Two
The following week was quiet with my parents being away. They were now in Portugal with Chrissy, leaving the rest of us alone for five weeks. Five weeks! It was very exciting. Both Mattie and Amy were also stoked, as this was the first year that we had been left to fend for ourselves.
Personally, I was enjoying the freedom and was looking forward to some fun, although maybe not the type my sister had suggested which came in the form of a house party.
Of course, Amy wanted to party, her being the wildest of the Taylor-Joys and it hadn’t taken long for my brother to cave. He was the oldest and supposed to be in charge, but we all knew Amy ruled the roost. My sister could wrap anyone around her little finger, especially me. The party was to be held at the weekend and we all spoke about who to invite.
During those first few days, we all had stuff to do. Mattie had a list of chores to carry out whilst my parents were away and Amy and I were to keep an eye on my mother's emails. Our farm produced supplies for two of the largest supermarkets. She said she didn’t foresee any issues with any deliveries but asked us to check them just in case. I sensed that she was just giving us something to do for the sake of it, as I knew she’d taken her laptop and could access all our accounts whilst she was away. Daniel was on hand to manage the farm and ensure the crops were ready to be harvested on my parents' return and everything was in order. We had six farm hands at the end of the day and so plenty of staff to keep things ticking over.
Toward the end of the week, I went out with Amy and watched her in action with her camera. She was so talented and I envied her for having a hobby. Amy knew exactly where to stand to get the right light and how to make each shot look arty. I managed to hustle the camera off her at one point and take her picture as she sat on the porch of our house. She didn’t really like her picture being taken, but she looked stunning in the shot, naturally pretty and I made her promise not to delete it.
I had started looking for a job. Something extra to fill my time with as I had no hobbies. I didn’t really need the money as my parents gave me a generous allowance which was just building up in the bank. The job idea was more about giving me purpose and helping me to come out of my shell more. Become more independent and less socially awkward. I also wanted to keep my mind off Nixon. I’d been to the pool a couple of times but hadn’t seen him.
The evening of the party arrived. I was in two minds, to be honest; partly excited at the thought of having some fun and partly dreading the thought of how many people would turn up. News travelled fast in the village and house parties usually ended up with several uninvited gate crashers. Luckily, our farm was out of the way with the only neighbours close by being the McKenna’s. Who of course, hadn’t been invited.
I had washed my hair and left it loose, applied a small amount of make-up, including mascara and lip gloss and decided to wear a new dress I had purchased online. It was black with a red cherry print design on it, fitted and short, well above my knees and it had spaghetti straps, so showed off my slim shoulders. I eyed my throat and chest in the floor-length mirror of my bedroom. I was delicately put together; I couldn’t hide that fact. My collarbone highlighted my slight frame, but I decided against covering myself with a cardigan.
Rechecking my make-up, I pushed my feet into black sliders, grabbed my iPhone and set off downstairs.
Amy and Mattie had set out a selection of camping chairs and pulled assorted benches around to the side garden next to our house. The one near Vicky’s paddock. There was enough seating for around ten people but there was a small red brick wall which sectioned off one of my mother’s flowed beds where people could sit, depending on who turned up, of course.
My sister wore her signature denim cut-offs and a black ACDC tee which had seen better days. Her hair fell down her back in waves and I noticed she wore a pair of my toe-post sandals. Again, something she had borrowed without asking. Was I really such a pushover that people thought they could help themselves to my things and I’d not say anything? I shoved off the thought. I certainly didn’t want to start any conflicts with Amy whilst my parents were away.
It was around eight in the evening and people had started to arrive. Mattie had connected his iPhone to a large Bluetooth speaker and music was pounding out, giving out that party vibe. A huge fire pit had been placed in the centre of the chairs which were set around in a circle. It bounced shadows around the area and added to the ambience. An old metal bathtub had been filled with ice which had now part melted and everyone was welcome to use it to keep their dinks cold.
It wasn’t a cold evening as it was summer but the fire added to the scene. There was plenty of seating and it had been decided that we’d provide crisps and nuts but people were to bring their own alcohol. As Amy said, the party wasn’t intended to be wild and loud. It was purely a get-together for a few drinks and a catch-up with friends. It certainly wouldn’t be like the beach parties that took place each summer in Cromer. Those were famous for things getting out of control. I had never been to one but Amy had. She always woke up the next morning a little worse for wear. To be honest, if anything did get silly, I’d go to bed and leave them to it. I wasn’t into drama of any kind. As the word drama came into my head, I thought about Nixon and wondered if he was still home. I had seen his truck drive up the access road which was located at the bottom of our long, sweeping driveway a couple of times over the last two days.
