by L A Cotton
“Thanks.” She cleaned up while I tucked myself back into my jeans. It was sticky and wet, but I wasn’t about to complain.
“Every time I think you can’t surprise me anymore, you do.” I brushed the strands of hair from her face.
“It’s all you, Kaiden. You make me feel alive.”
“No, Lily.” I corrected her, guilt snaking through me, squeezing my heart. “It’s all you.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Lily
We slipped out of the shadows, keeping a safe distance.
I couldn’t stop grinning. When Kaiden had pulled me in between the Scare House and the ticket booth, I’d been consumed with lust. It was so powerful I couldn’t think about anything but touching him. Kissing him. Being with him.
It was bittersweet though, because there was still a dark cloud hanging above us. Tonight changed things.
Not what had just happened between us, but the fact Kaiden was now my dad’s star quarterback. And after our ride on the Ferris Wheel, I didn’t know where his head was at.
“There you are,” Peyton said, as we approached our group. But something was wrong. Her eyes were a little too big and her smile a little too forced. “Look who found us.” She grimaced, side stepping us to reveal Lindsey and Candice.
“I’ve been looking for you.” Lindsey sidled up to Kaiden, lacing her arm through his. “Peyton said you got stuck babysitting Lily while everyone else rode the Bumper Cars.”
“I didn’t get stu—”
“What are you all riding next?” I cut in, not wanting to make a scene. If Lindsey suspected there was anything going on between us, I would never hear the end of it.
She wanted Kaiden, and she would cut down anyone who tried to get in her way.
Including me.
Especially me.
“Kaiden will take me on the Ferris Wheel, won’t you?”
“Actually, we already rode it. Tough luck.” Peyton shot her a saccharine smile.
“So? He can ride it again, can’t you?” She batted her eyelashes at him, making me smother a groan.
She was so obvious, so persistent, when he’d given her no indication he was interested.
“Let’s check out the Scare House,” Bryan suggested instead.
“Yes,” Lindsey grinned. “I’m a sucker for those things. I’ll need you to protect me though.” She pressed herself closer into Kaiden and I lingered behind as they all took off toward the Scare House.
“Fucking bitch,” Peyton hissed. “Don’t you just want to come clean and tell everyone you and Kaiden are together?”
“I don’t know that we are,” I admitted, feeling the weight of the truth press down on me.
When it was just the two of us, I felt confident in the connection we shared. But right now, watching him walk with Lindsey, even though he was only placating her, I didn’t feel so confident.
“But you talked?”
“We… uh, yeah.” My cheeks burned as I remembered exactly what we’d done while our friends were riding the Bumper Cars.
“No freaking way,” she snickered, her eyes dancing with amusement. “Lily Ford, you are so bad.”
“I’ve never felt like this before. Every time he’s close I just want to—”
“Jump his bones?”
She collapsed into a fit of laughter, but I didn’t feel much like laughing. Not while Lindsey was wrapped around Kaiden like a cheap throw.
“Do you want to keep it a secret still?”
“I don’t know.”
“One way or another, it will come out eventually.”
“I know. But Kaiden deserves to be quarterback. He deserves to have the spotlight shine on him. If we come out to my dad,”—if Kaiden even wanted that—“I don’t want to be the reason my dad punishes him on the field.”
“You really think he’d do that?”
“Have you met my dad?” I gave her a pointed look. “Even if he got over it, it would affect their relationship as coach and player. It’s only a few more weeks until the season is over. Maybe we can wait it out and then tell him.”
“That’s a big commitment, Lil. Almost two months of trying to fend off Lindsey’s advances and making sure you don’t get caught.”
“Yeah, but he’s worth it.” I glanced back over at where Kaiden was. He’d finally managed to shake Lindsey, wedging himself in between Gav and Ashleigh. I smiled to myself. Although she played on every insecurity I had about myself, I realized if this was going to work, I had to trust Kaiden.
Deep down, I knew he would never hurt me on purpose.
“Anyway,” I said, needing to give myself a break from overthinking everything. “What about you and Bryan? He likes you.”
“He likes my boobs, babe.”
I smothered a chuckle. “Maybe. But I think it’s more than that. I think he likes you.”
“We’re friends. He makes me laugh, and I know it sounds weird, but I feel like he’ll keep me safe. But I don’t feel anything for him.”
“Does he realize that?”
“I won’t lead him on, Lily.” Her expression sobered. “He’s a good guy, even if he is a little too eager.”
We approached our friends as they lined up for the Scare House.
“Are you coming on, Lily?” Lindsey smirked at me.
“Not this one.”
“You’re not… scared are you?” She snickered into her hand.
“Don’t be such a bitch, Linds,” Aaron gritted out.
“What? I’m just saying, it’s a bit lame that a seventeen-year-old girl is scared of the—”
“You know why.” I pinned her with a dark look, and her eyes grew to saucers.
“And what’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing,” I conceded, surprised I’d even said that.
Thankfully, the attendant called them all forward, and I escaped explaining myself. Kaiden glanced back as he entered the ride. His expression softened, his mouth kicking up at the corner, and I’m sure I saw pride there. Then he disappeared into the black abyss with his friends trailing behind.
