV, and some ugly portraits of Siamese cats on the wall. I tossed my stilettos on the floor and pulled the blinds shut. A loud car alarm went off, making me jump. Peering through the window, I noticed a dark figure running away from the parking lot. “Gee, great choice of motel, Kieran.”
“You're more than welcome to sleep outside,” he replied.
I stepped away from the window. “Whatever, you got your wish. I'm officially a rebel.”
Kieran scoffed. “Staying at a shady motel doesn't make you a rebel.”
“What about swimming in the Dalton?”
“Eh. Not really.”
“So I'm still not badass enough for you then?”
“Not quite, no.”
I shrugged. “I don't need your approval. I definitely stepped out of my comfort zone tonight. No, correction, I abandoned my comfort zone tonight.”
Kieran stopped drying his hair and looked up at me. “So, no regrets then?”
“What do you mean?”
“You can honestly say that you've checked off everything on your Singleton Bucket List?”
“Singleton?” I laughed. Who said that word anymore?
Kieran stood up. “Have you done all the things you've ever wanted to do as a single woman? Are you ready to get hitched, no regrets?”
“I think so, yeah,” I said, sitting down on my bed. I was painfully aware of Kieran's gray eyes studying me. Intently. His dilated pupils were reminiscent of a tiger's. Piercing. Feral. Hungry. If he pounced on me…
“You ever had a one-night stand?” Kieran asked, walking toward me.
I swallowed hard and shuffled closer to the headboard. “No…and I don't want one!” Why did he keep doing this to me?
“How do you know you won't like it if you've never tried it?”
I bunched up the comforter and hugged it against my body. “Stop it, Kieran. You're creeping me out. Even if I wanted to have a one-night stand, it's too late. I'm engaged and I love my fiancé.”
Kieran pulled back and smiled. “Take it easy, Rachelle, I'm not going to seduce you.”
“Sure doesn't feel that way,” I said, looking toward the door. I could still run. He promised no more dirty tricks!
“Trust me, Princess, if I really wanted to fuck you, you'd be naked and up against the wall already,” Kieran said, tossing his towel on the floor. “Lucky for you, I'm a real gentleman.”
“A real gentleman,” I said, “Would never even hint at something so suggestive.”
Kieran laughed. “Okay, I'm fifty-fifty. Half gentleman, half beast.”
Blood whooshed through my ears, and I felt every inch of my skin heat up. “I'm taking a shower.” I ran for the bathroom and after locking the door, sank down on the rug.
Don't play with fire, Rachelle.
Just go to sleep and go home tomorrow.
Bad boys are called that for a reason. Don't encourage him; he'll think you're a tease.
Just focus on getting through tonight.
I reached over and turned on the bath faucet. The water was an unpleasant, milky color, so I didn't risk anything longer than a two minute shower. There were also no complimentary shampoos or body washes, which didn't surprise me in the least. After the shower, I patted myself dry and slipped Kieran's hoodie back on. It was too cold (and too risky) to sleep naked in the same room as Kieran. Especially after everything he’d told me tonight. I flicked off the lights and scampered back to my bed. Tugging the blankets up against my chin, I said, “Good night, Kieran.”
Kieran’s full, wide lips pulled up in a smile. “I’m glad you wanted to share a room tonight. Though I would’ve booked you a separate one if you’d asked.”
“Don't kid yourself. I just didn't feel like getting murdered in my sleep.”
“You know the chances of you getting randomly murdered—”
“Just—Can you stop being a smartass for one minute? It's almost three-thirty in the morning. I have work in a few hours.”
“You aren't seriously considering going to work after everything?”
“I'm dry now and sort of clean,” I said.
Kieran lay down on his bed, facing me. Goddamn, his eyes were gorgeous. I could stare at them all day. “Let me take you out somewhere fun tomorrow. To make up for tonight,” he said.
“Uh, that's what you said a few hours ago. Look how that turned out. I don't trust your judgment for a second,” I said, rolling on to my back. “You and I have very different definitions of 'fun'.”
I stared up at the moldy patches on the ceiling. Several dark clusters crowded each corner of the room. Gross. I’d never slept in such a dingy place in my life. Spending a night here was an adventure in itself.
“Let me guess,” Kieran said, shuffling around. “Your idea of fun is cozying up with a good romance novel—”
“There's nothing wrong with reading romance novels!” I protested.
“I didn't say there was,” Kieran replied. “But...you shouldn't make reading your everything. Living vicariously through book characters isn't nearly as fun as experiencing the real thing for yourself. I mean, reading about sex with a bad boy isn't nearly as fun as fucking a real one.”
I blushed. Hard. “Now you want to give me life advice?” I asked. “You're one to talk.”
“Just my two cents,” Kieran said. “Anyway, 'night, Princess.” He reached over and clicked off the bedside lamp.
I listened to his soft breathing for a few minutes before it became slow and heavy. After a few tosses and turns, I fell asleep.
