Gifted Connections [Book 2]

by SM Olivier

  “I’m more than imaginative, where it counts,” he murmured as he took a step towards me.

  I don’t know what was coming over me as I raised an eyebrow and slowly removed my sweatshirt. “Actions speak louder than words,” I dared him.

  He visibly gulped; desire in his eyes, warring with indecision. “I just got out of a relationship and you’re in a relationship. I’m not sure if we should rush this.”

  I removed my tank top next, leaving me in just my sports bra and shorts. Part of me was trying to seduce him to establish our connection, but the other part of me wondered what it would be like to be with him. He once told me he had an insatiable appetite in the bedroom and that’s why he kept Stacey around. She was easy, and she was available for him whenever he wanted. I hadn’t been. I couldn’t be. I was technically a virgin and new to the dating game, on top of fostering five other relationships.

  “I understand, but honestly he isn’t my boyfriend. He never was,” I stated as I turned, dropping my sports bra, then shorts in front of the bathroom door. I walked to the large glass enclosed shower, turned the faucet, and waited for warm water to emerge from the shower heads above and from the fixtures mounted on the walls. I intentionally kept the bathroom door open and I knew he had taken steps to fill out the doorway.

  “How could someone look so innocent, be so…” his voice was filled with desire.

  “Wanton?” I asked with a raised eyebrow, turning around and stepping into the shower, knowing the glass enclosing the shower did nothing to hide anything.

  I pretended like he wasn’t there as I opened his shampoo. It smelled like vanilla, which surprised me. “Mmm,” I purposely taunted him as I closed my eyes. “Smells good and slightly unexpected.”

  I felt the cool air hit my body and felt his presence beside me.

  I opened my eyes, feeling somewhat empowered as I saw the look of desire in his eyes. He lifted me with ease and began to kiss me passionately. We had never shared a real kiss before and I was surprised at the sensuality in it. I wrapped my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist, returning his kiss with abandon.

  I moaned deep in my throat as he pushed me back against the wall, pinning me against it, so his hands were free to roam my body. I was petite, but I had curves. Well I had. My lack of appetite and exercise regimen, of late, had reduced quite a bit of my curves. My breasts and rear had been larger than most girls with my frame. He seemed especially enamored in my rear as he rubbed reverent hands on it. I could feel his excitement as it nudged against my stomach.

  “Are we sure we want to cross this line?” he asked out of breath as he kissed the sensitive spot behind my ears and down my throat.

  I didn’t have the words to answer him, so I just reached down and took his manhood into my hands, stroking it.

  “Actions speak louder than words?” he queried.

  I nodded and grabbed the back of his head, delving my tongue into his mouth, showing him how much I wanted him.

  He groaned as he slid me down his body, showing me how much he wanted me.

  I watched as he reached for a condom at the top ledge of his shower. My eyes widened slightly as he rolled it on him. It was slightly erotic to me.

  “Turn around,” he commanded.

  I complied and turned around.

  “Bend over,” he ordered.

  I braced my hands on the seat that dominated the back of the shower. I felt him adjust the angles of the sprays in the shower as he ran his hand down my back, my rear, and finally his fingers found my core. He rubbed it and I moaned with the liquid heat that built in my lower stomach.

  “So, ready already,” he murmured as he bit my shoulder lightly.

  I pushed back into his erection. “As if you aren’t,” I teased.

  “Oh, I’m more than ready,” he said as I felt him slide into me.

  I gasped as I felt the resistance. I was more than ready, but my body wasn’t. Again?!

  “You’re a virgin?” he asked in awe and shock.

  I didn’t answer him, I just pushed back into him, letting him know I was ready to feel all of him.

  “Ahh,” he said gritting his teeth. “How is this even possible. Damn girl!”

  “Shh,” I demanded him as I pushed my hips back into him again. “Just show me how imaginative you can be.”

