by Nikki Paris
She turned over her shoulder before going inside, and said, “Um, thanks for bringing me home. I guess I’ll see you in like a year. Have fun with all the pretty fuck-able college girls.” Pain flashed through her eyes, and then she walked inside and closed the door.
The realization hit me. After she hurt my pride and said our kiss meant nothing, I’d said some stupid bullshit about all the college girls I was going to sleep with. Shit.
Maci was right. Skylar was way too good for me.
I pulled out my phone as I walked home and called my sister. She didn’t answer. I tried three more times, and finally, Maci’s irritated voice filled my ear. “God! What?”
“Love you, too, sis. I just wanted to let you know that one of your asshole friends just sexually assaulted Skylar.”
“WHAT?” Maci screamed into the phone. “Who? Oh my God! Is she okay?” I could hear loud music, voices, and laughter in the background. Our parents were saints for always letting Maci throw these annoying ass parties.
“Uh, no, she’s not okay. I just took her home. I have no idea who it was. Some dumb asshole with shaggy black hair,” I said as I walked. “I swear to God I almost killed him.”
“Oh my God! Oh my God! Davis? Was he even here tonight? Okay, where are you? I need to go and see her! Did he rape her? Oh my God, Derrick!” Maci was freaking out.
I held the phone away from my ear to avoid permanent hearing damage. “No, he was like holding her up against her car and kissing her while she yelled at him to stop.” Just picturing it made me want to kill him all over again.
“Ew! Oh my God! I’m coming! Are you still with her?”
I sighed. “No. She told me to leave. I’m walking back now.”
“Hurry! You know mom says I can’t leave these parties unless someone from our family is here. They won’t be back from their movie for like another hour! I need to make sure she’s okay!”
I groaned. The last thing I wanted to do was babysit Maci’s friends. Well, except for Skylar. I would have loved to be holding her right now and making her feel better, but she didn’t want me there. Skylar would want Maci to come, though. “I’ll be there in like five minutes.” I hung up and walked faster.
My phone rang -- Jenna again. The girl couldn’t take a hint! I’d been ignoring her for weeks, and she still kept calling. I rejected the call and slid my phone back into my pocket.
Jenna had nothing on Skylar.
But Skylar needed to grow up, and I was going back up to school in two days. I could wait a little longer to have her. Maybe in a year or two, I’d deserve her.
When I reached the end of our street, Maci was standing on our driveway, with a wild look in her eyes, yelling into her cell phone. She looked over at me and hung up her phone. “Finally!” She ran down the driveway to meet me. “It was fucking Davis! He’s never setting foot on our property ever again!” Maci shocked me and threw her arms around me. “Thank you for helping her!”
“Yeah. You know I have her back, just like I have yours.” I hugged my sister.
Maci pulled away and climbed into her car. “You’re not so bad sometimes. I’ll be back in a few. Skylar told me not to come, but I could hear that she was still crying. She’s so damn stubborn!” Maci rolled her eyes and slammed her car door shut.
I sat on the curb and watched Maci drive away. Skylar was stubborn. I loved that about her. I tried to ignore the ache in my chest when I pictured her crying.
I still just wanted to hold her. The next time I saw Skylar, she’d be older, and I’d be ready to be more for her.
10
Two Years Later
Derrick
Mira gave me a flirty smile across the table and leaned forward to give me a clear view of her cleavage. She twisted a lock of her platinum blonde hair around her finger and sipped her drink with her big blue eyes never leaving my face. She was definitely coming home with me tonight. I’d have to remember to thank Dominic for setting us up when I saw him at work on Monday.
I grinned at her. “You’re hot, Mira.”
She laughed. “Thanks, Derrick. So are you!”
I shrugged. “What can I say?”
Suddenly my phone rang. “Sorry about that,” I said as I glanced at it. Maci. I rolled my eyes and rejected the call. She called again.
Mira looked annoyed. “Do you need to get that?”
“Nope.” I rejected the call again. When it rang a third time, I started to wonder if maybe something was seriously wrong. I frowned and said, “Actually, maybe I should. It’s my little sister. I better make sure she’s okay. Excuse me for a minute.” I stood and headed for the entrance of the club. I stepped outside and answered my phone. “Maci? What’s wrong?”