The next morning, I was awoken by the most awful shower singing ever. Kieran was absolutely butchering 'Walking on Sunshine' with his off-tune performance.
I squinted at the red numbers on the alarm clock, head swimming. It was only 6:09a.m. You've got to be kidding me.
I sat up in bed, my hair a bird's nest down my back. “Kieran! Shut up! It's too early for this torture!”
The shower clicked off and moments later Kieran stepped out in nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. I rubbed my eyes, as if I couldn't believe what I was seeing. His black hair was dripping at the ends and I marveled at—ok ogled at—his exposed chest. I could see it so much clearer now. Smooth planes of muscle that led to a sexy happy trail…God, those deep, V-shaped grooves...and then there was that smoking hot tattoo. What did it mean? Wait…what was that? A pierced left nipple!? Holy shit. A small, stainless steel barbell glinted under the bathroom light. It was winking at me.
Jesus.
This. Wasn't. Fair.
Kieran was the closest thing to 'bad boy' I'd ever come across. And the sight of him drove me wild for inexplicable reasons. He made me want to do bad things. Things someone like me should never do.
�
�Like what you see?” Kieran asked, winking.
I suddenly realized my mouth was open and promptly closed it. “I—Oh never mind. Why are you showering so early in the morning? Three hours of sleep is not enough for—”
“Things to do, places to see, love,” Kieran said. “You took the day off didn't you?”
I shook my head. “I haven't called in yet. I don't even have my phone.”
A smile spread across Kieran's face. “I guess you'll just have to play hooky.” The way he said 'hooky' sounded so mischievous my stomach did a somersault. He was like a buff, grown version of Peter Pan, and he wanted to lead me to Neverland. He wanted me to leave my old life behind so we could be young, irresponsible and carefree together.
“‘Hooky’ is not in my vocabulary, Kieran. I'm going to work.”
“No.”
“No?” I said, jaws clenching. “I won't take no for an answer.”
“And I won't let you go to work, so I guess we're at an impasse.”
“Why do you do this?” I asked, sinking back into bed and cupping my face with open palms.
“Do what?” Kieran asked, squeezing toothpaste on a disposable toothbrush.
“Go against everything I want,” I said. “Torture me.”
“My job is to take you out of your comfort zone,” Kieran replied. “I like the satisfaction of doing a good job.”
“I thought your job ended in the morning. It's morning now. You're relieved of your duties,” I said. “Call up Terri and collect your money.”
“Is it a crime if I want to spend a little more time with you? I know you had fun last night, even if you won't admit it.”
“Getting dunked in filthy, ice cold water was not fun,” I said. “It was horrible.”
“And the casino?”
“I sat around watching you play. I didn't do much.”
“So the entire night was a bust?” Kieran frowned.
“Pretty much. But at least you get paid right?” I wanted to make him feel as guilty as possible. Did he honestly think I enjoyed myself last night? Was he deluded?
“Okay, let's do something you find fun today,” Kieran suggested. “What do you want to do?”
I thought for a moment. “I think I should just go home.”
“C'mon, Rachelle, let's knock something off your bucket list.”
I hesitated. “Well...I have always wanted to go go-kart racing.”
“Go-karting doesn't sound too bad,” Kieran said. “I think it could be arranged.”
“You don't have to take me. Rob says it's not as fun as people like to think.”
“Rob...is your fiancé?”
I nodded, wringing my wrists. “Shit. He must be so worried about me. I don't have my phone.”
“Do you love him?” Kieran asked.
“Who? Rob?”
“Yeah.”
“Of course I do,” I said, a little too loudly. “We've been living together for years.”
“Just because you're living with him, doesn't mean you're ready to marry him.”
“I want to marry him. Why else would I have said yes when he proposed?”
“People say yes for all sorts of reasons. Not always out of love.”
I rolled my eyes. “I need to call him. I've never stayed out all night without giving him a heads-up before.”
“So you're whipped.”
“No, Kieran. I'm being a responsible adult. You'll understand when you reach that point in your life.”
“I am responsible,” Kieran retorted, rolling his eyes. “Most of the time.”
I glared at him. “Last night you told me, and I quote, ‘fuck responsibilities'. Did you not?”
“I was trying to encourage you to open up.”
“I'm opening up to you now. I like being responsible. Both towards my job, my future husband, and to myself. Are we clear?”
Kieran reached under his pillow and pulled out something. “Fine. Here...Use my phone.”
“You mean I could've just called Terri last night and asked her to pick me up?”
“It's for emergencies only,” Kieran said. “Normally I don't let strangers use my personal cell.”
Strangers. “So I'm just a stranger then,” I said.
Kieran stared at me with hard, gray eyes. “You can't be anything more than a stranger at the moment.”
“And I don't want to be,” I said, snatching the phone from his hands. I quickly dialed Rob's number and he picked up after two rings. “Hey baby, it's me,” I said in a half-whisper.