  He obeyed immediately as he grasped my hips with one hand and worshipfully stroked my rear with the other, pushing in and out of me. I could hear the sounds of pleasure he was making deep in his throat and it turned me on. I could tell he was getting close as he started to tense, one of his hands reached around and with sure, steady fingers he started to stroke my core.

  “Ahh,” I threw my head back. “I’m so close,” I told him breathlessly as I felt the tension within begin to build with intensity. I missed this sort of intimacy.

  I was so carried away unraveling and feeling my body shatter in a million pieces, that I didn’t hear his muttered words. He followed me soon after, and then another jolt engulfed my body. A mixture of pleasure and pain enveloped my body. I could feel the world spin, and I felt like I was falling through a dark tunnel.

  I woke up cradled in Noah’s lap, his back against the wall as he sat on the floor of the shower. The water was cascading down on us, and he was looking at me with both wonder and shock.

  “What just happened?” he breathed out.

  I sat up, a bit embarrassed. I had never passed out before when I made a connection and I knew I had made one. It was undeniable.

  “Umm great sex,” I said flippantly with a smile.

  He looked at me with a penetrating gaze. “It’s more than that isn’t it?”

  Suddenly there was knocking on his bedroom door. “Hey Noah,” Jaxson called.

  “You should get that,” I turned from him to grab his soap to finish my shower. I wondered if they had felt it like last time.

  In the past, the guys could feel it when I made a connection. In the beginning, they had rushed in to find out what the heck happened. As it occurred again, I demanded them not to make it any more embarrassing then it had to be.

  “Coming,” Noah called as he hopped out of the shower and grabbed a towel.

  Jaxson came striding in the room, his eyes widening slightly as he looked beyond Noah’s shoulder and saw me washing myself.

  “I said I was coming,” Noah said with irritation.

  “I heard come in,” Jaxson didn’t seem to want to tear his eyes from me.

  I was frozen with my leg on the seat, since I had been washing it.

  Noah gave me an apologetic look as he hastily shut the door behind him and I quickly finished my shower. I felt slightly embarrassed and unsure now. I took my time drying off and trying to get most of the moisture out of my hair. I smiled when I realized Noah had a good curl tamer in his medicine cabinet. I squirted a little bit of it in my hands and distributed it into my curls, releasing the smell of apples.

  I opened my duffel bag and pulled out the jeans and black fitted tee I had worn earlier today. I was left contemplating exactly what just happened. I was filled with confusion, elation, and mortification. How could I be a virgin again?! I know my body had reverted to the way it had been, but I didn’t think it was possible for me to be a virgin once more. I was happy I made my connection with Noah, but I didn’t know why I had passed out. Then there was the little detail of Jaxson finding us in a compromising position. Jax was never good at keeping secrets, so I imagined everyone would know by the end of the day.

  Jax would tell Tamara, who would in turn tell Stacey. They had just broken up. There was also Drake to consider, he may share some pillow talk with Rose, who in turn could potentially tell Collin. I had no doubt where Rose was tonight—I’m sure she had taken the opportunity to go over to the apartment while I was out. Life just got more complicated than it was, not that it hadn’t been already.

  When I came out of the bathroom, Noah was already dressed and waiting for me on the bed. His eyebrows were
furrowed, although he attempted to give me a smile.

  “What just happened?” he asked hesitantly.

  “Umm, what do you mean?” I asked evasively as I pushed my hair out of my face.

  “When we…well at the end of what we just did, you passed out, and I felt this strange warm feeling spread throughout me and my…tattoo started burning.” Noah leaned forward so his elbows were on his knees.

  “I would say that was…mind blowing sex,” I joked halfheartedly as I brought my phone out of my bag. I noticed I had missed some messages from Collin.

  Please tell me you’re coming home.

  Come on, Blake, you know I didn’t mean it, please forgive me!

  Blake, please answer me!

  I started gnawing on my bottom lip. Not knowing how to handle this situation or how I should respond to Collin. I kind of wanted to let him stew a bit longer.

  “As if you know the difference,” Noah ran a hand through his short curls. Tousling them attractively.

  “Is Jaxson going to say anything,” I asked worriedly.

