Chapter 10 - Blair
After the dinner, I really expected Simon to be happy with how well it went. I was even surprised by how well it went. His family is really nice. I got on well with everyone, and they made me feel welcome and comfortable.
So, it’s very confusing when he’s deadly quiet for the whole drive home, and by the time we walk through the front door, he looks like he’s a pack of dynamite ready to explode, and the only thing stopping it from happening is his remaining silent.
Wondering if I should give him space or ask him what’s wrong, I chew nervously at the inside of my cheek. I did what he wanted, as far as I know. If he’s angry, does that mean I did something wrong, and he isn’t planning to stick to our agreement?
My stomach churns as I pluck up the courage to approach the subject.
“Simon?” I say his name cautiously.
“What?” he huffs.
“You haven’t said a word since we left your brother’s place.”
We’re standing in the foyer, the light isn’t on in this room, but it is on in the living room, and it’s casting a soft, warm glow across the floor and around us. When he turns toward me, his face is clouded in half shadow, and his eyes are burning with annoyance.
The anger in his tone catches me off guard. “Seemed like you wanted to stay there rather than come back with me?” he snaps.
Confusion strikes me. “What?” I blurt out.
“It was really obvious how much you liked my brothers. I’ve never seen you smiling that much when you talk to me. You looked relaxed and happy and didn’t once flinch when they stood too close or reached out to touch your arm,” he says with accusation.
My mouth drops open.
“I. I don’t understand,” I mutter. “Are you… jealous?” I ask, even more confused than before.
“It’s hard not to be when you treat me like I’m someone to be avoided. You act skittish around me and nervous most of the time, then you have an amazing time with some other guys!” he shouts.
“Those other guys are your brothers, Simon!” I shout back, caught off guard by this whole argument.
“So, what, that makes no difference. They aren’t your brothers. Maybe you married the wrong one, hey?”
I scoff, shaking my head.
But deep down, I know exactly what he’s talking about. And it’s not something I find easy to talk about. Biting at my lip, I sigh heavily.
“I’m not attracted to them, Simon. If that’s what you’re worried about.”
He snorts an annoyed burst of dry laughter.
“You could have fooled me.”
“And they aren’t attracted to me either. They are married, happily by the looks of things,” I argue. And that is the biggest point right there. I was comfortable around his brothers because there was no chance they would try to hit on me. There was zero interest, zero pressure, and zero attraction.
The moment that scenario changes, things get weird for me, and I tense up.
But if I tell Simon that, he’ll want to know why, and I am not ready to tell him anything about my past.
Simon takes a step toward me. “So, what then? You can be relaxed around them because you aren’t attracted to them? It doesn’t make sense, Blair,” he challenges me.
I take a sharp breath in and nervously take a step away from me, backing up against a nearby wall.
He laughs darkly. “Look at you, moving away from me. Where’s the smile you had for my brother?”
“Simon, please, you’re making something out of nothing.”
“Then explain it, Blair, why do you avoid me so much?” he demands, glaring at me.
“Because… um… because I’m not interested in you. I’m not attracted to you, so I don’t want to give you the wrong idea,” I stammer, almost tripping over my words.
Simon’s eyes darken even more, and my heart clenches tightly in my chest as he takes a very bold, very purposeful step toward me.
He is standing right over me, practically pinning me against the wall, when he whispers, “I think you just contradicted yourself. And you lied to me.” His voice sends a warm shiver down my spine and sets heat waves pulsing through me.
I turn my head to the side to try not to breathe in the scent of his cologne.
“I didn’t lie… when did I lie?” I mutter defensively.
“You are very attracted to me, sweet little princess,” he says with a dangerously suggestive tone.
“I’m… no, I’m not,” I stammer, barely able to keep my body in control as the heat from his pours into me.
My legs are practically collapsing beneath me as he hovers his lips close to me, threatening to kiss me.
Using all of my self-control, I keep my head turned to the side and my eyes half closed, pretending not to notice how close he is.