“What?” I said to Peyton as she watched me quietly.
“You’re different. I like it.”
“Yeah, well, she’s a bitch.”
“Lily May Ford, you did not just cuss.” She threw her arms around me. “My girl is all grown up.”
“You’re a goofball.”
“But you love me.” Peyton smothered my cheek in cotton candy scented kisses.
“Yeah,” laughter bubbled in my chest. “I do.”
We didn’t stay long after that. A storm blew in bringing with it a heavy downpour that had us running to the parking lot. In the spur of the moment, Peyton had ended up with Bryan and Gav in his car and Kaiden was with me in Ashleigh’s car.
“I guess we’re going across the river.” She grinned at us through the rearview mirror.
“You don’t have to do that,” Kaiden said, digging out his cell. “I’ll call Gav and tell him to circle back for me.”
Rain pelted the car, drowning out the wild beating of my heart.
“It’s still early, we can give you a ride.” Ashleigh winked, and my cheeks flushed.
“Only if you’re sure?”
She turned on the radio, giving us some privacy. It wasn’t like being alone, but it was better than saying good night.
Kaiden had my hand tangled in his, his thigh pressed up against mine. I rested my head on his shoulder and let out a contented sigh. “You’re all wet,” he whispered against my damp hair.
“I can’t believe you came with us.” I peeked up at him.
“I wasn’t ready to say good night.”
“Me neither.”
His cell phone started ringing. He dug it out and hit answer. “Yeah?”
I could just make out Bryan’s gruff voice.
“Yeah, okay… laters.” Kaiden hung up. “Change of plans… Bryan wants to know if we want to hang at his house.”
“Peyton’s goin
g?”
“Yeah.”
“Leigh?” I asked.
“I’m down. Does he have food though because I’m starving? I can’t believe we missed out on getting tacos.”
“We can always order pizza.”
“Hell yes. You’ll need to give me directions.”
“I can do that,” Kaiden said. “Just keep heading toward Riverside and I’ll direct you from there.”
It took us a little under fifteen minutes to arrive at Bryan’s after Ashleigh took a wrong turn.
“Holy crap, he lives in a mansion.”
“Right?” Kaiden smirked. “And the best part? His parents are out of town.” His eyes turned darker as they watched for my reaction.
I gave him a shy smile, my heart beating wildly in my chest.
As we climbed out my cell vibrated, and I retrieved it from my purse.
* * *
Poppy: We’re at Sofia’s. You’ll need a cover story for Mom and Dad.
* * *
Lily: Got it, thanks.
* * *
I opened up a text message and started typing.
* * *
Lily: Hi, Mom. The fair got rained out so we’re going to get something to eat. I’m with Peyton and Ashleigh.
* * *
She texted straight back.
* * *
Mom: Have fun, sweetheart. But please be home before curfew. I don’t want your dad having a heart attack before he’s forty-five.
* * *
“All sorted,” I said, sliding my hand into Kaiden’s. He gave me that heated look again, making my stomach flip.
“Welcome to Casa Hughes,” Bryan greeted us at the door. “Mi casa es su casa.”
“The girls are hungry,” Kaiden said, letting me go first. His hand found the way to the small of my back, guiding me inside.
Anticipation laced with excitement swam in my veins. We wouldn’t have to pretend here.
“Pizza?” Bryan asked walking backward down the hall.
Ashleigh nodded. “You live in a freaking mansion, dude.”
“It’s okay, I guess.”
“Okay? I thought Sofia and Aaron’s place was something else, but this is… wow.” Her eyes were wide with awe.
“I don’t think it’s going to be enough to impress Peyton though. She seems… uptight about being here.” A frown crossed his brows.
“Don’t take it personally. She’s going through some stuff.”
“Yeah,” he ran a hand down his face, “I figured. Anyway, they’re in the home theater.”
“Home theater,” I mouthed to Kaiden and his eyes crinkled with amusement.
We followed Bryan down to the basement, except it wasn’t a basement at all. Mood lighting reflected off the walls, casting a luminous glow around the room. A huge movie screen filled the end wall, a big gray sectional facing it, and another smaller couch behind it. There was an alcove with a bar, complete with stools and a wall full of the finest top shelf liquor.
“Remind me why we haven’t been here before?” Ashleigh said with an impressed smile.
“It’s neat, right? My parents are pretty strict when they’re around. So I only get to put it to good use when they’re not here.”
“I think I could live in here,” Peyton said from her position curled up in the corner of the sectional. She’d pulled a fluffy blanket over her and was snacking on a handful of nuts.
“Are you in the mood for an action or slasher movie?”
“You good with this?” Kaiden wrapped his arms around me from behind and dropped his chin to my shoulder. I covered his hands with my own, letting out a soft sigh.
“Yeah,” I said.
Horror wasn’t my first choice, but I didn’t want to ruin anyone’s fun. Besides, with Kaiden beside me, something told me I wasn’t going to watch much of the movie.
He guided me over to the small couch and we sat down. His arm went around my shoulder and I buried myself into his side.
“Make yourself at home, why don’t you?” Bryan smirked over at us.
