6. Eden – Age 18
Chapter 6
Eden – Age 18
S o much for praying for things to get better.
To say things got worse would be an understatement. And now I am alone in a bar, doing the one thing I swore I wouldn’t do. Getting drunk. I sit glaring at my drink as anger from the whole situation threatens to consume me. A laugh bubbles out of me, but its humorless. I pick up my drink, necking the entire thing just to help me forget.
I glance around taking in my surroundings. The bar is chic, it overlooks the pretty California beaches and Pacific Ocean. Any other time, I would appreciate the beauty of this spot, but as I sit here, underage with my fake ID, I can’t help but hate the place. Hate Orange County and that I was forced to come here.
I don’t usually drink. Have never been drunk. But I was now on my third vodka cranberry, and I didn’t even care. Today I need it. Need to forget all the shit, the life I left behind and everything I have known for the last eighteen years. There is a silver lining though, one that makes it a bit easier to relocate. My best friend Piper accepted into Beaumont College, and would be living only an hour away.
My mom was a good mom, once upon a time. Before my father left and everything went to shit, at least. Ironically, he is no longer with the women he left mom for. Traded her in for an even younger model. I would laugh at what a living, breathing cliché the man is if he hadn’t turned my world upside down.
He decided to come visit me for the first time in six years. Visit is a little farfetched. What he came for was to announce his engagement to a woman he had been dating for the last eight months. I say woman, but she is closer to my age than his.
During his visit, he found out I wouldn’t be graduating high school. He wasn’t happy.
You see, dear old Dad is the Dean of a prestigious private high school in California. The embarrassment of people finding out his only daughter would not be getting her high school diploma is something he didn’t want to suffer. It took him all of a few hours to realize something was up and a few minutes to start throwing his weight around. I frown as I replay his words from that day in my head.
“ Jesus, Eden, why didn’t you tell me it had gotten this bad? She is not capable of looking after herself, let alone you,” he had boomed. “And to let you miss so much school. What about college? It won’t be an option without a high school diploma? I’m so angry. It is preposterous. Humiliating.” I had let out a humorless laugh at his audacity and then let loose.
“If you actually checked in more than once every couple of years, then maybe I would have been able to talk to you. You left us. We are fine without you. I can take care of the both of us just fine.” I screamed back at him.
“ Like hell you can.” was his response.
After calming down, we all talked. For the first time in six years, all of us sat down and spoke. He wanted mom to attend rehab and would pay for it on the condition I would agree to attend his school to repeat my senior year. I laughed at his ulterior motive. Daddy dearest would never do anything out of the goodness of his heart. Even for his daughter. My traitorous mother was quick to agree to this, much to my annoyance.
Now mom is in a rehab facility in Arizona, to complete a three-month treatment program. And me? I’m in sunny Orange County living with daddy and his real-life real housewife, about to repeat my senior year at Regis Saints Academy.
I have done my research on the place. From what I can tell, it is a place for trust-fund brats. Spoiled kids who thought they were special with their designer outfits and latest gadgets that had probably never known hardship. Maybe I was being judgmental, and these kids would be different, but I am bitter and angry about my whole situation. I just need to focus on why I am doing this. Mom is finally getting the help she needs. I can do this. For her. It can’t be that hard, can it?
I am basically living the real OC life. With the big mansion, the step ford looking wives and the rich men. Declan earns good money as the Dean of Regis Saints, but it’s not what made him rich. No. That is the app he designed and developed for use in schools and sold for millions.
Honestly, as much as it pains me to admit this, I have seen it and even used it. Its good. I asked him why he continued his work at Regis Saints when he obviously didn’t have to. His response?
“ Work is in our blood, Eden, whether I have ten-thousand dollars, or ten-million dollars, it doesn’t matter, I will still work.”
I didn’t know what to say to that, so I said nothing. His young, gold-digging fiancée doesn’t work. Eyeroll. So, I guess she does enough not working for both of them. I am only going off what I have seen but it is obvious why she is with him, he isn’t a bad looking man by any means, but he must be twenty years older than her.
A deep, sexy, masculine voice pulls me from my thoughts, sending a shiver up my spine.
“You look like you could use another drink?”
