by B. B. Reid
“Oh hell no.” He grabbed me and pulled me back to him before devouring my lips hungrily. My lips opened for him eagerly and he conquered me with a kiss. I melted, handing the control back over to him as he fed from me.
He finally let me go with a slap on the ass and turned to start the game. I looked around and blushed at the number of eyes that watched our display including Keenan and Sheldon who wore goofy expressions.
I shook my head. Day two and he was already turning me inside out. We started wack-a-mole and did everything in our power to distract each other. Keenan and Sheldon came over to cheer each of us on separately and make jibes. Keiran was currently ahead of me by one point with only a few seconds left and I was becoming desperate when I had an idea.
“Sheldon did you see that guy that just came in? Crazy hot.” Keiran swung around with a scowl on his face and I quickly made my move, ending the game on a tie. Keiran figured out my trick and beamed at me with what look like pride in his eyes. “You aren’t mad?” I asked him.
“Nope. I still get what I want.” He licked his lips and grabbed my hand, leading us into the theater room. It was pretty empty considering it was a weekday. There were two couples seated in the front so we took the back row. Keiran and Keenan seated Sheldon and me then disappeared back out into the lobby.
“Ok, spill bitch and quick before they come back.”
“What?” I asked innocently. Sheldon had a knowing look in her eye and a grin of approval on her lips.
“Keiran has been looking at you like you hold the key to the promise land all day.”
I snorted, “I doubt that’s it.”
She gave a dramatic gasp, her eyes widening with excitement. “You totally gave it up!” she yelled.
“Shhh! Sheldon, jeez!”
“Did you?”
“Well he came over last night and one thing led to another…”
“Ahh, no wonder you’ve been glowing all day. You’re dick dizzy.”
“Dick what?” I swear I could not keep up with Sheldon’s vocabulary. Every day she had a new word to describe something. It was usually sex.
She grinned. “Don’t worry it has nothing on the power of the pussy. You just have to know how to use it. So you guys official?”
“No.”
“That means yes. Keiran doesn’t do dates.”
I rolled my eyes. “That doesn’t mean we are dating.”
“Oh it means. Trust me, Lake. You’re dealing with a special kind of male here. You’re dating.”
“My aunt is going to kill me. She wants me to date but I know she didn’t expect this. I felt so guilty; not to mention scared.”
“Losing your v-card?” I nodded. “At least your eighteen. You’re an adult. Anyway, parents are never ready for their kids to cross that line. I was sixteen when I first did it.”
“Was it with Keenan?”
“Yeah,” she sighed with a dreamy look in her eyes.
“Were you scared?”
“Absolutely. It was unexpected and was after our first breakup when I found out he made out with Jessica Stanton at a party. Dash was actually the one to tell me about it. They beat the brakes off each other over it.”
“How are they still friends?”
“Hell if I know. Men don’t hold grudges like women do I guess. Dash stayed out of it after I took Keenan back the third time.” Her voice lowered and she sounded sad so I let her have a moment. I thought about what Keiran had planned for me later tonight when we were alone and felt a shiver run through my body.
“Do you still get scared?”
“Yeah but I never tell him no because I know he wouldn’t hurt me. He can be an animal,” she grinned. “And sometimes I guess the need just overtakes him. He gets in these moods…” She trailed off and looked lost in thought.
Before I could find out more the guys came back, each with popcorn and drinks. I was curious about what Sheldon meant and knew there was a story there. Keiran sat on my left while Keenan sat on Sheldon’s right, leaving us in the middle. The lights dimmed and the previews started to roll so I settled into my seat for the movie.
“I got it loaded with butter.” He sat the popcorn in my lap before slumping down in his seat and spreading his legs apart in a lazy yet sexy pose. He let his head rest against the back of the seat and looked me up and down.
“Thanks,” I smiled at him but he didn’t return my smile. Instead he turned to the screen and stared broodingly at the screen.
