3. Cherry
“Oh my God, this place is whacked!” I clutch Marianna’s arm as we step into what can only be described as a mansion. We push through the double front door into an entryway that is packed with people.
“It’s mad, right?” Marianna giggles. “It’s my stepdad’s place, really. My mom and I moved in last year when they got married.”
“So, your sister is here?”
Marianna shrugs. “Stepsister, I guess. Lorelei likes to call me her sister, but I think that’s more because she likes the idea of having someone she can boss around. You’ll see when you meet her. She’s a lot.”
We push through the throngs of drunk people, the scent of pot and beer hanging heavily in the air. “I can’t believe your parents would allow this.” My mom would skin me alive if I did this to her house, not that we could fit this many people in our home.
“Oh, they have no idea. They’re out of town and Lorelei can get away with anything, anyway. Let’s grab a drink and head out the back, we have a pool.”
I follow Marianna into the kitchen, the sounds of clanking beer bottle s mixing with the excited sounds of laughter and screams from all around me. Red solo cups litter the counter, and ice is melting in the sink.
I take the beer she hands me and we knock cups together. “Here’s to our first semester. May it be filled with hot guys, high grades, and lots of fun.”
I laugh at the toast as Marianna twirls around, her red hair flying around her shoulders. She’s fun, I like her and I have a good feeling about this.
We head outside and the scene out there is even more crazy. Half-naked people are dancing to the music, the deep thrum of the bass filling the night air with a sultry beat.
“Oh, I see some friends, I need to say hello.”
Marianna tries to pull me forward but I resist. “You go. I’m going to nose around for a bit, do a bit of people-watching.”
“You sure?” Marianna gives me a look.
I shove her gently and she laughs. “Yes, I’m sure.”
“I’ll be back.”
I watch her go with a smile. I wasn’t lying, people watching is one of my favorite things to do and I don’t get to do it often. Leaning against one of the pillars on the steps that lead down to the pool, I watch as a guy in red shorts throws himself off the diving board backward, landing in the pool to a chorus of cheers from his friends on the side.
Around me, couples are in different stages of hooking up, some talking and flirting and others practically having sex in full view and not caring who watches. My cheeks flush as my mind goes back to the boy from the coffee shop, Jake. I might have sworn not to get involved with anyone but boy, was he hot and, worse, he seemed sweet and that’s my kryptonite.
Chugging my beer to cool my heated cheeks, I head back inside for another drink.
“Hey, beautiful, wanna dance?”
I roll my eyes at the guy in front of me. He’s tall, athletic, good-lookin g, and off his face drunk. He makes a move to reach for me and I skillfully avoid his touch. “No, thanks, buddy.”
With a smile, he shrugs and then winks as he turns and yells at one of his friends to turn up the music. I continue on to the kitchen, passing a line up at the bathroom. A haze of smoke fills the rooms, the sickly sweet smell of spilled beer and marijuana permeating the air. I move to the fridge and pull out a beer, closing it with my hip as I look for a bottle opener. Spying one across the other side of the room, I squeeze past three boys and feel a hand land on my ass.
I straighten, my eyes popping open wide. Oh no he did not! I turn and see one with blond hair and an arrogant grin wink at me.
“Hey, gorgeous, wanna suck my dick for me?”
The fucking balls on this guy. I smile sweetly, moving closer and he grins at his friends, clearly believing that whatever the fuck that was, has worked. Resting my hand on his chest, I let it travel over his chest and down. I cup the bulge in his pants and squeeze and squeeze, watching as he winces and tries to move away but I have a pretty good grip on his junk.
“Gentle, love.”
I tilt my head and glare up at him. “Oh, I’m sorry. Am I being too rough with your needle dick?”
His cheeks redden and he grips my wrist trying to loosen my grip.
“Fuck you, bitch.”
I laugh, my gaze cold. “I’d rather deep-throat a cactus than put your dick anywhere near my mouth.”
I let him go and shove away from him, but he grabs my shoulder. I spin, ready to punch him in his jock face when I feel a presence at my back, a warm familiar scent surrounding me.
“Put a hand on her again, Marcus, and I’ll break every bone in your hand.”
His deep voice is cold and deadly and I watch as the needle dick and his friends pale and back away.
“Sorry, Jake, I didn’t know she was yours. ”
“Well, now you do, so fuck off before I decide to teach you some manners.”
Marcus and his friends turn and flee, like the little cockroaches that they are and I turn my attention to Jake. He looks good, his black t-shirt pulling across his chest and tight around his biceps, the dark jeans fitting just right. His hair is slightly damp, like he just showered and the visual is enough to turn my brain to mush, but I won’t be dicknotized by his hotness.
“I had it handled.”
He smirks and my belly swarms with traitorous butterflies. “Oh I know, I saw, but I know those guys and they won’t think twice about putting their hands on a girl in anger.”
“Assholes,” I sneer.
