Wingless Book Series (book 1)

by Holly Hood

  I felt warm and tingly all over. It was an amazing thing that was happening, and it was no feeling like any other kiss I had experienced. I stopped thinking and just concentrated on his mouth.

  We took a breather, he kissed my cheek, bringing me down to the ground, and started again, running his hand down the side of my face and softly kissed my lips once, twice, three times before he stopped, laying next to me. My heart palpated in my chest, my head throbbing from the moment.

  I rolled over to face him, feeling a little spastic. “What are we doing?” I asked, my head spinning, my breath barely hanging on.

  “What? I don’t get the question,” he asked me, turning to face me as well.

  The moon showed me just enough of his face to see a visual reaction.

  “What do you want from me?” I had to know what this all meant.

  One thing I was not was a girl willing to get strung along and screwed up by a good looking guy. I didn’t care how cute he was. I cared more about my feelings. I didn’t need him to make me feel better about myself, it wasn’t a person I needed.

  “I don’t know, I mean, I like what I know now. “

  “What is your whole point Ace? I’m not that girl who takes this stuff as fun and games. If you’re looking for someone to mess around with, that’s not me,” I said, sitting up.

  His answer wasn’t making me feel any better about this situation. I didn’t need a parent to tell me to watch out for guys like him. I had a self-worth that tugged sharply at my heart all day, every day.

  Ace touched my face. I looked down at the ground away from his concern. He ran his thumb across my lips.

  “I’m not here with you because I just want you physically, but I’m not promising you a fairy tale answer. I don’t know you well enough. I know what I think.”

  “And what is that?” I knew what I thought as well, and it seemed rather silly to open up to him so fast. I knew that it was all silly. Most people would think there was no way to fall for someone in a matter of a week. It seemed hard to believe that I felt like he was the one that could understand all my quirkiness. But at the same time, I didn’t care.

  “I feel drawn to you, I felt like that the first day I met you. I don’t have any idea why I feel so strongly, and, honestly, I didn’t want to. Believe me.”

  “That makes me feel good.”

  “It’s not that, when feelings get in the way it clouds my thinking about other stuff, it makes it hard for me to ….” He trailed off.

  There was his mysterious aura again, his subtle way of saying so much with nothing. I wasn’t willing to sit under the stars with him and not understand anymore.

  “No, you tell me what you mean. You’re going to tell me, and if you don’t tell me, take me home.”

  “Tell you what? I’m not taking you home until you tell me what your deal is with me. You seem to think you know more than I even know about me,” he snapped.

  “I know you’re hiding something,” I snapped back.

  “Why does it have to be I’m hiding something?”

  “That’s the way it seems, and in order for me to feel like we are getting somewhere, I want to know more than what you’re willing to tell. So, either you tell me, or take me home,” I said again, pulling his hooded sweatshirt off and tossing it in his lap.

  I stood up and started walking. Ace followed instantly behind me. He grabbed my hand trying to stop me.

  “What is this?” he griped.

  “This is what it is. I told you, I’m not going to be duped by anyone. This whole mystery, I don’t care to partake. If you’re that secretive, we are better off not talking to one another.”

  “What?” he laughed with a huffy tone.

  “It’s a bad sign.” I pulled away.

  “Just sit down, Eve,” he said, standing in the middle of the jogger’s path.

  I crossed my arms, sitting.

  “I’m going to tell you this one time, I am not hiding anything, but I am not going to open up like a book and give you all the answers, either. You enjoy being around me, or you don’t. I’m not trying to impress you or sway any opinion you will have or have already about me. I’m not a good guy. I’m not bad, I’m me. You either like it, or not.” He blurted this out with an irritated tone. “And I mean that. You either like me, or you don’t.” He stood in front of me, waiting.

  I stared at him. He looked like he was out of anything more to say.

  “I like you, and I’m willing to work on figuring you out, as long as it’s nothing that you’re hiding from me.”

  “I’m not hiding, I’m right here. I’m not trying to impress you. There’s not too much impressive about me.”

  “There’s a lot, I just don’t understand you.”

  “Give it time, you will. It takes time to understand anyone, you know that. Just know I’m not here to hurt you in anyway.” He kneeled down in front of me, staring up at me. His eyes looked disappointed. He thought he’d lost my interest.

  I kissed his forehead, running my hand through his hair. “It’s okay, I’m willing to learn all you want me to know, and I do think you’re worth a shot.”

  Chapter 6

  No friend

  The next day my parents were packing for a little anniversary get away. It was their twenty-fourth wedding anniversary and every year they took a trip to wherever it was they decided to get away to, and spend some time together. They never had a destination. They drove, did some sightseeing and then got a luxury hotel and did whatever it was that two uptight people would do.

  I leaned against the porch railing as my dad put their suitcases in the car. “You’ll hold the fort down while were gone?” he asked.

