by Quinn, Vera
“No hobbies really. I work on cars and bikes, but I do it for work and to keep things running. I have my club. That keeps me busy. No hobbies really.” Nothing I didn’t know. Well I guess if I want to know more about him I will just have to ask the hard questions.
“Have you ever been in love? Is there someone you had rather be with and I’m just a runner-up?”, he looks at me strangely and then starts to answer but stops. He puts his fork down and turns back to me and he’s looking at my face but not in my eyes. I know before he ever says anything else that what he is going to tell me is either a lie or a half lie. He loves someone, I can see it, but he’s not going to tell me. He thinks I am a naïve girl and don’t understand wanting something you can’t have. I now have discovered his lie face. Very important to store in my head.
“I loved somebody once, but they were taken away from me. That’s how I know our arrangement is better than love.” He won’t look me in the eye. I would say half- truth. “Stronger and maybe someday it will be love” that is a full out lie. I have learned a very important lesson. Don’t trust Devil. I only wished I could have read Mason this easily. I guess at one time I could but with the distance between us, it somehow didn’t matter. I just wanted to cling to him when he was with me. I always felt like I was lucky to have someone as good as Mason love me, even though I had been tainted since before my birth. The people I came from were bad, therefore I was the poisoned fruit.
“Hey, where did you go? You look a million miles away. Something wrong?” He asks if something is wrong. Well no, you just told me a bold face lie.
“No. Everything is fine. I guess I’m just tired. Been a long few days. My whole life has changed in a matter of forty-eight hours. A little overwhelming.” I can lie with the best of them. I guess mine really isn’t much of a lie. I’m not hungry anymore so I close my food back up, I notice Devil has finished his. “Are you still hungry? I have a lot of mine left if you are. I mean Ty finishes mine sometimes. I’m not trying to be rude or give you my leftovers, but if you want and your still hungry I don’t mind.” How could I ask him that? I am too used to being with my dad and Ty. Even Fe finishes my food sometimes.
“I know what you mean. I have a sister and mom, too. They eat like mice and we share. Most families do. We are going to share a last name soon. If you’re sure you’re not going to finish, I could eat it.” He waits for my answer but I am already handing it to him.
“Wow, our first shared meal and you already finish my plate just like at home.” I smile at him and watch him enjoy the rest of my meal.
“You got quiet after I answered your question earlier, why?” Guess I can’t avoid this answer anymore. If I want him to be honest with me, I guess I have to call him on it. He may not like it but he is asking. He could have let it go.
“Well, you’re probably not going to like what I have to say, but if you want an answer I will give you the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth as they say in court. Be very sure you can handle it.” This is where I look at him closely. I am trying to remember his expression.
He waits for me to begin but I wait for his response. “Are you going to tell me or make me guess?” He is not liking me not just giving it to him. Apparently Devil has no patience.
“Answer first. Can you handle it? Will you give me the honesty you are asking for?” he looks puzzled.
“I can handle whatever you throw at me and I will be honest.” He is getting pissed by my behavior. He’s clenching his jaw and his hairline is creasing and he can’t quite look me in the eye.
“Ok then. You’re getting anxious and you haven’t been entirely truthful with me and we can do this any way you want.” He puts his hand up and starts to interrupt but I stop him. “Just listen for a minute, please. I know when I asked you about loving somebody you did not tell me the truth or maybe it wasn’t the whole truth. I also know when you said this between us may lead to love, it was total bullshit. And yes, I am calling bullshit. Do I need to buy me a bullshit flag so every time you lie to me, and I can tell, I throw it? Never mind, anyway… I’m pretty good at telling when people lie to me. Some anyway. I know I haven’t known you long, but you have some very distinct tell signs. I’m very good at poker and I would say you aren’t. I don’t know why you lied or exactly what it was but you did. All I’m saying is if you don’t want me to lie to you like I did earlie,r then don’t lie to me. If you do, then I will lie to you and there goes a third of what you promised me truth, loyalty and commitment. If I can’t trust you with truth, then why would I trust the other two? You choose if we go forward or you go home. Ok, I’m done. Your turn.” I finally got it all out and I finally get the nerve to look at his face and he has a grin on it. Not what I expected. At least he doesn’t seem too mad, but who can tell with a man?
“I am not used to being called a liar to my face by anyone. Usually by now they would find themselves face down in the dirt. I have underestimated you. Our intel guy did not do you justice. I did not tell you the complete truth, but I didn’t want to have to explain myself and some of it is painful. I don’t tell anyone my personal business. I trust very few people. I don’t know where we will go but I do need to be more honest with you. I will work on that. I want this arrangement to work. I am very attracted to you, but you’re beautiful so who wouldn’t be? You are everything I need in a wife. You know club life, you understand it and you fit in perfectly. I will work on being more honest with you. You are mine now and no one will stop us from being together and it will be in your best interest not to lie to me if you want me share with you.” He looks so confident. I know if I decided not to do this my family would back me, but I agreed and I won’t go back on my word.