Our friends were arriving in dribs and drabs and Mattie being the perfect host, greeted everyone and made introductions where necessary. Mattie and Amy seemed to know everyone, whereas I recognised some but not all. I never went anywhere, and so of course I wouldn’t know everyone.
Amy had invited her friend Betty and she had brought her cousins Ella and Tom Wade. They lived up north somewhere and seemed nice enough. Tom was tall and good-looking with boyish features and was a qualified vet. Ella had some type of gardening business. She was pining for her boyfriend Betty had whispered. Mattie had also invited Niall and Edward, two of the farm hands and one of his closest friends Rob. I, of course, had Charles. He looked boyishly handsome in board shorts and a Rick and Morty T-shirt.
We all sat around the fire and chatted over the music in our own little clusters. Occasionally the banter flowed out around the circle, with people taking turns to tell stories or jokes. Everyone was drinking alcohol and after around an hour, I started to relax. Mattie offered me a bottle of beer and I took it, drinking it from the bottle. So unladylike, my mother would not be impressed.
I was sat between Tom and Charles, and like Charles, Tom was easy to talk to and quite charming. Amy, Ella, and Betty were seated on the next cluster of chairs, Ella was constantly on her phone and the other two girls were whispering, staring into the fire with grins on their faces.
On and off I’d catch Edward and Niall looking at me and knew they were talking about me. Rob and Mattie seemed tight and were deep in a conversation that looked remarkably serious.
A few beers later and I was feeling slightly tipsy and so started drinking bottled water. Mattie suggested I take it easy and he was right as I wasn’t used to drinking heavily, but I was having fun. Tom’s attention felt amazing and he didn’t get the deadeye from either sibling once, which suggested he’d been given the stamp of approval. It made me wonder what it would feel like to have a proper banter with Nixon. I shrugged off the thought as nothing was straightforward where that one was concerned .
As I briefly checked my phone for messages, a couple more boys who worked for us turned up later, having been into the village. They were steamed but not in a bad way, it was quite funny to watch. They turned up the sound on the speakers to the point where the music was blaring out into the countryside. It was rather loud but it shouldn’t have mattered, considering we lived in the middle of nowhere.
My mother had sent me loads of pictures of the villa they were staying at. It looked amazing but I was still glad I had decided not to go. Chrissy appeared to be enjoying herself in the shots my mum shared.
I placed my phone in the pocket intended for drinks on the armrest of the camping chair I was sitting in.
An hour later, our small gathering became rather rowdy and I was toying with calling it a night. Both Tom and Charles begged me to stay and of course, I did. Some of the girls were dancing, and a couple of lads were sitting by the fire. Others were generally milling around.
The patio doors were open leading into our kitchen and I decided I’d have one more beer before going to bed. I took a fresh one from the kitchen before heading back to the doors. I’d been on the water for the past hour and so felt I could handle it. As I exited the house onto the patio, there was tension in the air which was odd. Niall and Edward were at the bottom of the garden sitting on our decked area beneath my mother’s pergola. Both had their heads raised and were looking down the side of the house.
The music was still pumping away and as I walked against the side of the house, I could see a huddle, one that had the attention of most people at the party. Something had happened, and then I found out what.
We had company and from the sound of their voices. McKenna company. I pushed my back against the stone of our house and didn’t turn the corner straight away. I just needed to listen, and find out what was going on. Why were they there ?
“As I just said, turn the music down dipshit.” That voice belonged to Nixon. OMG, my heart started to race, Nixon was here , at my house?
“Why would we do that? We’re not bothering anyone?” Mattie replied in a stony voice. He didn’t slur, but you could tell he’d been drinking.
“It’s spooking my cattle,” Nixon stated, his tone oozing his annoyance. My excitement dipped as I realised, he was here to complain and make trouble. Why on earth I’d thought he was there to see me was anyone’s guess.
Mattie snorted, “Piss off. What cattle?”
Great, another fight, I thought wearily. I hovered around the side of the house and peeked around the corner. Wondering what to do. The mood in the air was turbulent. Amy was standing beside my brother and they had their backs to me. Nixon stood a head taller than Mattie and I could clearly make out his face. He wasn’t happy and was wearing what appeared to be his signature look; pissed off. His brother Mason was there, looming beside him. They painted a tough picture.
“I can’t see any cattle,” my brother repeated, shifting his head to glance over their shoulders at the land which loomed in the distance. I could easily hear them all above the music, so it couldn’t have been that loud.
Nixon flicked his head in the direction of their land, “My herd housed in field two, the one next to your piece of shit cabbage field.”
