Beautiful Mess

by Preston, Jennifer

  “You could always ask him to go to Stanford with you. I’m pretty sure any school would love to have him. And Cole’s a smart guy.”

  “I couldn’t do that,” Bri sighed. “This is his life, his dream. He should get to go wherever he wants. I can’t ask him to give that up. Plus, our relationship isn’t to that point where we would go off to college together and contemplate a future. I doubt that’s what Cole wants anyway.”

  “I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” Layla raised an eyebrow. “Listen, I’ve known Cole for a long time, and he has a certain history with girls. He’d date someone for a couple of weeks, get bored, and move on. In fact, I was a little worried about you when you two came out. But I knew you were smart enough not to settle for that, so I didn’t say anything and decided to see how things went.”

  “Except when you called and threatened Cole’s manhood if he hurt me,” Bri smiled.

  “Well, yeah! I gotta have my girl’s back!” Layla winked. “But over the past little while I’ve noticed a huge change in Cole. He was always so cocky, and indifferent, and condescending before. Like he was too good for everyone, and nothing ever touched him. But since you two became official, he’s changed. It’s like there was a totally different person hiding beneath the surface, and being with you has finally allowed him to escape. Does that make sense?”

  “Yeah, it makes sense.” Bri was surprised Layla had noticed the change in Cole, too.

  “What I’m trying to say is that he must really like you, and I mean really like you, if he’s willing to drop his whole conceited ass routine and finally be himself.”

  “You think this is the real Cole?” Bri was startled at her friend’s perceptiveness.

  “Yes, I do. He’s happy now. Honestly, legitimately happy. He’s never been like this before, with anyone. I don’t think that kind of happiness happens when you’re pretending to be something you’re not.”

  Bri nodded, never having thought of it that way before.

  “And you are the reason for his happiness. That being said, I think if you asked, there isn’t much that boy wouldn’t do for you.” Layla gave her a pointed look. “So, before you doom your relationship to fail on a technicality, you should at least talk to him about Stanford. Let him make that choice, don’t take it from him. Because deep down, you know that he makes you happy, too, and you don’t want to lose him.”

  “Thanks Layla,” Bri hugged her tight, tears welling up in her eyes. “You are too wise for your own good sometimes!” she laughed. “What about you? Have you decided what you’re doing about college?”

  “Devon’s got a football scholarship at the University of Utah. He’s asked me to go with him.”

  “And... are you?” Layla’s answer was suddenly absurdly important to Bri.

  “I have a couple of applications at some other schools, but yes, I think I’m going to go with him.”

  “Really?” Sadness hit her again as Bri realized she’d be losing her best friend, too.

  “Well, Salt Lake has a strong dance community. And the U has a good dance program. But mostly... I just want to be with Devon. I know that most high school relationships don’t last, but I want to give it a chance.”

  “Wow,” Bri marveled. “I knew you really liked him, but I didn’t know you were getting that serious.”

  “I’m in love with him,” Layla smiled. “And I’m just not willing to give up on that.” She wiped a finger under her eyes. “Okay, enough of this sad, serious talk. We have a dance to get to.” She pulled Bri back in front of the mirror, where they both made their final adjustments. “Look at us, we are seriously hot! And we have some damn sexy boys who are waiting to be dazzled by our fabulousness.”

  Bri laughed and hugged Layla. “Love you, Lay.”

  “Love you, too. Now, let’s go have one hell of a great night!”

  Chapter 24

  Layla’s dad had agreed to let her take his new Maserati Quattroporte for the dance. Bri instantly fell in love with the sleek, black, dangerous looking sedan the minute the engine roared to life. Layla went in to get Devon, and returned a few minutes later with a very handsome boy on her arm. Bri noticed the way Devon’s light gray suit set off Layla’s silver dress, and wondered if they’d planned that.

  They pulled up to Cole’s house, and Bri rang the doorbell, feeling unusually nervous. Cole answered the door and she heard his sharp intake of breath. His eyes started at her face and worked their way down and back up again, slowly taking her in with a hungry smile.

  “Cole, are you going to make Bri stand out there all night, or are you going to invite her in?” Jimmy laughed from inside.