“Derrick! Why don’t you answer your God-damn phone?”
“Uh, because I’m on a date, Maci! What’s wrong?”
Maci sighed loudly into the phone. “My car got a flat tire.”
“So call dad!”
“He and mom went on their little weekend trip to visit grandma!” Maci whined. “Please, Derrick! Skylar’s dance concert is tonight, and I have to be there! It’s such a big deal to her! She choreographed like half of the dances and has this huge solo! Please!”
Skylar? Shit. I hadn’t seen or talked to Skylar in ages. She and Maci both went to school close by— only forty-five minutes away, but our paths hadn’t brought us together recently. The last time had been Christmas Eve a year and a half ago. I was at my parents’ house, and she came to pick up Maci for a party. I saw her for a split second on the doorstep, and then she was gone.
Suddenly, I wanted to see her. Suddenly, I was picturing her in her tight little dance shorts and thinking about her tits in a hot pink sports bra. Skylar. I cleared my throat. “What about Blake?”
Maci groaned. “We broke up, idiot! Do you remember anything that’s going on with our family?”
I sighed. Mira was hot, but I could ditch her. Maci needed me. “Okay. Where are you?”
Maci sighed. “Thank God! I’ll text you the address. Hurry! I don’t want to be late!”
I hung up and headed back inside. Mira sat at our table in her tight black dress with a sour look on her face. On second thought, she wasn’t that hot. I reached our table but didn’t sit. “Mira, I’m so sorry. My little sister is having car trouble and needs a lift. I’m going to have to call it a night, but it was great meeting you.”
“Are you serious?” Mira glared at me. “I’ve never in my life been ditched in the first fifteen minutes of a date!”
I smiled and shrugged. “I guess there’s a first time for everything.”
Mira’s mouth dropped open, and her eyes bulged. “Rude!” She grabbed her little silver bag and stood up, shooting me one more angry look. “Fuck Dominic for thinking I’d like a jerk like you!” She stormed out of the club ahead of me.
I followed slowly behind and took off to go and rescue my little sister. I would have helped Maci no matter what, but getting to see Skylar would be a nice bonus.
◆◆◆
Why was my heart racing when I walked into the auditorium with Maci? Were my palms sweating, too? What the hell?
“Shit! We’re late!” Maci hissed as we walked down the dark aisle to find seats. We found a few near the front and slid into them as the curtains on stage opened.
She took my breath away. Skylar stood alone, center stage, with her shoulders back and her head held high. She wore a pair of sexy red dance shorts that made me hard, paired with a tattered and torn white t-shirt. The music started, slow at first, then it picked up speed and intensity. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Skylar’s body as she moved across the stage. She was mesmerizing and unbelievably sexy.
When the song ended, and the crowd clapped and cheered, I leaned over to Maci. “She makes up all these dances on her own?”
Maci nodded and flipped through the program. She passed it to me, pointing to Skylar’s bio. The photo of Skylar made me grin. In it, she looked away from the camera
with laughter in her eyes and one of her sexy, teasing smiles. Damn, I missed teasing her. She wore one of those skin-tight dance outfits — what were they called? Leotards? I could see so much of her lean, toned body.
Damn, Skylar. Just, damn.
Skylar was nineteen now. It was acceptable for me to want her. Well, maybe Maci wouldn’t like it, but she’d get over it. I couldn’t wait for the show to end so I could talk to Skylar.
Maci leaned over and whispered. “She’s good, huh?”
I nodded as the stage lights came back up, and another dance started.
When the show ended, Maci practically ran out the side door to meet Skylar as she came out. I followed slowly behind. I didn’t need to seem too eager.
When I reached them, they were hugging, and Maci was squealing. “You were so so good, Sky! Oh my God! We were like a tiny bit late, because I got a flat tire, but we saw your solo and loved it!”
Skylar laughed, “Thank you! We?” She glanced up to see me walking toward her. Something like panic filled her eyes, and then it switched to that relaxed, teasing look she always gave me. “Why the hell are you here, Derrick?”
