“Yeah, that’s fine. I’ll have to make sure Aunt Beth knows, but it shouldn’t be a problem.”
I was positive Aunt Beth would be thrilled I’d joined an activity at school. She’d been making more and more comments about how all Abby and I ever did was hang out with Whitney. Maybe this extracurricular activity would appease her for a bit.
“Oh, good.” Ellie smiled. “We haven’t really had much time to hang out, just the two of us, so I thought this would give us a chance to talk.”
“Definitely.” I nodded. “So, it’s just you and me, then?”
“And whoever else is on the dance committee, but yeah, I didn’t volunteer anyone else. Just you.” She looped her arm through mine, and we made our way down the crowded hallway.
I waited while she rummaged around in her locker. “Maybe we can get food when we’re done. If you want,” I said.
“Oh, my God. Yes!” She shoved her hair away from her forehead. “It’s totally a date.” She giggled.
“A date? With who?” Nick asked. He wrapped his arms around Ellie from behind and kissed her cheek.
“A date with Chloe. No boys allowed.” She twisted around in his arms and beamed a smile that spoke volumes about her feelings, and then she planted a kiss on his lips.
A pang of sadness hit me at their public display of affection. “Okay, that’s my cue to leave. I’ll meet you here at the end of the day.”
Ellie waved to me, but she didn’t release Nick.
Shaking my head, I wandered toward Life Skills class. God, I really hated this class. I entered to find Whitney in her seat, and I sat in the empty desk next to hers.
“Hey,” I said.
“I’m sorry about yesterday. I should have just taken you home.” She gave me an apologetic smile.
“It’s fine. Trent and I needed the time to talk anyway.”
Jax chose that moment to walk into the room. His gaze landed on me, and my face heated at the memory of Friday night, of how we’d made out in the backseat of his car. He winked as he walked by, and I quickly looked away. But I wasn’t fast enough.
Whitney raised a brow. “Something you need to tell me?”
“Nope.”
I used every technique Jax had taught me about lying, though it was pointless when I was talking to a mind reading vampire. She could simply peek at my thoughts and learn everything I didn’t want her to know.
“Are you sure?” she asked.
“Yeah. We’ll talk later.” I got up and went to my assigned seat before she could question me further, but being seated right in front of Jax wasn’t any better.
He tugged on a strand of my hair seconds before I felt his breath on my neck. I gripped the sides of the desk and momentarily closed my eyes.
“Want to hang out again today?” he whispered.
Slowly, I twisted in my chair so I could see him. Despite whatever conflicting feelings I had for him, I couldn’t deny how sexy he was, or how the sight of him had the power to steal my breath—not quite like Trent did, but close.
“I can’t.” I licked my lips, and his gaze dropped to my mouth. “I have plans with Ellie today. Sorry.”
“Tonight?” He lifted a single brow, his meaning clear.
I laughed nervously. “I don’t know.”
Just because I’d successfully snuck out the other night didn’t mean I could do it again tonight. I wasn’t sure I wanted to risk it, and after the tsunami of guilt that left me in a sobbing heap on my bedroom floor, I really wasn’t sure I wanted a repeat performance. Thinking about it now had my stomach churning.
That guilt had kept me home all weekend. Abby had begged me to go to Whitney’s with her, but I’d refused. I knew I wouldn’t be able to handle seeing Trent or Jax. So, I’d avoided both of them.
Thankfully, Mr. Gordon cleared his throat, his telltale sign that class was starting. I turned back around and listened as he rambled on about income taxes and how people could be easily tempted to cheat.
Cheat.
My heart stuttered over that word. I was a cheater. Even though I was single, everything I’d done with Jax the other night had felt like cheating, like I was still somehow betraying Trent. Would I feel the same way if I kissed Trent? Would that make me feel like I was cheating on Jax?
I shifted in my seat, every nerve in my body ready to get up, walk out of class, and go find Trent. I needed to know how I’d react to kissing him now. He told me I needed to take time to work out my feelings, but that meant my feelings for him, too. Not that I had any questions about my feelings for him, but circumstances were different now.