“Look Devil, I understand what you’re saying and I know if I wanted out of this I could get out of it. I will go forward, but you have to give me what you promised. Truth is very important to me. Deal breaker actually. Honesty, loyalty, and commitment. The three you promised and then I marry you, if not I walk. So let’s get through this next week and get to know each other. Deal?” I have to have him say it or I won’t believe it. These are all the things I need to feel secure and to find my happiness.
“You drive a hard bargain, but I agree. It’s the only way we will last. I will give you as much honesty as I can. Some things have to do with club business and I can’t share. You should understand that.” He looks relaxed and none of his tell signs are showing so I have no other choice but to trust him because I have nothing to call him on. I don’t know how his club could have anything to do with him loving someone but I will have to accept it for now.
I look at him and he is so sexy and his green[A5] eyes almost hypnotize me. They are so vivid. I feel so drawn to him. What is it about this man that I know very little about? Is it the mystique of it and all? All I know is I have an overwhelming urge to kiss him and it makes no sense to me, at all. I edge closer to him a little at a time. Trying not to seem too forward, but the draw to get closer is calling me. He finishes his food and puts the container on my night stand. I reach over to put the food trays in my trash and he takes my arm and pulls me to him, but I so want to be there.
He takes me in his arms in a comforting way but his touch on my arm is like an electric current flowing through my body. My senses have come alive. His smell makes me want to nuzzle him. It is a soft fragrance of some kind of cologne and body soap mixed with his own essence. It is the most powerful smell I have ever encountered. I feel myself wanting to get closer. He seems surprised by my willingness to stay in his arms and not trying to fight him. I feel completely bewitched by his aroma and his powerful arms and how they make me feel safe.
Then he turns his head, and lowers his mouth to mine. At first it is slow and sweet, but then he runs his tongue over my lips and I open for him and he completely takes over. Our tongues entwine and I feel myself getting wet from just this kiss. He has overtaken me with this powerful kiss. I feel one of his hands run down my back and the other is on my hip and he
is positioning us on the bed so we can lie back.
His hand has run from my hip up and under my shirt and I can feel heat move over my body. My breath and his are coming in short pants and I hear a moan come from me. It shocks me that I have had such a reaction from just a kiss. I grab his hand and pull it from under my shirt. “Ok, I need a breather and we need to slow down.” I try to straighten my shirt down and move away but Devil is having none of it.
“We can take a breather but we aren’t going anywhere. Just calm down. Everything is fine. You said slow down, and I am.” I look at Devil and he looks fine. I’m the one having problems.
“I am going to be sleeping here with you tonight, so just breathe and you will be fine. You already said no sex before marriage, and I respect that. I am just trying to get you used to me, baby. We will be getting used to each other and we can go at your pace. I’ve never forced myself on anyone and I’m not going to start now, so breathe, and relax.”
That’s easy for him to say, he is still breathing normally. The palm of my hands are clammy and my heart is beating ninety to nothing. Mason and I have made out before, but this kiss was so different. I feel guilty and I don’t know why. Mason is the only other guy I have kissed.
I try to calm myself a little and get myself back in check. Devil is looking close in my eyes and it seems like he is looking for all my inner secrets. Secrets I never give away, but it is like he is demanding them with just a look. “Are you better now?” He asks as he puts his hand right under my shirt on my stomach.
At least now I have calmed down I can breathe some. “I’m good. I’ve never been kissed like that before.” He grins and I see the dimple I never noticed before. Devil really is the most handsome man I think I have ever met before. Not telling him that though, his head is big enough.
“Your boyfriend never kissed you like that before? Pity. He missed out on a lot. You’re very good at kissing like that.” I don’t know how to take that. I feel like he is putting Mason down. I don’t like it. The part of me that still loves Mason takes offense, very much so.
“Mason respected me and he was determined we would wait until I was eighteen so we didn’t tempt each other needlessly. My dad would have killed him.” I feel better after I get out what was holding inside.
“And we see how that worked out. He made a fool out of you and used some other woman. Not that I don’t feel for the guy waiting that long, but it only hurt everyone concerned.” Devil is really beginning to piss me off so I sit up and try to put distance between us.
“Are you intentionally being an ass, or do you do it without knowing? I mean really. I have feelings here and you are going to see me turn into a raving idiot if you keep spewing that crap. Just shut the hell up! You know nothing about what you’re talking about so shut it!”
I am beyond livid by now, and the more I talk the madder I get. I am seriously considering throwing him out of my room. I jump straight out of the bed and head for the door. Devil catches my arm and pulls me back towards him and before I know it my instincts kick in and I swipe his legs out from under him when he comes off the bed throwing him off balance. I land on top of him with my hands around his throat. “Don’t ever try to manhandle me. I don’t take kindly to it. If you want me to stop, ask, do not just grab me.” I carefully get up off him and he comes off the floor laughing at me.