I frowned but hesitated only a second before deciding to say something. I gave my body to him; I wasn’t allowed to be afraid of him anymore.
“Something wrong?” He continued to stare at the screen, ignoring me. He didn’t look angry but his body language screamed ‘disinterested’. I leaned forward and waved my hand in front of his face. Still nothing. I then snapped my fingers twice to get his attention. “Hey…I’m talking to you. That means you say something back.”
“Atta girl.” I heard Sheldon say and snicker quietly.
He finally turned to me, a frown marring his features. “What?” he asked coldly. I drew back in surprise for a moment before regaining my composure.
“If you’re going to act like an ass for no reason then you can just take me home. Now.”
“That’s all I want to do is get you home.”
“Then why did you bring me here?” I felt tears burning the back of my eyelids but I refused to let them fall. Not this time.
He let out an aggravated breath. “Hell if I know.”
“Then by all means lets end this date now.” I bit out the word date and felt the sneer transform my face. “I wouldn’t want you to feel obligated.”
“Are you this stupid on purpose or can you really not help it?”
“Don’t call me stupid. I’m not stupid. Or maybe I am because I’m sitting here with you right now.” I stood up before he could say anything else and left for the lobby, almost tripping over Sheldon and Keenan.
I heard him spit out a harsh curse and Sheldon call him a ‘dumb dickhead’ before I burst through the doors. The bright lights of the lobby almost blinded me or maybe it was the hot liquid spilling down my cheeks.
Fuck. I said I wouldn’t do that.
I contemplated walking home before I realized I wasn’t that stupid and headed for the restroom. I pushed inside and pulled out my cell phone to call Willow for a ride.
“Aren’t you supposed to be on a date with Mr. Tall, Dark, and Evil right now?”
“He’s being a jerk. Can you pick –” That was all I got to say before the phone was plucked from my hands. Keiran ended the call and stuck my phone in his pocket. Big surprise there.
“What are you doing in the girls’ bathroom?” I hurriedly tried to wipe my cheeks before he could see that I had been crying. He took my hands away and used his own to gently clean my face.
“I came to apologize and this is the men’s bathroom.” My eyes widened and I looked around and noticed the urinals before squeezing my eyes shut in embarrassment. Could I be anymore of a dork?
“Go. Away.” I backed up until my back touched the wall, needing space between us, but he only followed.
“No.”
“You’re not my favorite person right now.”
“That’s okay because I can guarantee you’ll change your mind the next time I get my dick in you.”
“If you say so,” I returned flippantly while shifting against the ache between legs.
“Want to test that theory now?” he challenged. I shrugged and turned my head away, giving him the cold shoulder. He gently grasped my chin and turned my face up to him. My lips opened instinctively for his. He eyed my mouth before grinning down at me. “I’m talking to you. That means you say something back.”
He threw my words back at which pissed me off so I drew my knee up to hit his balls. He caught my leg under my thigh and wrapped it around his waist and pressed me harder into the wall.
“Are you trying to get round one started right her
e?” His eyes were heated with sexual intent and despite the way my body responded, I shook my head no. “Then behave.”
“Why are you always telling me to behave?”
“Because you want it.”
“Do explain…” I stated sarcastically and rolled my eyes. He grasped my chin again, this time in a tight, unyielding grip. I watched the flash in his eyes and quaked all the way down to my toes.
“I don’t have to. You and I both know how wet your pussy gets every time I issue a command. You love it.” I started to protest he transferred his grip to my throat. “You need it,” he growled.
God help me, I do.
“Don’t make me prove it to you right here. You aren’t ready for the type of fucking I’d give you right here. But you will be…after tonight.”
I drew in a deep breath almost begging him to carry out his threat. “I don’t know what to say.” It was a stupid response to the hot promises he just made to me but it was all I had dammit.
“All I need is for you to say yes when I need you. That’s it.”
“Why should I say yes? You were being him again. I didn’t like it.”
His hand dropped from my throat as he frowned and searched my eyes with what looked like panic. “Him?” he asked.
