Scintillate (Scintillate Series Book 1)

by Karen Tjebben

  “Who is it?” I sang out as I approached the front door. I flicked on the porch lights.

  “I’ll give you three guesses,” his melodic voice sang back.

  I smiled and knew my night was looking up. “Give me a minute. I have to disarm the system.” I punched in the numbers and opened the door.

  Nick leaned against the doorjamb dressed in jeans. A black, gray, and red flannel shirt showed through the opening of his leather jacket. The porch lights illuminated the golden highlights in his hair. “I saw your mom’s car leave.”

  “You just happened to see her leave?”

  “I was out for a stroll.”

  I tilted my head towards the inside of the house. “Come on in.”

  He walked in, took off his jacket, and laid it over the banister. I wrapped my arms around his body and hugged him close, breathing in his fresh cologne as I pressed my head into his chest. “I’m glad you stopped by.”

  His fingers gently pulled through my hair as he kissed the top of my head. “I didn’t want you to be alone tonight. What do you want to do?”

  I released him from my hug and walked towards the kitchen. “I was doing my precalculus homework, but I think I can be convinced to put it away.”

  “What! And be a bad influence,” Nick mocked. “No, you can work on it. I’ll just watch you.” He sat down at the table.

  “Pfft, that doesn’t sound like a very fun date.”

  “At least do some of it. I’m technically not supposed to be here. Plus your dad would try to kill me.”

  “I like your confidence, believing that my dad would only try to kill you.” I laughed. “You don’t think he could succeed?”

  “I’m pretty wily.” He grinned back and stroked my hand. “Now get busy.”

  The radio played softly in the background. Nick leaned back in the chair and rested his ankle on his knee. Every once in a while I peeked up and stole glimpses of him. He sat as still as a statue, resembling a work of art in so many ways: his chiseled face, defined body, and strong hands.

  “What are you staring at?” he asked.

  I giggled. “You’re sitting so still that you look like a statue of a Greek god or some hero from ancient times.” I rested my head in my hand.

  “Hmm, that’s funny.” His smile seemed to brighten the room.

  “It’s not that funny. In some ways you’re my hero.”

  The song on the radio changed and an unmistakable guitar introduction began. “I love this song,” I whispered as the Taylor Swift’s soft clear voice began.

  “You’re such a romantic.” Nick took my hand. “Come on, let’s dance.” He turned off the harsh overhead lighting and flicked another switch. A soft glow emanated from under the kitchen cabinets and filled the room with romantic ambiance.

  We moved to the open space between the kitchen and family room. His hand rested lightly on my waist. My fingers found the dip between his shoulder blades. Our other hands remained interlocked as we began to slowly sway to the music.

  “I guess I’ve found my Romeo.” I playfully rubbed his back and felt the soft flannel on my fingertips.

  He sighed and his breath fluttered my loose hair. “I hope not. It didn’t end too well for them.” He tucked the loose hair behind my ear. “I have a better plan for us.”

  “I guess that’s true. Their relationship didn’t last too long.” I grinned. “Okay, so you’re not my Romeo. Maybe you’re my knight in shining armor then?”

  “I don’t think you need a knight in shining armor, but if you want a cute metaphor, that will do for now.” His lips brushed lightly against my hand. His eyes remained focused on mine and increased my heart rate. The butterflies in my stomach awakened.

  “These past months with you have been the best of my life,” I said, relieved to let him know how I felt. “I can’t believe how lucky I am to be with you.”

  He leaned down and kissed me, taking his time. My heart raced as he pulled me closer to him. “No, you’re wrong,” he corrected. “I’m the lucky one. I can be my true self with you.”

  The music played on, but our silence was deafening. We stood there, staring at each other in the dim light of the kitchen. His eyes were pools of passion that I wanted to drown in. He pulled me deeper and deeper, and I knew I was in over my head.

  He slowly nuzzled my nose, and his lips lightly brushed against my cheek. I waited for him to connect with me, to kiss me, but he lingered, his fingertips tracing the curve of my face. I slowly dragged my fingertips down his back and finally rested my hand on his waist. He tensed slightly as my other hand landed on his chest.