My head whips round, eyes connecting with his face, they widen before all the air leaves my lungs. I have never seen such a beautiful looking man in my life. I blink to make sure he is real and not an apparition I have conjured up in my drunk mind. Yep, still there. As if he can read my thoughts, he flashes me a smirk. A smirk so sexy, I swallow just to wet my dry mouth. My eyes rake over his face shamelessly, drinking in every inch of him. He looks like a god. Face chiseled and defined. Sparkling emerald, green eyes full of mischief. Tousled dark hair that is begging to have my hands run through it. My gaze drops down his body, mouthwatering at what I find. He wears a simple black t-shirt that showcases every bit of muscle, although they are covered, I can see the outline of his abs. I count them in my head. One, two, three, four…. is that an eight pack? I think it is.
My eyes drop further south of their own volition. He wears navy khakis which showcases the prominent bulge. His cock. I gulp. I may not have much experience with men but even through his pants I can tell he is big. My gaze snaps up when a throat clears. When I find the sexy strangers’ eyes on me, my cheeks heat in embarrassment. His lips curve, eyes sparkle with amusement. I glare before turning my gaze on my empty glass. Bastard knows I was checking him out. His arm brushes mine as he takes a seat on the stool beside me. My eyes flick back to him, he raises an expectant brow and I realize I haven’t yet spoken.
“What makes you say that?”
He smiles knowingly. “Because you look how I feel.” He signals the bartender with a wave of his hand. Do I look that bad?
I know I’m attractive and that’s not me being conceited; I have been told enough times. I was even model scouted last year at my local mall in Seattle but never pursued it. With my dancer’s legs, long blond hair, and blue eyes. I can easily be mistake for your typical Californian girl. I got mom’s looks and his eyes. For a long time, I hated looking in the mirror and seeing him staring back at me.
My eyes dart to the mirror behind the bar where I slyly check myself out. I internally scold myself at the sight that stares back at me. Messy hair, face free of make-up. As for my outfit? I glance down at my ripped denim shorts, black tank top, and Chucks. I never usually care what I look like but right now I do, especially when I look at the man beside me. All attractive, nicely dressed, and put together.
“So, what can I get you to drink?” he asks, flashing his perfect white teeth.
I turn my whole body to face him, ready to decline his offer.
“Look, I’m sure you are a really nice guy. But I am not really in the mood to be hit on, and I am not a one-night type of girl…so you can leave.” I turn back to face my empty glass, hoping he will get the message. As hot as he is, I don’t need any distractions. I just need to finish my senior year and get the hell out of Orange County.
“Tell me,” He drawls so sexy it makes my core clench. That’s new. I turn to face him again, this time with a cocked brow urging him to speak. “How is a woman who looks like you……” he trails off, his lips twisting as if he is searching for the right words. He clears his throat. “I mean, you are exquisitely beautiful, but I’m sure you know that.” He pauses waiting for my reaction. I don’t give him one. “Anyway, why are you on your own? Looking like the world has ended? A girl as pretty as you should never be without a smile.” My heart flutters at his compliment, but I still don’t give in. Like I said, I don’t need the distraction, no matter how hot he is.
“Look, you can probably have any woman in this place. Probably most of the men too,” I add, with a wave of my arms. “Why don’t you go and hit on someone you actually have a chance with? An easy fuck which is more than likely what you are looking for. I’m not that girl, you are wasting your time. I just want to sit and drink in peace.” His eyes narrow before his lips tip up in breathtaking smile, that leaves me momentarily stunned. There are no words to explain how attractive this man is.
“Beautiful and funny…just my type,” He smirks, leaning in so close his hot breath fans my face. My breath hitches at his close proximity. “You’re right. I could probably have any woman in here. It’s not like I didn’t notice the come fuck me eyes when I walked in. I don’t do desperate. I can smell their desperation from here,” A snort bursts from me on its own volition. Jesus, he may be gorgeous, but he’s an arrogant bastard. “But you? You didn’t so much as look at me until I approached you. Even then you barely spared me a glance,” His emerald eyes bore into me making me squirm in my seat. Noticing he smirks. “I do like a challenge. I think I will take my chances and join you.” He finishes, leaning back in his stool getting comfortable, he shoots me a wink. I roll my eyes, acting nonchalant even though I can feel my arousal in my panties. They are embarrassingly wet; I was sure by the time I leave here my shorts will be too. Not that I will ever admit it…something tells me this man doesn’t need anything else to inflate his already oversized ego.
