by Shelly Bell
My eyes wandered to her tits when she leaned forward to write something. Her cleavage showed the slightest bit due to the overly loose shirt she wore, and my cock twitched. She crossed her arms over her chest, letting me know she’d caught me, and I noticed the Superman logo on her T-shirt.
I attempted to conceal my grin when I saw her flushed face. “Superman, huh?”
“What?” She looked down at her shirt. “Oh, yeah. The ultimate superhero.”
“He’s cool, but not as cool as Batman.”
“How do you figure?” She narrowed her big brown eyes at me.
“Superman is an alien, that’s why he has super strength and power. Batman is a regular guy, but with really cool toys.”
“I never really thought about it that way.”
“See, Supergirl, I bet I won’t be the only one learning something during our daily sessions.”
“I doubt it.” She rolled her eyes.
“Is that a bet?” I flashed her my best cocky grin.
“Yeah, I guess so.”
Her stomach growled, and she covered her face in embarrassment.
“Hungry?” I laughed.
“Actually, I haven’t eaten all day.”
“Come on . . . let’s get a bite to eat. I’m starving, too. I didn’t get a chance to eat after this evening’s practice.”
“Um, I was going to get some homework done after this.” Her stomach growled again.
“I think your stomach has something else on its mind.” I laughed.
She patted her belly. “Yeah, I guess so. Okay, I can spare an hour.”
Chapter 11
Cat
The walk toward Billy’s Blues and BBQ was dreadful. The icy evening air settled in my bones, and I quivered. Blake stayed close to me. He teased me about my teeth chattering, but then wrapped his scarf around my neck. Even though I was wearing a fluffy scarf of my own, it helped shield some of the awful wind that blew in my face. I breathed into the soft wool. It smelled like him, that male, fresh-out-of-the-shower scent, with a hint of spicy aftershave. As his scent washed over me, it heated me from the inside. I lost my balance as my foot slid on some ice, and I prepared to meet the ground, but he steadied me before I fell.
“Watch your step, Supergirl.” His hand held mine a little longer than needed. “Your hands are freezing, where are your gloves?” He took both my hands in his and blew warm air into our joined embrace.
“Lost, I think.” I was mesmerized by his penetrating stare. Something about the way he looked at me made me forget the walls I had built up. My stomach did that flip-floppy thing it did around him, and my heart pounded rapidly in my ears. I felt a little light-headed.
He squeezed my hands between his and a tremor moved through my spine. I was sure it wasn’t from the callous weather. “It’s too cold for that, Supergirl.”
“I know. I’ll get another pair.” I withdrew my hands from his and walked toward the glowing blue lights of the bar.
Blake returned to my side and we walked the rest of the way in silence.
Relief poured over me when the warmth of the cramped bar greeted me. It was the only bar in town, and it was completely packed all the time. Hazel, the bar manager, helped Blake get a table. I was always intimidated by her long black hair with the pure white streak in it, and wondered if I would ever have enough guts to do something that bold to my own hair.
Tiffany, a blue-eyed, blonde beauty with a strong southern accent came to take our orders—a beer for Blake and a soda for me. I wasn’t drinking around Blake again. As we waited for our drinks, I sat quietly trying really hard not to touch Blake’s leg with mine under the table, but his leg seemed to graze mine every few minutes, making my heart skip a beat each time.
When Tiffany came back to take our orders, I asked for chicken tenders and fries, but of course, when Blake placed his order, he was rude. “I’ll have a burger with everything and fries. And tell Mitch the food had better be good because the lady is hungry.”
I gave him a dirty look and told Tiffany not to listen to him.
She laughed. “Honey, no worries, those boys are roommates, and the banter between them is never-ending.”
Okay, so he was joking. I really couldn’t tell when he was serious.
I looked over at Blake as he nodded in agreement. “You should hear some of the things Mitch says to me. He takes himself too seriously, and I just try to add some levity to his sullen nature.”
