Pretty, Twisted Lies: A friends to lovers standalone

by Emily Bowie

  “My turn.” Oliver takes the gun away from Leon and does the same thing. Another click, and nothing leaves the chamber.

  Stupid motherfuckers. They’re doing my job for me.

  Oliver returns the gun to Leon freely. This time, he makes faces at him, his head staying still. Leon might actually be able to hit him. It would make my life easier.

  Before Leon can pull the trigger, I take it from him, showing him the one bullet in the chamber. I allow what I’m showing him to resonate before I speak.

  “If you two want to stay living, I need something from you,” I challenge both men, looking them straight in the eye, unwilling to lose. Only when I get a nod from both do I direct my attention to Oliver. “Oliver, you will stop being Leon’s pimp. Otherwise, I will expose both of you. I hear the me-too movement is bad for business.” The seriousness of this conversations begins to hit them. They’re no longer laughing and starting to look scared.

  “Leon, I need you to find me a label who has an ear for talent. Someone who will take a chance on someone new, with no connections. If I hear you toss your name out for her, this conversation will go entirely different next time.” I pause, allowing him to see I’m serious. “If either of you ever work for Kellie again, remember the one bullet I have for the two of you.”

  I walk out of the room, feeling good about myself.

  CHAPTER 20

  August

  My back rests against my wall as I sit cross-legged on my boarding room bed. The only light shining through my window is from the moon and stars. They are so much brighter out here. The night is darker this far from civilization’s streetlights. One more year, then I’ll graduate and be rid of this hellhole, be rid of every watchful, prying eye, away from my parents, free to do what I want.

  When I was first sent here, I thought it was a blessing that my parents demanded I have my own room. Now it feels lonely and suffocating. I hear all the other girls’ stories of the fun they have at night, even in the overcrowded rooms. It’s only now I realize it’s another way I’m being controlled. Separating me from the pack.

  My room window opens an inch, making me lose my breath. I sit, silently watching, waiting. Part of me still clings to the hope that it’s Kiptyn, even though I’m still mad at him. The other prays I’m being kidnapped. The glass slowly with no sound inches its way to the top, with no figure beneath it. I refuse to move, even when I want to run up and close it.

  My heart beats fast, reminding me of the way it reacted when I was around him. When I was with him, it was always an adventure, even if we did nothing. He allowed me to remember who I was and that life was fun again.

  A large figure slips into my room, and immediately my eyes lock onto Kiptyn’s. And even though I want to leap into his arms, I ignore him. I lie back on my bed, picking up a magazine to flip through. I haven’t heard from him in three months. He never told me happy birthday. He never said goodbye. I honestly hated him this summer. I don’t want to be the one to start the conversation, but I’ve never been good at hiding my feelings when Kiptyn is around.

  “You better start talking.” I need to hear his reason for ditching me. He has to have one; otherwise, he’s no better than everyone else in my world.

  The bed dips in my dark room. “Don’t be like that, Kellie.” His voice is low and rough as he attempts to whisper.

  I huff out, “You made your girlfriend take me home.” His actions hurt and bruised my heart. I felt so stupid, when all I wanted to do was see my friend. Then he pushed me away like we’re nothing, like I’m nothing to him.

  “She’s not my girlfriend.” His hand runs up my calf before I move it away from him. I don’t want his touches, like I don’t need his friendship.

  Sitting up, not liking the power difference between us, I ask, “She mean something to you?”

  I hold my breath, wanting him to say no. I can see the agony in his eyes as he searches mine for something. He doesn’t have to say anything for me to know. And I’m jealous and hate her so much at this moment. The most messed up part is that I hope he lies to me.

  “Yes, but not like that. If you have a question, just ask.”

  My feet try to push him off my bed, but he doesn’t budge. Even when I try to kick him with one powerful push of my feet, he stays planted. His rough hands capture my bare foot, and his fingers rub small circles on my skin. He seems to be battling something inside himself, catching me off guard.