  “Sorry,” Cole ushered her in.

  “Hi, Barracuda,” Jimmy winked. “You look particularly stunning this evening.” He snapped a few pictures. “Have fun, you two!”

  Cole offered her his arm and led her out to the waiting car.

  “You look beautiful,” Cole said, awed. “More than beautiful.”

  “Thanks,” Bri blushed. “You look amazing, too.”

  And he did. Cole wore a pair of dark charcoal slacks with a slightly lighter, fitted, dark gray dress shirt. No jacket, but he wore a royal blue tie, that matched Bri’s dress. His black hair was styled into a super-sexy mess, and his gray eyes were sparkling. He threw her is signature cocky smirk, and helped her into the car. The Maserati growled as Layla pulled onto the street.

  Cole sighed at the sound. “Okay, I am definitely getting one of these someday.”

  “Isn’t that the best sound ever,” Bri agreed, as they prowled their way onto the freeway.

  They met the rest of their group at the fancy steak house they had agreed on. Jess and Ethan, Maddie and Corbin were there, along with a few other girls from the Dance Team and their dates. One of them had brought Nick Jacobs, much to Bri’s surprise. Since they’d gone to Winter Formal together, Bri and Nick had remained friendly.

  “Hi, Bri,” Nick smiled at her. “Nice to see you again.” Nick’s eyes roamed down her dress, and Cole practically growled beside her.

  “Nice to see you, too, Nick,” Cole gave him a pointed look, before leading Bri to the opposite end of the table. Nick apparently got the hint, and his eyes returned to his own date.

  Dinner was delicious and relaxing, as they all talked and laughed. Cole found any excuse he could to touch her, and Bri found it difficult to keep her hands from wandering to him as well. After finishing dessert, the group headed off to the dance.

  Valentine’s Day had been that Thursday, and the theme of the dance was predictably Valentine’s. Pink, red, and white lights twinkled around the gym, and the tables had bowls with floating heart candles in them. Flowers were scattered all throughout the room, making the normally musty gym smell like a garden.

  Since they were coming to the dance, Bri and Cole had decided there wasn’t any need for Valentine’s Day presents. But the dozen red roses that were waiting for her after school that day, prompted her to rush out and put together a basket of Cole’s favorite snacks and things for after his basketball practice.

  As they walked into the gym, a slow song was playing. Bri was surprised when Cole immediately led her out to the dance floor and pulled her in close.

  “I’ve been waiting all night to get you in my arms,” he murmured in her ear. “And now that you’re here, I have no intention of letting you go.”

  A delicious shiver raced through her. “I don’t want to be anywhere else.” She rested her head on his shoulder.

  “Ambria, I...”

  “What?” She lifted her head to look at him.

  Cole gazed at her for a moment, something important on the tip of his tongue. But then he smiled.

  “Nothing. Happy Valentine’s Day.” He leaned down and kissed her tenderly. Bri’s heart, and knees, melted.

  “Do you need to go sit down?” he teased, noticing her sudden imbalance.

  “No, I don’t want to move from this spot all night,” she smiled back at him.


  “Good, because tonight is about you and me, and I plan to fully enjoy you all night.”

  “I plan to enjoy you, too.” She gazed up into his deep gray eyes. She saw those eyes darken before he dropped his head and nuzzled just below her ear lobe.

  “Mmm,” he moaned, “and there is much more of you to enjoy tonight.” Heat flooded Bri’s body as Cole’s lips trailed down her neck and along her shoulder. “Have I told you how much I love it when you wear your hair up?” He sucked on her tattoo, sending tingles rushing through her, not caring in the least that they were in the middle of a crowded gym. And for that moment, Bri didn’t care either. Nothing mattered but Cole, and how he made her feel.

  “Oh, no, I’m sorry,” a voice sneered as Bri felt, rather than saw, someone bump into Cole.

  Cole pulled back to find Serena and Trey dancing beside them.

  “Oh, Cole, it’s you!” Serena smiled brilliantly at him, like she hadn’t just purposely crashed into him. She eyed Bri with total disdain before leaning a little closer to Cole, offering both him and Bri an eyeful of cleavage. “Sorry about the bump. You know what a clumsy dancer Trey is.” She didn’t look sorry at all.