  He stared at me intensely for a moment. “No, he knows better. Blake, why are you filled with so many secrets?”

  I looked up at the ceiling and sighed. “What do you mean?” I asked stalling for time to formulate a credible excuse.

  “I mean, you were still a virgin, yet you touched me and responded to me so…acutely. Like this wasn’t your first time. Jaxson told me he and Drake felt something odd course through them right before Drake sent Jax up here, and now I’m getting texts from my other brothers asking if I’m okay. You obviously live with Collin, and you guys say you’re in a relationship, but the vibe is all wrong. The way he treats you is abhorrent, yet you won’t leave him. He was physically manhandling you today. You evidently don’t want him knowing about a gift you may or may not have, even though he’s gifted. Not to forget, you must keep a second phone to have normal conversations with your friends. It’s just so suspect and wrong on so many levels,” he said ardently. “Then to top it off, as I sat here replaying the amazing thing we just shared, I found myself wondering how you got those scars on your body, and I knew. I knew without asking you.”

  I stared at him in wonder and hope. “How did I get them?” I asked, not addressing the rest of his speech.

  “You had a step mom, whose boyfriends cut you and threatened you. How did I know that? Or that the cigarette burn marks on your spine are from her mom!” His eyes were slightly wild as he looked at me attentively.

  “You’re not wrong,” I said quietly.

  “What is going on,” he took a few steps and drew me into his arms, his lips finding mine once more. “Tell me, please,” his breathing was heavy when he finally pulled away. He pulled me in close, my head resting in the middle of his chest. He was the shortest of all the guys, but at 5 feet 10 inches or so, he was still above average and a lot taller than me.

  “I wish I could,” I sighed. “It’s just a lot, and I’m not even sure if you would believe me.”

  “Try me,” he begged softly.

  “Dinner time,” Drake came into the room. His gorgeous blue eyes were assessing me behind his black frame glasses. No judgement was evident, but there definitely was a deep inquisitiveness lurking in there.

  I squeezed Noah’s hand in reassurance. “Soon,” I promised him.

  Chapter 8

  I followed the guys back down stairs and stopped in shock when I entered the dining room. Tamara was laughing uproariously at something a pretty blond was saying beside her. The long, bleach-blond hair, with carefully done beach wave curls, was too familiar.

  “Hello, Blake,” Will’s cool voice said, pulling my attention away from the blond for a moment.

  “Hello, Mr. Bell,” I stated.

  “Welcome to our home,” he said as he looked at me with intense scrutiny. I had forgotten momentarily that the last time he had seen me was with my hair straight; with my hair now in curls, I’m sure I reminded him more of the girl I use to be.

  “Grab a plate,” Jaxson said warmly. “I hope you’re hungry. Drake made his Chicken Picata with lemon cream sauce and homemade angel-hair pasta.”

  “Thanks, famished actually,” I said stiffly as my green eyes finally met the cold blue eyes of the blond. Bridgette Mason was staring back at me. The blond who bullied me and tormented me relentlessly, since my sophomore year in high school. All because Collin Scott had showed a little bit of interest in me.

  I dug into my food with gusto, even though I was wound up tight. I could feel Drake, Noah, and Jax looking at me repeatedly as if they were all trying to dissect me. Will just watched me contemplatively.

  “Are you okay?” Gavin whispered quietly to me as the conversation turned to the big game tomorrow night.

  “I know her,” I whispered back quietly. “Something just feels…wrong.”

  “Bridgette?” Gavin looked at me flummoxed.

  “Yes,” I explained. “She went to my old high school and use to bully me…a lot, and she used to date Collin.”

  “That’s not good,” Gavin muttered.

  “My thought exactly,” I agreed.

  “So, Blake,” Bridgette turned her gaze on me finally. “I heard you convinced Collin to finally start dating you.”

  I took a bite of my chicken and looked at her coolly. “It didn’t take that much convincing, in fact, he pursued me.” I stated. “Again. Isn’t that the reason you bothered me in high school?”