  “I’m sorry for all the times I missed before you left.” He lets out a sigh. “You have to believe me when I say I thought of you every day, and each of those days, I was in agony, because I missed you. I had so much going on in my life with my mother dying and the business that I felt like I couldn’t keep my head afloat. I felt like I was drowning in myself. Not seeing you honestly made it all harder for me to resurface.”

  His voice is full of emotion, tugging at my heart, making me believe him.

  “I have a gift for you.” He brings out a small gray cell phone from his pocket.

  “I have a phone.”

  “One that gets locked up as soon as you enter here and won’t use, because your father checks the incoming and outgoing numbers.”

  He places the phone into my hands and curls my fingers around it. “You can do whatever you want, even throw it at my head.”

  Looking down, I stare at it. It’s a small flip phone seemingly twenty generations old, but this feels like an honest gesture, unlike the gifts my parents give that always have strings attached.

  “I wanted to give you something, because I missed you. You have no idea how many times I looked at my phone, wishing I could get into contact with you, to hear your sweet voice.”

  No one has ever given me a gift without wanting something in return. I get elaborate gifts from friends and family, but it’s all for show. Everyone wants the bragging right of the best or most expensive present. As Kiptyn looks down at me, I see the sincerity in his gold eyes. I’m rendered speechless, the thoughtful act making me lose the attitude.

  Lifting my eyes back to him, there is a new emotion within his gaze. I’ve missed him so much it physically hurts. His Adam’s apple bobs in a shallow swallow as his hand scrubs down his face. When we meet eyes again, there is a new lustful depth to them. Expelling a long breath, I watch as he tries to compose himself.

  Our atmosphere shifts to something different, something I have longed for over the past few years. My whole body becomes aware of his presence. I watch as his eyes drift to my lips, and all I can think about is wanting him to kiss me.

  Not like the hundreds of times before, but like I mean the world to him. My breath grows ragged in anticipation of if this will be the time he finally allows himself to cross that line. My pulse kicks up, and I start fidgeting with the hem of my shirt, wondering if I should be the one to make the first move.

  “Kellie….” His voice is husky with a new desperation to it that I’ve never heard before.

  “Yes,” I reply shakily, leaning toward him, wanting his touch more than ever.

  “I’m still no good for you. I can’t promise I won’t unintentionally hurt you.”

  He moves his gaze over me like a starved man, studying me in every way, each shaky breath, heartbeat, and fidget I make.

  “That’s what I love about you. You would never hurt me on purpose, and I know you’ll protect me at all cost. That’s all I need to feel in my heart to know you’re a good man. I want to be your girl; I don’t care about any of that background fuzz. It’s irrelevant. The only thing important right now is you and me.” I lay my heart out for him, praying he chooses us, needing him to choose me.

  His body shifts toward me, cupping my face in his hands. My heart feels like it may fly out of my chest with how fast it’s beating. I’m sure he can hear it. I can see he wants to kiss me, but something is holding him back. I can see it in his eyes, a look that makes me think this will be the moment he splashes freezing water upon my heart, stopping it instantly.

  I�
�m about to pull away, not wanting my heart to be shattered. I would much rather stay in this limbo state of never knowing than to know he won’t choose us.

  Then he kisses me. Not some tender forehead kiss that keeps us in the friend zone. This kiss is strong and filled with passion, igniting my whole body.

  “Do you want this?” His voice holds a huskiness I’ve never heard before, and his eyes are unwavering.

  “I’ve wanted this since the day I’ve met you,” I confess, craning my neck to look at him.

  He crawls over me, my body naturally lying down on the bed to give him access. My arms wrap around his neck while I close my eyes, waiting for him to kiss me again. His presence hasn’t moved, but I open my eyes again, wondering what’s stopping him.

  Indecision weighs in his eyes, making my heart beat faster as it fills with dread that he’s going to turn me down. Pulling his face down to mine I kiss him. “I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.”

  His body is stiff then relaxes as he matches me in my need for him. “Kellie, you have no idea how many times I have fantasized about this moment.”

  “Then don’t stop.”