  Trey rolled his eyes, but said nothing. Instead he looked Bri up and down appreciatively. Suppressing a shudder, she turned to Serena, refusing to cower to her.

  “Looks like you two should go find something else to do then, and leave the dancing to those of us who actually know how,” Bri smirked.

  Serena didn’t even acknowledge her, but kept her eyes firmly on Cole.

  “You look good tonight, CJ.” Her eyes devoured him like he was an all you can eat dessert buffet. “Save a dance for me?” She put her hand on Cole’s arm, and Bri about smacked her. Cole stiffened.

  “No, Serena,” he replied firmly, shrugging off her hand. “I’m all Bri’s tonight.” He smiled warmly at Bri.

  Feeling reckless and bold, and wanting so badly to put Serena in her place, Bri wrapped her arms around Cole’s neck.

  “Yes, you are,” she agreed, and kissed him. She didn’t stop kissing him when she heard a hiss, and Serena’s heels clicking away. She kissed him deeper then, because she wanted him to know that this wasn’t about Serena.

  Cole pulled back, breathless.

  “Damn Bri, the way you kiss...,” he shook his head smiling. “If this is what you want to do all night, I am more than happy to oblige.”

  Laughing, Bri dropped her head back to his shoulder.

  As the night progressed, Cole’s closeness, his perfect face, his hard, hot body, his tantalizing scent, all started wreaking havoc with Bri’s hormones. The way he held her, pressed tightly against him, like he was trying to fuse them into one being, caused her heart to pound and her body to flush with heat. Her skin tingled wherever it touched his, and the need to be closer to him was like a physical ache inside her. She could feel an underlying tension in Cole, too, and realized he was struggling just as much as she was.

  Bri’s body and mind battled over what they wanted to do, and what was the responsible thing to do. And for once, her body made the more convincing argument. Gathering her courage, Bri lifted her head and looked into Cole’s eyes.

  “Want to get out of here for a while?” she asked.

  Cole’s eyes darkened hungrily, and he nodded.

  She grabbed his hand and led him out of the gym, stopping only to borrow the keys to Layla’s dad’s car. Layla gave Bri a knowing smile, but didn’t question as she handed Bri the keys. Cole was also silent as he followed her through the parking lot and into the roomy back seat. They sat in awkward silence for a moment.

  “Sorry,” Bri blushed nervously. “I just thought a little privacy would be nice, and this was the first place I thought of.”

  “No, this is nice.” Cole cleared his throat. “It was definitely feeling a little crowded in there.”

  They sat for a minute more, Bri getting more and more nervous, as she wasn’t sure what to do next.

  Cole reached over, cupping her cheek with his hand, and Bri’s eyes immediately found his. He remained motionless, gazing intently into her eyes, and Bri felt her nerves, and self-restraint, slip away. Without a word, she flung herself across the remaining space between them and crushed her mouth to his.

  Shivers of pleasure raced through her, as she parted his lips with her own and her tongue found his. Cole was urgent and demanding, claiming her with his kisses. Yet, at the same time, he remained hesitant, as if waiting for her permission. Not wanting him to hold back, Bri gripped him tightly, pressing him closer, and kissed him with a passion fueled by everything she felt for him. She had every intention of claiming him, too.

  Cole groaned against her, and it nearly undid her. There had always been a powerful attraction between them, but Bri had fought against it, trying to keep it in check, not wanting things to get out of control. But she was tired of fighting. So, she let go. She let go of everything she had been keeping pent up inside her, letting out everything she felt. It was exciting, and liberating, and frightening, and she wanted, needed, more.

  She climbed onto Cole’s lap, straddling his hips, needing to be closer to him. He paused, looking at her with eyes full of heat and desire, and something else, something deeper. He gave her a sexy, hungry grin before devouring her lips again.

