Love Me ~ Through the Storm

by Renee Kennedy

  “You need to invite him to the Omega party this weekend.”

  “Yeah, maybe I can entice him to be a little naughty with me.”

  “I bet if you dressed up and turned up the flirting times ten, he’d pop a tent.” She takes a bite of her muffin. “Oh, I know, we can enter the dance contest and you can sex it up.” She gives me a devious smile.

  “I need help shopping for something sexy, and learn some sexy dance moves. Wanna go shopping?”

  “When do you want to go?”

  “After class tomorrow, if you can. I might need some new makeup, too because I want to look hot Friday night. Then I need a nice dress for next Sunday. We’re having a memorial back home for my parents.”

  “Sure, I love to shop. We really should get Noelle and Piper to come, too. They both are fashion gurus.” Sandy sends a text. “Okay, they're up for shopping, too. Oh, this is going to be fun.”

  “Let’s get this English done so we can get to our massages with Keith.”

  Shopping with my friends has made me a different woman. I feel sexier and more confident than ever. I’ve pampered myself all week, and I even got my hair cut and highlighted. Keith made some face cream with essential oils that I’ve been using. It has done wonderful things for my complexion. I can’t wait for Kane to see me in this dress and high heels. I actually feel beautiful.

  I told Kane I’d meet him at the Omega House. I know he’s only coming to protect me, but I want to walk into the room and feel his eyes on me. I want his mouth to water. By the time tonight is over, I want him to want me.

  “Damn, girl, you look good enough to eat.” Corbin tells me when he gets to our suite to pick us up.

  “Hey, she’s a lady, show her some respect,” Keith says, cutting his eyes over to Corbin then he appraises me. “You look stunning, Oakley.”

  “Aw, I bet you guys say that to all the girls.” I laugh. “Thank you, guys.” I hold my arms open wide to give them a group hug.

  “I’ll have to be your bodyguard tonight, I guess. Guys are going to be all over you.” Keith takes another appreciative look down my body.

  “As if! My friend Kane will be there. He’s like a Grizzly bear when it comes to me. He’s been that way since I started dating.”

  “Oh, is he like family?” Keith asks.

  “Yeah, but I’m going to change that if it kills me.”

  “Let’s go, children, we have partying to do,” Corbin yells, jumping like a kid.

  At the Omega house, Keith jumps out of Corbin’s SUV and opens the door for me, offering his hand to help me down. He’s such a sweet guy. Why can’t all guys be like him? “Thanks, Keith. I’m ready to get my party on, what about you?” I have to pull my hand away from his because he didn’t want to let mine go.

  “Yes! It’s been a long week and I need this,” he says.

  Walking into the party, I’m pumped. I’m ready to turn on the flirt. Operation make Kane notice me is in play. I’ve been over my foolproof plan a thousand times in my head

  I spot Kane standing by the door watching us. He’s got that smirky smile on his face that I love. He lifts up one corner of his lip and draws in his eyebrows; it’s sexier than sweat trickling down washboard abs.

  Keith puts his hand in the small of my back to escort me up the sidewalk. I’ve always considered this to be something intimate. I glance at him, lifting my eyebrows. He winks at me. What’s up with that? Taking a step to the right and picking up the pace gives him the hint he needs to remove his hand.

  As I reach Kane, I see his smile get bigger. “Hey, you,” I say.

  “Hey, yourself. Look at you, all dressed up. It’s a good thing that I’m here, I’d hate to have to kill someone tonight.” Kane opens his arms up and I go in for a full body hug.

  I want to be his girl and get lost in his hugs. It feels right for him to wrap me up in his arms, I want to stay like this and never let him go. I’m going to do whatever it takes tonight to get him to see me.

  “Wait until you see my dance, I hope you like it.”

  “What kind of dance? What are you talking about?” Kane asks.

  “Tonight, the fraternity has a dance competition for the ladies.” Keith supplies the answer.

  I plan on using this dance to my advantage. “All of us girls have been practicing our moves to win this contest. It’s the most sought after trophy of the year. The girl or team of girls that wins this dance off is known to be the most popular on campus.” I don’t care anything about being the most popular on campus, I just want Kane’s attention.