  That seems to be all he needs for reassurance. His hand slides under my shirt. I feel his calloused fingers lightly trace up my skin toward my breast, cupping it. Anticipation swirls around me, my back arching into his touch.

  “You’re so soft.” His voice is low as he kisses down my neck. It feels like pure heaven.

  His hard body is pressed to mine. His denim-clad erection juts out, pressing into my core. I bathe in his affection, his hands unclasping my bra and roaming freely as he explores.

  I can’t help but grind against him, my hands going under his shirt, pulling it up, wanting our flesh against each other’s. He lifts up slightly, allowing his shirt to be tossed to the floor before he does the same to mine.

  He doesn’t come straight down as I expect but allows his eyes to travel over me, his hands lightly touching, like he’s memorizing me at this moment.

  I allow my hands to do the same, traveling up his broad chest. His pecs are well defined, with a light coating of hair that covers him.

  My fingers trace the outline of his six-pack, tracing over a scar that is raised on the side of his torso. When I cup his erection, he groans, his pelvis moving forward with my boldness.

  I want to see all of him. Watch him come undone because of me and my touch. With shaky fingers, I undo his top button. His zipper echoes off the walls as I lower it. He stays still, watching my every move. Pushing his pants down, I dip into his boxers, grabbing hold of his thick erection. He moans, my hand moving up and down his shaft.

  His hands find my breasts, pinching my nipples, and I can feel the way he fights to not fully thrust into my hand.

  “Look at me, Kellie.” His fingers travel up my neck toward my chin. “I won’t do wrong by you.” At the time, I don’t think much about this other than he is making sure I feel secure, like he always does.

  “I know.”

  Bending down, he takes my hand, kissing on top of my pulse before he stands to drop and lower his boxers to the floor before he removes my pants. I expect him to come back over me, but instead, he caresses my upper thigh, placing light kisses on my charged skin.

  His breath tickles between my legs before I can feel the slightest velvet touch between my folds. A half-second later, I feel it again, teasing me. Rocking into him, I feel his tongue swipe over my clit, causing me to moan. I want more, and my body starts to move on its own accord. Another lick before his lips clamp down and suck on my bundle of nerves as his finger enters me, the two sensations becoming overwhelming. My body rocks toward him at the same time I feel him enter another finger. Then I combust, his hand moving up to cover my mouth as I try to stay quiet but can’t stop releasing the sounds of pleasure. I swear I see stars behind my eyes, and all the tension I was carrying earlier has completely evaporated.

  “Open your eyes.” His voice is right at my ear, and I can feel his erection pressing against where his tongue just was. He swirls his dick around my entrance, spreading my wetness while bringing that sensation back to life once again.

  I watch as he tears a wrapper with his teeth, his eyes staying on mine. Neither one of us looks away. Slowly, he pushes into me, inch by inch, stretching me. My breath hitches and a hiss comes out through my teeth. Kiptyn is hardly moving he’s going so slowly. Closing my eyes, I feel his forehead rest on mine as he stills. My body is still, the pain momentarily subsiding.

  “You could have told me.”

  I can feel his lips pepper kisses all over my face. “I didn’t want you to say no,” I admit.

  “Look at me.”

  As I open my eyes, he begins to move, my body acclimating to him. My hands dig into his back as I lift my hips in rhythm with him. He kisses me with so much want I feel like no one could ever love me like him. It’s most likely because he’s the first person I’ve ever had sex with, and we haven’t even said those three words to each other yet.

  His thumb presses down on my clit, and I welcome the new sensation beginning to build again. I can feel both our hearts beating in tandem, hitting the deepest parts of my soul. With each kiss, another part of my heart chips off and is given to him. He kisses my mouth, my neck, my chest. Each soft thrust starts to feel better. He slides in and out of me effortlessly, our friction building and starting to distract me from the slight pain. My heartbeat begins to climb once again, and I focus on that sensation of bliss he’s causing. Instinctively, I began to moan, feeling like I’m about to explode once again.

