by C. M. Owens
Then I see her. Shit. Wait. What's wrong? Why is she carrying her bag like that? Is it broken?
Without thinking, I jog over to her, toss my barely-smoked cigarette to the ground, and ignore the few calls I hear from behind me when people try to get my attention.
The entire bag looks like it has been split open, and I feel my blood starting to boil.
"What happened?" I growl the second I'm close enough.
She jumps a little, seeming startled, but then she shakes her head, refusing to meet my eyes.
"Nothing. Joseph ran over me, my bag fell and broke open."
Her lip trembles ever so slightly before she pulls it between her teeth. That stupid motherfucker. I'm going to rip him apart.
Instantly, I start looking for him, hoping he's close by so I can finish what I started yesterday. Apparently I didn't make myself clear.
"Looking for someone?" she asks.
"Yeah. I'll catch up with you later."
I walk away, knowing which direction he should be in. He has Calculus with Mel. Damn girl talks about that class all the time. I swear I could give roll call.
It doesn't take long to spot him. His back is to me as he talks to someone I don't know. That doesn't stop me from grabbing his backpack and slinging him against the wall with it.
"Fucking shit, Kade," he panics, not having to turn around to know it's me.
But I force him to turn around so I can punch the other side of his annoying face.
"It was an accident! A fucking accident!" he pleads, his hands drawn up in defense.
I snort derisively while punching the shit out of him, leaving him to wail as he cups his spewing nose. Why does everyone always stop me? Hands are on me and pulling me back. One day I'll learn to get this done in private.
"I didn't see her. It was an accident! The backpack broke. I barely ran over her! I even promised to buy her another one."
I calm down just barely as I shake my head. "I'll buy her a new one. You stay the hell away from her!"
He trembles as I shrug off my restrainers, and I walk away, needing to distance from him before I kill the fool. The sight of Raya instantly makes me calmer, and I decide it's time to make sure everyone here thinks she's with me so they'll keep their distance. I'm sick of people screwing with her.
I've already told lies to sell the story, but I need to start giving them visuals. I'm pretty sure Raya wouldn't be happy if I shoved my tongue down her throat, but I can find ways to assert my false claim.
I frown when I study her ass in those jeans. That's not something I need to focus on. She's off limits for so many reasons. The metal slides across the roof of my mouth as swirl my tongue around, thinking of all the wrong things.
After giving myself a mental slap, I reach her just as a girl with pigtails walks away.
I drape an arm around her shoulders, delighting in the dumbfounded look she gives me, but I pretend as though the gesture is a common occurrence between us. This should sell it.
"I'm back. Let's go grab some coffee. I'm bored," I say, ignoring the stinging still in my hand.
She looks around, acting as though she's confused. "Why would you want to get coffee? With me?"
I laugh as I move her toward my car that is parked at the curb. I had to hit the gym this morning to avoid her before school. Sadly, like a coward, I even showered there so I could come straight here. Now I'm hanging on her. I'm starting to confuse myself.
"It's coffee, Raya. We live together, so we might as well get to know each other. It'll make it less awkward. Coffee is a start."
That sounded so perfect. How can she refuse a truce offering? She really can't. Damn, I'm good.
"I invited someone to your party. Is that okay?"
That stuns me. Where did that come from?
I slow my stride as an unbidden pang of anger unfurls. If she brings a guy, that'll mess up this charade and they'll torment her again. Not to mention... No. The only reason I'd be mad is because it messes with my plan of keeping her safe from harassment. That's it. Nothing more.
"Care if I ask who?" I force out, trying not to sound as pissed as I am.
I really shouldn't be getting this damn mad.
"Her name is Ember. She's not exactly one of your socialite elites, but she was nice-"
"That's fine," I interrupt, feeling air enter my lungs as relief washes over me. A girl. Just a girl. She can invite all the women she wants to. Just no men.