Chapter 12
Blake
The girl at the worn piano played a blues number, and I caught Cat swaying lightly to the melody.
“You like blues?” I asked her.
“Yeah, my dad used to play it around the house and dance with my mom.”
“You have a close family?” I was curious since other than my sister, my family and I didn’t get along at all.
“Yeah, it’s just us, The Three Musketeers. That’s what my mom would call us when I was a kid.”
“The two most unlikely people to be seen together . . . how did this happen?” Chase asked, interrupting us.
Chase’s voice was like nails on a chalkboard. He was the last person I wanted to see tonight. His appearance reminded me of our bet and the ticking clock. Besides, with the way he ran his mouth, Cat might find out about the bet.
“Buzz off, Chase.” I glared at him.
He lifted his hands in the air. “I can tell when I’m not wanted.” He laughed, but the way he drank in Cat made me ball up my fists.
She just glared at him, and I could tell she despised him. “Why do you hang out with him?” she asked the moment Chase walked way.
“He’s on the team, which makes him family. You can’t choose your family, right?” I shrugged.
“Yeah, I guess so.”
“Want to play a game of darts until the food comes?”
She looked around uneasily. “Okay, but I’m not very good.”
“Good, something you’re not perfect at.” I winked.
She glared those pretty brown eyes at me. “I’m far from perfect, Blake.”
“I think you just don’t see yourself clearly.” I smiled and reached for her hand.
She bit her sexy lower lip and placed her trembling hand in mine as she stood. Her body was so close, her flowerily scent swept over me. “No, I think you need glasses.”
“I’m wearing contacts.”
“Then you need a new prescription.” She tapped my shoulder with her fingertip and maneuvered around me towards the dart board near the backdoor entrance. I followed like a lovesick puppy. Fuck. I’m turning into a pussy.
Chapter 13
Cat
Blake refused to let me walk back to my dorm on my own when we left the bar. My one hour dinner had turned into three hours alone with Blake. He walked really close to me, and I enjoyed the warmth of his body shielding some of the gruesome wind. He insisted I wear his scarf again, and his scent made my insides warm. When we reached my door, I stood one step above him so we were at eye level. I took off his scarf and wrapped it around his neck.
“You can keep it.” he insisted, placing his hand over mine.
“Thank you, but you have a long walk yourself.”
“No, it’s not that far.”
“Aren’t you at the frat house?”
“Nope, I have a condo right down the street with Mitch and two other roommates.”
“Oh.” I stared down at his chest, too embarrassed to look him in the eyes.
He lifted my chin with his finger and his stare burned into mine. My heart pounded in my ears. He was so close I could smell the mixture of beer and mint on his breath, and the sensation of the warm air of his mouth on my chin made my stomach do that flip-flop thing again.
“Are we ever going to talk about the night of the party?” His question took me by surprise. I’d been hoping he wouldn’t bring it up.
“No.”
“Was I that bad of a kisser?” he whispered.
“No . . . it was a mist
ake, Blake, and since I’m your tutor now, it can never happen again.”
“So you liked kissing me?” He was so close I couldn’t think straight.
“Yes . . . I mean . . . Blake, please, can we forget about that night?” Heat flushed my face.
“Anything you want, Supergirl.” He leaned in and kissed my cheek. “Goodnight.”
“Night,” I managed to mumble. My legs wobbled toward the door and I looked back to see him still there, waiting for me to be safely inside. I gave him a small wave and closed the door behind me. I leaned against the door and attempted to catch my breath. There was some serious chemistry between us, and even with my inexperience, I sensed it. And it scared the hell out of me.
How could I describe the notorious Blake Holland? He was definitely a jerk at first sight. He could be so cocky sometimes, I just wanted to punch him. He was charming as all hell and I could totally see where he’d earned the nickname “sweet-talking panty-dropper.” But then there were moments when I saw the real him, the guy just trying to live up to his family name. That had to be hard.