I laughed and reached for a hug. Skylar felt good in my arms. “Don’t be rude. I ditched my date to give Maci a ride when she got a flat tire.”
Skylar stepped away from me. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
“What?”
“You missed out on adding another notch to your bedpost because of me. I’m so sorry.” She stared me down with a slight smile.
“Gross.” Maci wrinkled her nose.
“Baby! God, you were amazing!” Suddenly a tall kid with wavy brown hair wrapped Skylar up in his arms and spun her around. Skylar laughed and let him kiss her when he set her back down.
I felt this weird, sinking feeling in my chest and looked away.
“Hey, Ben,” Maci said and gave the kid a quick hug.
“What’s up, Maci?” Ben glanced at me. “Is this the new boyfriend?”
Skylar burst out laughing, and Maci made a gagging sound. “Ew! This is my brother!”
I offered a polite smile, even though I already hated the kid, and reached out to shake his hand. “Hey. I’m Derrick, Maci’s awesome big brother.”
“Nice!” Ben shook my hand. He was weak. I could take him. “Well, that’s very cool of you to come and support Skylar.” He slid his arm around her shoulders, and I wanted to punch him. I needed to chill. Did I want to fuck Skylar? Absolutely. But I wasn’t in love with her. It was just a cock block, not a broken heart.
“Yeah, I mean, Skylar’s a good kid. She’s like family.” I glanced over at her with a grin. She hated it when I called her “kid.” If I couldn’t fuck her, I’d at least have to tease the shit out of her and get under her skin.
She glared at me. A few other dancers rushed Skylar, screaming and jumping up and down. Skylar’s parents walked up next, holding a big bouquet of red roses.
Man, I was not going to get her alone tonight. I reached out to shake her dad’s hand. “How are ya, Mr. Jones?”
He shook my hand and smiled. “Derrick Myles! I’m great. Good to see you. Thanks for coming. Skylar just loves your whole family. I’m sure it means a lot to her that you’re here.”
Skylar’s mom hugged Maci, and then me. “I’m so glad you guys came!”
Maci laughed. “Ugh! I almost didn’t make it! I got a flat tire and had to call Derrick to come and save me!”
Skylar’s mom smiled at me. “Aw, what a good big brother! What are you up to now, Derrick? All finished with school?”
“I am a good big brother.” I grinned at Maci and turned back to Skylar’s mom. “And yes. I finished school about a year ago. Now I work in finance.”
“Oh! How exciting!” Mrs. Jones said.
I laughed. “No, it’s boring as hell, but it pays the bills while I figure out what I want to do next.”
Skylar’s dancer friends had dispersed, and she flung her arms around her parents. “Oh, sweetheart, you were stunning!” Her mom hugged her, and her dad handed her the bouquet of roses. They turned and hugged her boyfriend next, and for some reason that pissed me right off. If they were hugging this kid, that meant it was a serious relationship.
Another dancer hurried over to Skylar. “Sky! We’re all heading over to the Village House Cafe to celebrate. You have to come!”
Skylar’s mom smiled. “Go with your friends, hun. We’ll see you next week for dinner.” Her parents gave her one more hug and then headed out to the parking lot.
Skylar turned to Maci. “You come, too!” Fucking Ben had his arm around her again.
Maci glanced at me. “Derrick’s my ride unless you guys can take me home after?”
Skylar said, “Derrick can come, too. We might need a babysitter.” She smirked at me and started walking toward the exit, hips swaying. She glanced over her shoulder and saw me staring at her ass. A mischievous smile danced across her face, and she dropped her keys. “Oops.” She bent to pick them up and arched her back to show off her tight ass.
Fuck.
Ben said, “Babe, I can carry some stuff for you!” He lifted the roses from her arms.
“Thanks, babe.” She locked eyes with me and smirked again. She was playing with me, teasing me. Skylar knew she was as hot as hell. She knew she was making me want her.
But she wouldn’t keep looking at me if she didn’t want me, too.
We were going to fuck. Maybe not tonight, but soon.
