Chapter 7
I’ve never dropped anyone I believed in.
—Marilyn Monroe
Drew
We sit next to each other at the round table surrounded by a crush of people, the noise from their constant chatter deafening.
We say nothing to each other throughout the entire meal, for at least an hour, if not longer.
I know it’s stupid, but she makes me nervous and I want to get this just right.
It’s like I can’t find words. What can I say to follow up that kiss in the backseat of my dad’s car? I don’t want to cheapen the moment. I sit here and I’m wallowing in it still. Thinking like a chick, reliving the moment over and over again in my mind.
How she responded to me, the little sounds of pleasure she made in the back of her throat. The feel of her warm, velvety tongue as it slid against mine, her hands in my hair. I can’t remember the last time I was kissed like that. Have I ever been kissed like that? Hell, I really don’t think so.
The realization stops me cold.
We may not speak, but I’m extremely aware of her. The sound of her soft breathing, her sweet scent that makes my mouth water. The heat of her skin, the way her bare shoulder brushes against my arm when she reaches for her glass of water. I wonder if she’s touching me on purpose.
Out of the corner of my eye, I watch her drink.
Her full lips as they curve around the glass, the delicate line of her throat and its movement as she swallows.
The impulse to kiss all that exposed skin is so strong I clench my hands into fists and rest them on my thighs.
Willing myself to stop thinking like an idiot.
It doesn’t work. I can’t stop thinking about her.
How she felt in my arms, the taste of her still on my lips.
I don’t ever fucking think like this, ever.
I stuffed all useless emotion down deep inside me a long time ago and I’ve refused to let it back out.
It’s pointless. I’m like a robot most of the time.
Going through the motions, getting through life one day at a time.
But this girl…she doesn’t feel pointless. She’s real and she’s beautiful and she fits perfectly when she’s in my arms. She makes me want to feel.
So dangerous to think like this. I don’t mean anything to her. I’m a means to an end. A job with a paycheck. I did this to myself and now I regret it.
I scowl and slug back the beer I got from the bar earlier.
It’s my second one and if I have to endure this for much longer, I’m grabbing another soon.
I’m pissed that my plan to parade around a fake girlfriend has gone straight to hell and I have no idea how to stop this train wreck called my emotions.
I’m not even sure if I want to stop this.
That’s the stupidest thing of all. How much I want to torture myself. But if it feels good being with her, why would I want to stop?
You’ve done other things that felt real good, but you knew you should stop.
I hate that voice inside my head. It reminds me of all my faults. All the bad shit I’ve done. I’m not a good person and I know it. I don’t need the constant reminders.
“Drew, there you are!” Damn it, it’s Kaylie, and she’s got two friends trailing behind her.
All girls I went to school with, and all of them perfectly dressed and done up so they look like identical plastic Barbie dolls.
It’s hard to tell them apart. “We’ve been looking all over for you. You remember Abby and Ella, right?”
“Yeah. Hey.” I flick my chin in greeting and they all simultaneously flutter their eyelashes at me in response, giggling as they watch me. It’s completely unnerving and I wish they’d leave.
Beside me, I hear a quiet snort emanate from Fable, which makes me smile. Glancing over my shoulder, I see the slightly bemused look on her face, mixed with a dose of irritation. Kaylie is persistent, I gotta give her that, but I wish she would catch a clue.
“There’s dancing later, you know,” Kaylie says, oblivious to the death glare Fable’s throwing at her. “Maybe I could steal you away from your—girlfriend. We could catch up, since it’s been a while.”
She makes it sound like we used to be together or something, when truthfully I can barely remember her. I don’t know why this girl is so hell-bent on pursuing me.
“Every dance is taken by me tonight. Sorry.” Fable’s voice is bright and cheery, but she doesn’t sound one bit sorry. Plus, she’s resting her hand on my upper thigh, her fingers curving around my leg so they’re almost brushing against my dick. It’s a possessive move and I freaking love it.
“Yeah, uh…sorry, Kaylie.” I offer her an apologetic smile, which she doesn’t bother returning.
She leaves in a huff, flicking her blond hair over her shoulder as she turns and walks away with her little drones.
I watch them go, ultra-aware of Fable next to me.
More aware of her small hand that still rests on my thigh.
I don’t want her to move it, either.
“Tell me what that girl is to you.”