Although I couldn’t see his face, I identified the frown through Mattie’s tone, “But that’s ages away.”
Mason stepped in then, pulling his hands from his jeans and thumbing the direction they were talking about, “No, it’s not. It’s the other side of that hedgerow and sound fucking travels in the country dickhead.”
Amy huffed, turning her head to our brother, “Don’t turn it down, Mattie. They’re just trying to spoil our party.”
Both brothers turned and snickered, “And what a thriving party it is,” Mason said with a self-satisfied smirk, glancing around the space .
Most of our friends were watching the show. Betty was sat with Tom and his sister. Even Ella had lowered her phone and was watching the show with a mildly amused expression. Betty whispered something in Tom’s ear and he nodded before he looked over at me. From where they were sat, they could see me. I put my finger to my lips to tell them not to give away my position and he smiled and turned back to the foursome around the corner of the house.
“Look, it’s just a few drinks. We’re minding our business, why don’t you do the same?” Amy scoffed, pointing a long-nailed finger at the duo.
Nixon glanced down at the gesture before taking a step toward Mattie, his huge chest probably twice the size of our brothers, “Seriously, I’m not kidding. Turn it the fuck down, or better yet, turn it off.”
Mattie backed up a step and shot a look at the speaker and I shuffled forward from my hiding place, suddenly feeling guilty. Like I should have been up there siding with my family.
Niall and Edward who had been watching from a distance must have felt that something was about to kick off and they made to move but I raised a hand and warded them off. I was surprised when they backed down. I didn’t want two of our farmhands stirring things up more. With just the four of them squared up, at least it was kind of even.
“It’s not that loud. I think you should get off our property,” Mattie batted back. I could hear his voice crack slightly. Nixon’s presence was enough to put the willies up anyone.
I watched as Nixon dashed a hand down his face, clearly frustrated and of course, he would be, Nixon McKenna was one of those people who just expected you to do as he said, “How about if you don’t turn it down, I hoy the fucking speaker over that fence?”
Amy met Nixon’s threatening stare without flinching, “Why don’t you and your dog just go home.” Her taunt hit its mark and Mason made to move toward her, his face determined but Nixon put out an arm to hold him back .
Nixon then shot a scornful look at Amy, “I wondered how long it would take for you to pipe up with the insults. I suggest you tell your brother to turn it down, Amy, before I do it myself.” I took that as my signal to move, pushing off the wall and strolling toward them. I manufactured an inquisitive expression and decided to try and turn their discussion on its head.
“What’s going on?” I put in sweetly. This drew both Nixon and Mason’s attention and my brother and sister twisted to watch me as I approached. I came to stand beside my siblings. As if by magic, Charles appeared beside me.
My brother flicked me a look but it was brief, he wouldn’t take his eyes off those two for long, “Go back in the house Jenna,” Mattie instructed with a grimace. No way was that happening. Tom also sauntered over and stood next to Amy. This wasn’t good.
“Everything OK?” Tom said, looking back and forth between the two groups. I saw Nixon’s eyes narrow as his gaze skated briefly over Tom Wade. I didn’t turn toward Tom; my eyes were too busy greedily drinking in Nixon’s masculine physique. That sizzle of connection was there immediately. It blazed through my body like an inferno, my temperature climbing a couple of degrees.
Ignoring his question, I shot my own out around the group, “What’s wrong? What are you all talking about?”
“The size of your sister’s dick,” Mason McKenna delivered smoothly and Nixon smiled.
She stubbornly lifted her chin and folded her arms before glancing over at me with a haughty look, “That isn’t even slightly funny, Mason. Jenna, go back in the house,” she said with a grimace, echoing my brother’s instructions. She looked tough but I knew underneath that fa?ade she was emotional quicksand where these boys were concerned.
“Ah, the sweet Jenna. I wondered where you were hiding. Isn’t it past your bedtime?” Mason said, shooting his now silently brooding brother a sideways glance .
Amy stepped forward and dropped her arms, shaking back her hair so it rippled over her shoulder like liquid chocolate. The motion was very dramatic, she looked like a Queen, “Don’t talk to her, don’t even look at her,” she sniped angrily.
The two brothers were now amused, Nixon only slightly but it was there. They gave each other a look a disbelief.
“Or what?” Mason tittered.
I watched Amy’s eyebrows raise before she said in a scathing voice, “How about I smack you one in your melon fucking heads?” I was surprised she dared threaten physical violence. Yes, she was a firecracker but Amy was rather scrawny and much smaller than Mason.
“Try it, tough girl,” he replied, his eyes glittering. He wore a look that almost suggested he’d enjoy it if she did try to hit him.