  He groans, his breathing ragged. We’re both slick in sweat. I’m about to say that I love him, but I’m taken by surprise by my orgasm shooting through me like a lightning bolt. Waves of euphoria rush, my body going limp with pleasure that continues to wash over me.

  An animalistic growl erupts from Kiptyn as he does one final deep thrust into me, his body pulsing. Tremors overtake his body before he falls onto me, out of breath.

  “Damn,” he breathes, nuzzling into my neck. “I swear you were made for me.”

  He can’t see me, but my smile takes over my face. Slowly, he lifts off of me, and I immediately miss the contact.

  “Was it okay for you?” I watch as his hand rubs the back of his neck. “I didn’t hurt you too much?”

  I shake my head before speaking. “It didn’t hurt that bad.”

  He looks around my small room. “Shit, I have nothing to clean you up with.”

  Sitting up, I give him a kiss on the cheek. “It’s fine. Honest. All I want is for you to lay with me.”

  As he stands up, I watch his naked backside; he removes the condom, tying the end and placing it by the window. I hadn’t even thought about condoms. I should have, but my nerves were too wound with all my other thoughts. Picking up his boxers, he uses it to wipe me.

  “You don’t have to do that; I’m going to ruin your clothes.” My head dips, looking at the small amount of blood already on it.

  “I want to, Kellie.” He kisses me on the lips before coming to lie back down with me.

  My head rests in the crook of his neck as my naked body snuggles into him.

  “Sloan is my cousin,” he says so incredibly softly I think I imagine it. He places a kiss on my forehead. “Sorry I allowed you to think she could be anything else.”

  “I missed you so much.”

  “Me too. I hate how I left things with you. I should have shown you what you meant to me long before now.”

  CHAPTER 21

  This summer, everything changed. Deep inside, I know I should’ve never come here, but she has this way of pulling me in. I told myself I was going to drive by and let fate take its course. If she showed up at the mansion, that would be my sign. Instead, I climbed through her window, made love to her, and now I have a very naked, very soft Kellie in my arms.

  “Did you miss me?” I ask, running my fingers up and down her arm.

  She snuggles in closer, our bod
ies radiating heat, making blankets unnecessary.

  “I didn’t want to.” She looks up at me, vulnerability clear in her eyes.

  “I tried not to miss you either, but I found the more I tried not to think about you, the more I did. Next time I’m a jackass, I suggest hitting me over the head so I can realize it faster.”

  I can feel her breasts vibrate against my chest as she chuckles, imagining that sight.

  “What did you end up doing this summer?”

  My fingers twirl a piece of her long golden locks as I think about my summer without her. “I had to find creative ways of entertaining myself.”

  “Such as?”

  “I opened a mechanic garage at the back of the bar. Mostly for regulars who want a beer while they wait. I had to take a few trips while I researched a new business opportunity.”

  “So you worked.”

  “Yeah, I suppose I did. It was the only thing that made sense to me. If I had to miss you, I might as well work and get stuff accomplished.”

  “Let me guess—you also upgraded your bike.”

  I pause, my heart doing a double thud. “How do you know? Did you come by the mansion?”

  “Calm down.” She lifts herself up, kissing my jaw. “You’re becoming predictable. You get a new one each year,” she teases.

  “Predictable?” My hand cups her breast before my thumb and finger slowly rotates around her perked nipple. “Did you predict this?”

  “I was still mad at you this morning. I couldn’t see clearly.”

  Pulling her on top of me so she’s straddling my hips, my other hand goes to her other tit. She has the perfect handfuls. I could admire her naked all day, enjoying the view of her creamy skin, her pink nipples and her pussy.

  “Are you seeing clearly now?” My dick keeps brushing up against her inner thigh, making me become hard all over again.

  She toys with me, pretending to think about her answer, purposely making her center rub slightly against me.

  “Yeah, I’m starting to see the larger picture now.” She looks down at me with this strange expression. She looks almost defeated, and I begin to feel bad that I crossed a line that should have been waited for. When she could make up her own mind about the real me, not the version I only allow her to see.