“Yeah…the Keiran before now.” I didn’t miss the look of relief that crossed his features.
“I won’t apologize again since it seems that you aren’t listening so I’ll explain instead. I am happy to spend this time with you. I just wish we could spend it alone. I can’t help but want you all to myself all the time. I missed ten years with you because I couldn’t wake up from a nightmare that played over and again. But even more selfishly, I wish we were locked away in my bedroom instead of a smelly theater. Believe me baby I would do anything not to be him again.”
His arms had come around me sometime during his speech and held me tight as if to keep me from running away. His possessive demeanor told me I was dead on. The sincerity shone through his gaze but I couldn’t forgive him just yet.
“Anything?” I stressed.
His hands dropped to my butt and lifted me up and into him. “Yes.”
“Then you should know this is my first date. Don’t ruin it, okay?”
“Not even if it meant my life,” he agreed.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Lake, how good do you play with balls? Aaargh! The bowling balls, babe!” Sheldon had driven her elbow into Keenan’s stomach. I laughed at his pained expression because he never seemed to learn his lesson.
“I’m telling Keiran.” Sheldon stated.
“Snitch,” Keenan returned.
“Slut.”
“That’s it. I’m choosing Lake as my partner.”
“You can’t choose Lake.”
“Why not?”
“Maybe I want Lake.”
“Too bad. I called dibs.”
“You can’t have dibs. She’s my friend. She doesn’t even like you.”
Ouch.
“Lake, tell her we are friends now. Remember? BFFs? Art?”
“Lake, is this true?” Sheldon asked, accusingly, with her hands on her hips.
“Uh –”
“Obviously not,” Sheldon sniffed.
“Obviously she likes me better and just doesn’t want to hurt your feelings.”
Keiran approached with our shoes but they continued to bicker over me and didn’t notice. I eyed him for help but he merely smirked and sat down to change out shoes. I watched him pull off his hoodie, revealing the plain grey shirt that molded to his skin and instantly salivated. No one should be that hot.
“My body’s hotter. And I have better hair. Your hair is stringy.”
“Stringy? You mean like your dick?”
“You weren’t saying that last night when you came all over it.”
That’s my cue to leave.
I walked over to where Keiran was and sat next to him. “Do they always argue like that?”
“They aren’t arguing. That’s just them. When they argue, they break up.”
“Just like that?”
He shrugged. “It’s normal for them. They once broke up for an hour before they were back under each other.”
“Some would say it’s unhealthy.”
“Probably. But their relationship is theirs, not someone else’s.”
“Is that how you feel about us?” What are you saying Lake? Not. A. Relationship!
“Yes,” he said without hesitation and grinned, catching my slip. “No one else’s opinion will never matter to me about us. Only yours.” He turned his head to stare at me until I nodded my understanding and then went began setting up the game.
I looked over at Keenan and Sheldon who were for sure making out now. He practically had her laid across the tabletop as he groped her. I would never understand those two, but then it wasn’t for me to understand. We stood up to start playing the first round when I heard my name called.
“Lake?” I swiveled to face the sound of the familiar voice at my back.
“Hey Willow. What are you doing here?”
“Oh, uh –” she gestured to a guy with dull brown hair and square-framed glasses standing behind her. He was of average height and wearing khaki pants with a dark brown collared shirt. He was cute but shockingly plain and so not Willow.
“Hi, I’m Thomas.” He moved forward to shake my hand but when I reached out to grab his, I was moved away. Keiran placed me behind him with a scowl on his face before I could shake his hand. I glared at his back and then peeked around him to mouth sorry to Willow and her date.
“Who’s the square?” I heard Keenan ask as he released Sheldon and moved forward. He blatantly looked the guy up and down, challengingly with a sneer on his face.
“Really, Wills? You couldn’t do better?” he directed at Willow.
“It’s not your business, Keenan.”