“I don’t understand what you’re arguing about,” I put in quickly. Even though I knew it was due to the music.
Amy backpedaledand answered my question, “They want us to turn the music down, Jenna. Personally, I think they should go fuck themselves.”
“Why don’t we just turn the music down, I don’t mind,” Tom suggested in a friendly voice. So, Tom was a play-nice boy, which wasn’t a bad thing at that moment.
The smile he gave me was comforting and he added a cheeky wink. An I’ve got your back type of look. Nixon picked up on it and eyes narrowed.
Mason ignored him and shuffled further toward Amy, which forced Mattie to place his shoulder in front of hers. He was in protective brother mode. Mason, looked through my brother, directly at my sister, “You’re such a little bitch.” Hostile vibes radiating from him.
I’d had enough, it was time I did something useful for a change, “Please, can we all stop bickering, it’s giving me a headache. ”
This drew both Amy and Mattie’s attention and they swung toward me, “Jenna?” Mattie said with his eyebrows knitted. I saw a flash of confusion flash across Nixon’s face at the concern in my brother’s tone. He hadn’t looked at me for long, but now his eyes were glued to my face. I occasionally got migraines but of course, he wouldn’t know that.
I raised a calming hand and shook my head, “No, it’s fine. I’m fine. Look, why don’t we all be grownups for a change? Why don’t we turn the music down and why don’t you both join us for a drink?” I suggested with a sweet smile toward Mason and Nixon. I was being the bigger person.
And BOOM! Talk about a surprise. They both suddenly looked like I had knocked the wind out of their sails. No easy feat when considering the mule-headedness of the McKenna boys. My brother and sister also turned to gawp at me with their mouths open.
“What?” I said innocently as if I hadn’t just invited the enemy to break bread with us.
“Jenna, are you on glue?” Amy grunted, not at all happy with my suggestion.
“Yeah Jenna, what the actual fuck?” Mattie chimed.
“Well, why not? Our parents are away,” I said, attempting to pull off a take-charge attitude.
Nixon and Mason were both watching the exchange with masked expressions and so I didn’t know what they were thinking about my offer. That huge olive branch I’d just extended.
“I could use a drink?” Mason suddenly said to his brother, some of the earlier animosity draining from him. Nixon shot him a sharp, semi-confused look.
“Well,” I taunted with an arched eyebrow, directly challenging Nixon to take me up on my offer. Daring him to. I imagined my expression was fairly goading. At least, I hoped it was .
“I suppose beer tastes the same no matter who it comes from,” Nixon drawled, pulling his gaze away to speak to Mattie. “Looks like your sister actually makes sense for once.”
“So, a truce then?” Mason suggested.
A hushed silence fell between us as the music stopped in between tracks.
“Yes, but it’s a one-night only deal,” Nixon agreed. His expression still brooding.
It took a few beats but Mattie made his decision, “Fine. You both look like you need a drink. Talk about uptight,” my brother said, taking a swig of the beer he’d been holding against his chest. He then turned. “Amy, go and get the boys a beer.” He rarely told Amy what to do and her mouth dropped open again in shock. She was possibly so surprised that she did what he asked on autopilot and stomped off toward the bath we’d used as a cooler. The music kicked off again.
“A truce between the McKenna’s and the Taylor-Joys. Interesting,” Nixon said directly at me. He looked gorgeous as usual, so arrogant and cock-sure and deliciously masculine.
“Yeah. We promise not to poison you,” Mattie put in with a chuckle, “although you might want to watch Amy open your drink, Mason.”
Mason snorted, leaning his head to one side as said sister walked back over to us with two beers, “Too fucking right. Vindictive little cow,” he muttered under his breath as he eyeballed the beers.
Nixon also suspiciously looked at the drink Amy held out to him, “It’s Bud Light,” she informed him. “Not bleach.” How I wished my sister knew when to leave it alone. The situation was still fraught yet she was determined to put more fuel onto the fire.
Both McKenna boys turned to look at each other before they both accepted a beer from her hand .
Charles, who had been silent, placed his arm around my shoulder, “You need a drink, Jen?” he said. His arm suddenly felt like a chain had been draped around my neck. Nixon raised a disapproving eyebrow before he lifted his beer and pointed the rim of the bottle toward us to highlight his terms.
“From tomorrow, the cease-fire ends. So, enjoy it whilst it lasts,” Nixon stated, arrogance dripping from that statement. Like he was still the boss; power and confidence radiating from him.
A strange atmosphere circled the group before everyone jumped on board.
“Sounds like a plan,” Tom replied, joining in, even though he wasn’t really part of this nonsense between our two families.