I eye him. Feeling confident, I cock my head with a smirk. “Beautiful, huh? Quite the charmer, aren’t you?” He flashes an arrogant smirk not deterred by my words. “Maybe if I were a few more drinks in, I would have fallen for what I am sure is normally a bulletproof way to get a woman into bed. Unfortunately for you, I’m not. And I definitely will not fall for a little line like calling me beautiful.” I shoot him condescending wink. He eyes me a beat before his head falls back on a laugh. I stare at him as he chuckles. If I wasn’t so angry right now, I would probably enjoy his attention.
His eyes meet mine as his tongue traces his full bottom lip. My eyes dart to the movement, watching as he wets the perfect plump flesh. “Pessimism doesn’t suit such a beautiful face.” I groan as the bartender hands us our drinks – the green-eyed stranger sliding him some bills across the bar in return. He turns with a sigh. “Look, we obviously got off on the wrong foot. You probably get hit all the time and by the look on your face, it is the last thing you want. So, let’s cut the shit and start over. I’m Nate.” He thrusts his hand out for me to take. “I can leave you be, if that’s what you really want? I just don’t want to sit alone. And as much as you probably don’t think you want it; something tells me you could use the company. What’s your name, Blondie?”
A smile tugs at my lips. He is right. I was used to being hit on. Half the male population at my school in Seattle had hit on me to no avail. The boys I went to school with, they were immature, their sole purpose in life was to see how many girls they could sleep with by graduation. I wasn’t going to be another notch on some boy’s bedpost, so I steered clear, earning me the nickname ‘Pruden’—a mix of prudish and Eden. They thought they were clever. I didn’t care. When they eventually realized they wouldn’t get anywhere with me they stayed away.
I take a sip of my drink before taking Nate’s hand with a smile. “Eden. I apologize for being a bitch. It’s been a bad day.” He grins with a nod of his head.
“I know that feeling,” His jaw ticks, a dark look in his eyes. “I just found out my ex of six years is engaged to the guy she cheated on me with.” My mouth gapes in disbelief that anyone would want to cheat on him, before I let out a low whistle
“And I thought I was having a bad day. You definitely win.”
He shrugs, waving me off. “Yeah, it was a shock for sure. But they are welcome to each other.” He dismisses it like it isn’t a big deal, but I don’t miss the anger flashing in his eyes. “So, what happened to you? Boyfriend? Ex-boyfriend?” He licks his lips as his eyes rake over me, his gaze scorching my skin in ways I didn’t know could happen. “Nah, not an ex. I can’t imagine any guy lucky enough to have you would ever leave you. And if he did, he is an idiot.” A laugh bubbles out of me and I shake my head in amusement.
“You can’t help yourself, can you?”
He chuckles. “Not when there is a gorgeous lady involved. Sorry.” He smiles sheepishly. “So, what is it, then? What is so bad?”
I eye him, debating what to tell this man. I can’t say too much about my situation because it will give away my age. And since I am underage…with a fake ID…drinking in a bar, I don’t need trouble, so I keep it simple. “It’s just family stuff. Asshole fathers.” I grumble.
Nate searches my face, over the top of his beer. Obviously noticing a shift in my mood, the tension in my body, he smiles. “How about we leave the deep stuff?”
I chuckle, feeling my body relax. “That’s the best thing you have said since you walked in here.”
He shifts his whole body to face me, caging me in with his muscular legs. His green eyes lock onto my blues as he leans into me. My pulse speeds up, breath hitching at his nearness. His throat bobs as he swallows his beer, my eyes track the movement. I want to run my tongue up and down his strong throat, taste him. As if sensing my thoughts, he smirks knowingly. I give my head an almost imperceptible shake, needing to gain some self-control.
“Tell me about yourself Eden? What do you do? How old are you?” he asks.
Again, I need to keep the answer simple, I will never see this guy again; he doesn’t need to know I am repeating my senior year at high school, that I am only eighteen, in here with a fake ID. “I graduated in June. Twenty-one. What about you?”
An emotion flashes in his eyes, but before I get a chance to decipher it, he smiles, but this time it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Twenty-eight and I’m an app and software developer.” I freeze, not at his age but his job. What are the chances? He is in the same line of work as Declan. I’m not about to talk about him t hough so instead, I blurt.
“You are way too hot to be a techy guy.”
He laughs, heartily before gently nudging my shoulder. “Now look who’s flirting.”
I shrug. “I doubt you are unaware of how attractive you are. Your ego is so big, I’m surprised you could get through the entrance.” I jerk my head towards said entrance.