  “I can’t wait to see you do your dance. You’ve always been able to move that body like no one else.” Kane holds my gaze with his eyes. “Let’s get things started off right. I’m getting a beer. What would you like, Oakley?”

  “Beer’s good.”

  Inside, the fraternity has set up a stage and runway for the girls to strut their stuff. I know my girls and I are going to strut ours. We ain’t playing. This shit is about to get real sexy, up in here. I can’t wait to see the look on Kane’s face when I go up to him with the whiskey. There’ll be no mistaking my feelings for him after tonight; he’ll have to see how deep they really run.

  “Wow, they have this place set up for a show, don’t they?” Keith walks over to one of the folding chairs in the front row.

  “Yeah, I think they’re going to take donations when the show starts for the organization they’re raising money for this month,” I say.

  Kane walks back over with our beers. “Oh, what organization are they helping this month?”

  “I think Sandy told me that it is the Boys and Girls Club.” I take my beer from Kane.

  “I went to the Boys and Girls Club when I was little. That’s a great place to give money. I’ll be sure to donate,” Kane says.

  “Do it when it’s our turn because that’s how we win the competition. The girl or team who gets the most donations takes home bragging rights,” I tell both of the guys. “I’m going to get ready. Kane, you need to sit right here.” I walk him over to the chair he needs to be in while I’m dancing.

  “Okay, I’ll be watching for you, Oak. Do me proud.”

  “I’m going to do more than do you proud, Kane. I’m going to do you fucking sexy.” I turn and leave him with his mouth open.

  It’s finally our turn to dance. I’m out first since I’m the main dancer and the other girls are my backup. We start out with a slow sway while we are taking the stage. We all have on short, black silk robes and sexy lace Venetian masks. Not that we are trying to hide who we are, but they’re hot and give an air of taboo to the dance.

  When the song I picked, “I’m a Slave 4 U” by Britney Spears starts, I lock eyes with Kane. The guys in the crowd go wild when we drop our robes after the first couple of lines of the song to reveal our actual costumes—fishnet dresses. They are long sleeved, with black wet-look leather, bandeau bra and matching high-waisted leather panties. By the grand finale, we’ve long since ditched our fuck me pumps and are all barefooted.

  I hope this song and my dancing is turning Kane on as much as it is me. I look over to him as I pop my ass out, singing, “get it, get it,” and gathering my hair off my neck, I turn around and look back over my shoulder, popping my ass out to the side again. Kane doesn’t look turned on at all. No, he looks pissed. I can’t believe he hasn’t popped a tent in his pants, I’m sure that I’m wet. I really thought he would find me irresistible. I feel deflated.

  Money starts flying around the stage as we rotate our hips and run our hands over our boobs. I start my walk to the end of the catwalk, keeping my gaze locked on Kane. His jaw muscles are twitching; he’s not enjoying this. This is all for him and he doesn’t like it? Too bad, he’s getting the full experience anyway.

  I shimmy down to the floor and pick up the bottle of Gentleman Jack. I lift it while I dance and pour, letting the liquor fill my mouth then run down my body a little.

  Kane is seething. He has his arms crossed and a tight smile
on his face. I’ll fix this. I tip the bottle at my cleavage, feeling the amber liquid tickle me. I’ve blocked everyone out but my target. I lift my chin and give him a smirk before I strut over to him for my final move that’ll knock him on his ass.

  When I get to Kane, I prop my leg up on his shoulder to get my balance. He’s glaring up at me right now, but he’s about to lose control. I hope. I give him a little push backward with the ball of my foot then stick my big toe in his mouth and let the liquor run down my leg and into his mouth. Kane sucks the whiskey from my toes and the lights go out. The crowd once again explodes in cheers. I guess everyone liked our dance. Everyone but Kane.

  I feel an arm reach up and pull me down. “What in the hell do you think you’re doing?” Kane hisses.

  “I was dancing to raise money for the kids. What did it look like, Kane? Other than that? I’ve been trying to get you to see me like you did Lizzie.”