  “Of course, have a good time.” I said.

  My mother got in the car waving lightly; she was in her glory the best day of her life.

  I went inside, shutting the screen behind me, checked my hair and makeup (I had actually decided to wear a little today for once) and put on some lip gloss in the mirror, pulling my hair up in a pony tail.

  Gray walked past staring at me with a weird expression. “What’s with the primping?”

  “I’m a girl with hair, sometimes I like to do it,” I said, pulling a few strands down. They fell lazily and, deciding I didn’t like it at all, I pulled the whole thing down. I fluffed my wavy locks and started into the kitchen.

  “Are you expecting company, or you going out?”

  “What’s it to you?” I asked him. I swore, sometimes he acted as if I were ten and was being paid to babysit me.

  “I don’t know what I am doing yet.” I slammed the fridge shut, no longer in the mood to eat anything.

  Gray leaned over the counter, looming like a nat. “If you want her to come over then have her over I don’t care. I’m not going to tell Dad and Mom.” He eyed me for a glimpse of sarcasm and then walked out.

  I didn’t care because I planned on seeing Ace after he was done with work- he said he had some stuff to finish up.

  I plopped down on the couch turning on the TV. There wasn’t much to watch so I settled on an old black and white movie starring some actress I didn’t recognize. She was a singer and in a love triangle. So classy, I thought, for being such an old movie. Even back then there was tons of drama.

  There was never anything to do when you had to wait for something. I read a magazine. Quickly growing bored with all the self-help bull, I tossed it on the floor and dozed off.

  Sometimes I didn’t dream. Sometimes I had vivid dreams. They never were anything that made sense to me, just being lost or falling, many of stress and anxiety.

  I felt tapping on my arm. I swatted it away, rolling over to get more comfortable. The tapping continued.

  “Stop!” I yelled, curling up.

  “Eve,” Ace said, standing above me. I jumped, sitting up in a hurry.

  I felt my hair to see if it was all over the place, seemed alright. He laughed at me, taking a seat in my dad’s chair. He looked odd in the huge leather recliner.
My dad was the only one who ever sat in it. I smiled trying to wake up more.

  “Did you get that bored?” he asked.

  “I got tired. I didn’t think I would fall asleep.”

  “It’s alright, I’m feeling pretty tired myself.” He moved to the couch, leaning back and putting his feet up on the foot stool. I lay back nestling into his chest. Ace smoothed my hair sighing.

  “What?” I asked through a yawn.

  “Nothing. Just glad to be able to see you today.”

  We dozed off, not needing to say anything, I could tell he was exhausted, and I could tell he had showered before coming over. He smelled amazing.

  I was in and out of sleep, adjusting my face on his chest, he squeezed my arm every time I moved as if to see if I was still right there with him. I turned my head to look at the time. It was later than I thought it was.

  Gray came into the room. His face wasn’t the happiest. I didn’t see much of an issue, but clearly, to him, he thought something of it. What, I wasn’t sure.

  His moody girlfriend stood beside him taking the whole picture in. I nudged Ace; he snapped awake, his body jerking back to life. Ace, not seeming too bothered by the audience, kept one hand on my arm and yawned.

  “What is he doing here?” Gray asked me in a hard stance, his hand in his pockets, his face tensing up now as he looked past me to Ace.

  “We’re just hanging out,” I said lightly, resting my head against Ace’s pecks and staring at the TV, trying to give Gray the hint that I didn’t care nor did I want to argue with him.

  “You talk about me having people over here and you want to go and tell Dad and Mom, yet you’re here doing the same,” he snapped at me.

  “Gray when are you going to understand, I don’t care what you think?” I said, sitting up now. I was getting annoyed, and when you’re annoyed, you want to be in the best stance in case you want to punch someone. Ace grabbed my wrist and pressed my hand into the couch cushion. I figured he must have sensed my mood change.

  “That’s right. You don’t care what anyone thinks. You’ll go around town making whatever name you want to make of yourself. Who cares what Mom and Dad have to go through because of it.”

  I went to jump off the couch but was held down my Ace’s strong grip. I jerked hard but was stuck. Gray grew amazed and started to smirk at the restraint Ace had on me. I could tell this was playing in his favor.

  “Let me go Ace!” I yelled.

  “I’m not letting you go so you can deck your brother,” he said, pulling me back down. I sat down in annoyance.

  “Hold on Gray, let me ask you this. What is it that Eve is doing wrong? And believe me, you won’t offend me.” Ace moved forward on the couch cushion resting his arm on his leg and the other on me.

  Gray was silent staring at the two of us as if it was some kind of trap, then finally opened his big mouth.

  I never saw what I saw happen so fast.