He chuckles harder. “I like you, Eden. Straight to the point, real, don’t apologize for who you are. It’s rare in people nowadays. Especially for people in Orange County.” I bite my bottom lip; his eyes narrow in on the movement. Warmth spreads through my body, my stomach swirling in excitement. This reaction is foreign to me. I have never felt like this with a guy before. Ever.
Nate shifts his stool closer. I take a deep breath, his masculine scent invading all my senses, making me feel dizzy. “Do you live round here, Eden?”
“I do. For now,” I croak out. He moves in closer - leaving hardly anything between us -his big body dwarfing mine. His hand drops to my bare thigh, my skin prickles when he draws small circles on my skin.
“Are you cold, Eden?” He asks huskily, his hot, minty breath fanning across my face. I swallow, shaking my head. He smiles. “You know. I’ve never done this sort of thing before,” My brows furrow in confusion. “Never hit on a woman, I mean. I’ve never had too. I know I sound egotistical but it’s the truth. They usually come to me,” He shrugs, “But you? There is something about you, you’re different.”
I roll my eyes, even though his words are doing things to me. Mainly soaking my panties. “Another one of your pickup lines, Nate?”
“Nope. Just the truth. You can’t tell me you don’t feel this connection between us? Its electric.” I search his face, only finding truth in his words. My gaze drops to my lap. He is right, there is a pull between us. I startle when his thick fingers grip my chin, lifting till I meet his eyes. The intensity in his has my breath hitching. “I want to see your gorgeous face.” He slowly moves closer, so close his lips ghost mine. “I know you don’t know me, and I don’t know you. But I think you’re really fucking sexy. I have never wanted to kiss anyone as bad as I want to kiss you. And as much as you think you don’t want this…” His hand on my thigh moves higher, “I can tell you do. Your body gives you away. I can smell your arousal from here.” He growls.
I pull my chin out of his grip, as my eyes widen in embarrassment. Can he smell my wet panties? Jesus, right now I wish I hadn’t been a Pruden. I wish I were more experienced to deal with a guy like him. He raises a brow, daring me to deny what we both know to be the truth. He is turning me on. He knows it. I know it. I stare at him, neither confirming nor denying his accusation so he continues. “I can tell by your erratic breathing. The way goosebumps coat your soft skin. You’re not cold, Eden. Your turned on,” He winks smugly. “I have a talent for reading women.” I clench my thighs at his words, my panties getting even wetter. I don’t even want to think about the puddle I will be leaving on this stool.
I have kissed boys before, but they were just that. Boys. Nate is all man. I’m not experienced like other girls my age. I am still a virgin at eighteen. But somehow, I have gone from not wanting him to hit on me to wanting to do very naughty things with him. A stranger. I want his hand to travel higher, I want him to feel my wet panties. Hell, at this point I am about ready to let him take my virginity on this bar. I inwardly chuckle at the situation. Maybe I should do something for me. To be irresponsible. To fuck someone, I have only just met.
My tongue darts out to wet my dry lips. Nate's eyes follow the movement. I lean in, my lips resting against his. I can taste the beer. Taste the man. “And maybe I have a talent for reading assholes.” I pull back, smirking with a wink.
He barks out a laugh, the sound going straight between my legs, “Touché, Eden. But don’t kid yourself, you could cut the sexual tension with a knife right now.” I snicker. He is right, you can. It would be so easy to lose myself in him right now. Maybe I should? I do want to forget, after all and something tells me Nate could make me forget everything.
My cell buzzes breaking me from my thoughts. I snatch it off the bar, groaning at the name on the screen. A message from Declan, demanding I get home now. I furiously type a message back before pulling up my Uber app.
“Everything okay?” Nate asks. I click on my ride and push my cell into my shorts pocket before turning to Nate.
“Yeah, I gotta get back. Family stuff.” I shrug. Pushing to a stand, I get ready to make my exit. “Thanks for the drink Nate.” I don’t give him a chance to respond, turning on my heel, I make my way to the door. Just as I step outside, a big hand wraps around my elbow. I turn, jaw clenched - ready to shout at whoever dared to touch me - when my eyes lock with emerald ones that have somehow become familiar.
“At least let me wait with you. It’s getting dark, you don’t know what weirdos are about,” Nate rasps.
I cock a brow. “You mean apart from you?”
