When his body relaxes slightly and his arms close around me, pulling me into his chest, I know that the pain has finally passed. Though by the tremble in his hands, I can tell the effects of that pain are still very much present.
“I’m sorry.” He breathes, burying his face in the crook of my neck as he holds me tightly.
“Don’t be,” I say, my fingers continuing to gently move across back.
“I shouldn’t have yelled at you like that.”
“What happened?” I pull back slightly to meet his gaze.
“Just a headache, it’s nothing.” He tucks my hair behind my ear, trailing the back of his hand gently down my cheek.
“From the accident?” I ask, seeing him visibly stiffen at my words. “Why didn’t you tell me you were in some kind of accident? Was it bad?” I ask, just trying to understand what would bring on such intense pain when minutes earlier he was fine.
“It’s nothing. It was a long time ago.” He gives me a vague reply, clearly not wanting to talk about it.
“Is that how you got this?” I ask, trailing my fingers gently across the scar that runs across his left temple.
He reaches up and immediately halts my movements, wrapping his hand around mine.
“I should probably get you home.” The abruptness of his statement catches me off guard.
“Oh, okay,” I say, letting my hand drop away. “I’m sorry if I pushed too hard. I just want to understand,” I try to explain.
“It’s fine, really.” He pushes into a stand, lifting me to my feet as he does. “I’m going to tell Rosie goodbye and then we’ll go,” he says, turning and walking back inside the house without another word.
****
“What are you doing Friday?” Decklan asks, pulling the helmet from my head to rest it on the seat of the motorcycle just moments after arriving at my dorm.
“I don’t have anything planned,” I answer hesitantly, still not sure what the hell happened at the Porter’s house or how he can filter between hot and cold so rapidly.
One minute he’s all about me: touching me, throwing heated glances in my direction. The next he’s treating me like a nuisance; someone not worthy of sharing his pain, and I don’t just mean physical. He tries to hide it, but I can still see it. He’s buried, it but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t show through.
“We’re throwing our annual Halloween party at Deviants.” He cuts into my thoughts, taking my hand as he walks me towards my building. “You and your friends should come. Everyone dresses up, well besides me.” He laughs lightly. “It’s a pretty good time.”
We get to the front steps of my dorm building before I finally respond.
“Sounds fun.” I turn to face him, not as excited as I normally would be given that things still feel off between us.
“So I’ll see you then?” he asks, trailing the pad of his thumb across my chin.
“Yeah. I’ll see you then,” I say, pushing up onto my tiptoes to lay a brief kiss to his lips before turning and disappearing inside.
As much as I want to see him again, I just don’t know how good of an idea it is to keep this going. I thought I knew what I signed up for with Decklan, and he’s been perfectly clear on what this is for him. But even still, deep down I really just thought it would be different. Realizing that it won’t be might prove to be more than I am capable of handling.
Chapter Thirteen
Kimber
“That’s what you’re wearing?” I gawk at Angel who emerges from the bathroom dressed in nothing more than a white corset and a white skirt so short if she bends over her entire backside will be on full display.
“Don’t worry, I’m gonna wear a halo and wings, too.” She gives me a mischievous smile.
“And that’s gonna somehow make the fact that you’re practically naked okay?” I laugh, shaking my head at her.
“I hate to tell you, but you don’t have much room to talk.” She gestures to my police costume.
The skimpy number consists only of a skin tight navy blue dress that stops several inches above my knee, a thick black belt with handcuffs, and a matching hat that sits on top of my straight sexy hair that Harlee spent an hour perfecting. Add on the black heels I borrowed from Angel and I hate to admit she might be right.
In my defense, I borrowed this from Harlee and it’s by far the least slutty one she had to offer. I don’t have a ton of money to sink into something like a Halloween costume. Not when I have to worry about things like being able to eat and afford my supplies for school.
“Does it look okay?” I crunch my forehead, suddenly very concerned that maybe I can’t pull this look off.
“Um incredible,” Harlee chimes in from the vanity as she places the final piece of her costume on her head: a feather headband to complete her flapper girl costume. “Trust me, girl, no way that hunk of yours is going to be able to take his eyes off you tonight.” She raises her eyebrows up and down suggestively.
“I call dibs on his hot bartender friend.” Angel pulls my attention back to her. “I mean, yummy.”
“You can’t call dibs over my dibs,” Harlee interjects. “Mine.” She pins her eyes directly on Angel.
“If I had to guess, I think he’d be okay with you two sharing.” I laugh when both girls turn wide eyes on me.
“Who are you and what did you do with my sweet little Kimber?” Harlee laughs, crossing her arms in front of herself.
“I buried her out back. I like this version so much better.” I laugh, snagging my cell phone from the bed.
“Me, too.” Angel drops an arm over my shoulder. “Well, ladies, you ready,” she asks, the last part coming out as an excited squeal.
“Ready.” I smile, letting out a nervous exhale.
****
Deviants is busier than I have ever seen it. There is a line of elaborately dressed individuals almost wrapping the building. Angel has to park two blocks away because there is not one parking spot anywhere remotely close.