“Beer?” he asked Kaiden who nodded. “Lily? There’s sparkling water or soda.”
“Soda is fine, thank you.”
He brought over our drinks and pulled out his cell phone. “I’ll order the pizza. Any preferences or shall I just get whatever toppings?”
“Whatever is fine with me,” Gav said, and the girls agreed.
“You two?”
“I’m easy,” I said.
“Yeah, me too.” Kaiden wasn’t looking at his friend though. His eyes were fixed firmly on my face.
Bryan snorted and walked off.
“Hi.” I turned to him and smiled, blushing under his intense regard.
“Hi.” It came out a rough whisper against the bob of his throat.
The screen whirred to life and Bryan pressed a remote, plunging the room into darkness. My heart did a little flip as I startled, but Kaiden leaned in close. “I got you, Lily.”
The opening credits barely started rolling before he was kissing me.
It started off slow and unhurried, but quickly built into something else as we sat there in the shadows, lost in each other.
“Fuck, Lily,” he breathed against my lips, his voice drowned out by the surround sound system.
“I know,” I inhaled a ragged breath.
“Do you want to get out of here?” he asked, uncertainty flashing in his eyes.
“Y-yeah, okay.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me up, the two of us sneaking out of the room while the others were engrossed in the movie.
The light was harsh on my eyes as we spilled into the hall. “Won’t Bryan care?” I asked.
“Nah, he probably expected us to disappear.”
“Oh.” I lowered my eyes, trying to hide my blush.
“Come on, I want to show you something.” Kaiden led me through the house and into the huge open plan kitchen. It overlooked the Hughes’ yard and Olympic sized swimming pool. There nestled on the edge was a pool house.
“Should we be out here?”
Kaiden kept a firm grip on my hand as we crossed the yard. “It’s fine. I come over here all the time.” He bent down and lifted a small plant pot, plucking a key off the ground. “See.”
I chewed my bottom lip as Kaiden unlocked the door and ushered me inside. The second I stepped foot inside, I realized what he wanted to show me.
“Wow,” I said, staring up at the huge glass dome in the ceiling.
“It’s something else, right?”
“Yeah.” A canvas of stars twinkled down on us. “It’s beautiful.”
“Not as beautiful as you.” He slid his fingers into my belt loops and tugged me forward. “I’ve been thinking about getting you alone again all night.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. But we can go at your pace, okay?”
I pressed my lips together, giving him a small nod.
“Is this okay?” He tilted my face slightly, running his lips over my jaw and down the slope of my neck. A soft moan spilled from me as he licked and sucked and nibbled the skin there.
“It feels so nice,” I said, smothering a whimper as his hands gently squeezed my breasts.
Kaiden knew what he was doing. He knew how to touch me and kiss me and drive me wild. And I loved that. I loved that he could steer things and take me out of my thoughts enough to feel brave. Free.
His fingers deftly undid the zipper on my hoodie and pushed it off my shoulders, letting it fall to the floor.
“I want to feel your skin again,” I said. Running my hands down his chest. Kaiden pulled away, smirking.
“That can be arranged.” He pulled his hoodie and t-shirt off in one smooth motion, gracing me with his perfect body.
My mouth watered as I traced his abs, learning the contours of his body. I could spend hours getting acquainted with all his scars and blemishes, mapping every dip and ridge.
“You’re beautiful,” I said, awed by his physical condition.
; “I don’t think I’ve ever been called beautiful before,” he said, thickly.
“Well, you are.”
His fingers went to the hem of my t-shirt, toying with the material. I nodded, giving him silent permission and he pulled it gently over my head, careful not to untangle my braid.
His eyes lingered on the curve of my boobs, moving down the flat of my stomach and over the flare of my hips. “Fuck,” he hissed.
I took his hand in mine and laid it on my chest, right above the valley of my breasts. “I’m not glass, Kaiden. I won’t break.” I didn’t want him to handle me like some fragile, breakable thing. That wasn’t what I needed from him.
Not taking his eyes off mine, he trailed his finger over the curve of my chest and ran it down my stomach, swirling it around my navel then to my jeans.
I held my breath, waiting for Kaiden to flick open the button, but he didn’t. Instead, his hands slid around my thighs and he picked me up. My legs went around his waist as he carried me over to the bed and laid me down.
“You need to stop, you tell me, okay?”
I nodded, liquid lust swimming in my veins. My heart beat so hard I felt lightheaded. Kaiden stood before me, staring down at me through hooded eyes. His hand went to his jeans, snapping his belt and pushing them down his legs. Once he kicked out of them, he slowly tugged my jeans off my legs. My breath caught as he crawled over me, lowering himself down.
“Okay?” he asked, and I nodded, too overwhelmed at the feel of his weight pressed down on me.
Kaiden ran his nose along mine, kissing me softly while his hand curved around my neck. I whimpered against his lips as he pressed into me, teasing me. We were separated by a layer of material, but I still felt him there, hard and ready. My skin grew hot, my head swimming with jumbled thoughts.
I wanted this.
I wanted him.
But sex changed things.
It would change me.
“What is it?” he asked. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know if I’m ready,” I admitted, my heart crashing beneath my rib cage.