He chuckles, shaking his head as he leads me to the sidewalk. After a long beat of silence, Nate speaks. “I know I said I wouldn’t hit on you, but can I at least get your number?” I look up at him with a smirk.
“Your tenacity is admirable Nate.”
He smiles, something that looks a lot like determination flashes in his eyes. Grabbing my hand, he pulls me towards the alley at the side of the building. I should be afraid. Should scream for help. But I don’t do any of that as excitement course through me. “Where are we going?” He doesn’t answer but flashes me a smile. Coming to an abrupt stop, he backs me up until my back hits the wall, his big arms caging me in.
“Tell me to stop if you don’t want me to kiss you?” he whispers, searching my face. My head spins, this is all happening so fast. But as I look at him, I know I don’t want him to stop. I want him to kiss me.
Before I can stop myself; I wrap my arms around his neck, yanking his head down to me. His lips crash on mine, taking my breath away. In this moment, with his mouth on mine, my whole-body sparks alive in a way it has never before. Nothing has ever felt so freeing as his mouth on mine. I never want it to stop. Nate devours my mouth like a starved man, finally having a meal. His tongue darts out, seeking entrance to my mouth. I give it him, moaning when his hot tongue meets mine. His hands move down my legs, wrapping round my thighs as he lifts me like I weigh nothing.
My eyes fly open as I feel his dick harden. It only takes seconds before I am grinding against the hard length, losing all my inhibitions. Who am I right now? This isn’t me. I moan, at the feel of him and briefly wonder how he would feel inside me. I internally roll my eyes; I might be acting completely different to usual but it’s not like I’m actually going to fuck him against this wall. He groans as his hand snakes between us. Through the fabric of my denim shorts he rubs my swollen clit. The feel of his hand there and the material rubbing against me has me gasping. Shit, if he keeps this up maybe I am going to fuck him against this wall.
Shaking the thoughts away. I push into his hand, chasing the friction I desperately need. He chuckles against my mouth, the sound vibrating through my body, shooting straight to my pussy. My orgasm builds, taking me higher and higher only to disappear when Nate pulls his hand and lips away. Frustration courses through me as I pant, trying to catch my breath, He smirks before his lips move to my neck, kissing and nibbling the sensitive flesh.
“You are so fucking sexy, Eden,” he murmurs thickly, causing me to shiver. His hand comes up, unhooking my arms. Never breaking eye contact, he guides my hand down to the hardness in his pants. “Look what you have done to me. I’m so fucking hard for you.” My eyes widen, he isn’t lying. He is rock hard, and big. Very fucking big.
Dropping my hand, I slide down his body, a moan escapes as I graze his hard cock. I clear my throat. “My ride will be here,” I chew on my lip, realization setting in at what I have just done. His eyes search mine.
“At least let me get your number?” he rasps; his tone almost pleading.
I smile, I shouldn’t give it to him, but I want to. “Sure, why not?”
He grins, pulling his cell out of his pocket. He hands it to me, my thumbs race across the screen as I input my number before handing it back. Seconds later my cell buzzes in my pocket. I fish it out, frowning when a number a don’t recognize flashes on the screen. I look to Nate who smirks back at me.
“Just making sure you didn’t give me a random number.” I roll my eyes before starting back to the main sidewalk. Feeling confident, I spin.
“I would never do that to someone who kisses as good as you.” I wink.
An arrogant smirk spreads across his face, “If you think that was good, just you wait till I get you in my bed.” The confidence in his voice has my cheeks heating. I have no doubt this man, knows how to please a woman. “Don’t worry, Eden. I assure you will enjoy every second of it.” I shake my head before spinning on my heel and rushing to my Uber which is now waiting. Jumping in the back seat, I pull the door only to find it won’t move. My gaze snaps up to find Nate holding it. He crouches so he is eye level with me. My pulse races up as he moves in and kisses my cheek. I squeeze my eyes shut as my skin tingles from his touch.
“’Night, Eden.” he whispers seductively.
“Night, Nate.” I croak in a voice I don’t recognize. His eyes flash triumphantly. Like he knows something I don’t. Pushing to a stand, he gently closes the door. The car peels away, I fall against the seat, releasing a harsh breath. I know full well nothing good can come from seeing him again. I lied to him. About my age. About college. I should block his number. But even as the thought passes, I know I won’t. I want him. And I have never wanted a man.
I don’t need the distraction, but if I am going to have one, Nate will be the perfect one.