I’m almost worried we won’t be able to get in until I see Gavin step outside just as we approach the front entrance. His timing couldn’t be better.
It isn’t until we get within a couple of feet that I see his attire. He’s dressed in a ripped white t-shirt, fake blood-soaked down the front, his face painted to look like he is no longer among the living.
“Don’t arrest me, officer, I swear I’m innocent.” He holds his hands up on a laugh the moment his eyes land on me.
“Somehow I doubt that.” I return his laugh, stopping directly in front of him.
Holding a cigarette loosely between his lips, his eyes trail down the two women who stop next to me. “Ladies, nice to see you again.” He gives Harlee a brilliant smile, and I hear her soft exhale of excitement next to me.
“Zombie.” I point to his outfit.
“Easiest costume there is.” He tilts his head back on a laugh when I crinkle my nose. “I take it you’re not a fan?”
“Of dead people walking around trying to eat me, not so much.” I shake my head on a laugh. “This is crazy,” I observe, gesturing to the amount of people waiting to get in.
“Oh just wait.” He laughs. “Best night of the year.”
“Is Decklan inside?” I ask as he pulls a lighter from his pocket and lights the tip of his cigarette, taking a long drag and exhaling before answering.
“I think he’s upstairs.” He takes another drag. “You’re welcome to head on in,” he says, holding up his index finger as he digs into his back pocket with the opposite hand, pulling out yellow wristbands just moments later.
“I’m good, I’m not drinking,” I say, shaking my head.
“Ladies?” He offers Harlee and Angel each one which they happily accept.
Turning towards the bulky guy sitting at the door, he gestures to the three of us and nods, the bouncer nodding back.
“You’re good to head on in.”
“Thanks, Gavin.” I smile, nodding as I head towards the front door.
&
nbsp; “I think I’m gonna hang out here for a minute,” Harlee calls behind me, halting both mine and Angel’s steps. I turn my head to see a wide smile on her face. “I won’t be long,” she reassures me, winking.
Shaking my head, I grab Angel’s forearm as she starts to object and drag her inside behind me, my steps faltering the moment the door closes behind us. It takes me a moment to take it all in.
The entire room is done up like some freak show haunted fun house. Black lights and strobe lights have taken the place of the normal dim bar lighting. Crazy mirrors line the exterior walls, and there are at least three, that I can see, life-size clowns that remind me of Pennywise from the movie ‘It’.
“Shit, they really get into this.” Angel steps up next to me, looking around the room.
“That they do,” I agree. “I’m gonna go try to find Decklan, are you okay for a minute?” I ask, not really wanting to leave her alone but also not able to fight how badly I am dying to see him right now.
We haven’t spoken since Tuesday when he dropped me off after dinner at the Porters house, and I haven’t felt right about anything since then. I tried texting him a couple of times but have gotten no response. A part of me even considered not coming tonight fearing maybe he doesn’t want to see me.
“Yeah, yeah, go.” Angel shoos me with her hands. “I’m gonna grab a drink and scour the room for some hotties.” She winks.
“I’ll be back,” I say, turning as I push my way through the thick crowd of witches, vampires, devils, and other various disguises.
Not sure if I can just go up, I hesitate at the edge of the bar, catching the attention of a short dark haired girl who crosses towards me the moment she sees me.
“Can I get ya something hon?” she asks, reaching into the cooler not feet from me to grab a beer, immediately sliding it across the bar to a man on the other side before turning back to me.
“Is Decklan upstairs?” I ask, not missing the recognition that crosses her face the moment the question leaves my mouth.
“Kimber?” Her lips turn up in a wide smile when I nod. “You can go on up.” She pulls the door open and gestures up the stairs without a moment’s hesitation. Her action leads me to believe that maybe he informed her to send me up when I arrived.
The thought makes me feel just a tiny bit better but doesn’t fully calm the butterflies in my stomach still flapping around nervously.
“Tell him to get his ass down here if you don’t mind.” She nods before letting the door close behind me.
It takes only seconds for me to climb the narrow staircase, the dark wood of Decklan’s door directly in front of me before I even have a moment to figure out what I’m going to say or how I’m going to act.
This whole thing is so new to me. I really have no idea how to conduct myself. Do I act entitled like a girlfriend? Should I go back downstairs and wait for him to find me?
Before I can overthink it too much, I reach my hand up and knock lightly on the door, Decklan’s voice sounding just moments later.
“What?” he yells from inside, aggravation evident in his tone.
“It’s Kimber,” I get out weakly.
I stand in complete silence for what feels like several long moments but is likely just a few short seconds, wondering if he even heard me before I finally hear him again.
“Come in.”
Pushing my way inside, it takes my eyes a moment to adjust to the dark room, the only light provided by the street lamp outside. I close the door softly behind me before spotting Decklan sitting on the couch, a glass in his hand, a near empty bottle of whiskey on the coffee table in front of him.
“Hey,” I say softly, not sure exactly what I’m walking into.
“Hey.” His response is casual as he leans forward and refills the glass in his hand, slugging back the contents seconds later.