She does well to pretend not to notice the eyes on us as I hold the car door for her to get in. I quickly join her and we start the small journey to the coffee house.
"Don't you work at the coffee place?" I ask, just now realizing how much she's been at the house. It'd be nice if she'd go back to work so I could walk around again without worrying about her death glares.
"I did," she says with an adorable scowl as she crosses her arms over her chest in a sulking motion.
"O...kay. Anything you'd like to share?"
I shouldn't sound so amused, but she really is cute when she's mad at something or someone other than me. As long as she doesn't reach the point of tears. When the tears come, it's just heart-wrenching.
"Not really," she mumbles, not meeting my gaze.
Granddad crosses my mind. Weekends lately have been crazy, and he could really use an extra set of hands. The pay would be good. I've been handling most of the stuff from home, and Raya could do the same during the week. We could even go out there on weekends together when I don't have parties going on.
Christ. What am I saying? No. I won't offer that.
"Do you need a job? My granddad has a-"
"I don't need one right now. I have my monthly scholarship money. It's from my town church. They always pick a senior every year with good grades to give a scholarship to, and they pay it in installments. I'll be fine until I can find something," she interrupts, saving me from offering something I shouldn't.
At least she has money coming in. In all honesty, she doesn't really need anything much. Dad will buy her all she needs, and I'll buy anything he doesn't. I'm sure that wouldn't go over so well, though. She seems to get snippy about money. Not sure why it makes her so crabby.
When I pull into the coffee shop parking lot, her eyes go on a search. She visibly relaxes for some reason, which concerns me. What's she worried about?
"You cool?" I ask while getting out, watching her tireless eyes still scouring the lot.
"Yeah," she says distractedly before finally getting out of the car.
I wait on her to get in front of me before placing my hand at the small of her back, smiling at the way she shivers. I love that reaction, especially since she tries so damn hard to act as though she doesn't even have the slightest bit of attraction to me.
When we reach the doors, I move my hand to open one for her, and she quickly darts toward a booth, probably trying to escape me. Good thing I don't take hints. There are numerous people here I know, considering I saw all their cars in the lot. Now's the best time to make more people aware of this fake relationship.
I slide in beside her, biting back a grin when she looks at me like I've lost my mind.
"TV's up there," I say by way of explaining, continuing to act as though this is a natural thing.
"Then I'll sit over there," she murmurs, nudging me to move.
That won't do. If they see her move, questions will form.
"You're already sitting down. We came to talk, and you'll have to talk louder if you sit over there. Just stay where you're at. I don't bite."
I groan inwardly when she blushes. Why do I have to imagine her flesh between my teeth? Not good.
A waitress interrupts us to take our order as Raya squirms in her seat. When she leaves, Raya seems to fidget more as her eyes move around the coffee place, probably noting everyone staring at us in confusion.
Apparently this rumor hasn't been getting the attention I wanted it to. Barely anyone seems anything less than stunned, meaning they've not heard the firs
t mention of me being with Raya.
"Um... Kade?" she starts, probably ready to point out all the eyes concentrated on us.
"Yeah," I mutter, feigning interest in the TV. "You ready to spill?" I ask, stopping her from asking questions.
Why did she just tense up?
"What do you mean?" she asks in a hoarse rasp.
"I mean about you. How'd you end up here?"
She relaxes beside me, but I don't acknowledge it.
"I've lived beside you since the semester started, and you're just now curious?"
She really has a chip on her shoulder about something.
"You lived beside me, now you're living with me. Yes, now I'm curious."
I free my grin that usually works on charming women, while staring at the TV, only viewing her from my peripheral, and she reacts by wadding her hands in her lap. At least she's not completely immune to my charm. I was starting to worry. She looks away, hesitating to answer, and further proving I'm getting to her a little.
I'm not going to do anything with her, but as long as she bats those lashes that way in front of people, they'll buy my lies. If she continues acting as though she'd like to throttle me, they'll start questioning us.