“Where the hell have you been? I was about to file a missing person's report!” Rob yelled.
“I forgot my phone and purse in Terri's car. Sorry, baby.”
“Where are you? I'm coming to pick you up.”
Kieran, who was standing right next to me and eavesdropping on the whole conversation mouthed, ‘no’ and mimed a throat-slicing gesture. A few water droplets flew from his hair and landed on my forearm. I wiped them off.
I furrowed my brows and whispered, “Well what the hell am I supposed to tell him?”
“Babe, you still there? Who are you talking to?” Rob asked.
Kieran whispered back, “Tell him you're at work.”
I felt heat prickle along my neck. I didn't want to lie to Rob, but if I told him the truth, he'd be so hurt. And he'd probably want to kill Kieran.
“I just got to work, baby. I'll see you later tonight, okay? Love you, bye!” I hung up before Rob could say more.
Kieran held his palm up in the air. “High five.”
I left him hanging. “I feel awful. And guilty. You're a horrible influence on me.”
“You like it,” Kieran said. “Look at you, already skipping work and lying to your future husband. A badass in the making.”
“And this badass is going to whoop your ass when she crushes you on the racetrack later,” I said before darting into the bathroom to freshen up.
We hit the road around eight, after Kieran bought some clothes for me at a convenience store and we gorged ourselves on bacon and eggs at the diner nearby. All that grease and even the coffee couldn't quite wake me up though. I was nursing one of the worst hangovers I'd ever had.
Stopping once in a while to check his phone, Kieran made most of the trip in silence. I was so groggy I fell into a half-sleep, startling every few minutes, terrified at the thought of falling off a bike going seventy-five miles an hour.
When we arrived at Westport Go-Kart Racing, I could barely stand up. My bones had turned to mush during the ride and I could barely support my own body weight. I let out a drawn-out sigh when I suddenly realized I was getting married in six days. Everything was already planned down to the last detail. Lavish floral arrangements, check. Award-winning caterers, check. Live, four-string quartet, check. My rehearsal dinner was tomorrow night for God's sakes! All my relatives were flying in to see us. And here I was going go-karting with a stranger. What the hell was wrong with me?
“You okay?” Kieran asked.
“I'm fine.”
“What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing,” I said, smoothing out my wrinkled new hoodie. It had “Northbridge Rocks!” printed in bubble letters across the front. That's what I got for choosing a new wardrobe at the E-Z Mart. At least it was warm. And I finally had proper pants. Yay. What wasn’t ‘yay’ about this situation was the dark and mysterious man standing beside me. I didn’t know the first thing about him, other than the fact that he had a smoking hot bod. And that he was crazy reckless.
“Your nostrils flare when you're stressed out,” Kieran pointed out. “Tell me, what's got your panties in a twist this time?”
“I'm getting married in six days. I shouldn't be here.” My voice dripped with guilt.
“We've come all this way,” Kieran said. “Don't tell me you want to back out now?”
It was true. We were already at the front gate. Bold, red and yellow font and exhilarated screams beckoned me inside.
“I'm sorry. I'
m sorry, Kieran, but I just can't. You were right about me. I like staying in my little safe bubble. With books and familiar faces and a boring, routine job. I’ve spent my entire life building my reputation, my career, laying down roots. I’m comfortable. This—this isn't me. Please drive me back.”
Kieran's eyes darkened. “After everything I said, you still want to crawl back into your safe zone.”
“I—”
“Come on, let's go,” Kieran said, not putting up a fight. He hopped back on his bike and revved the engine so hard I thought my eardrums were about to explode. Then he blazed down the highway going twice the speed limit and I felt as if my heart was getting ripped out of my bloody chest.
He was trying to get both of us killed! Or at least arrested. Strands of my hair flew into my mouth and I tried in vain to spit them out. The wind was so sharp I couldn't breathe. I wanted to call him angry names and throw a tantrum, but I couldn't even do that. I knew Kieran was trying to teach me a lesson about living on the wild side, but all I felt was terrified and homesick. Gone were the jokes, the laughter. A sullenness washed over both of us; one we didn't attempt to fix.
Even when we made a pitstop for lunch, Kieran didn't say anything to me. He just bought me a $4.99 ham sandwich and we ate in silence. He didn't even look at me; just hunched his shoulders and stared out at farmland in the distance. I could see the disappointment in his body language.
Who did he think he was?
I didn't owe him anything.
I didn't care what he thought of me.
He had no right to barge into my life and try to change me. I was happy with my life, and I didn't need some tatted up stranger with a nipple piercing to tell me otherwise.
By the time Kieran dropped me off at my apartment, the one I shared with Rob, I resolved to never see him again. I'd narrowly escaped death, and I never wanted to be this reckless again. In fact, if I caught sight of his smug face around town, I'd go out of my way to avoid him. Kieran was poison, and I wasn't about to let him contaminate my pristine, picture-perfect life.