  At last his soft lips enveloped mine as we clung to each other. His arm traced up my back and sent shivers through me. My world spun. I felt so complete when I was with him. He was part of me, a part of my life. We belonged together.

  His hand tickled my ribs as it slid down my side and rested on my waist. He’d fully awakened all the butterflies in my stomach, and their velvety wings fluttered wildly. Every part of me felt alive, alert with energy.

  We continued to kiss, to connect. With every kiss, with every touch, Nick wrapped another coil of the mysterious rope around my waist. I was thoroughly connected to him. The energy contained in the mysterious rope pulsed through me, charging me.

  His hand glided up my back and left a trail of scintillating sensations. Confusion rocked my world. Should I stop this? My gut told me this was getting dangerously close to out of control, but another part of me didn’t care. His fingers locked in my hair and gently pulled my head back, exposing my neck. As his lips left mine, his breath warmed my cheeks. His lips were like flittering butterflies placing gentle kisses along my face and neck.

  I knew this was too much, that we should stop, but it felt so good. The charge that pulsed through my body grew stronger. Before I knew it, Nick picked me up. I wrapped my arms around his neck and locked my ankles around his waist. Our blue eyes mirrored each other, pupils wide with excitement. I waited for him to make his move. What would come next? Nick set me on the kitchen table, his hands clutching my legs.

  My heart thundered; my breathing quickened. He stared at me, as if trying to decide what to do. Was he fighting the same inner battle that I was?

  He quickly kissed me and pulled back, his blue eyes exuberant as he stared at me. The same heat emanated from his body. I smiled at him, welcoming his advances.

  Alarm bells went off in my head when I felt the warmth of his hands under my shirt. This was going too far. I pulled away. “Wait,” I whispered and moved his hands away. “We need to slow down.”

  When I looked at him, concern flooded me. He was flushed, and his eyes had a hunger I’d never seen before. He studied me and said, “We can slow down.”

  Yet a fire burned in me; a fire I’d never felt before. I pulled him to me. Slow gentle kisses lured me away from concern and transformed me into putty in his hands. I ached for his touch. I wanted to kiss him more. My fingers slid up, under his shirt, and felt the ridges of his muscles. His heart pounded — the thump, thump, thump reverberated against my hand.

  “I love you,” he whispered as his fingers slowly glided under my shirt. My skin twitched as he made contact with my belly. I slowly exhaled and tried to think about what was going on, but the incredible sensations flowing through me were overriding my thinking abilities.

  He paused, giving me time to accept him.

  I wanted him. I could barely contain myself. My heart raced — pounded. His lips pressed against my neck, and I felt the gentle tug of my skin between his teeth. I opened my eyes and screamed, flinching in his arms.

  Nick shot up and looked around, releasing me from his hold. “What? What’s wrong?” His eyes were dark and angry as he assessed the situation.

  “Outside.” I pointed to the porch. “Someone’s watching us.” I tugged at my shirt. “I know I saw someone.”

  A look of contempt washed over him as his eyes narrowed. “Did he look familiar?”

  “I don’t
know. I couldn’t tell,” I panted as I spiraled back to reality. “But someone is definitely out there.” I jumped off the table and turned on the screened porch light. Standing there, illuminated under the glowing lights, stood Alex.

  Why was he here?

  Nick opened the porch door. “Hello, perv,” he growled, blocking the doorway.

  “Ditto.” Alex’s normally peaceful green eyes now resembled the turbulent green of crashing waves filled with nature’s fury and wrath.

  “I’m not the one lurking in the shadows,” Nick jeered. His face appeared more dangerous than glorious.

  “Alex! What are you doing here?” I asked mortified. I peeked around Nick. Why was he spying on us? How long had he been watching us? How much was he willing to watch? How could he betray me like this?

  Alex sighed, stepped around Nick, and walked into the house. “I came by to check on you. I wanted to make sure you were safe.”

  “She doesn’t need a babysitter.” Nick closed the screened porch door. “Anyway, I’m here. You can go home.”