I unlocked the door of my dorm room, half expecting Isabella to be out, but instead she was on the bed with a pile of papers scattered around her. “Hey, Cat. I’m surprised to see you out so late.” She undid the ponytail the held her fiery mane and it tumbled down around her shoulders.
“I wasn’t supposed to be out this late.” I started changing into my PJs the moment I dropped my crossbody bag on my desk chair.
“Where were you?”
“Billy’s.”
She flipped through her notebook and laughed. “Yeah, put a few beers in Kevin and it’s impossible to get him to leave.”
“I wasn’t with Kevin.”
She dropped her notebook on the bed and stared at me with her big green eyes. “Really? Then who were you with?”
“You might not believe me. I still don’t believe it.” I turned down my bed and climbed in.
“Try me.”
“I was with Blake Holland.”
“What? I thought after the party you were going to avoid him.”
“Well, I’m his tutor now.”
“What? Dish, girl. From the beginning.”
I broke into the story from when Dean Lancaster had come to see me at the library, all the way until we’d reached the steps to the dormitory. Even after I repeated the day’s events, it still seemed surreal. I was yearning for him to kiss me. I ached for it. I covered my face with both my hands.
Isabella laughed. “It’s okay to like a guy.”
“That’s the thing, I don’t know if I like him. I’m just really attracted to him.”
“Does he make you laugh?”
I pondered that question. “Yes.”
“Does he make you angry?”
I laughed. Yes.”
“Did you get bored with him at any time today?”
“No.”
“Yay! You like him.” She clapped. “But be careful, he didn’t get the nickname ‘sweet-talking panty-dropper Holland’ for nothing.” She surveyed me with her hands on her hips. “Actually, it might do you some good if he got you to drop your virgin panties.”
“Shut up!” I giggled and covered my face. “Not going to happen. I’m his tutor, and that’s it.”
“If you say so.” Sarcasm laced her words.
I groaned and rolled over in my bed. I wasn’t in the mood for anything else from her. I couldn’t tell her the real reason I had to keep my distance. She only knew a little about my episodes, and she’d just tell me I was just being silly.
My cell phone vibrated on the nightstand. I was sure it was Kevin’s interrogation of my evening with Blake, since he’d seen us leaving the library. I grabbed the phone off the nightstand to text him that I would fill him tomorrow, but it was Blake’s name on the screen.
I nearly choked on my spit when I read his name. My heart pounded so hard, I could hear it in my ears. I quickly unlocked the screen as my hand trembled.
Are you asleep?
I pondered the text, not responding. If I started answering his messages, I would be opening the door to other things I wasn’t sure I was ready for. But what if he just had a homework question? I mean, I’d had dinner with the guy, I could at least answer his text message. I chewed on the inside of my mouth as I typed a response and stared at it for a few seconds.
If I was, I’m not anymore.
Closing my eyes, I hit ‘send’ on the touch screen. I held my breath for a response, but I didn’t have to wait long before he replied.
This is progress...you finally responded to a text.
I wasn’t sure what he meant, so I quickly returned a reply.
Progress for what?
Within seconds, my phone vibrated again.
I’m becoming a friend.
I attempted to muffle my laugh so Isabella wouldn’t hear me. Blake Holland had mad game, but I refused to let him make me another notch in his belt. I bit down on my lower lip.
Nope, still a classmate.
A sad face buzzed in first and another message quickly followed.
You’re so mean.
I could feel the sneaky grin on my face as I typed, Yup and hit ‘send.’
I held my breath and waited. This time he didn’t respond. I wondered if he had given up and decided I wasn’t worth the effort. A wave of sadness knocked me in the gut. Even though I knew in my heart it wouldn’t work if he knew how bad my condition could be, I couldn’t help the sting of loneliness that haunted me. The more time that passed without a response, the sadder I felt. When my phone finally vibrated, I leaped to check my messages and my fingers trembled as I unlocked the screen.