This fake relationship could work out for me, too. Now I won't have to make so many excuses as to why I won't date. They never listen to the fact I don't have time. I just don't need that drama later on in life—should we end up in business together—but it's not like I can tell them that. Which I really don't have time either, so that's actually not a lie.
"I grew up in Utah, wanted a good education and a fresh start, made good grades, got great scholarships, and came here. End of story."
My grin grows as I turn to face her, because that's the quickest I've ever heard a woman explain anything, especially her life story. Definitely intrigued.
"I doubt that. There's no way that's the whole story. Why did you need a fresh start?"
Something painful seems to tear her away from the moment as her mouth twitches from a suppressed frown. I tilt my head as I study her, even more intrigued than I already was.
"I just wanted to branch out... spread my wings. How about you?"
She's deflecting. Obviously she doesn't want to share any real reasons as to why she came out here. It's not like she owes me anything, considering we barely know each other.
"Simple," I say with a shrug. "My family lives nearby. I didn't want to branch out. My Granddad doesn't have a lot of time left. I wanted to be near to him."
I try not to show any emotion, but just the mention of Granddad not being here for much longer makes me my stomach roll. He's the only one who ever listens to me.
Mom always sides with Dad because she trusts him completely. Dad never listens because he feels he knows best. As much as I love my cousins, they're more like friends you see on occasion.
Granddad is the one who has always kept me together, and without him, I'd be a mess like most twenty-one-year-olds with too much money. But because he needs me, my life is on track, and in another year, I'll be in charge of making sure the world knows what an incredible wine he makes.
I notice some of the guys staring and whispering, so for good measure, I slip my arm behind Raya's back, making sure to keep it on the booth so it seems like a harmless thing. She doesn't have to know the truth about my lies. It'll only put me back on her bad side. Really don't need that.
"So, do you have a boyfriend? I'd like to know when to make myself scarce. I definitely don't want to hear crazy sounds in the middle of the night."
I'm smiling and making it sound joking, but she'd better say no. I'd hate to have to help her break up with someone, and I would. For the sake of making it look like we're together, of course. Not for any other reason. I don't think. Nope. No other reason.
A bitter snort slips out, but her eyes widen as though she hadn't meant to do that.
"No. No crazy sex sounds will be waking you in the middle of the night."
Great. My pants tighten almost instantly the second she mentions sex. I'm a teenager again. Fucking perfect.
As I smile, not really meaning to, her eyes become transfixed on my lips, making my pants a hell of a lot tighter. Why, oh why did we make zippers?
She turns and starts sipping her coffee, seeming to be as uneasy about this conversation as I am, but I refuse to let it go. I want to know why she said it that way. Oh... shit. I know why.
"So, you're a virgin?" I ask, though it's more of a statement than a question. That explains so much.
She spews and sputters her coffee everywhere, making me realize that might have been a little bold, but I can't help but be amused. She's really cute when she's embarrassed.
I just stare with a stupid grin on my face, utterly intrigued and praying she answers. Why does it matter? Hell if I know.
"No," she says through a coughing, strangling fit.
She really has to elaborate, because I have to know more. That's all there is to it. Please, God, don't let me know anyone she's been with.
"So no boyfriend, but you're not a virgin?" I pry, unable to just drop this very inappropriate inquiry.
She won't answer. She's too timid to answer such—
"I had a boyfriend, but we broke up."
Ah. So vague is the direction she wants to go. I'll play along. I can make her tell me all I want to know, and I have to know.
"Why'd you break up?"
"Because things didn't work out. That's why most people break up." Her tone is warning me to back off, but I've never heeded warnings.
"So you left him after he took your virginity?" I poke, hoping that's insulting enough to make her tell me who the guy is and what went on.
"No, I left him after he took my best friend's virginity."
Shit. I'm a total jerk.