“What are you doing up here?” I ask, slowly crossing the space towards him.
“I just needed a few.” He lets out a deep exhale.
“Do you want me to go?” I ask, stopping just feet from where he’s sitting.
“No.” His answer is instant. “That’s the last thing I want,” he says, for the first time taking in my attire as I step directly into the light filtering in through the window.
He takes a ragged inhale, and even in the darkness I can see the desire form behind his incredible eyes.
“You like?” I ask, holding my arms out to the side so he can get the full view.
“What do you think?” He grabs my hand and pulls me into his lap.
“I’m guessing yes?” I laugh, feeling him grow hard beneath me.
“You guessed fucking right.” He growls, pulling my face down to his.
The moment our lips meet, he pulls me in deeper, the taste and smell of whiskey invading my senses in an instant. As much as I hate whiskey, I have to admit I love the way it tastes on him.
“You’re killing me, Kimber.” He groans, pulling my bottom lip into his mouth.
“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” I get out on a pant when his lips find my neck and he nibbles at my flesh.
“It is a bad thing. A very bad thing.” He nips roughly at the base of my neck before tossing me backward onto the couch.
I don’t have time to react before he’s hovering over me, popping the buttons of my costume open one at a time, his eyes remaining focused on each inch of flesh as it’s exposed. Within seconds, the dress is laying open and his hands are trailing across the bare flesh of my abdomen.
“You’re all I can think about.” He groans, dipping his fingers inside my panties to find me already ready for him. “Fuck.” He shoves two fingers roughly inside causing a cry of pleasure to rip from my throat.
“I don’t want to think about you. I don’t want to want you, Kimber.” His breathing becomes more rapid as he begins pumping his fingers inside of me. “But fuck me, I can’t shake you.”
“Then maybe you should stop trying.” My words come out shaky and barely break the surface.
“Maybe you’re right.” He abruptly pulls his hand away, his fingers tangling in the thin material of my panties, and in one hard tug, the fabric tears away.
I want to object, curse at him for ruining the only pair of underwear I have here, but I am too turned on by the action to follow through.
“I want you like this all night, Kimber.” He tosses the thin ripped material to the side. “Bare and ready for me.” He slides his index finger back inside of me before pulling it out and raising it to his lips.
He sucks it into his mouth, moaning as my flavor hits his tongue. The action is so erotic that the self-consciousness I may normally feel doesn’t even attempt to make an appearance.
Slowly he begins buttoning my costume back up, sliding it down over my bare ass as he pulls me up from the couch.
“Decklan,” I object, feeling the familiar ache in my belly any time he’s near. An ache I need him to satisfy.
“Patience.” He gives me a wicked grin. “I want you to get a small taste of how I feel every single time I’m around you. I want you to feel exposed, vulnerable, and so completely fucking aroused you can barely think straight. ” He breathes against my mouth, dropping a brief kiss to my jaw as he pushes off of the couch, adjusting his erection before taking my hand and pulling me to my feet.
“But,” I object, knowing there is no way I can go down there with no panties on.
“When I decide I can no longer take the thought of you just feet from me, bare and wet waiting for me to fuck you.” He pauses just next to the door. “Then I’ll have my way with you. Not a moment sooner.” He kisses me deeply, silencing my lingering objections.
I have no choice but to comply.
How could I ever deny him a request that sends my blood boiling with the heat of his statement?
This man owns me...
There is not one thing I wouldn’t do for him right here and now.
Chapter Fourteen
Decklan
&nbs
p; What the fuck was I thinking? I wasn’t, truth be told. I didn’t realize how fucking crazy it would make me knowing Kimber is prancing around in that tight little costume with not a god damn thing underneath.
I think a part of me doubted she would go through with it. Not only did she, but she’s owning it, teasing me, using it against me at every turn. I both love it and fucking hate it at the same time.
I haven’t been able to take my eyes off of her all night. Not when I’m so aware of how exposed she is right now and that one little bend or lift of her dress and the whole bar would get a peek of what is mine.
Mine?
Even as foreign as that sounds to me, I know there’s no denying the possessiveness I feel towards this girl. She fucking is mine whether she knows it or not.
So instead of working or doing anything for that matter, I have found myself for most of the night lounging at the bar watching her and her two friends, one of which Gavin seems to have taken a particular interest in.
I guess it shouldn’t surprise me. Gavin is a sucker for tall thin blondes and Harlee, Kimber’s roommate is definitely that.
I can’t help but smile when I see Kimber crossing the space towards me, purposely avoiding meeting my gaze as she passes by. Reaching out I snake my arm around her waist and pull her towards me, laughing when she lets out a playful squeal.
“And just where do you think you’re going?” I shift in the barstool, pulling her small body between my legs.
“Well, there’s this really hot guy over there. I thought maybe I’d check it out.” She crinkles her nose playfully.
“Careful,” I warn, leaning down to suck her bottom lip into my mouth.
She lets out a soft moan, her nails digging into the fabric of my jeans as she squeezes just above my knees, sinking deeper against me.
Crazy Stupid Love (Crazy Love #1) Page 11