“Yep, a totally fucked up one but hey ho. I’m going to get shit-faced and you boys can make yourselves at home. Don’t get too comfortable of course,” Mattie put in with a snidey grin. He was drunker than I thought, and Amy’s face was bright pink. If they hadn’t been drinking, there would have been no truce. I imagine the brothers had also had a few at their place prior to their visit. It was Saturday night after all.
“Great, that’s settled then. Enjoy the party.” Charles dropped his hand to my waist and turned me towards the back garden where the beers were. Tom followed behind us. The hairs on the back of my neck bristled and I knew Nixon was watching me.
Niall and Edward had gone back to the decking. The party then kicked off again as if nothing had happened. Some great songs came on and I chatted with Tom and Charles for a while until they started talking about football. I then mingled among the guests, always with that feeling that someone was watching me. The alcohol had loosened me up and I didn’t feel like a fish in a fish bowl, even though I knew several of the boys kept looking at me.
During the next hour, I tried not to make too much eye contact with Nixon, but it did happen. Both he and Mason had been talking to Betty, Edward, and the top of Ella’s head as she was still texting on her phone .
Nixon was now leaning against Vicky’s paddock fencing with one foot crossed over the other, looking large and imposing as he, Mason and Edward spoke. Ella had gone back to her brother. The boys all worked on a farm and so I imagined they’d have plenty in common.
I lowered myself into a chair near Mattie. He was talking to Rob or should I say whispering. I couldn’t hear what they were talking about due to the mingled noises from the other conversations and the music which we hadn’t turned down in the end.
Glancing over to where the McKenna boys stood, a smile tugged my mouth. It felt like we had all taken a step forward tonight and I was the reason for that.
Taking charge had felt good and had come quite naturally. I had surprised myself, and my family, of that I was certain. I did catch Amy, glancing over at me before she placed her bottle on one of the littered tables and moved off in the direction of Nixon and Mason. Oh dear, not good.
I watched her, holding my breath. As she approached, Nixon scowled but Mason looked mildly amused. My brow scrunched as I watched her speaking up into Mason’s ear. He had to bend down to hear her. She then walked off in the direction of the front of our house. Mason said something to his brother, rolled his eyes and then followed her. Should I have been worried? That was weird.
Something else which was strange, Rob appeared to be touching my brother’s leg. I pushed myself to my feet, I needed to stretch my legs and I walked past Nixon and Edward to where Vicky had her head over the fence further down.
I stroked her muzzle.
“Everything OK beautiful,” Charles suddenly whispered from behind me as he started to massage my shoulders. I could smell the alcohol on his breath as his fingers rubbed my skin. It felt strange as it was the first time, he had ever done anything like that.
My semi-alcohol-infused state pushed me to go with it. Why not ?
After Charles was content that he had worked out all those non-existent knots, I turned to face him and we chatted for a while.
He then left me, saying he needed the loo, although he used language with a bit more colour than that. I gave Vicky one last stroke and then went to find a seat where I could sit by myself. I needed some quiet time.
The music that Mattie had set up was now mainly ballads. He was over by my mother’s rose bush next to the house with Rob almost holding him up. I could see Edward and Niall doing shots by the drinks table and Betty and Ella were slow dancing. Not together, just moving to the music and chatting intermittently. The mood was chilled.
It was dark now, the only light visible was the glow from the moon and the fairy lights dotted around our trees. I felt a slight shiver as the breeze skittered across my bare shoulders. I was so pleased I’d worm my new dress and I wondered what Nixon thought about me in it. It was much shorter than those I usually wore and left most of my slim legs on show.
As I was checking my phone for messages, a voice drawled, “Nice legs,” Nixon complimented from somewhere above me. His voice swept over my skin like a touch and I lowered my phone and popped it back in the drink holder of the camping chair.
I glanced up from beneath my lashes as he lowered his huge frame into an empty chair, the one opposite, semi-facing me. He was so rugged and tanned due to spending most of his time working outside.
My eyes roamed over the sleeve of tattoos he had on both arms. The ink was all black and the images were a mixture of roses with thorny stalks. There was an old-fashioned clock face on the bottom of his left arm. I couldn’t see the other one and wondered what that would look like. One day I would ask him what they all meant.
He was a big man and appeared to struggle to get comfortable on the fold-away chair, the seat only just accommodated his size. My chair pretty much swallowed me. I could touch the floor though and my legs weren’t swinging like they did when I sat at our kitchen table. It had always made me feel like a child.
“Thank you, I guess.” I pursed my lips as I watched him, drinking in his masculine beauty. He still did that looming thing, even though he was seated. His long strong denim-encased thighs were stretched out before him and he’d crossed his booted feet at the ankles. The white vest top he wore, pulled tight across his massive shoulders.