That solved it—as soon as class was over, I’d find Trent. But I didn’t manage to find him after class, or the entire morning, for that matter. Was he even in school today? Or had he taken off again?
“So, what do you think?” Abby asked as we walked into the cafeteria.
“What do I think about what?”
Abby huffed. “You seriously haven’t been listening to me?”
“Sorry.” I frowned. “I’ve been super distracted all day.”
“Isach suggested you, him, me, and Wyatt all ride to the dance together. Wyatt think it’s a great idea, but I wanted to check with you.” Abby tilted her head. “Isach didn’t tell you?”
I shook my head, my gaze wandering around the cafeteria in search of Trent. “No, but I’m cool with it.”
And there he was, sitting at his usual table in the corner with Isach and Jax.
“Hey, I’ll be right back.” I walked away before Abby could say anything else. My heart hammered with each step I took, and my throat was suddenly dry.
“You sitting with us today?” Isach asked.
“No.” My gaze flitted over him and Jax, then stopped on Trent. “Can I talk to you for a minute? Alone.”
From the corner of my eye, I saw Jax scowl, but I ignored him.
“Yeah, sure.” Trent stood.
I led him out of the cafeteria, down the hall, and into an empty classroom. I closed the door, needing privacy for what I was about to do.
“What’s wrong? Are you okay?” he asked, his typical concern evident.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I think.” I shook my head and paced farther into the room. “Look, you told me I needed to figure out my feelings, and I am.”
“Okay,” he said slowly as he remained leaning against the door.
“But I need your help with something.” I flexed my fingers so they’d stop trembling and walked back toward him. “And you can’t say no.”
He tilted his head, eyes narrowed. “What do you need my help with?”
Of course, he wouldn’t just agree. That would be too easy, and nothing about Trent or our relationship was easy. “I need you to kiss me,” I said.
“Kiss you?”
I nodded and took another step closer. “Yes,” I whispered. “I need you to kiss me like you used to. Please.” Did I sound as pathetic and needy as I felt? I hoped not.
Trent shoved away from the door, and my breath hitched. “Like I used to, huh?” he said, his voice a sexy whisper.
I nodded again, unable to speak. I tilted my head back so I could see his face. His eyes went from clear and sharp to hazy and lustful, and my pulse skyrocketed. I was frozen in place, and I didn’t even care. There was nowhere else I wanted to be.
Trent now stood in front of me, barely a breath’s width separating us. With a tenderness I’d never felt from him before, he cradled my face in his hands, and my lips parted on a sigh.
His eyes were locked on mine as he lowered his head, and I couldn’t have looked away if I wanted to. I was too mesmerized by him, too scared if I so much as breathed wrong, he’d stop. And I was pretty sure I’d drop dead right here if he didn’t kiss me.
Then, torturously slowly, he grazed his lips over mine, his tongue teasing my bottom lip, his gaze never wavering from mine. My entire body was on fire, nerve endings crackling and sizzling with a need I wasn’t sure would ever be fully satisfied.
Piece by agonizing piece, my control snapped. I locked my arms around his neck, demanding he kiss me harder. Deeper. Longer. And my God, he did. Fireworks exploded in my head, and I whimpered as I clung to him even tighter.
Trent let out that low growl that I loved so much, and then he spun me around, pinning me against the door for only a second before he lifted me off my feet. I wrapped my legs around his waist, breaking the kiss just long enough to draw in a lungful of air.
Everything about this kiss was raw desperation, unquenched desire raging hotter than ever, and I was ready to throw myself into the fire if it meant I could be with Trent. There was nothing wrong or off about kissing him and being in his arms.
Much too soon, Trent broke the kiss and eased me back down onto my feet. Dizzy, I swayed and reached for the wall to steady myself. My chest heaved with heavy breaths, and my lips tingled.
“What was that?” I asked, breathless.
“A kiss,” he said and rubbed the back of his neck. “That is what you asked for.”