“Yeah, they are, but they’ll leave you alone now.”
I cock my head at him as I lean back against the sink and fold my arms. The beer bottle still dangling from my fingers. “Because they think I’m yours?”
“Yes.”
“But I’m not. I don’t belong to anyone except myself.”
Jake reaches out and, instead of the dread or revulsion Marcus instilled, I find myself going still, waiting for his touch, but he merely takes the beer bottle from my fingers and slams the lid against the counter, popping the cap off before handing it back to me.
“What if I said I wanted you to be mine?”
His lips look soft as I fight the urge to trace them with my fingertips. I glance back to his eyes and find him watching me with a hungry look. He wants me, that’s clear, and I doubt I’m hiding the fact I feel the same, but something about this boy gives me pause. He isn’t some fuck boy, or at least he isn’t giving the vibe that he wants just that from me, but that could be my ego talking.
He steps forward and his hand extends toward me, his fingers grazing my cheek as he tucks my hair behind my ear. His touch causes a shiver to skate down my spine, and I resist the urge to lean into h im, my breath coming in short pants as my pulse pounds against my neck.
“I’d say I wasn’t interested.” I lie because it’s what I want the truth to be. The thought of belonging to this boy right now is really fucking tempting but I’m not fool enough to believe it’s anything more than pheromones.
“What about a kiss?”
His head bends, his minty breath feathering over my skin as he moves slowly closer and I close my eyes, relishing in the heady feeling, before I plant my hand on his chest and push. He moves back easily and that only makes me want him more.
“I’d say you haven’t earned it.”
Jake chuckles, surprising me. Most guys would have sulked, stormed off, and called me a tease, but he’s different. He takes it in stride and it makes me like him more.
“What about your name?”
“Cherry.”
He nods as if he’s mulling that over. “I like it, it suits you.”
“Because of my hair?”
He leans back against the island, shaking his head. “No, although the hair is epic. Cherry blossoms look delicate and fragile but they’re actually really hardy and resistant to drought.”
“Wow, you’re a botanist. I did not see that coming.”
Jake shrugs. “Not really. I read it somewhere.”
“You read, too? Wow, you are a catch. Wife me up already.” The sarcasm in my tone is flirty and I hope he gets that. I don’t want to come across bitchy but I do fall back on it a lot, it’s like my factory default setting. My mom is always telling me it will get me in trouble one day.
“You’re not like other girls are you, Cherry Blossom?”
“Nope, one of a kind.”
“Yes, you are.”
“So, Jake, tell me about you? What are you studying?”
“Law. ”
“Wow, impressive.”
“What about you?”
“The History of Art and Architecture.”
“We have some beautiful old buildings on campus. Have you seen them?”
I take a swig of my beer, feeling the cool liquid slide down my throat, and then offer him the bottle to share. He takes it, doing the same, his eyes locked on mine as he does. It feels intimate as if we’re sharing way more than spit.
“Have you?”
“Have I what?”
“Seen any of the old buildings?”
“I’ve seen Massachusetts Hall and it’s breathtaking. I could study it for hours and still not take in all the details. I want to visit Holden Chapel next.”
“They are impressive.”
He looks down and then up at me sideways and I can’t hide my grin. “So, Cherry Blossom, are you going to let me take you on a date?”
I want to, I really want to but I promised myself I wouldn’t do this. And, honestly, Jake scares me slightly. He’s too tempting, to perfect almost and it makes me wary. But I like talking to him.
I shake my head and his expression falters before he nods.
“I’m sorry, Jake. I’m just not looking for anything.”
“I get it. How about friends then?”
Can you ever be friends with someone you find so attractive? I’m not sure you can but I find I want to try, because this connection I feel to him is addictive. “Just friends,” I state as I hold out my hand and he takes it in his and kisses my knuckles, causing my breath to hitch slightly.
“Good friends.”
I shake my head, snatching my hand back. “Don’t make me regret this, Jake.”
“Never. ”
“Hey, there you are. I thought you’d left.” Marianna wraps an arm around me and smiles drunkenly at me.
“You good, Marianna?”
“Yes!” Her arms shoot into the air. “I’m great.” She eyes Jake inquisitively. “Who is this?”
“Jake Marshall. Nice to meet you.”
“Oh, he’s hot and sweet, and I bet those big hands of his could show a girl a good time.”
Her stage whisper is practically a bellow and Jake smirks and shakes his head as I slap a hand over her mouth. “Inside voice, Marianna.”
A hiccup leaves her and she giggles. “Oops.”
“Jakey, there you are.”
I turn as a gorgeous blonde with a black fishnet dress over hot pink underwear drapes herself over Jake like a blanket. Her gaze moves to me as he extricates himself from her grip.
“Who are you?”
Her tone is anything but friendly, the mean girl vibes emanating off her in waves as she attaches herself to Jake with a proprietary demeanor that’s hard to miss. “Cherry Baker, and you are?”