  “You’re so much more to me than her, than anyone. Don’t you know that? Go get your clothes on and let’s go. I don’t want all these little pricks seeing you dressed like this.”

  He looks so pissed, not turned on at all like I hoped for. I shake free from his hold and go back to where we were all getting dressed. I’m so frustrated with him. I pull on a loose t-shirt over my outfit. I think, this means war—a sexual war!

  13

  Kane

  I’m fuming. What the hell is she trying to prove? I wipe my hand on my pants because I spilled my beer when she started swaying and gyrating. Her dancing was the most sensual thing I’ve ever seen. That’s saying a lot since I own a porn production company. If I wasn’t here, who knows what might have happened to her, dressed like that. Moving her body like that. Letting the alcohol flow over her and down into my mouth. I’m about to explode in my jeans over sucking on her toe. Who does that?

  She’s got me all tore up, acting like she wants me. Wanting me to see her like Lizzie? Oakley’s my world. She’s the breath I breathe. There is no me without her. I more than see her, I crave her. I want to crawl beneath her skin and live there forever.

  I’m so fucking glad she put something on over that dress. I’d hate to go to jail tonight for killing someone if they tried to touch her. I wanted to pour acid in their eyes for merely looking at her. I bet that little pipsqueak, Keith, was sporting a chubby as soon as Oakley stepped on stage. He was probably doing unthinkable things to her in his mind.

  I’m taking her home with me, and we’re going to get all of this shit straight. I should spank her ass, but that would probably make me want her more, and I can’t have her. I’m not going another fucking night with her acting like she wants someone to fuck her. Like she wants me to fuck her. She has to stop this because she’s still engaged.

  All the way home, we’re quiet. We don’t say a word to each other. The only sound I hear is a couple of huffs every now and then. I want answers from her, and I plan on making her talk to me, tonight.

  Once at my condo, I open the front door for her and she places her purse on the kitchen counter. I pitch my keys in the silver bowl that sits on the table by the door.

  “Well, that was one hell of a performance you put on tonight,” I say, pinching the bridge of my nose.

  “Oh, so you were watching? You didn’t seem very impressed so I guess it wasn’t up to your standards.”

  “What in fuck’s sakes is that supposed to mean?” I pace back and forth in front of her. “Does that ring you have on not mean a thing to you? You’re wearing a guy’s ring, Oak. You’re promised to him, but that fucking dance…” I stop my pacing, running my hands through my hair.

  “This stupid ring’s the problem?” Oakley holds up her left hand.

  “You just don’t get it, Oakley. When you promise someone something, you fucking do it. If nothing in this world goes right, you keep your fucking promises.” I pound my finger into my chest, “You’ll never see me breaking a promise, Oakley, or doing something that makes someone break their commitment.”

  “It’s not real, Kane. This ring means nothing to me. I never promised him anything.”

  “It’s real to him and it must be real to you or you wouldn’t be wearing his ring.” I look down at the ring on her hand—that circle that binds her to someone other than me.

  “How can you think that? I’m in love with you, Kane. I need you. I’m myself with you, and I know you love me, too. I feel it. Can’t you feel it, too?” She places my right hand above her breast, over her heart.

  “You love me like your brother. I’m a source of comfort to you, that’s all. You have a ring, Oakley. That’s an engagement, and that makes things pretty solid.” I remove my hand because it hurts to touch her when I can’t have her. I do love her but not in the sisterly way that I pretend.

  “It’s just a ring, Kane. Why is it so hard for you to see that I love you?” She shakes her head.

  “Just a ring? Where I come from, that normally means something. You don’t go around wearing a diamond for the hell of it. You love Quinn, or at least you did a few weeks ago. You told me that yourself.”

  “I don’t love him, he was my consolation.” She looks down. “This?” She takes off the ring and holds it up. “This is what’s bothering you? I promise you, Kane, this circle with a stone on it, is nothing.” She lays the ring down on the table. “I didn’t want it then, and I don’t want it now.”