  “Yes, I noticed that you were here, which is why I stopped by. And after what I saw, she may not need a babysitter,” he squared off with Nick, “but apparently she needs a chaperone.”

  They resembled two bulls, ready to lock horns. Their chests were puffed out, their faces flushed, and their eyes deadlocked on each other. Anger filled the air around them, as if they were exhaling it.

  “What!” I shrieked. “How dare you come here, snoop around like a pervert, and then act like I’m the one who’s behaving badly. You need to leave!” I pointed in the direction of the front door.

  “Please, forgive me, Kate,” Alex said. His green eyes were no longer churning, but were calm and soothing. “I didn’t mean to imply that you were misbehaving. It’s Nick who’s in the wrong.” Alex shot Nick a wicked glare. “He’s working his charms on you, which you are defenseless against. I’m here to help you, not offend you.”

  “Working his charms on me! What are you talking about?” I stared at him, hoping he realized I thought he sounded like an idiot. He looked back at me serenely, almost pitiably. Apparently, he was thinking too metaphysically about charms and powers and things we can’t see that surround us. Who knows what’s going on inside his head? Obviously I’m going to have to find a new tutor because this one is a loony pervert.

  “You heard her, leave,” Nick demanded. “You’re not wanted here.”

  Alex shook his head. “I’m not leaving. I have a job to do, and I’m going to do it.”

  My mouth dropped open, and I stared as Alex walked into the family room and sat back comfortably on the leather recliner. “I’ll sit here so you two can sit on the sofa. Do you want to watch television?” he asked casually, as if he was an invited guest.

  I walked over, stood in front of him, and put my hands on my hips. “First of all, your job is to tutor me for AP biology. You’re not my bodyguard,” I said in disbelief at the turn of events. “Alex, I want you to leave. Spying on us was completely out of line. In fact, I feel violated and insulted by you. What you did was illegal.”

  “Kate, I apologize for insulting you. That was not my intention.” Alex sighed and rubbed his forehead. “I’ll make you a deal. Let’s forget this ever happened, and I won’t tell your parents what I saw tonight.”

  “Huh! What a clever idea, Alex. How very manipulative of you,” I said sarcastically. “You get away with being a pervert, and I get away with kissing my boyfriend. That’s a brilliant plan.”

  “Believe it or not, I’m trying to help.” He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees.

  “Always trying to help.” Nick scowled. “Too bad you can’t help yourself. Isn’t it time to just move on. You should leave.”

  “I’m just trying to help you do the right thing,” Alex said to Nick. “Don’t do something you’ll regret.”

  “Don’t kid yourself. This isn’t about me doing something that I may regret,” Nick said, walking away from Alex. “No wonder you’re miserable.”

  “I’m not miserable,” Alex stated clearly. “You’re rushing things.”

  “No, things are as they should be.” Nick turned and faced Alex. “You think you have an advantage, but you don’t.”

  I watched them, completely confused. What were they talking about? What advantage could Alex possibly have? Why should Alex care about my physical relationship with Nick?

  “She’s made her choice. You have to live with it.” Nick stood beside me and took my hand.

  Alex stood up from the recliner and stepped closer to Nick. “She hasn’t made her choice. She doesn’t even know what her choices are yet.”

  I stepped between them and placed my hand against Alex’s chest in order to separate them. “Wait, I have made my choice. I’ve chosen Nick.”

  Alex let out a deep sigh and looked into my eyes. He looked wounded and betrayed. I removed my hand from his chest and stepped beside Nick.

  “Kate, I wish you’d let me handle this,” Alex said.

  My mouth dropped open, amazed at his audacity. “Alex, you’re my tutor. You help me with AP biology. If I’ve given you any reason to think that there’s more between us, then I’m sorry, but we’re just friends,” I stated as emphatically as I could. Alex clearly needed boundaries.

  “Look, she’s been completely honest with you, and you don’t like her answer,” Nick said. “You should leave and save yourself any further humiliation.”

  Alex sat in the recliner and placed his hands on the armrests. “You’d like that, but I’m not concerned with your interests. I’m here for her.”

