Bonus Chapter
NEEDING HIM NOW PREVIEW
Kendall
I try not to make it obvious that I am looking for him. I’m always looking for him, ever though I try my damndest not to, it’s almost like my entire body knows whenever he is near.
But tonight, his absence makes me worry. I know already that his mother has this vision of what she wants his life to be. She knows what kind of woman she wants him to marry and who she wants to mother her grandchildren.
It sure isn’t a tow truck driving tomboy with a sailor mouth.
I’m rough around the edges, I always have been.
I didn’t have a bad childhood, I had a great one.
My parents are divorced, my mother lives in Maine with her new husband and we talk at least once a week.
She is the exact opposite of me, relying on a man to take care of her.
But I don’t need anyone to take care of me, I can do that on my own.
My father raised an independent woman.
My mom left and I could have gone, but I have always been a daddy’s girl and I knew where I belonged.
I’ve been happy with my life. Happy with the path I’ve chosen.
I’ve never needed a man, outside of the occasional hook up.
But all that changed when Aaron strolled into that bar after I’d already had a few drinks.
My defenses were down, and apparently I do stupid things after a few shots of tequila.
I hate the stuff now, because it started this downward spiral that I can’t seem to pull myself out of.
I hear him before I see him as he walks into the bar, his hand linked with a female, one that seems completely out of place.
“Who do we have here?” Adley asks as they join the group. The girl at his side looks like she is going to Sunday morning mass. A floral dress, flats, and her hair pulled up perfectly. She smiles sweetly at him like he’s some angel.
I want to laugh. From what I remember of my rendezvous with Aaron he’s more like the devil. A little dirty, hot as fire, and demanding as hell. Just how I like ‘em and hard to come by.
Poor girl has no idea what she is up against. I’d never admit this out loud but Aaron has been hard to forget. He’s skillful and I’ve had a difficult time meeting a man that can keep up with me. But Aaron, he is a man that ran head to head and left my mind spinning.
I glance over at him to find him watching me and I wonder if he too is remembering our night together.
“This is Chelsea,” he says, holding my stare. Almost like he is challenging a reaction out of me that I’m unwilling to provide. So I slap on my armor and do the opposite.
“Nice to meet you.” I’m the first one to step forward, holding out my hand. “You must be the long-time family friend that Aaron has mentioned.”
“Yes.” She smiles politely. “Our mothers went to college together. So we kind of grew up side by side.” She leans in placing her hand on his chest. “Due to our mothers being very close, we sorta had no choice in the matter. But I’m glad things worked out the way they did.
” Again she looks up at him in awe and I want to laugh.
He is going to eat this poor sweet girl alive. That or he’s going to change the man he is in order to please her. That would be such a shame, such a waste.
But it’s none of my business.
I am not the girl that is going to be waiting at home for any man. Even if the sex is through the roof good. I can’t be that for him. I’m not even sure I ever want kids, I’ve never thought about it, but what I do know is that I will never change who I am to please any man. Or any man’s mother.
“Well, Chelsea, it is really great to meet you.” I offer her a smile.
“If y’all will excuse me, I could use a refill.
” I offer a fake smile and turn around slipping through the crowd toward the bar.
Holding up my now empty cup that I managed to drain on the way I signal the bartender.
“Make it two,” I tell Gus behind the bar and he gives me a nod.
I remain focused on the area in front of me refusing to look back. Even though everything inside of me is screaming just one peek, I hold out.
Until the sound of his voice surprises me.
“Do you think if you keep downing the drinks you’ll somehow manage to forget about what happened between us?”
I don’t look over at Aaron, I can’t. Because if I do, I will react in some dumbass way and he’ll get the impression that I actually care that he’s shown up with some girl. A girl that is the exact opposite of me and a girl that his mother has handpicked for him.
“I’ve told you before, it was only sex.”
“Just sex?” he asks and I nod. “Nothing more?”
“Aaron.” I make the mistake of looking at him and instantly regret it. He licks his lower lip leaving the tip of his tongue resting there. My attention shifts to his mouth and my heart rate picks up. “Just sex,” I repeat, feeling my nipples harden. My entire body wants a repeat of what we shared.
“Go back to Chelsea,” I tell him, turning my attention back to the bar as Gus sets my two drinks on the counter. Before I get the chance to pay Aaron tosses a twenty down in front of me.
“Let me contribute to your head games, Kendall.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Keep fucking lying to yourself. Trying to put on this show like what took place between us was nothing more than sex. Keep telling yourself that having me moving inside you wasn’t the best feeling you’ve ever had. Keep playing this game, but I know different.”
“What makes you so sure?”
“You don’t remember the words you spoke, do you?” Of course I remember the words. I hate myself for saying them.
“They were only words Aaron, and yes it felt good. But it was a heated moment between two consenting adults and when things feel good you say things you don’t realize you’re saying. It happens!”
“Yeah, because I always tell a girl I’m fucking that she’s been all I can think of for years. That I’ve dreamt of her and she is so much better than I’ve ever imagined. That she’s the best I’ve ever had.”
I swallow hard wishing he’d just go back to his prim and proper girl waiting across the bar.
“Those are all the things I tell someone that I’m only having sex with to scratch some itch.” He pushes off the bar. “Keep telling yourself those lies, Kendall.” He walks away and I pick up the first drink downing it.
It was just sex!
“Damnit!” I say, spinning around just in time to catch Aaron take Chelsea’s hand in his and lead her toward the exit. Just before he pushes it open he looks back like he feels me watching. We make eye contact and then he walks out, taking little miss perfect with him.
And I hate that I hate it!