Nixon took a swig from the bottle of beer before cradling it against his chest. His fingers were long, the nails clean, short, and tidy.
Heat tingled through my face, “I must say I didn’t expect a compliment after your warning,” I replied softly, my eyes roaming over his perfect face.
He gave me a small smile as his gaze slipped to each of my cheeks, “I’m just being honest. It isn’t a marriage proposal, Jenna. Don’t get too comfortable. This truce is temporary, remember?”
My crush on him jumped up another notch and I raised my eyebrows in surprise, “It doesn’t have to be temporary. As I said before, we could be friends?” It finally felt like I was getting somewhere. Although maybe he was drunk and had forgotten it was me? Perish the thought.
Nixon’s smile dipped slightly but it didn’t leave his eyes, “We can never be friends, Jenna. I said nice legs as I was imagining them wrapped around my waist,” he told me; crudely. An image of just that tiptoed into my thoughts. I so hoped I didn’t start to drool. I knew he was attempting to ruffle me with his smutty comment but I didn’t care. At least he was being semi-civil to me.
He was so sexy and my heart pounded at his closeness. Nixon’s scent was amazing, it literally called out to me and I shuffled closer, our thighs almost touching, “You don’t have to be the tough guy with me you know. I know you have a softer side. I remember it from that day at the pool,” I whispered in a tone of encouragement .
“I’ve already told you that version is gone, Jenna.” Nixon’s voice became darker and I knew the timing wasn’t right for deep conversations, but I couldn’t stop that stabbing curiosity.
I leaned further toward him and touched his leg, “What happened to you? You can talk to me. I’m a great listener.” He didn’t flinch away but his eyes dropped to where I’d placed my hand. After a beat or two, he placed his own strong palm there, covering my fingers; his thumb gently stroking the skin. The blood seemed to rush up my arm, carrying a dose of excitement with it.
Nixon raised his eyes to mine and his voice dropped and became more sensual, “There are other more exciting things I’d rather be doing with you than talking, Jenna. But as I said, we won’t be going there.” He successfully railroaded me as another image of us together swept into my head. It was one of the ones from my dreams and steamy didn’t even begin to describe it. He was just so drop-dead gorgeous.
He was so determined to prove that he wasn’t one of the good guys but I saw through that, “I would ask what type of things, but I imagine this isn’t the place for those types of discussions.”
Nixon gave me a wicked look, “I agree. Plus, I’m not that much of a talker, I’m more of a doer, a man of action so to speak,” he drawled throatily. My heart tripped as he encircled my hand with his own and drew it up to his lips. He placed his mouth against my palm and I went all gooey inside. Nixon’s eyes became hooded. He didn’t even glance away to see if anyone was watching us. I darted a glance around the party of people but everyone appeared to be engrossed in their own conversations.
My heart turned over in my chest as Nixon drew one of my fingers into his mouth and sucked on it, his eyes assessing. Clearly waiting to see my reaction. Lust crashed into my pelvis. His actions felt even more sexual than his kisses and I thoroughly enjoyed the sensation blooming within me. I wanted to put my arms around his neck, press my chest against his; fuse our mouths together .
The sensations I was experiencing were off the chart and I relished the change in him. During our last conversations, Nixon had gone out of his way to be offensive and negative. Now he was blatantly flirting with me and in public. Well, sort of. I twisted and checked to see where Amy and Mason were as Nixon lowered our hands and gently placed mine back in my lap. Amy was still nowhere to be seen but I spotted Mason talking to Tom.
“Stop looking for your brother and sister. Who gives a shit what they think. Be your own person Jenna.”
I dragged my gaze back to Nixon but didn’t comment.
“I am my own person. I was the one who suggested we all bury the hatchet,” I reminded him.
He took my point and nodded, “Yes, I was impressed. You were quite outspoken tonight,” Nixon suddenly said as he leaned back into his seat. A thought about what my dad would say if he knew Nixon and Mason were here on our property vibrated around my head, before I squashed the thought.
“I’ve decided to take more control. Toughen myself up. Step out of the daydream you accused me of living in,” I replied with a smile, my thoughts racing. I had enjoyed speaking up for myself. Although maybe I would have felt differently if they hadn’t done as I had suggested so easily.
“I’m glad to hear it. You shouldn’t let other people rule your life. Well, apart from me,” he said with a cocky grin.
I smiled back, “Isn’t that a huge contradiction?”
