I told her that her dad had gone back inside. I remember because I had been right on the verge of kissing her, too. It’s not like we were locked in a moment, staring at each other. We were peeking out from behind bushes, trying to stay low and undetected. When I put my hand over her mouth, it was while both of us were laughing and looking behind us, and it wasn’t for very long.
It wasn’t a typical near-kiss moment, but while we kneeled on the grass next to each other, watching for her dad, the thoughts were running through my mind. I had no idea she was going through the same thing.
“You liked me back then.” Not a question. A realization.
She nods then takes a step back, her hands falling to her sides. “Yep. And do you remember what you did after we came from around the tree?”
My eyes widen moments before she changes her stance and her hands shove me backwards into the deep end of the pool.
When I emerge, Midge is bent over, laughing her ass off. Serves me right, I guess. Though revenge was served ten years later.
Yes, I pushed her into the water after I nearly kissed her. Why? Who knows? To remind myself we were just friends? To take my mind off of wanting to taste her when I was sure she wasn’t interested in me that way? Because I was a stupid, immature teenager? Probably a combination of the three.
“Someone holds onto a grudge.”
She laughs some more. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t help myself. That was for back then, and for dipping me in the water at the lake.”
A thought hits me. “Was that whole story just so you could push me into the water?”
She sobers up. “No, that was all true.”
“You wanted to kiss me?”
She nods in response, and I start walking toward the edge. I bring my hands out of the water and push the long strands of my hair out of my face.
“And you liked me?” She nods again. “You want to kiss me now?”
She bites down on her bottom lip, then gives me another nod. I continue to get closer, then I ascend the few stairs and come to a dripping halt in front of her.
“So, kiss me.”
And she does. The wet shirt doesn’t deter her as she pushes herself against me and presses her lips against mine.
I plant my hand on her ass and bring her even closer. Water drips from my hair down both of our faces, but we don’t stop. Our tongues continue their dance until we hear her parents car doors slam.
When we separate, she looks down at herself and laughs. “I’m almost as wet as you.”
“No, you’re not, but I can get you that way.”
She grins. “Oh yeah?”
I nod, then wrap my arms around her, lifting her up, and nuzzle my head into her neck.
“No! Cillian, no!” she screeches, pushing away from me.
I put her down on the ground and she takes off. Her parents step outside as I’m chasing her down. I catch up to her, lifting her off her feet from behind, and she lets out a high-pitched squeak.
“I see some things haven’t changed,” Mrs. H says right before a laugh. “Come on, John. Let’s leave the kids alone.”
32
Midge
Because we don’t want to drip water all over the house, we exit through the side gate and walk to the driveway to get to our cars.
Cillian immediately rips off his shirt and tosses it in the back of his Jeep, then he starts looking under the seats.
“What’re you looking for?”
“I thought I left some gym shoes in here. Ah, here they are,” he says, grabbing the white tennis shoes. “Now I don’t have to drive home in wet socks and shoes.”
I grin. “But you will drive home shirtless?”
He shrugs. “It’s dark, people won’t notice.”
“Not like they’d care,” I murmur.
He glances up and smirks, then finishes changing his shoes. “So, I have news.”
I lean back against my car and cross my arms over my chest. “Oh yeah? Good or bad?”
He tilts his head back and forth. “Just news, I guess.”
“Okay, spill it.”
“I saw Zoe today.”
My stomach drops. “Oh?”
He stands back up and pushes his hair out of his face again. “Yeah, she stopped by the studio as I was leaving.”
All I can think is that she wants to get back together. That he might actually go back to her, because that’s what they’ve always done. But if that were true, why would he come here? Why all the flirting and kissing? No, Cillian wouldn’t do that. My emotions are just getting the better of me, and I’ll stop and think about why that is later.
“What’d she have to say?” I ask, trying to keep the bitterness out of my voice.
“She’s pregnant.”
“What?” I exclaim, my arms dropping to my sides as I lean forward with wide eyes.
“It’s not mine,” he says. “Apparently, it’s the new guy’s.”
“Are you sure?” I ask, because while I’m just now trying to get on board with trying a relationship, I am one thousand percent sure I’m not ready to start one with potential baby mama drama, and Zoe reeks of it.
“Yeah, we hadn’t really been sleeping together for a while toward the end of the relationship. It couldn’t be mine.”
I breathe a sigh of relief. “Well, that’s good. I mean, not, you know. I don’t know. Is it good?” I ask, stuttering through my sentences.
Cill laughs. “It’s fine. I definitely didn’t want to have a baby with her. We’re not compatible, but I’m also not mad that she’s pregnant by someone else. I hope it works for them,” he says with a shrug.
“Are you like the coolest guy in town?”
He smiles. “Probably.”
“Wow, well, that’s quite the news to have dropped on you.”
“Yeah, I guess, but it’s whatever. No big deal, you know?”
I nod, relaxing back into the car, and we fall into a comfortable silence, both lost in our own thoughts as we look down the street.
After a while, Cill speaks up. “Earlier, you told your parents you were kind of seeing someone and didn’t need anybody’s number.”
