The Perfect Distraction (Volume 1)

by Melissa Rolka

  “Come on, let’s go talk to them,” Quinn says in her bubbly voice.

  “First I need another shot.”

  “Ok, let’s stop at the bar first then!”

  As we get up Kelly makes her way over to my chair to sit next to Derek. We are all such good friends, but at points I can tell that Derek hopes things might change for us to be more than friends. I’ve never noticed before today, but I am pretty sure Kelly likes Derek. I wonder if he’s even noticed. They get along great and would be really good together. I think I’ll have to open Derek’s eyes to this and ask Kelly.

  Quinn and I grab another shot of tequila at the bar. I look at Quinn and giggle. This is the most I have drunk in a really long time. I feel a little lightheaded, but overly happy. I look back towards Reed and all thoughts of Kyle Ross are slipping from my mind. Another good distraction – alcohol and Reed. Quinn reaches into my purse and pulls out my lip gloss and gives me a touch up. I feel confident and brave as we link arms and make our way over to the pool table with Reed and Matt.

  I don’t even care that there are now three different girls talking to Reed. I sneak up behind him and tap him on the shoulder. He turns around and the look of shock and surprise on his face causes me to start giggling. He turns completely around with his back to the other three girls and gives me a smile that touches his blue eyes. His squared jaw highlights his smile perfectly. In this instant of a moment I decide I want to kiss Reed even if it’s just for fun and to forget.

  “You’re kidding me. Wow! I can’t believe you came here.”

  “I told you we would. You didn’t think I would do it, did you?”

  “Honestly, no, but I was hoping. I never see you out on the weekends anymore, so this is a great surprise.”

  We stand there for a minute and then he orders me a beer. I take it, but nurse it. I’ve had a bit much already and don’t want the spins. He asks me and Quinn to play a game of pool with him and Matt. Matt wants to play girls against guys, but Reed says no way that he wants me on his team. I warn him that I am not that good, but alcohol may help my case.

  We play the game and I actually do pretty well. Reed touches me every chance he gets and is very flirty. It’s my turn and I have to bend over to make a shot, but to be honest I forget that I have a dress on.

  “Shit, Katherine,” he lets out in a bit of gruff tone and walks up behind me to cover me.

  I laugh at him. “Oops, I forgot about my dress.”

  “You look good enough as it is and now with a dress on. Jesus, I don’t need to get in a fight.” He is still pressed behind me as I continue to make my shot. I miss completely because to be honest I’m completely distracted.

  “I doubt anyone noticed, but thanks for protecting me.” He steps back and I turn around. I decide to be bold and kiss his cheek.

  “Trust me, you were noticed.” He moves a piece of hair from my face and the touch sends a chill through me. “God, you are so beautiful.”

  I bite down on the bottom corner of my lip and suddenly feel a little shy. I tell him I’ll be right back that I am going to go to the bathroom and to get a glass of water. Before I head to the restroom, I stop back at the table to see if any of the girls have to go. Maggie and Kelly follow along with me. As we wait in line my thoughts have lost some of their filter.

  “Kel, you like Derek, don’t you?” I let out a little hiccup and smile at her.

  “What, why?” Her eyes are wide with amusement.

  Maggie shoves her in her side, “Oh please just tell her. She won’t care.”

  “Fine. Yes I do. But don’t be mad at me please.” She keeps her composure just like always.

  I grab her for a hug and tell her, “No way, you guys would be great together!”

  “Yea, but I think he still likes you.”

  “He just doesn’t know that you like him, silly! I’m going to tell him to put the moves on you.” I’m slurring slightly, but no spins.

  Kelly and Maggie laugh and tell me that I will do no such thing. I tell them that I want to kiss Reed and they encourage me. Yep, my filter is out the window at this point.

  “Mags, I want another shot!” She laughs at me.

  “Sweetie, you need to stick to water.” I give her a frown and separate from her and Kelly. I make my way on my over to the bar careful not to lose my balance.