Her lips purse and she sneers at me. “You have a stripper name. Do you dance?”
“That’s enough, Lorelei,” Jake states angrily but she just simpers up at him, her bottom lip turned down.
“I was only asking, Jakey.”
“No, you were being a bitch as usual,” Marianna declares, shoving away from the counter and facing the girl who is obviously her sister.
“At least I’m not sharing a dorm with a little slut.”
I place my bottle on the counter with more calm than I feel and turn back to Lorelei. “Are you really so insecure that you need to demean other girls to make yourself feel better?” I hate girls like this bitch and I have no time for that kind of energy in my life .
“I’m not insecure. What would I have to be insecure about? You’re nothing.”
“Bitch, you don’t even know me.” I step closer and I can feel Jake watching me, probably regretting his offer of friendship, and thanking the gods he dodged a bullet with me but whatever. This is me.
“I know you’re coming on to my boyfriend in my house.”
“I’m not your fucking boyfriend, Lorelei.”
She doesn’t even react to his statement, just carries on glaring at me, her fake lashes batting like spider legs on crack.
“You’re right, this is your house, and I’ll leave but let me give you a little warning, Lorelei. I play nice. I’m a nice person until you fuck with me, and then you’ll find out I’m not so nice.”
I shove past her and head for the door as Marianna chases me.
“I’m so sorry, Cherry. She’s such a bitch. I never should have told her you were my roommate and I swear I never said that about you.”
I rub Marianna’s arm as she struggles to stand upright. “It’s fine, we can’t choose family, right? Why don’t you get to bed and I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Why don’t you stay here with me? I don’t like the idea of you getting back to campus alone.”
I’d rather face down a tiger in a meat dress than stay under this roof but I don’t say that to Marianna. She’s sweet and she can’t help it that her step-sister is a total bitch.
“I’ll take her. I have my car and I only had a few sips of beer.”
I look up to see Jake watching us from a few steps back. He gives me a soft smile that is almost contrite. A part of me wants to say no, I don’t need the hassle that comes with his friendship, but I still find myself agreeing.
“Yay. Thanks, Jake.”
Marianna hugs me before I can say no and rushes back into the house. I tilt my head back to keep his gaze as he walks closer, his hands in his pockets. “Won’t your girlfriend mind?”
He shakes his head in annoyance. “Not my girlfriend. Not my anything. We just hooked up, it was nothing. ”
“Clearly she doesn’t feel the same way.”
“Well, tough shit, because I’m not interested.”
“Good luck with that. I have a feeling she’ll be harder to shift than a Strep infection.”
Jake rubs his thumb along his lower lip as he chuckles. “You’re something else, Blossom.”
“Yeah, so I hear.” I roll my eyes, but my shoulders sag a little hearing him say it. I should have known that my personality was just too big.
He lifts my chin with his forefinger and raises his eyebrows. “Hey, it was a compliment.”
“Really? You didn’t think I was mouthy or too loud?”
“Are you kidding? It was hot as fuck.”
I study him, looking for the lie, and find none. “Friends, remember? You aren’t meant to find me hot.”
“I agreed to friends, I never agreed not to find you hot.”
I shrug and turn away so he can’t see how pleased that statement makes me. “Using technicalities, Counselor?”
He bends close to my ear as we walk and he steers me towards a sleek, black BMW. “Not a lawyer yet, Blossom, but yes, technicalities and details matter.”
Running my hand over the cool glossy paintwork, I wonder how a boy his age can afford such a luxury car. Maybe he comes from money or he’s a criminal, but I dismiss that instantly. He doesn’t seem like the type to break the law and risk his future, but then I don’t know him. The question is, do I want to? The answer is quick; yes, I do.
“Will you let me give you a ride home? I promise no funny business.”
“Fine, but I’m choosing the music.”
He groans as he flicks the fob on the keyring and the doors unlock. Before I can reach for the door, he stops me, opening my door and reaching over to help me with the belt. I can feel the heat of his body as his hand skims across my belly and latches the clip. My pulse is rac ing in my neck as he moves slowly, letting his hands linger. Not in an inappropriate way but almost teasing.
“Do you open doors and latch seatbelts for all your friends?” My voice is a husky whisper as I stare at his lips, wondering why the hell I’m resisting him.
“Most of my friends don’t look like you. They’re only a nine, not a twelve.”
I laugh at his reminder of our earlier interaction. “Well, that makes all the difference.”
“Plus, I was taught that a real man doesn’t let a beautiful woman open her own doors, friend or not.”
“Your mom taught you well.”
He glances across at me as he buckles his own belt, a look I can’t define in his eyes. “Not my mom or my dad, but someone who has done more for me than I can ever repay.”
Before I can comment, he turns away and the engine roars to life. There’s a story there, one I want to hear. Jake Marshall isn’t who I thought he was. He’s so much more and it terrifies me because keeping him at arm’s length suddenly seems like a monumental task.