Mean girls turn me on.
Relief washed over me. He was still interested. Even though I knew it was unrealistic to think I could have a relationship with someone at this point in my life, it was nice to be wanted by a guy like Blake. Not that I would ever share that with anyone, not even Kevin. He was the one who insisted I go out and enjoy life. He didn’t think my condition could affect my relationships, but he hadn’t been with me in high school. He hadn’t been there when Michael Jacobs told the whole school what happened to me during an attack. He didn’t know the horrible names the high school kids called me. It was better to keep everything friendly and professional. I was Blake’s tutor. I was returning his text messages just to stop him . . . or at least, that was what I told myself.
I typed: Goodnight, Blake and hit ‘send.’
When his text message came in, I could imagine his carefree laugh.
See you tomorrow, Supergirl.
I placed the phone on the nightstand and closed my eyes. Blake’s green eyes haunted me until the world faded and I fell asleep.
Chapter 14
Blake
Day ten of the bet. Five days had been spent chasing Cat and the other five days were spent shooting some mad game at the queen of hard-to-get. But I was finally winning her over. Which was good because I only had four more days until Devil’s Night, only four more days to sleep with her or lose the bet to that asshole, Chase. A sting of guilt jarred my chest. I was actually enjoying spending time with her smart-mouthed, fiery-tempered, but so fucking sexy ass. Damn, but her ass was sexy. She attempted to hide her frame under loose-fitted shirts, scarfs and all sorts of other things, but I could see the outline of a very firm ass and curvy hips, perky tits and a flat stomach. Just thinking about them got my cock hard.
She’d scheduled us to meet every night at the library after her shift ended at seven. I got there early sometimes just to watch her climb up the ladder and put away books. The view of her ass was always perfect from my seat. She’d caught me looking a few times and I’d just smirked. She would roll her eyes and continue working. I few times I caught her blushing and even smiling, but she tried to hide it with her spunky temperament.
It was a quarter to seven and I was sitting at our usual table waiting for her. She greeted me with a smile when she saw me, and my damn hea
rt skipped a beat. It happened around her when I least expected it. I was betting it had to do with her playing hard to get, since most girls normally didn’t. They just fell in to my arms . . . or my bed.
“I’m impressed, you’ve been early all week.”
“I’m just showing my enthusiasm for my schoolwork.”
“You make me proud.” She laughed. “I have something for you.” She handed me a black gift bag with sliver tissue stuffed in it. I was shocked. This was the first time anyone had bought me anything besides my family. Most girls expected me to spend money on them, not the other way around. Her thoughtfulness touched me.
“Open it!” she urged.
I could feel myself grinning from ear to ear as I lifted the tissue paper and found the superhero figurines inside—Batman, Superman, Spiderman, and Thor. “These are awesome, but, Cat, you didn’t have to get me anything.”
She waved her hands in the air. “It was to say thank you for a weeks’ worth of dinners. And besides, they reminded me of you.” She laughed.
“I remind you of a superhero?”
“Yeah, especially the Man of Steel part.” She winked. If I hadn’t known better, I would’ve thought she was hitting on me. The black Fitbit must have vibrated on her wrist because her expression sullied as she looked down and silenced it. It hadn’t been the first time it had gone off around me this week, and every time, she’d gotten this deer in the headlights look on her face. She recovered fast like she normally did, and yanked her sleeve down with her palm. “Well, let’s get started on our assignment for Kelley.” Reaching into her bag, she handed me a green folder. “The revised copy is in here. I’ll be right back.” She rushed away with her bag around her shoulders. I watched her hurry and I wondered why she had alarms going off at all hours of the day.
The same thing had happened earlier this week when I’d bumped into her and Kevin at Roasted. When her alarm had gone off, she’d looked uneasy. Kevin had, too. Soon after, she’d excused herself and headed for the restrooms. I shrugged. Maybe it was nothing. Maybe it was just a woman thing.