  I’m standing there waiting to order my water when I feel two hands grab my hips. Instantly, I think its Reed or I’m hoping it is, but when I turn around its some guy that I don’t even know. There is nowhere for me to back up so I move his hands off me. He laughs and moves to my side. His hair is brown and buzz cut. His teeth are crooked, but I can tell he thinks he is good looking.

  “I don’t think I’ve seen you here before. I saw you playing pool… nice dress,” he slurs.

  “Nope, first time.” I try to appear disinterested and cringe because Reed was right about others noticing me bending over. Crap.

  “Where’s your boyfriend?” He asks with his eyes ogling my chest in a much too obvious way. Eeek.

  “Not here.” Instead of saying that I don’t have one, I elude that I might.

  “Well, let me get you a beer.” I’m staring straight ahead at the bar, but can see his hand make its way over to my bare arm. I start to cringe and before I can say no thanks I hear a familiar deep voice interrupt.

  “She’s all set, I’ve got it.” Reed glares at buzz cut. I would not normally picture Reed as the fighting type, but his nostrils did flare a little and it gave him an edge I had not noticed before. His eyes darken as he continues to glare. Reed is fit and muscular with his t-shirt pulling across his biceps. I decide I should interrupt this staring contest.

  “Thanks Reed, can you get me a water? I’m going to head over to Quinn.” I smile sweetly at him and his glare softens with the crystal blue returning.

  Reed moves to the side to let me through and drags his hand along my lower back. Once I get over to the pool table by Matt and Quinn I let out a breath. Quinn asks what happened and I tell her that I think Reed just saved me from some creep. Some girls approach Matt and Quinn instantly makes her way back over to his side. Within seconds the girls disperse. Reed returns and we make our way over to the table with the others. Derek and Kelly are sitting close and laughing looking at each other happily. Derek peeks over at me and I just beam at him to try to show him my approval. They really would make a great couple… unlike Kyle and me. My face must show my worry because Reed reaches over and grabs my free hand and asks if Kyle will be here tonight. I tell him that I haven’t talked to him, but he has left messages and texted me that he will be here tomorrow. He asks if I want to talk about it. Part of me does want to open up to Reed, but not tonight. Tonight I want to be carefree.

  The night goes on with lots of drinks, karaoke and Reed by my side the whole night. As a large group of us flock out at closing time of McGee’s, I decide to be bold and grab Reed’s hand very aware the affects the alcohol is having on me. We are pushed with the rest of the crowd into the middle of the street. As I turn to face him, I lose my balance and land closer than I was expecting. He moves his hands to my shoulders to steady me. I open my mouth to speak, but he slowly raises his finger to my mouth to silence me. He whispers, “Shhh, Katherine.”

  I can’t help a small sigh from escaping me as he says my full name. I look into his blue eyes that are darkening the closer he moves to my face. My heart is racing and suddenly my breathing is fast, which I am hoping that he doesn’t notice. I think that he may kiss me because I am not sure how long we have been in this stance, but it feels longer than it should be.

  Suddenly, Mags grabs my hips and pulls me away singing “Sweet Caroline” forgetting we are not doing Karaoke any longer. I begin to laugh at her as she starts hiccupping through the song. I turn back to see what Reed is doing and notice he has wandered back over to the sidewalk talking to Matt and some girls. Quinn and I look at each other with the same look in our eyes. Maggie notices my disappointed loo
k and says, “Kate, trust me he is noticing you, but let him make the next move, hunny.” She hiccups again.

  “Where are Lynn, Kel and Jen?” I search around the crowded street.

  “They are headed back with Derek. You ready to head over there?” Brandon is smoking a cigarette waiting for Maggie.

  “Sure, I guess.” It’s hard to hide the disappointment out of my voice. I look at Quinn and ask, “Are you going back to the dorms?”

  “Not if I can help it, girlfriend.” She gives me a wink and slinks over to Matt. She could care a less about the girls surrounding him and Reed. Good for her.

  “Come on silly girl. There will be plenty of more nights for you to have your first kiss with Reed now that you are out of your shell again.” I give her one of my full teeth showing smiles and she wraps her arm around my shoulders. I force myself not to turn around to see if Reed is looking. Brandon walks in between us as we head in the direction of the dorms.