“Yeah, but I asked you to kiss me like you used to. You have never kissed me like that before.” I laughed, my mind racing and my limbs weak with the lingering effects of his touch.
Trent grinned. “Would you like me to try again?”
“I’m not sure I can handle another kiss like that,” I admitted.
Not that I didn’t want another one—I did—but eventually, someone would want to get into this room, and the last thing either of us needed was to get caught making out.
“Are you sure?” he asked, his eyes sparkling.
I hesitated. God, I missed him, and kissing him just now made that fact glaringly obvious. Would I ever get the chance to kiss him again? Fisting the front of his shirt, I pulled him closer and crushed my mouth to his.
He flattened his hands on my back and yanked me to his body.
Reluctantly, I tore myself away and licked my lips. I had to walk away, no matter how badly I wanted to stay with him, because I needed to know if I was going to be hit with the same crushing guilt I’d felt the other night when I’d been with Jax.
“Thank you,” I said, then opened the door and walked out of the room.
But instead of returning to the cafeteria, I went to the bathroom. For this little experiment to work, I needed to be away from both Trent and Jax.
Locking myself in a stall, I blew out a breath and rubbed my hands over my face. A smile formed that I couldn’t control. That was one heck of a kiss. Sliding my cell phone from my pocket, I checked the time.
Three minutes passed. Then five. Then seven.
And I felt… nothing. No regret. No shame. No guilt. Only a deep longing to kiss Trent again. But what did this mean? That my feelings for Trent were stronger than my feelings for Jax? I didn’t need some silly experiment to know that.
Leaving the stall, I washed my hands, then returned to the cafeteria. I could feel Trent’s gaze on me, tracking me as I walked across the room and sat next to Ellie.
“Where have you been?” Ellie asked.
“Bathroom,” I said a little too quickly.
“With Trent?” Abby asked with a laugh.
“What?” My eyes widened. “No. Why?” I shifted on my seat.
Abby laughed harder. “Because he literally walked in two minutes before you. Kind of suspicious.”
“I wasn’t with Trent,” I said, but my voice wavered. Despite Jax’s coaching, I was still a horrible liar.
“Mm-hmm.” Abby smiled, then threw a grape at me.
“You’re a jerk.” I laughed and tossed the grape back at her.
The conversation switched to the upcoming Fall Ball, and I only half listened, my mind elsewhere. I stretched my arms over my head and twisted from side to side, my gaze catching Trent’s when I did. Even from across the room, I could see how dark his eyes were, how heated his gaze was. A thrill wiggled up my spine.
Jax’s lips moved, and then he smacked Trent’s arm. Trent glared at his brother.
What was that all about? Me, probably. A tiny pinprick of guilt built in my chest at the thought that my actions with Trent would hurt Jax if he found out. The guilt was nothing like Friday night, but it was there, a dull ache I couldn’t ignore.
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX:
Pushing Boundaries
FRIDAY MORNING, I WALKED INTO LIFE SKILLS class, eager to see Jax. As usual, he was already seated, and his gaze collided with mine as I approached.
We’d spent all week talking and texting; though I hadn’t had the chance to hang out with him again. It wasn’t for a lack of wanting to. Aunt Beth had finally put her foot down about letting me and Abby hang out at Whitney’s during the week. We were now officially limited to weekends only.
Jax had tried multiple times to get me to sneak out again, but I’d refused. The fear of getting caught was much too real.
“Hey.” I smiled and slid into my seat, twisting so I was facing him.
“Morning,” he said, a knowing smile lifting the corners of his mouth.
I was hit with the sudden, intense desire to lean over his desk and kiss him. But I didn’t need the school rumor mill to spread that around. Or worse, twist it into something it wasn’t. So, I stayed in my seat.
“I was thinking…” I said.
“This can’t be good,” he teased.
Grinning, I said, “Want to hang out tonight?”
“Of course,” he said like it was the most obvious answer in the world. “What did you have in mind?”