He shrugged, “What can I say, I’m a bossy fucker and any girl I’m with, would have to deal with that. And when I say, any girl I’m with, I mean sleeping with. I don’t do girlfriends, flowers, or regular phone calls. Any female I’m fucking plays by my rules or not at all.”
I knew he was attempting to warn me off him again by making himself out to be so shallow. Nixon already knew I fancied him like mad, but I would not drop my knickers at the click of his fingers, nor did I want a sex-only affair. I wanted more from him than that. A real relationship with feelings, but I knew I’d have to up my game if I was ever to achieve that goal. Although not the best of conversations, at least we were talking. He’d come and sat with me. I hadn’t sought him out. Maybe I could take that as a positive sign? But then again, maybe not as this was a one-night-only truce. That thought made my hopes drop a notch.
Nixon shot me his trademark look; the, I’m in charge one.
He took another sip of his beer, taking a long time to swallow, like he was savouring it. I watched as his Adam’s apple moved as he drank and felt the sudden urge to put my mouth against the skin of his throat.
The air around us was heated and there was a sexual chemistry between our two bodies. I knew I needed to make my obsession with him more subtle. If Amy saw there was something between us, it would kick off and the evening would be spoiled. Mattie would also nail me to the wall, or lock me in my room and throw away the key.
My eye caught said sister, she was now talking to Tom and I wondered where Mason had gone. Probably snooping around our house, looking for evidence that we started the fire. I dragged back the unfair thought. Out of all the McKenna boys, Mason had been the least suspicious of us. Nixon and Boyd had been the worst, although maybe they had decided to let it slide. Apart from the occasional comment, Nixon hadn’t said anything recently. This fact gave me hope as it meant that there was one less barrier between us. Now I just needed to get under his skin to the root of the problem. Something had happened to him whilst he was away and it had hardened him. He appeared to have major trust issues. What if something had happened and it involved a woman? I did not savour that possibility.
“So, I take it that boy was all over you to make me jealous? Is that one of your tactics?” Nixon suddenly put in with a glassy look.
“ That boy is called Charles,” I informed him steadily. Toying with the top of my phone where it peeked out of the drinks pouch.
Nixon’s lip curled, “I could think of something else to call him,” he returned moodily.
“He’s a friend,” I defended as the atmosphere between us shifted to a darker place. Nixon was now watching me with an intense expression. Gone was the relaxed banter as things heated up a notch.
From his expression, he didn’t believe me, “It looked like he considers himself more than your friend. You should tell him to keep his spaghetti arms to himself.”
“He was only massaging my shoulders,” I pointed out, wrinkling my nose.
He took a long swallow of his beer, before he said quite quietly, “Who you see is your fucking business.” His words were totally at odds with his tone.
I shot him a knowing look, “So why do you seem so annoyed about Charles?”
Nixon struggled with his answer, that body language suggesting he was suddenly uncomfortable. Like he realised he’d given too much away. He inhaled sharply, before placing the beer bottle on the table beside him, “Because seeing you being pawed fucks me off.”
I couldn’t help myself, I had to fish for more, “Why does it do that?” I attempted to sound clueless but he scowled at me.
He shrugged, “It just does. Let’s leave it at that.”
Quit whilst you're ahead didn’t factor with me at that moment. I was on a roll and couldn’t stop myself. I had to pry more out of him. Maybe the beer had loosened his tongue, “That isn’t an answer Nixon.”
He remained silent, now picking something out from under one of his pristine fingernails, his gaze averted. I shook his leg with my hand and this snapped his attention back.
“I said leave it,” he bit out moodily .
I knew I was playing with fire but I couldn’t stop myself. It was way too much fun, “Fine. Maybe I should get back to my date then,” I taunted him, blatantly provoking the beast.
Nixon lifted my hand off his knee and leaned toward me, his breath on my face, “So, he’s a date now, he was a fucking friend two seconds ago. So, this is a jealousy thing.”
My eyes widened as they searched his face. He was good-looking beyond the bounds of reason, “And is it working?”
There was a beat of silence before he moved forward in his seat and placed his hands on either side of my body on the armrest of my seat, effectively caging me in.
Challenge flared in his eyes, “Fuck yeah,” he growled out the whisper, his focus now on my lips. Was he going to kiss me, here at the party with my family so close? I so hoped so.
I shuffled further, pushing my chest out, “So, what do you want me to do about that? You don’t want me but don’t want anyone else to have me. Surely it doesn’t work that way, Nixon. That isn’t fair.”
He pursed his lips, considering my words before pointing out, “I told you I don’t always play fair.”
There was another beat of silence as Nixon glanced moodily around the party.