  “Lucky me, leaving with the two most beautiful girls at the bar tonight.”

  “Damn straight, baby,” Maggie says.

  Chapter 19

  We are rounding the corner when we hear someone yelling, “Hey wait up.” We turn around to see Reed in a mad dash towards us. As he gets closer, Maggie and Brandon start to walk forward leaving space between us.

  “Shit, I can’t run like that when I’m drinking.” I laugh at him. “Weren’t you going to say goodbye.”

  “You looked occupied.” I’m really not trying to sound jealous, but I’m sure it’s coming off that way.

  He looks perplexed by this and gives me a look that could make almost any girl drop their panties… including me. God, the urge I have to kiss him is so intense. I look away to avoid his eyes and see that Maggie and Brandon are far ahead now.

  “Come on, I’ll walk you back. You drank too much to walk by yourself now. Plus I haven’t been in a dorm for years.” How can I refuse?

  We ride the elevator up to the 9th floor of my dormitory hall in silence. We have had no contact since the bar closed. As I fumble with my keys, I suddenly feel insecure, probably because my drunken haze is ending. I am sobering up, but I still want to kiss him. My boldness is gone now though. We walk into my dorm room and Reed shuts the door behind him. Maggie must be down at Brandon’s room. It is almost completely dark except for the night light that is on the opposite wall of the door between our beds.

  I slowly turn around and Reed reaches out and pulls me towards him. I look to see his eyes, but it is too dark for me to make out the blueness of them. I am against his chest and he spins us around and pushes me back against the door. Before I can register what is happening and process my shock his lips hover just before mine. My breath hitches and I open my mouth. Again, he brings a finger up to silence me and says, “Shh, Katherine”.

  Then slowly he slides his hands down from my shoulders and arms to my wrists, all the while slipping off my cardigan. He grabs each wrist and pulls my arms by my wrists above my head. Then he presses his lips to mine slowly. He begins to move our mouths together and inserts his tongue. It’s a slow dance of our tongues and it’s intoxicating. I have never been kissed like this, but I know I like it. The feeling of butterflies in my belly is overwhelming. I can feel a rush of warmth moving through my body. I try to move my hands to run them through his wavy dark hair and am instantly stopped by his right hand gripping my wrists tighter that are still above my head. His hips push into mine against the door and his left hand is tangled in my hair at the back of my head. He is kissing me so passionately as if I’m the only girl he might ever kiss again. My head is spinning at the realization that I am kissing Reed Harper.

  With only my spaghetti straps from my sundress on my shoulders I am unsure if the goose bumps are from a chill in the air or the fact that I am turned on beyond anything I have ever experienced sexually before. The kiss becomes more tantalizing and then in an instant he stops his seductive assault on my lips. He is breathing heavy with his forehead pinned against mine. I know I am needy as I say a silent little prayer that this not be over yet. I don’t try to speak because I am unsure as what to say. Reed moves his mouth closer to my left ear and whispers “Turn around for me, Katherine.”

  Unsure of what is about to happen, I exhale a breath I had been holding and I slowly start to turn. Reed guides me around with his left hand. His right hand only slightly loosens his grip on my wrists above my head to allow me to turn so that I am pressed face-forward against the door. He moves my long hair away from my ear and whispers, “You really are so beautiful… Now relax, Kate.” For some reason these words may be my undoing.

  His left hand moves slowly up my left arm to where his right is holding my wrists and he switches hold. Now with his right hand he moves down the length of my right arm to my hip. He begins to pull up the hem on my short sundress and moves his hand under and over my right hip. I am relieved that I did not wear my traditional comfortable cotton bikini style underwear and wore my silky boy shorts that are lace trimmed.

  My nerves are unsettling because in my mind steps are being skipped. He has yet to touch a breast and I don’t know that I would even allow that considering this is not even a date. Yet here his hand rests under my dress over my underwear and on my hip. I hear him breathing and know that he is turned on as well because I can feel his hardness against my backside.