But heat is building between my legs, and my body is screaming for him.
He laughs, and it vibrates against me.
When he reaches up and wraps his fingers firmly around my jaw, turning my face up toward his, I gasp loudly. My cheeks immediately burn pink, horrified that the sound slipped so easily from my lips.
I expect him to taunt me again, to accuse me of lying again. But instead…to my absolute shock… he kisses me.
It happens so fast. His lips crash into mine, and it takes me a moment to process what’s happening.
His fingers are still locked around my jaw to hold me in place, but the truth is, I wouldn’t want to move away even if I could. I moan against his lips, unconsciously lifting my hands and resting them on his waist as my fingers dig into his sides.
His kiss is deep and intense, and it steals my breath away. It steals my thoughts away with my breath, and for a moment, I am floating.
He presses harder, shifting his hand so it’s around the back of my head, pulling me close, and pushing his tongue into my mouth. When he rocks his hips forward and rubs his rock-hard cock against me, I almost collapse in his arms.
I would let him do anything to me.
I’ve never felt more alive than I do in this moment.
Everything is sharpened, heightened. My body is running hot as though I have a fever, and right now, I want to rip his clothes off and explore every inch of his body. I’ve never felt this way about anyone. I’ve never wanted to experience this with anyone.
Simon chuckles as he steps away from me.
He keeps his hand on my hip, giving me a chance to steady myself and pull myself together.
Disappointment rushes through me along with annoyance.
“Why…?” I stammer, wanting to ask why he stopped.
“I had to kiss you. It was the only way to prove to you that you weren’t being honest with me. Or maybe you weren’t even being honest with yourself.”
“That’s…” I gasp, not able to find the right words to cover my embarrassment, frustration, and shock at what just happened.
“Tell me you’re not attracted to me, princess. I dare you,” he growls, gently pressing his lips against mine again. A softer kiss. A challenge.
Instantly, my body is burning hotter.
He’s shaking his head when he steps away. “I think I made my point,” he mutters, shaking his head.
My eyes trace over his body as my mind races, searching for something to hold onto to stop the desire from overwhelming me.
“Goodnight, Blair,” he says, sounding pleased with himself.
I stare at him in disbelief, my lips parted and my eyes wide. He grins, then turns away from me and heads upstairs, leaving me bewildered and more turned on than I have ever been in my entire life.
***
Over the next few days, I can’t stop thinking about the damn kiss.
It’s so annoying because I’m angry with him about it.
But I want him to kiss me again. Not that would tell him that.
I’m too angry to be that forward. It feels like he just used me to make a point, and it’s embarrassing that it was so easy for him to prove it.
I didn’t even try to stop him. And I kept making those stupid moaning sounds.
Ugh.
Why the hell does he have to be the hottest man alive?
It’s impossible not to be attracted to him. And yes, that’s exactly why I’m skittish around him sometimes.
Dammit.
I wish I could forget the past. I wish I could let it all go.
The kiss follows me in my thoughts. At work, I am struggling to focus, and it’s embarrassing because I’m forgetting simple things and letting my team down.
What can I do to clear my head and forget about how his lips felt on mine?
It’s late on Thursday evening, and Simon and I are eating dinner in the living room, and I can barely look at him without blushing. I can’t take this anymore. It’s been a week, and I’m still not over the kiss. I need to get out and burn off some steam.
“We, um, still have that agreement, right?” I ask without looking up from my plate of food.
He clears his throat, sighing. “Yes. We still have the agreement,” he says reluctantly.
“Good, because I am going out dancing with some friends tomorrow night.”
I steal a glance at his face, and it’s clear he doesn’t like the idea.
“You accepted the exchange. The dinner went well, and now I am asking for some freedom,” I say, suddenly nervous that he’s going to make this difficult.
“It’s fine, Blair. You can go. A deal is a deal,” he huffs.
Relief washes through me.
Up in my room after dinner, I text two of my friends to say I’d like to see them for a drink tomorrow if they’re free.
Sammy’s reply comes in quickly.