“You’re right. You’re Dash’s business. I’ll let him handle that.” He nodded once and stepped back to perch himself on a nearby table. Everyone turned their focus back on Willow and Thomas however I watched Keenan pull out his cellphone. I immediately became suspicious at the sneaky look on his face.
“Hi, Thomas. I’m Sheldon. Do you –”
“Don’t get that ass spanked, babe.” Keenan warned, never taking his eyes off his phone. His fingers moved over his keyboard swiftly. When he finished, he pocketed his phone and made eye contact with Keiran and nodded. Keiran nodded back and ended their silent communication.
They were up to something.
It became really awkward, the air filling with tension since the guys wouldn’t let us speak to Thomas and they continued to glare at him. She finally pulled him away with a promise to talk to Sheldon and me later.
“Don’t go too far Wills. I have something on the way for you,” Keenan called. I saw Willow’s back stiffen as she continued to walk away. There was a gleam in Keiran and Keenan’s eyes.
I poked Keiran in the back and he finally pulled me back around in front of him. “What was that?” I demanded while sending Keenan a displeased look.
“You got the first roll,” he said, gesturing toward the lane and ignoring my question. I was pretty sure there was steam coming from my ears as I walked to the lane. I took one last look at Willow who was at the counter getting shoes with Thomas before picking up a ball.
Two strikes later, I was admitting that I sucked at bowling but didn't have time to pout about it because in swaggered a pissed off Dash. Right now he was a far cry from the easygoing, playboy who could charm the panties off any girl he chose.
He headed straight for Willow where she was two lanes away looking bored. Willow had yet to see him when he came up behind her. He snatched Thomas’ arm from her shoulder before gripping the back of her neck, picking up her purse and shoes and guiding her towards the door.
He gave a brief nod to Keiran and Keenan as he passed us with Willow who never said a word. She was either in shock or just happy to be endi
ng her date. Just like that he was out the door with her. It ended as fast as it had begun.
I turned accusing eyes on the culprits who shrugged and feigned innocent looks. I wasn’t buying it. They called him here. I looked over two lanes at Thomas who was red-faced and confused. Poor guy. He seemed nice enough but he unknowingly entered a battle he had no hope of winning. Ever.
“Are you going to let me call her?”
“Why?” He picked up his ball for his turn.
“To make sure she’s okay?” Guys could be so dense.
“She’s okay.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I know Dash.”
“And I know Willow.” I held out my hand, indicating that I wanted my phone. He held my gaze and reached into his pocket.
“You’re a handful, you know that?”
“So they keep telling me.” I turned away and immediately dialed Willow. I had to phone her twice before she answered.
“Aren’t you on a date?” I heard Dash’s smooth voice filter through the line.
“Why are you answering her phone? Put her on.”
“No.” That was all I heard before the line went dead. I looked over at Keiran who was trying his best not to look amused.
“Satisfied?” He asked with a smirk. I made a face and pocketed my phone.
“Whatever. Is it my turn? Where did Keenan and Sheldon go anyway?” I was more than annoyed and didn’t do anything to hide it.
He shrugged and picked up my ball then handed it to me. “You suck at this.”
“Thanks. I didn’t notice,” I quipped.
He ignored my sarcasm and wrapped his arms around me, duck walking us to the lane. “You got a good ball but you need to adjust your stance. Your legs are spread too wide.”
He kicked my left foot forward slightly and adjusted my stance.
“Now when you aim, aim for the right since you are right handed. You’re aiming for the middle, which is causing a split that is when you actually do hit the pins. It makes it hard to get the rest. I want you to release the ball in front of you. Don’t swing back so much because if you hurt yourself and hit those pretty, long legs and can’t wrap them around me, I’ll be mad as fuck at you. Bend at the knees not at your back. The only thing allowed to break your back out is me and I promise you will love it but this way, not so much. Pay attention to your aim. You’r3 not aiming at the pins, your aiming at the arrow you want the ball to follow. The pins just happen to be in the way.”