“Nothing.” I laughed. “I mean, I want you to decide what we do.”
That familiar devilish smile lit up his face, and his eyes sparked with mischief.
“Keep it clean,” I said. “I want you to choose something that you know I wouldn’t normally do.”
The idea had hit me last night while I was trying—and failing—to fall asleep. The night I’d snuck out to meet him, we’d sat in his car and kissed, which was something I’d normally do with Trent. So, maybe if Jax and I did something else, something that was more him, maybe I wouldn’t feel so guilty after. And if I was still hit with the crushing guilt, then I’d finally have my answer.
“You’ll do whatever I want?” he asked, brow raised.
“As long as we don’t get hurt or arrested, yes,” I said with a nod.
Those boundaries were rather vague, and knowing Jax, he’d push me to my limit, but he’d never push me past them. I held onto that thought, refusing to let my nerves get the best of me. Whatever he planned, it would be fun.
“You’re staying at the house tonight?” Jax asked.
“Yeah.”
Because it was Friday, Aunt Beth had given me and Abby permission to hang out with Whitney, so I had an alibi for the night. I owed Whitney big time for how much she covered for me.
“Good. We’re leaving right after school.” He stood and gathered his books.
“Where are you going?” I asked, shocked.
“To get things ready for later,” he said. “Meet me at the flagpole.” Then he sauntered out of the room.
Excitement flared in my chest, and it only increased as the day progressed. Concentrating in my classes was pointless, and I zoned out during lunch. Abby and Ellie were attempting to finalize our plans for the Fall Ball, but all I could think about was whatever Jax had planned for tonight.
Normally, I hated surprises—except Trent’s—but I was admittedly curious to see what Jax would do. Would his surprises be as epic as Trent’s always were? Part of me hoped not, because that was something I always shared with Trent. But another part of me hoped so, because I didn’t want tonight to be lame.
By the time the final bell rang, I thought I was going to burst. I shoved everything into my locker and raced outside.
Jax was waiting near the flagpole. He wore dark denim jeans, a long sleeve gray shirt, and sunglasses, and he looked just as excited as I felt. He smiled when he saw me, and my heart responded with a wild, erratic beat.
“Ready?” he asked.
“Yup.” I followed him to his car and climbed into the front seat.
Once again, he was behind the wheel and pulling onto the road before I ever had my seat belt hooked.
“So, what do you have planned?” I asked.
“You’ll see,” he said, his gaze never leaving the road.
I was fully expecting him to say it was a surprise, and then I’d respond with how much I hated surprises. But this wasn’t Trent, and Jax didn’t know that was our little game. I pushed away the encroaching feelings of guilt and sadness.
Jax drove like a maniac, making the hour and a half drive to Malone in an hour flat. He pulled into a local diner and killed the engine.
“You drove all the way out here to get food?” I laughed as I unhooked my seat belt.
“Not really. This is just our first stop. We need to kill some time before the main event.” He got out of the car and came around to open my door.
I took his hand and got out. “What time does the main event start?”
“Nine-thirty.” He wrapped his arms around my back, pulling me closer.
“That’s five hours from now.” I rested my hands on his biceps and leaned into his embrace.
Being in Jax’s arms didn’t make me feel safe like being in Trent’s arms did; it was more like a thrill. An exhilaration I couldn’t quite explain, like being in Jax’s arms was simultaneously right and wrong. Comfortable but dangerous.
“You said you’d do what I wanted, so no complaining now,” he said.
“I’m not complaining.” I moved my hands from his arms and clasped them behind his neck. “I’m just curious what you think we’re going to do for the next five hours.”
He smirked. “Don’t worry. I have a plan.”
And he did. We spent over an hour in the diner, eating and talking. Then we walked around downtown, visiting local gift shops, museums, and even an art gallery. When the sun started to set, a small brass band played on one of the street corners. Quickly, a crowd formed, and soon, people were dancing on the sidewalk.
Eternal Bond : (The Cursed Series, Book 3) Page 33