11
Skylar
Holy mother-fucking shit-balls! Derrick was still as sexy as hell. It wasn’t like I’d forgotten about him. He was always in the back of my mind. But I’d forgotten that he was that sexy.
I almost had a heart attack when I saw Derrick walk up behind Maci. He came to my show. He came, and he saw me, and he hugged me! It gave me butterflies.
I glanced over at Ben as we drove to the restaurant and felt a massive wave of guilt. Ben was great. We’d started dating about six months ago. He was cute and sweet, and he made me laugh. Ben wasn’t terrible in bed, either. I was happy with Ben.
God-damn it, Derrick!
We pulled up the Village House Cafe, and Ben leaned over to kiss me. “You were seriously amazing tonight, Sky.”
I smiled at him. “Thank you. You’re so sweet.”
When we walked into the restaurant, Maci and Derrick were already there, seated at a table full of loud dancers, all riding the after-show high. My eyes went straight to Derrick. They always did if he was in the room. His eyes were on me, too. I shouldn’t have taken the empty seat next to him, but it was almost like a magnetic force pulled me to his side.
Ben took the chair on my other side and rested his hand on my leg. Derrick’s eyes followed Ben’s hand. Was that irritation on Derrick’s face?
Derrick glanced up and saw me looking at him. He gave me his annoying smirk and turned to my friend, Tanya, that sat across from him at the table. “You were great tonight.” He flirted with her. Was he trying to piss me off?
Tanya giggled and blushed. “Oh my God! Thank you!” She leaned forward and batted her false eyelashes at Derrick. “I’m Tanya. I didn’t catch your name, though.”
“Derrick. I’m Maci’s brother. But, Skylar is like my second little sister.” He slid his arm around my shoulders. My heart raced out of control. “Love this kid!” He kissed the top of my head and grinned at me. “Holy shit, Skylar, that’s a lot of hairspray.” He wiped his mouth and laughed.
I shoved him off, even though I didn’t want to and picked up a menu. Ben watched Derrick with slightly narrowed eyes.
The waitress came over to our huge group of twenty people with wide eyes. “Wow, what can I get for you guys tonight?”
After ordering, I leaned over Derrick to talk to Maci. I didn’t mean for my breasts to push into his arm, but I made no effort to adjust my body so that I wasn’t touching him. “Maci! Ben has a friend that he wants you to meet.”
Maci just shrugged. “Yeah, okay.
”
“Yeah?” I smiled at her and pushed my tits into Derrick’s arm a little more. Oops. He didn’t move his arm. “His name is Oliver, and he’s cool. I met him a few weeks ago.”
Maci nodded, looking miserable.
“Hey,” I reached over to place my hand on her arm. “You shouldn’t have to wait around forever for Blake to figure out his shit.”
Derrick cleared his throat. “Did you like, want me to move? You’re all up in my personal space right now, Skylar.”
I met his laughing gaze. I was close enough to kiss him. “Yeah. That’d be great.”
Derrick smiled and poked me in the ribs. “You have to get off of me if you want me to move.”
I felt the heat rising in my cheeks. I sat up straight in my chair, and Derrick and Maci stood to trade places. I wanted to talk to my best friend, but I also wanted to climb her brother. I glanced over at Ben, feeling another massive wave of guilt. He stared down at his plate, not talking to anyone.
Shit. “Babe,” I placed my hand on his knee. Ben gave me a weak smile. “I was just telling Maci about Ollie. She wants to meet him! Isn’t that great?”
Ben nodded. “Cool. I’ll let him know.” Then he looked away.
“You okay?” I asked quietly.
Ben met my gaze and smiled. “Yeah, of course.” Then his eyes drifted over to Derrick before falling back to his plate. He grabbed my hand and squeezed it.
I needed to cool it with Derrick. It wasn’t worth it to throw away everything I had with Ben to flirt with the asshole that would never settle down and actually want me.
I sighed. “I’m going to use the bathroom real quick. I’ll be right back.” I stood and made my way to the back of the restaurant.
When I came back out of the bathroom, Derrick was waiting in the hallway. “What the hell? Are you following me?” I asked.