  Bri’s skin tingled as Cole’s hands found her knees and slowly made their way up her bare thighs to her hips. He pulled her closer against him, and it was Bri’s turn to moan. She felt him smile against her lips, obviously enjoying the reaction he was getting out of her, and she couldn’t help smiling back. Cole’s hands continued up her sides and around the back of her shoulders, not allowing a millimeter of space between them. Her hands clenched in his silky hair as his lips moved to her ear and down her neck, kissing, sucking, and nipping all the way down to her shoulder. He then moved along her collarbone, stopping for a minute at the hollow of her throat. Her neck arched back as she clutched him to her. He continued across to her other shoulder and up the other side of her neck. He stopped again at her tattoo, before kissing along her jaw line. Heat and desire raced through her, and suddenly it wasn’t enough. She wanted more of him. She wanted all of him.

  She kissed him harder, more hungrily, desperately, wildly than she ever had. She had never felt anything like this before. She was becoming drunk on his kisses, addicted to the heady rush coursing through her. Cole kissed her back just as fiercely, and she was drowning.

  Frustrated by the barriers separating them, Bri grabbed Cole’s shirt and yanked it out of his waistband. He quickly disposed of his tie, as she made quick work of the buttons. Bri felt the zipper on her dress unzip, and the top of her dress fell away. They both sat there a moment, their eyes roving over one another, drinking each other in. Their eyes met again, and Cole seemed to hesitate, as if not sure he should continue. Bri placed her hands on his stomach and let them roam all over his abs and chest, delighting in the feel of him. Her lips and tongue traced the lines of his jaw, his neck, his shoulders. Cole shivered and pulled her to him. Their hands explored one another, as Cole had his way with her mouth. The feel of his skin against hers was intoxicating, and she clutched him tighter, never wanting to be separated from him again.

  Turning slightly, Cole laid Bri down on the seat. His lips left her mouth, exploring her newly exposed skin. When he started kissing along the top of her bra, Bri thought she was going to melt right there. Her hands roamed over his back, neck, and hair as she enjoyed Cole enjoying her. This was how it was meant to be, how it would always be between them. Why had she ever tried to fight this?

  Suddenly, an image of Cole boarding a plane and leaving her behind flashed through her mind. Reality came crashing down on her. That was why she had fought this, because she and Cole wouldn’t always be together. He was moving across the country in a couple months, and who knew if she would even see him again after that. As much as she wanted Cole right now, she didn’t want to share something so special and intimate with him, and then have t
o say goodbye, for good. She didn’t think she could bear that.

  “Cole,” she whispered sadly. “Cole, wait.”

  Cole paused, lifting his eyes to her, frozen.

  “Okay,” he replied warily, his breathing heavy. “I’m waiting...”

  “Cole, I’m sorry... but I can’t...” She wanted to explain, but couldn’t seem to find the words.

  He let out a huge breath, disappointment, and something like fear, clouding his eyes. That look on his faced crushed her. Cole dropped his eyes and sat up. He ran his hands through his hair before dropping his head into his hands.

  “Cole?” Bri asked worriedly as she sat up, pulling her dress back up.

  “Just... just give me a minute,” he replied tightly. Bri watched him as he took a couple deep breaths.

  “I’m so sorry...” Sadness, disappointment, and guilt threatened to overwhelm her.

  “No, it’s cool. You don’t want this. I get it,” he sighed dejectedly, lifting his head but still not looking at her.

  “Are you serious?” her voice rose, incredulous. “I want you so badly right now, I can barely think straight. I don’t think I’ve wanted anything more in my entire life than I want you!”

  Cole glanced up at her, a little more hope in his eyes. “Really?”

  “Yes, really!” She scooted closer to him. “But, I have to be honest with you, too. As much as I want this, and much as I want you... I can’t. I’m not ready. As much as I hate to admit that, and as lame as I know it sounds, it’s the truth. There is so much uncertainty in our futures right now. This is a step I’m just not ready to take tonight. I don’t want to add more complications to an already complicated situation. Do you understand?” she pleaded desperately. She thought of Layla’s suggestion to ask him to come to Stanford with her, but she wasn’t ready for that complication either.

  Cole looked at her for a moment.

  “Yes,” he sighed, “I understand.”

  “Are you mad at me?” she asked, worried.

  “What? No, of course not!” he grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “Extremely disappointed, yes, but not mad. Though, you’d better do something about that dress before I lose what little self-control I have left,” he smiled.