  She let out a loud high-pitched laugh. “You’re so silly. I never bothered you. In fact, I ignored you, like everyone else did.”

  Will cleared his throat at the end of the table. “You girls know each other?”

  “You can say that,” Brigette smiled at Will. Then she looked over at Tamara. “She used to wear hideous baggy clothes and sulk around the school,” she whispered loudly to Tamara.

  Tamara giggled. “All black and emo like…I can see that.”

  “How did you guess?” Bridgette laughed.

  “You girls are bitches,” Jemmy said almost conversationally. Then she leaned over Gavin’s other side and smiled at me. “Tamara is intimidated by most pretty girls and her new friend is just as bad. Why is she here again?” Jemmy pointed at Bridgette as she looked at Jax.

  Jax looked slightly uncomfortable. He always hated confrontation and was a peace maker through and through. “Tamara likes her and wants Bridgette to feel welcome. She’s new here.”

  “Jemmy,” Will said sternly, although there was laughter and pride gleaming in his eyes. “Language please.” He looked over Bridgette. “So, Collin and you both attended Pine Grove High School, but you didn’t?” he inquired, looking at me.

  Bridgette’s eyes widened slightly as if she realized her faux paus and I realized in that moment she was also working with Collin and Zach. My stomach turned as I contemplated what she had to do with all of this. I’m sure she was babysitting the guys. Just like Collin was babysitting me, but what was she capable of doing?

  His eyebrows knitted, clearly piecing it all together, just as he was opening his mouth, I looked over at him. “Please drop it. Please for your, and everyone’s, safety,” I tried to compel my thoughts into his head.

  His head snapped over at me, and he looked back at Bridgette. I’m pretty sure I saw an imperceptible nod, before he took another bite of his chicken. “I look at files all day. It gets hard keeping track at times.” Will smiled.

  His phone began to ring, and he smiled apologetically at us before he stood up. “I apologize for the interruption, but I must take this.” He stood up and I noticed he turned and looked at me with a puzzled expression, before he headed into his den.

  “Awkward,” Tamara giggled in the silence of the room when he left.

  Drake gave her a slightly annoyed look before he turned to look at Jax. “How many people are we planning for tomorrow night? Do you want to do some sub trays, pizza and wings maybe?”

  I sat there slightly stunned. In the past, I was able to m
ake people do what I asked them to do, but I never tried to talk to them before. I mean, Jaxson and I had a connection since I was ten. We had been able to carry conversations when I was scared or angry, but I had never tried to talk to anyone else or project my voice in my head.

  I felt both giddy and shocked that my gift seemed to be back. Was it because Collin was too far away from me? I decided to continue testing my theory out.

  “Gavin,” I called silently.

  His head snapped over at me and his jaw dropped.

  “Don’t talk. You can hear me?”

  He looked around the table. Then he looked down at his food and nodded his head.

  “We need to leave. Now,” I insisted.

  He nodded once more and then wiped his mouth with his napkin. “That was a delicious meal once again. Thank you, Drake. I think it’s time for me to head home, though,” he said before standing up and walking towards the kitchen.

  “I thought you had a lesson with Remy tonight,” Jemmy said. She looked disappointed that he was leaving suddenly.

  I would have giggled if the situation was slightly different. Jemmy grew easily bored with guys, and she never clung to or demanded their attention. The fact that she was trying to convince Gavin to stay showed me a lot.

  He looked like he wanted to reach out and touch her, but then he looked around guiltily before he withdrew it. “I’m sorry,” he said softly. “I forgot I told my mom I was going to pick up some cat litter for her on the way home.”

  Even to my ears, the excuse sounded lame.

  “Blake, would you like a ride home?” he asked suddenly.

  I looked up at him and smiled. “Sure, thanks. Thank you for the meal, Drake. You’re an amazing cook.”

  “I can take her home,” Noah stood up quickly.

  I laid a hand on his arm. “It’s okay. Thanks, though.” I tried to sound reassuring.