  “She is eighteen, she has no idea what involvement with a guy your age is like, nor does she need to. And if you want to get in someone’s pants, I see why you chose Eve. Not the brightest bulb in the box. But nonetheless, she is my sister and I know what you are.”

  Before the last word came rolling out of Gray’s mouth, Ace flew over the footstool and interlocked with Gray, grabbing his shirt and slamming him up against the wall, Gray’s head hit with a loud thud, knocking my parents’ pictures to the floor with a crash-Devan almost knocked over in the midst of it all. She screamed and ran across the room. I wasn’t sure if she had it in her to break two guys apart, but I think it was the sheer fear of Ace. I stood up myself but didn’t move. In the back of my head, I was hoping he would put Gray in his place.

  “I’m going to tell you this and I will say it only once.” Ace bounced Gray’s head off the wall, his voice so calm and low I barely could hear. Gray kept his eyes fixed on Ace barely moving or even blinking.

  “I am not the guy to mess with. And I am not the guy trying to do anything to your sister in the way that you imply. And if I ever hear it come from your mouth again, I will break your jaw. And after that, if you’re still feeling man enough to try me again, I’ll go for something a little more painful. Something you need to function in everyday life.”

  “Who do you think you are!” Gray yelled, pulling at the hand gripping his shirt. It didn’t budge. Finally Ace released his hold, but grabbed Gray’s throat instead. Gray panted. Devan screamed again. He pushed Gray’s head up against the wall holding him there.

  “Who do I think I am? I think I am the guy you don’t want to try your little childish game with. I think I am the guy who doesn’t play around. Do you understand me?” he asked him, still holding Gray to the wall.

  Instead of answering his question, Gray wrapped his fingers around Ace’s fist and demanded, “Take your hand off me, now. You don’t come in –“

  Ace pushed him harder into the wall then let go. Gray stumbled to his feet. I could tell he was rattled, but he was stubborn and he wasn’t going to just give in so easily. And by the look on Ace’s face, his best bet would be to just surrender.

  “Ace, just let it go,” I said, coming to his side. Gray stared him down.

  They both looked at each other saying nothing for a few seconds more before Ace seemed to notice me. “No, he doesn’t need to talk to you like he does.”

  “It doesn’t matter. I don’t even care. Thank you for sticking up for me, but just let it go.”

  Ace didn’t move. He stood ready to fight- Gray the same.

  “Yeah, listen to my sister. It’s her one bright moment,” Gray said with a smirk.

  I stared at him in disbelief. He was an idiot. I was trying to do the right thing and not let the crap get beat out of him and instead he kept running his mouth.

  Devan came back to Gray’s side and grabbed his arm. “Come on babe, let’s just go.” She clung to his arm staring at Ace in horror. I chuckled a little to myself.

  “No, I’m not leaving my own house because of some bullying meathead. It’s not going to happen.” He stepped forward putting his face inches from Ace’s.

  “I’m not afraid of your intimidation techniques and I will tell you one time, you ever do anything to my sister and it won’t be pretty for you.” He pointed his finger in Ace’s face. I held my breath, waiting for Ace to pummel him. He didn’t.

  “Keep your comments to yourself about her and we won’t have a problem. There is no reason for a grown man to disrespect his little sister. She’s your sister, give her some respect.”

  “When she acts like she deserves some, then I will. Don’t tell me what I need to do. I’ve known her longer than you have.”

  “Fine, you don’t want to give in? Watch yourself, is all I can say to you.” He backed off.

  Gray eyeballed him once more then left the room. Two stubborn guys were never going to come to any kind of agreement, but I was sure that he had rattled Gray enough to think twice about what he said in front of him. I was sure, but that didn’t mean that I was right. Those were two different things.

  Chapter 7

  Don’t mind

  I was frazzled, to say the least. I was still standing in the middle of the floor trying to think of what had just happened. Ace took charge and went after Gray. In one sense I was happy that he had. I was thrilled to have someone willing to stand up for me. Everyone else had an issue one way or another with me. And for him to just stand up, regardless of not knowing anything about me, it was truly amazing. It was a good feeling.

  I gathered the pictures on the floor, glad to see they weren’t broken, and started hanging them one by one back up on the wall. Ace paced silently back and forth by the door.

  “Are you alright?” I asked, coming over to him.

  He stopped what he was doing and looked at me, his eyes tense.

  “I’m alright, I’m just really agitated.” He ran his hand over the top of his head, sighing as he looked at me. We both stared at each other at a loss for words. Ace
touched my face, a small grin appearing.

  “What?” I asked, grinning myself.

  “You.”

  “Me?”

  “Got me beating your brother up and stuff,” he laughed.

  “I, uh, didn’t think you would do all that, but thank you. Honestly, it was nice.” He nodded and left the room. I smiled as I straightened up the house. Gray was nowhere in sight, which was a good thing, I didn’t need any more crazy behavior for today. I’d had enough.