  What on earth did that mean? He had never shown any romantic interest in me. His behavior had always been appropriate during our tutoring sessions, yet that last sentence sounded so creepy.

  Nick stared at Alex and let out a deep sigh. “Well, he’s not going anywhere.” Nick turned to me. “Let’s watch some television.”

  My gaze darted between them, dumbfounded by the bizarre event that occurred. My evening went from romantic to mystifying in seconds. Had I entered an alternate universe where my friends were freaks who disregarded my feelings and rights?

  I couldn’t believe Nick didn’t respond to Alex’s I’m here for her declaration. Didn’t Nick think that was strange? Shouldn’t he at least say something? What was up between these two? They had a bizarre familiarity in their language and interactions. Did they know each other better than they let on?

  The phone rang and cut through the tension in the room. I left the two of them and answered it. “Hello.” Relief flooded me when a voice of reason responded on the other line. Mom explained that she was heading home.

  “Great, I’ll see you soon.” I hung up the phone and looked at my dilemma sitting in the family room. “You two need to go,” I ordered. “She’ll flip out if she finds you here.”

  “That sounds like a good idea.” Alex stood up from the chair. “After you.” He signaled to Nick.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Nick wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed me. The tension in the room returned as Alex cleared his throat. “Alex is more uptight than your brother,” Nick said, releasing me.

  “Time to go.” I pushed him towards the front door, glad to be rid of both of them.

  Saturday morning Zoe and I went shopping for our Valentine’s Day Ball dresses. We tried on countless dresses, enjoying every moment. Eventually we decided to eat lunch in the food court. Restaurants line the perimeter while tables and chairs fill the inner space. The glass ceiling allows sunlight to stream in. As we ate, I recounted to her the unusual events from the night before.

  “I asked Alex to leave, but he refused.” I picked up a French fry and waved it through the air. “He went on about some job he had to do.”

  “What do you think he meant by that?” Zoe asked

  “Hmph, I haven’t got a clue. I don’t know what tutoring and spying on me have in common.” I popped the fry in my mouth.

  “I don
’t know, Kate. I can’t figure men out. They’re a complete mystery.” She shrugged as she picked up her chicken sandwich.

  “Pfft, that’s the truth,” I groaned. “Once you think you start to understand them, something happens that blows you out of the water. Did Alex mention anything to you about it when he got home?”

  “No. He never tells me anything.”

  “I don’t mean to put you on the spot, but… do you think he has a crush on me?” I fiddled with another fry and the salt grains rubbed against my fingertips. “I mean, I hope I haven’t led him on in any way.”

  Zoe shook her head. “No. He doesn’t have a crush on you. Anyway, he knows you’re with Nick.”

  “No kidding! It’s not like it’s a secret. I don’t know what Alex’s problem was last night.” I took a sip of soda. “Anyway, sometimes I think Nick’s too perfect. Like, maybe he’s hiding some horrible secret,” I joked.

  “You don’t have to worry about that. You’re perfectly safe with him.”

  “I certainly feel safe with him.” That was obvious considering all the ways he’d helped me over the past months. “He always seems to know just what to do and say. He’s pretty much perfect.”

  “Wow, the perfect man. Let’s clone him so we can all have one just like him,” she added sarcastically.

  I rolled my eyes. “Okay, maybe he’s only perfect for me.”

  “That’s probably true. Nick is wonderful, but I don’t know if I could take him forever.” She giggled. “Forever is a long time.”

  “Well, you haven’t really known him for that long.

  She tilted her head from side to side. “Hmm, you do know him more intimately than I do. Anyway, I’m happy for you two. You look like you were destined for each other.”

  I dragged my teeth along my bottom lip as I contemplated my reply. “You know, when I first met him, I was a little intimidated by him. He was so mysterious and gorgeous, but now that I know him better, he’s just Nick. I feel so comfortable with him.” I played with my fry and slowly dragged it through the ketchup. “In some ways, it seems like he’s always been there, a part of my life. I can’t imagine my life without him.”