  In barely a whisper I say all breathy, “Reed… I, I”

  I am then cut off by his husky voice as he says, “I know I shouldn’t be here like this, but I can’t help myself. God, you shouldn’t be allowing me to get so close to you Kate.”

  “Why?” Before I allow him to answer I make a decision. “I don’t care, I want this Reed.” The low sound that he makes from the bottom of his throat has me squirming for contact.

  His hand then moves to my backside and slowly slips under my underwear. Then in a more stern voice he says, “Katherine, spread your legs a little.” It sounds sexy as hell with the slightest command in his tone.

  For some reason I find myself anxious or maybe it’s excitement. I do as I am told. His long fingers begin to move to the front of me still under my underwear. He gently and unhurriedly descends down to my core. Once he realizes that I am wet with excitement a low growl sound and a curse is released from him. Part of me feels that I should be embarrassed, but I am not. His fingers are soft and tender as they stroke hitting nerves I never knew existed. I feel a hot flush building throughout my body and he moves his thumb up in a circular motion around the most sensitive area on body. He kisses my neck and shoulder gingerly. His tongue flicks lightly up my neck to a spot behind my ear. It doesn’t take long until I am practically begging for the release my body is working up towards. With another light stroke and flick of his tongue all of my tension is released into waves of pleasure. My body goes limp.

  Reed presses against me and his head falls into the crook of my neck. My legs are trembling and then the grip on my wrists is released. His hands move to each side of me as if he is going to do a push up. He whispers, “Beautiful… You have no idea. Seeing you like this, this is something I’ve wanted for so long.” He takes a deep breath and says, “I have to go now.”

  I slowly turn around trying to process what all has happened and that he is now ready to leave. I straighten up and turn around to face dark eyes and a set jaw. I scramble for words around in my head and say, “I don’t want you to go.” Knowing I have failed in trying not to sound desperate and needy.

  “I can’t.” He moves towards me and places a light kiss on my temple and continues to move his hand around my waist towards the door knob. Before I can react I am moved to the side and the door is opened. And just like that I am alone. I’ve definitely been distracted more than I ever have before.

  Chapter 20

  The next morning I wake in a ball on top of my comforter, still in my dress, to Quinn sneaking in my room. I open my eyes to slits and see Maggie’s empty bed. I then look at the clock and it is after ten. This
is a rarity for me. I never usually sleep past nine even if I drink. It is even rarer for Quinn to be up this early after drinking. She usually doesn’t rise until after noon if she is out the night before. I start to pull myself up to sit up against my pillow against the wall and Quinn sits at the end of the bed.

  “Did Reed stay with you?”

  “No.” I rub my eyes to get the sleep off and realize I probably have mascara under my eyes from crying. My eyes feel swollen and puffy.

  “You know I don’t like him like that anymore, right? I mean don’t get me wrong he’s gorgeous, but … He asks about you all the time and to be honest, I haven’t seen him with anyone in a while. What happened? How did he end up here?” Wow, that’s an earful for someone just waking up. She lays her head so it reaches my knees and her short legs extend slightly off the bed.

  “I’m not ready to talk about it to be honest. So, you like Matt right? Did you go back to their place?” I really love Quinn. She can be a bit much at times, but she has definitely changed since we first met and lived together. Me not opening up to her has nothing to do with her. It’s just hard and the ache I feel in my heart right now is killing me. I just need to process everything still.

  “Yes I like him. He’s really fun and sweet to me. Do you think he’s cute?” She asks.

  “That is great and yes, he’s super cute. What happened after McGee’s?”

  “Actually he walked me back here and came up … and we just talked. Can you believe that! He didn’t try anything on me until he was ready to leave. Then he just kissed me sweetly. Lynn stayed in Jenna and Kelly’s room so he didn’t leave until just a bit ago actually. I think I really like him, Kate.”

  I’m quiet and I can’t lie that I’m not envious of how her night turned out. The memories of Reed’s visit here last night come flooding in and I push back a sob. Quinn doesn’t notice. I don’t want to explain the details of last night. I reach over to turn my cell phone on and see that I have several missed calls and texts from Kyle. Shit, he’s still coming today.