“Damn woman, you just keep surprising me. First time that has happened but I won’t forget what you said. Didn’t mean nothing about what I said, just stating facts. You are full of sass and fire. I like it.” He is shaking his head and grinning. He says he likes it but I bet he doesn’t forget it.
Chapter 33
Devil
Damn Callie just took me by surprise and knocked me on my ass and went in for the attack like she did it every day. I know not to turn my back on her. She keeps surprising me with her abilities. She is so beautiful. How this Mason guy kept his hands off her for so long, I do not know.
“Are we ok? I really meant nothing by it and I will watch it from now on. Sore subject. I get it.” I knew when I said it, I would get a reaction, but I didn’t expect how she went off. I liked it. This is going to be a long night. She still hasn’t answered me.
“Ok, different subject. Have you thought about how you’re going to go to school from Oklahoma since you want to go to UT?” I give her somewhere else to put her thoughts for a while.
“I don’t know, everything has happened so fast. I mean forty-eight hours ago I had a completely different future. I guess I can either take a semester off or do online courses. Is there a campus anywhere near where we’ll be? I think a semester off may be the way to go. I have a few weeks before I need to decide. I will call Monday to see what I can find out.” Her mind has shifted and she isn’t all worked up now.
“I will pay for whatever you need. Money isn’t an issue. If I don’t have it, I will make it. Just let me know.” She’s getting that look in her eyes again. She’s going to go off again and I have to say I am really enjoying this.
“When I said you would be paying my way, I meant my living expenses. I have a college fund I have been saving since I was old enough to know what a college fund was. I will pay for my education. I told my dad and Mason the same thing. I am responsible for my own future and I will pay for it. I saved all my summer job money, birthdays, Christmas’, graduation, and all my racing purses. I will pay my own way through college. I may have to work, but I will do it. No arguing the point. I may lose my scholarships if they don’t transfer, but I will do it.” She has a determined look on her face and I know this is something she is set on. Most women I know would take my money and ask for more but not Callie. She is the stubbornest woman I think I have ever met, but for some reason I feel pride in her. She has overcome a lot and knows what she wants and wants to pay for it herself.
“Did dad tell you why he is taking extra precautions with me?” She’s digging for information but in this case Chief has told me nothing. Maybe he is discussing it with dad.
“Chief hasn’t shared anything with me, but I came straight up here. Did something happen?” Now she has me curious. “You know what, they will take care of that for tonight. Why don’t we get ready for bed? We can talk lying down. I have not slept right the last few nights and your bed feels mighty comfortable.”
I pull her over to me and kiss the side of her head and then I pat her on the ass to hurry her along. She starts pulling things out of her dresser, and goes into the bathroom without a word. I could tell she’s still in her head. I turn the lamp on next to the bed and go over and turn the overhead light off. I strip off all my clothes and pull the blankets back on the bed and climb in.
I was right, this bed is comfortable. Much more comfortable than the motel. Just as I am getting settled, the bathroom door opens. Out walks Callie, and I am struck again by her beauty. She has on a pair of panties and a t-shirt. Damn she is every man’s wet dream. Her breasts are perky and more than a handful. Her legs are tanned by the sun, not that fake tan, a sun kissed brown. She has her hair down and brushed out, falling around her face and down her back. I can smell her sweet essence from where she is. I pull the covers back so she can climb in beside me and I can feel myself getting hard. No man could look at her and not. This is going to be one long night.
She climbs in beside me and the first thing I notice is her feet are like ice. It is summer time and Texas but her feet are like a pieces of ice. She quickly puts them on the calves of my legs and she is nestling down next to me. Somehow this seems right. I feel more myself than I have in a long time. She is so small. I bet she doesn’t weigh much over a hundred pounds and she is shorter than most of the women I have been with. It’s then that I realize I am truly attracted to this woman. Not just physically, but I like her. Actually, I think I admire her for her tenacity. I was not expecting this.
“Your feet are freezing. Did you put them under cold water?” I can’t believe this woman trusts me.
“Sorry about my col
d feet. It’s just part of me. Get used to it.” She says matter of factly, and laughs a real laugh.
Callie is real and she puts no fakeness out there. Most women would try to impress me, but not her. I find myself wondering what she will come up with next. I reach up and turn the light out and the room is cloaked in darkness.
“Are you going to break me beyond repair now? I don’t think I can take much more. If you are going to do it, do you think you can do it away from my dad? I can’t let my dad watch me be destroyed. I can take it but not in front of him. Can you give me that?” I can’t believe what just came out of her mouth. She would give herself up just so her dad didn’t have to see. Where did this woman come from?
“Baby, I’m not going to destroy you. I’ll take care of you, I promise. Let me take care of you. Please?” I have a need to keep Callie safe and I want her. I want to make her mine. I will make her mine. I pull her close to me and I know she feels my naked body next to her and she feels how hard I am for her, but I do something I have never done before.
I pull her in close, kiss the top of her head and I hold her in my arms and fall asleep. The most peaceful sleep I have had in months.