I decided to taunt him with Charles again as at least it forced him to show some emotion, “Charles thinks I should stay away from you now that you’re back,” I informed him.
He snorted, “Clever Charles. Maybe you should take his advice,” Nixon growled, his expression now ominous.
“Maybe I will, maybe I won’t,” I smiled, feeling brave.
“Jenna,” his tone held a warning and I couldn’t stop myself. I was getting to him and so he had to care .
“At least Charles has a sense of humour,” I stated, my eyes probing his, blatantly saying that I thought he didn’t have one.
“And that’s important in your man, is it? A guy you can find funny?” Nixon huffed.
“Yes, of course. Laughter is the spice of life.”
He shifted back into his seat and rolled his shoulders, “No, it isn’t. That’s a bullshit line made up by someone who never got laid. Sex is the spice of life,” he pointed out with a quirk of his head. As his lips formed the word sex, I felt a kick of heat between my legs.
It took me a moment to gather my thoughts as sexual ideas swirled around my head. “In your world maybe.”
“In any red-blooded man’s world. He may make you laugh sunshine, but I could make you scream.”
The last shred of my composure shattered into a million pieces. How I didn’t catch fire right in front of him was a miracle. No wonder I had fantasies about this man. He was so direct; he didn’t hold back and try and protect me from the inappropriate. He said it like it was, and I found that such a turn-on.
My eyes flickered to his lips. He now wore a self-satisfied smile. Pleased with himself that he’d managed to unsettle me.
“And you want it, Jenna. So very much.”
I continued to surf that hot tide of desire. “If you say so. You appear to be the one with all the answers,” I replied on an exhale. My words almost vapour. He excited me, but I didn’t want this thing between us to be so one-dimensional and just about sex. I wanted to know this boy inside out, warts and all as they say.
His expression turned dark, “If you think I’ll allow you to toy with me, to alleviate your girlish summer boredom. I can tell you now, you’ll get more than you bargained for. ”
Lust continued to ripple through me but I lowered my gaze passively and replied in a quiet voice, “You don’t have to threaten me all the time.” A thought then occurred to me, “Are you scared of me or something?” I questioned, crossing one leg over the other. Nixon noticed and his eyes roamed over my bare thigh. He tried to hide it but I saw the flare of desire. But then I knew he found me attractive. That wasn’t the problem. I wanted him to know and want the whole me.
“Not at all. You should be though. Of me,” he told me in a throaty voice.
I pursed my lips thoughtfully, “We’ll see.”
He was right though. I was afraid but not of Nixon. I was afraid of how he made me feel and not being able to do anything about that. Like an itch, you couldn’t scratch.
He cleared his throat, the sound vibrating up through the strong column of his neck, “If you think I am one of those guys that needs fixing, you’re probably right. But you’re not tough enough to do that. You’re too sweet and pure. You’d need balls of steel to deal with me on any level sunshine.”
I huffed, “Well, I can agree with you that I don’t have those.”
Nixon’s mouth turned into a lazy smile as he leaned over and took my phone. I didn’t try and stop him and was puzzled with what he was doing. Was he going to read my messages? I had no lock on there.
My eyes squinted as I watched him thumb something into the screen. Music suddenly started to play through his jeans pocket and I realised he had just called himself from my phone. He arrogantly handed me my phone back.
“You can save my number into your phone. Then when you decide you’ve had enough of your V-card, you can give me a call.” I wasn’t stupid, I knew he intended to shock me with those words.
I leaned further back into my seat and rolled my eyes.
“I won’t just sleep with you Nixon, that’s not me at all.” I suddenly felt an impossible longing to be loved for myself and not just for how I looked .
“Well, that’s all that would ever happen between us Jenna. The only piece of me on offer is my dick. Deal with that and fucking lose the girlish crush. Get yourself a purpose, one that has nothing to do with fixing the bad boy as it is never going to happen. Why not start by learning how to ride your fucking horse.”
His tone had thickened and was rough and harsh and I felt my tummy flip and not in a nice way. I attempted to hide the hurt his words evoked and thought I witnessed a flash of regret as I pushed to my feet.
“Goodnight Nixon,” I said, looking down my nose as he just remained slouched in the chair like he hadn’t just been a total mean bastard to me. He was still the sexiest man I had ever seen, even though he treated me so brutally.
Our eyes clashed and he uncrossed his feet and sat up. Coming to his feet to tower over me. Taking back the advantage with his height.
I flinched as he raised a hand and ran his thumb over my bottom lip before lowering his head and whispering, “ Goodbye , Jenna.”
Twisting away with my head held high, I walked away. I didn’t sleep a wink that night. Too many torturous thoughts about the annoying boy next door.