  “Why do you have it then? Are you toying with his heart? Are you just trying to keep me hanging on, in case something doesn’t work out? Until he comes back for you?” Or is it my heart that she’s playing with?

  “I told him no, but he wouldn’t take that for an answer. He pushed the ring on my finger and said to give him an answer when he comes back on leave.” She tries to work herself into my arms.

  “You’re technically still dating him, and he considers the two of you engaged. He’s coming back for you, Oakley.” I look into her eyes.

  “Why aren’t you listening to me? What’s it going to take to get this through to you? I don’t want him; I want you. I love you. I didn’t know what love was with Quinn. Kane, that week without you in my life made me realize I love you. My heart has been missing you, just like it does my parents, Kane. That’s how I know I truly love you. This’s my promise. You’ll always hold the key to my heart. You and no one else.”

  I can’t be wrong about this. She loves me. She’s told me she loves me several times now. I can’t believe I’m going to do this. “Then break up with him. If you wait until he comes back, Oakley, he’s going to be expecting to stay engaged. It would be cruel for you to drag it out. That is, if you’re certain, if you really mean what you’re saying, that your heart missed me.” I cup her face with my hands, looking her square in the eyes. I want her to know how I feel. “I want you, too, I want us. I love you.” I stroke her cheekbone with my thumb. “I want your heart, your mind, I want your soul.” I want her. There’s something about her I can’t stay away from. She’s like a mermaid singing her song and luring me to her. I’m under her spell.

  Oakley takes her phone from her pocket and dials a number. Keeping her eyes locked on me, she puts the phone to her ear. She shakes her head. “Q, please call me as soon as possible. I can’t wear this ring, and I hate to do this over the phone. I’m in love with someone else, I should have told you when you were here.” She clicks the end button. “Will that work for you?”

  I pull her into my arms, and wrap her up in a hug.

  “I’ve got to know what you really want from me, Oakley. I’m done guessing because I’ve been wrong so many times.”

  “I want to be yours, Kane. Why can’t you see that? You love me, Kane. I know you do. I feel it. I see it in the way you look at me, in the way you care for me. You’re right, friends don’t treat each other like we do.” Oakley puts her arms around my neck.

  This’s what I’ve longed to hear from her. I’ve needed this confirmation that she wants me as much as I do her. I lean down and Oakley stands up on the tips of her
toes. Our lips meet in the middle. Gone is the tender sweet little peck I gave her last time. This time I kiss her with everything I have, and she is kissing me back with just as much intensity.

  I finally get it. I finally know what it feels like to be loved by someone. I can feel it in her touch, in her kiss. I’ve come across so many people claiming to love me and want me, but I’ve never felt a fire in someone. She ignites a flame in me that is never going to be eradicated by another.

  Oakley slides her fingers into my hair, anchoring me to her. I pick up one of her legs and pull her body against mine. She leans back a couple of inches, staring into my eyes. Her touch is like electricity, but I have to remind myself to go slow with her, even when it’s the last thing my body wants. Kissing her but controlling my need for her is essentially hopeless. I stop short of kissing her again, our mouths inches apart. I feel her sweet breath on my lips. I wrap her other leg around my waist. I want her, I want to take her right here, but we stand still holding each other in a trance.

  14

  Oakley

  The phone call I had with Quinn didn’t go so well. He insists that I give him a chance. He said if I meant it, that I should tell him to his face. That he deserved at least that much. I know now, he was only an infatuation. He was someone for me to spend time with and not concentrate on my grief. I’m not sure if I should block him from contacting me because he needs to accept that things are over between us, but I want to remain friends.

  I can’t believe I’m the one who practically asked Kane out. I don’t think he would have ever gotten the hint that I was in love him without me actually coming right out and telling him. Now, to escalate our relationship to the next level.

  We kiss and cuddle now, which I love every minute of, but that is as far as he goes with me. That’s the way things were with Quinn. Are they both afraid that I’m fragile, that they’ll break me somehow? I’m tired of being handled with kid gloves. I’m ready for Kane to make love to me. He needs to take me and claim me for his own. I want that more than anything right now. How can I get him to recognize that he desires me just as much?