"Oh," I mouth, feeling like the world's biggest dick. I should have dropped it. It was clear she wanted me to, but I kept pressing. "Sorry," I add sincerely, hoping she doesn't go back to giving me icy glares and forcing me to stay in the room on the nights she doesn't stay in hers.
She shrugs as though it's no big deal, but the regret still owns me.
"It happens. It's not like you knew, so don't apologize for that. If you feel a need to be remorseful, then apologize for keeping me up so many nights when I had a test the next day."
Ah, hell. My coffee goes down hard as I strangle on it in an attempt to swallow. Why'd she say that?
My laughter comes out after my coughing fit ends, and I do my best to rid my mind of all the images playing out like a dirty movie in my head. My arm slides out from behind her when I'm forced angle my hips to keep her from seeing the ungodly effect she's having on me.
"What?" she asks, completely bewildered by my seemingly random reaction. Damn, she's sweet.
"Just how exactly did I keep you up, Raya?" I tease, possibly giving her a gaze that's too hungry. It's been too long.
It takes her a second, but when it clicks, her cheeks heat up with that pretty shade of pink I enjoy seeing on her.
"Not what I meant. I meant your parties kept me up."
Speaking of which...
"You've never been to a party," I say, finally seeing a reason to ask the question I've wanted to for a while. "Why?"
"Well, I wasn't invited for one, but also because I'm on scholarship. I'm not here to play. I'm here to change my life."
So am I, baby. You just don't see the big picture.
"You lived next door. An invite wasn't necessary, and I like to believe you can do both. Partying in moderation is good for the clogged mind. I drink, I play, and then I work just as hard. I think tomorrow will be damn good for you."
Her expression doesn't promise that she's very excited. Maybe there's a way to warm her up to the idea.
"What're your plans for tonight?" I ask while attempting a new sip of coffee, hoping she doesn't say anything that causes me to strangle again.
Then she has to go and stare at my mouth, making my cock battle with
the unforgiving zipper. Bastard metal teeth.
"Um... study?" She... I think she asked that. That means she's thinking something completely different, and I almost groan. Maybe her looking at me like that is a bad idea.
I refuse to meet her eyes as I study the TV. I couldn't tell you a damn thing that has been on that screen.
"Change your mind and go with me to Silk tonight. It's a club that's only open to the public once a month. Tonight's the 'once a month.' It'll be packed, and it'll be fun. No offense, but you need fun."
"I need a scholarship to stay in school, so if I go to the club and the party tomorrow, I won't have very much study time this weekend. I need to maintain my GPA. Maybe some other time."
Why does that disappoint me so damn badly? She's dedicated, which is something I completely respect. She's too young to seem so mature. But after being around her so much today, I realize Raya has a life I don't understand. Scholarships, a need for a fresh start, and a bad breakup. But she's still here. And she's working for what she wants. Impressive. I wish I wasn't affected by that.
I need to get away from her for a while. My proximity to her is what I'm blaming for the internal war going on inside my body.
"Fine. Rain-check. You ready?" I ask while standing up.
The waitress runs over to take my card as Raya starts digging in her pocket. Like I'm going to let her pay. That's insulting.
"I've got it," I say, not really giving her an option as the waitress takes off with my card. "I invited you."
She thinks about it for a second, seeming hesitant. I hope she doesn't cause a scene over a cup of coffee. Some of the guys in the corner are waving me over, but I just smile and nod in acknowledgment instead of moving toward them. Then I make sure to toss my arm over Raya's shoulder just to drive the message through.
"Kade!" Craig yells while laughing. "You shittin' me?"
Raya turns pale, and I try to play dumb instead of losing my temper. I don't need her to know what's going on.
"Huh?" I ask, feigning confusion.
Craig grunts when he takes a hard elbow to the ribs by Jamie, and I offer Raya a shrug, ready to haul her ass out of there while there's a chance. The last thing I need is her to be pissed at me for helping out.