My go-to strategy is to make a joke and play it off, but I’m interested in what he’s about to say. “Yeah,” I respond tentatively, almost like a question.
“Is it safe to assume then that you aren’t planning on hanging out with anyone else?”
I crack a grin. “And by hanging out you mean sleeping with?”
“I’m new to this friends-with-benefits thing, so I’m not sure how it works. Just looking for clarification.”
“No, I’m not sleeping with anybody else.”
He nods, but a hint of relief sparks in his eyes. “Me either.”
I mimic his nod and try to hide my glee. “So, we’re monogamous friends with benefits?”
He chuckles. “Kind of contradicting, no?”
“I guess, but how else would you describe it?”
His eyes bore into mine intently, like he’s contemplating if he wants to say whatever’s running through his head. “A relationship?” I stare back at him after the words leave his mouth, unsure of what to say. “But since you’re anti that, then we can call it whatever you want,” he says with a shrug.
I open my mouth to say something. Anything. But I don’t know what I want to say. It does feel a little bit like a relationship, except nobody knows. We’re being secretive, and what if that’s the only thing that’s keeping this exciting?
Before I can finish my thoughts, he cuts me off. “Don’t worry about it. It is what it is,” he says, casually lifting up his shoulder. “We don’t have to slap a label on it. Let’s just have fun and see what happens, yeah?”
He closes the gap between us in two strides and wraps me in his arms. I nod against his chest. “Okay, sounds good.”
“Good.”
“Cill?”
“Hmm?” he murmurs, resting his head on mine.
“You’re still fucking wet.”<
br />
He chuckles. “I know.”
33
Cillian
I get slammed on Friday and Saturday at the shop. I forgot Friday was Friday the thirteenth, so we had a flash sale going on all day, and anybody who came could choose pre-drawn tattoos for a lower price.
That seemed to grab a lot of attention, so Saturday was also busy. I didn’t get to see Midge at all on those days, but we were able to text late at night when I was finally home.
I spent most of Sunday morning and afternoon at my studio working on the painting for Mrs. H, knowing I would be at Elijah’s for dinner.
Before I leave the studio, I take out my phone and send a text to Midge to find out what her plans are. She may say no to dinner with me again, but I have to ask, just in case she changes her mind.
When I’m in my Jeep, she replies back and says she’s going to her grandparents’ house, so we make plans to meet up later tonight.
At Elijah’s, Royce and London are already there, and dinner is nearly done.
“Mm, smells good in here. What is that?” I ask, walking to the stove.
“Chicken piccata,” Elijah answers.
“Oh, I just had that at,” I stop myself. “This restaurant I went to the other day.”
London looks at me funny, but nobody says anything.
“Merrick said he’s gonna try to call later,” E states.
“Oh, good. Then I can give him shit for not responding to my text from a couple days ago. I only know he’s alive because I can read reports about him and the guys on the internet.”
Elijah shakes his head and Royce laughs as we take our food to the formal dining room. The house is old, but Elijah’s been updating it over the years. New floors throughout the house, and new appliances in the kitchen. The dining room has a new coat of paint from when we were kids. I actually think it used to be wallpaper, so I’m glad he got rid of that.
Midway through the meal, London mentions Midge’s idea of having her mom’s party at the lake house.
“So, we’ll get to go back!” she says excitedly.
“It’s probably just for the day, babe,” Royce says with a grin.
“Maybe we can make a little trip of it,” she says with a nudge.
“Yeah, it’ll be nice,” I chime in. “I loved it there.”
“How’s the painting coming?” Elijah asks, cutting into his chicken.
“Really good. I’m happy with it.”
“Based on what I saw, it’s gonna be gorgeous,” London says.
“You saw it already?” Royce questions, looking between me and her. “You never show us your shit before you’re done.”
London mouths sorry to me before pressing her lips together and shuffling vegetables around her plate.
“I happened to be at Midge’s when she showed up, so I showed her.”
“Wait, you were at Midge’s?” Royce asks, forgetting about the painting.
I glance around at their eager eyes. “Yeah, it was right when I came back into town. I was just showing her the progress.” Before they can question why I didn’t text them to her, or ask any other questions, I change the subject to something that’ll capture their attention. “So, Zoe’s pregnant.”
“What?” they all ask simultaneously with unblinking eyes and parted lips.
“Yep. She came to the studio today to tell me.”
“Wait, what?” Royce asks again.
I tell them the short story and they listen with rapt attention. When the story’s done and we’re in the middle of putting our dishes away, Elijah’s phone rings.
“It’s Merrick,” he says, pressing the button that brings Merrick’s face onto the screen.
“Hey!” Merrick says excitedly, a huge grin on his face.
“Hey, man,” Elijah greets.
Me and Royce run up behind him and shove our faces into the screen. “Hey, dude,” Royce says.
“What the fuck is up?” I ask, a smile on my face.
“We’re in…” He looks over his shoulder and yells out, “Where are we again? Oh yeah, Seattle.”
“Don’t even know what city you’re in?” I ask.
He rubs his forehead, pushing his light brown hair out of his face. “Man, it’s all running together at this point. We sleep, wake up, do a show, party, eat, sleep while we travel, wake up, do a show, party. I don’t even know, but it’s been a fucking blast.”