She sounds mad. I look at her, my gaze meeting hers. Those green eyes are shooting fire and I’m her target. “Nothing. I knew her in high school, but we hardly talked.”
Fable’s lips are firm, her eyes hard. She looks ready to kick some ass. “She acts like an old girlfriend.”
“She wasn’t.” I shake my head.
“You banged her, then.” Her eyes narrow into slits and my heart constricts in my chest as the realization hits.
Fable is jealous. And if the gloating sensation floating through me makes me an ass, then so be it. I’m actually getting some emotion out of this girl. She acts like she cares.
“I didn’t bang her.” My voice is soft. I don’t want her mad. Reaching out, I touch her, drift my fingers across her cheek as I stare at her lips. I want to kiss her. Reassure her that there’s nothing between Kaylie and me—no history, nothing.
“Good.” Her hand drops away from my thigh and she pulls back from my touch. I’m left reaching for air and I watch in disbelief as she withdraws into herself completely. She’s shut me out in the space of about ten seconds and it’s the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen.
I had her; now I don’t. And I have no clue why.
She pushes back her chair and stands, holding out her hand toward me. “Could I have my cell, please?”
“Where are you going?” I reach inside my pocket and pull the phone out, giving it to her. I’m struck again by how gorgeous she looks in that dress. I know she’d look even more gorgeous out of it.
“Outside. I need to call my brother and make sure he’s okay.” She offers me a quick smile and before I can ask if she needs me to come with her, she’s gone, threading through the crowd and headed toward the doors that lead outside onto a giant terrace that overlooks the golf course.
The room swallows her until I can’t see her any longer, and my throat gets tight. I miss her. Ridiculous, considering that I hardly know her, and we’ve only been together like this for three freaking days if you count the day we drove down here, but still.
“She’s not the one for you, you know.”
A rough breath leaves me and I close my eyes, wishing I were anywhere but here.
With her. Opening my eyes, I turn to see Adele sitting in Fable’s just-vacated chair.
The seat is still warm and I’ve already got Adele harassing me.
I really don’t need this shit. “Stay out of my life.” I keep my voice low. I don’t want anyone to overhear us.
“You can’t avoid me forever. You know I’m going to get you alone sometime.” She smiles, and her lids lower over her dark eyes. “You’re using her as a shield, but I’ll make it happen eventually.”
“I’m not using her,” I start, but Adele cuts me off with a look.
“You think I didn’t miss that tentative little kissing session in the backseat of the car?
Just because your dad and I were fighting doesn’t mean I’m not aware of every single thing you do.
” Her smug smile fills me with revulsion.
“I’m sorry, but whatever that was between you two looked like two beginners who have no idea what you’re doing with each other.
Like you’ve never even touched each other before.
Tell me the truth. Are you really with her? ”
Panic settles in and my throat is as dry as the Sahara. I don’t want to answer. It’s none of her goddamned business, but I know she won’t let it go. She’ll keep at it and keep at it until I give in. I always used to give in to Adele, and I hate that about myself.
Hate it.
I glance across the table, trying to catch my dad’s eye, but he’s so engrossed in conversation with the guy sitting next to him, he’s not noticing anything.
“We’re really together,” I say through clenched teeth, trying not to look at her.
The disgusted sound she makes draws my attention, though, despite my efforts.
Her eyes flicker the slightest bit, revealing her hesitation, but she forges on. “So. Is she any good in bed? Does she know any special tricks?”
Jesus! I knew this would eventually happen, but not here. Not surrounded by hundreds of people. “Don’t fucking go there.”
Her smile widens. She knows she’s struck a nerve. “Does she keep you satisfied, Andrew? That’s rather difficult, you know. Once someone breaks down all those steel walls you so carefully build around yourself, you’re quite…insatiable.”
Shame washes over me and I stand so fast, my chair falls to the ground with a loud clatter. Everyone at our table looks at me, and my cheeks heat with embarrassment.
Adele sits there as serene as a queen on her throne. She doesn’t bother looking at me. She knows what she’s done.
“You okay, son?” my dad asks, his brows furrowed.
I don’t answer him. Instead, I escape, desperate to get away from Adele. I need to get out of this crowd. The room feels like it’s closing in on me, and my head is spinning. I don’t know if it’s from anxiety or the two beers I drank tonight.
All I know is I need fresh air. I’m headed for the terrace.
Headed for Fable.
Fable