Girl, where have you been! Finally! You’ve practically said no to every invite over the past month. We’re going to Club Chaos tomorrow. Meet us there at nine?
I type out a reply with a smile on my face.
Sorry, things have been hectic with work and stuff, but I’ll be there. Can’t wait to catch up with you guys.
At least they are used to me not replying much and being a bit of an introvert. I hardly ever accept their clubbing invites, so it’s not unusual.
Already, the new plans are helping me think about something other than the kiss.
Hopping up off the bed, I tug my closet open, excited to choose something to wear.
***
Tequila is moving through my veins like a gentle stream, easing my muscles and relaxing my thoughts.
There is a smile on my face as I squint into the bright lights flashing over the dance floor.
Next to me, Sammy grins and lifts her arms in the air, letting out a loud whoop of excitement.
We’ve had quite a few shots, and my head is spinning from the alcohol.
I’m having such a good time. I finally feel relaxed!
Music pulses in the air, and I sway my hips in time to the beat. I can’t remember why I always said no to going out with them. Dancing is amazing!
Behind me, I feel someone bump against me, and I turn to smile at them, expecting a wave of a hand as an apology.
Instead, I see a tall guy with dark hair grinning down at me.
He has that look in his eyes that lets me know he didn’t bump into me by accident.
With a smile, he reaches out and places his hand on my hip, trying to pull me closer so I can dance with him.
I scrunch my nose and shake my head. No.
Anxiety spikes through me, dulling the happiness I was feeling a moment ago.
The guy cocks his head to the side and shrugs, trying again.
In a panic, instead of just confronting him, I decide I don’t want to dance anymore, and I turn away to hurry off the dance floor toward the bar.
My hands are shaking a little, and I think another tequila might help.
Leaning over the bar to wave for the barman’s attention, I feel a hand brush down my spine, and to my horror, I turn to see the same dark-haired guy standing over me again.
“Come on, sweetheart, it’s only a dance,” he smiles.
My stomach lurches nervously.
“No, thank you. I don’t want to dance.”
“Just one dance, though. Or let me buy you a drink. This dress looks incredible on you,” he says smoothly, brushing his hand over my side. I push his hand away, and the panic inside me spikes even more.
“I said no, okay? I’m just here with my friends, and I don’t want…”
Out of nowhere, Simon arrives, forcing himself between the guy and me. He turns to glare at the guy. “You need to move on, asshole. She’s not interested.”
The guy sneers, “I’m pretty sure she can speak for herself, man. Your interference is not welcome!” he snaps.
In a flash, Simon has the guy by the collar, pulling him close, snarling in his face.
“I swear I will break every bone in your body, you piece of shit. Don’t fucking test me!”
The guy’s eyes shoot wide. He wasn’t expecting the fight to escalate that quickly.
He raises his hands defensively. “Whatever, fuck’s sake, I don’t fucking care! She’s not that hot anyway,” he snaps, backing away as soon as Simon releases him.
I stare in shock and relief. I can’t believe Simon is here, but I’m so thankful. As I watch him confront the asshole who wouldn’t leave me alone, I realize something.
When guys flirt with me, I panic. It’s just how it is. But somehow, with Simon, I can be incredibly attracted to him without being on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Sure, he still makes me nervous, but not like that. Not in the way I am used to reacting near guys.
Simon turns toward me as I get ready to thank him for saving me. My body is still shaky from the encounter with the guy, and I am relieved he was chased away. But when I see the look on Simon’s face, my body tenses in surprise.
“So, this is what you do when you’re out?” he snaps angrily.
“Excuse me!” I huff, hoping I don’t sound as drunk as I feel. My adrenaline is already high; I don’t need to be lectured by Simon on top of it.
“I never would have agreed to this if I had known this would happen!”
“What would happen! I didn’t do anything! It’s not my fault he was pushy and forward. I didn’t invite him here or encourage him in any way!” I blurt out.
Simon shakes his head, and I suddenly feel overwhelmed with emotion.