“Have fun, but make sure you’re being smart,” Elijah lectures.
Merrick shakes his head, smiling and rolling his eyes. “I know, I know.”
“You got my VIP tickets yet or what?” I ask.
“Yeah, of course. I have six. Is that good?”
“That’s probably good,” Royce says. “Us three, and I’ll bring my girl, and…” Royce looks around. “I think Midge might come?”
London nods, so I don’t have to. But I do hope she comes with us.
“Cool. That’ll be my late birthday present to you. Sucks I won’t be there.”
“Yeah, man, but it’s okay. We probably won’t be doing much.”
“What’re you talking about? We’re having a party at the bar, hiring you a stripper, and having a good fucking time,” Royce says.
“That right?”
Royce nods with a grin curving his lips.
“Well, I’m sure you can have plenty of that whenever you want, huh?”
Merrick grins. “Drinking? Yes. Strippers? Only occasionally.”
“Yeah right,” Royce says with a laugh.
“When you get done with this tour, you’ll be able to come home for a while, right?” Elijah asks him.
“Yeah, for little bit. Then we’ll probably be back in the studio to record another album.
Elijah nods. “Makes sense.”
Somebody in the background yells something to Merrick, grabbing his attention. When he turns back to the camera, he says, “I gotta go. I’ll try to call again next weekend.”
“Sounds good, bro.”
“Take it easy.”
“Take care of yourself.”
We all say our goodbyes, then the screen goes black. We help clean everything up, then I glance at my watch and discover it’s already nine o’clock.
“Well, I’m gonna head out,” I say. “See y’all later.”
“Take it easy,” Royce says. London smiles from her position next to him.
“Talk to you later,” Elijah states.
In my Jeep, I text Midge to see if she’s home. When she says she is, I back out of the driveway and make my way to her house.
34
Midge
After I got home from my grandparents, I jumped in the shower and pulled out a sexy little lingerie set I bought a while back when I was walking through the mall. I’ve never had a reason to wear it until now. Tonight, I want to blow Cillian’s socks off.
The black, lace bra, panties, and garter belt combo leave little to the imagination. I connect some fishnet thigh highs to the garter belt and throw on a black, satin mini robe, but don’t bother closing it.
When Cillian says he’s on his way, I slip my feet into a pair of black pumps that give me four more inches in height. I keep my makeup light, opting for a nude lip and moisturizing Chapstick rather than a bright color or gloss. It’s all going to come off anyway. My hair’s cut into a medium bob, allowing the longer strands to barely touch my shoulders.
From the kitchen, with a wine glass in hand, I watch as Cillian pulls into my driveway and saunters up to my house. When he knocks, I take a deep breath and strut toward the door. When I pull it open, he slowly lifts his head, tracing my legs, hips, breasts, and eventually my face with his eyes.
“Jesus Christ,” he mutters.
“Come in,” I reply, taking a step back.
Cillian doesn’t take his eyes off me as he walks past. When I close the door and turn around, he’s still gawking.
“What did I do to deserve this?” he asks.
“What’re you talking about?” I
play dumb, sashaying around him and heading toward the couch.
He chuckles and rubs his hand over his face like he’s in disbelief. “Fuck, Midge. You’re killing me.”
I take a seat on the couch and cross my legs, then take a sip of wine. “I’m just lounging, Cillian.”
“Oh yeah? This is how you lounge around the house all the time?”
I grin. “Maybe.” He inches closer, trying to touch me, but I stop him. “I have to finish my wine.” He growls, low and deep. “So, how was your night?” I ask, angling my body in his direction.
His eyes find my tits, pushed up and together in this amazing bra. “I’m not even gonna pretend I can talk to you about anything normal right now.”
I smile, then finish the wine and place the glass on the table. He starts leaning forward, so I uncross my legs, shift in the couch like I’m about to lay down, then bring my foot up and push him back with the toe of my shoe.
With my legs spread in front of him, his gaze finds my pussy, barely covered by the panties. His large hand grabs my calf and his eyes flicker up to mine. “You’re driving me crazy.”
With a gentle shove, I push him back with my foot and then lay back, resting my legs in his lap. “That’s the point.”
“It’s already been a week,” he says, massaging my calves and slowly inching his way higher and higher. “I don’t know how much longer I can wait to be inside you.” He puts my right leg over the back of the couch and crawls in between them. “And then you come to the door dressed like a wet dream and think I’ll be able to keep my hands off of you?” His mouth skims over the swell of my breast, his beard scratching my skin as he moves to kiss my neck. “Not possible. I need you too much.”
Warmth travels to every part of my body. “Then take me.”
And like he was waiting for my permission, he attacks. His hands touch and squeeze my breasts as he rocks into me, letting me feel his erection through his jeans. He sucks on my neck, then pulls my chin down with his thumb before plunging his tongue into my mouth.
My hands fly to the back of his head, bringing him closer. I fight for control over the kiss, my tongue sliding across his before I suck on the tip. He grunts and pulls away, moving down my body with a mission.
Truth or Dare (Kingston Brothers Book 2) Page 17
