Chasing Rainbows (9 page)

"I'll survive," I muttered, as I reached for the bag he held in his hand.

"I got you a large order of fries."

"Thank you." I smiled back at him. He knew they were my favorite. His blue eyes studied my face. I shoved a fry in my mouth trying to look anywhere but directly at him. There was always that fear he would see too much. Some way, figure out just how badly the events of the day had left me reeling. I was afraid that he would see the secret I hid.

"I'm here if you need me, Addie," he said softly. "I set that asshole Bryce straight in third period. I can't stand him."

"Good for you," Kara replied, rubbing her hands together as if the thought of Brandon standing up to Bryce gave her immense pleasure. Then, her eyes shifted to the bag I held in my hand. "Give me that! I'm starving," she ordered in a teasing tone.

I leaned forward and handed the bag over the front seat to her. "What did he say?" I asked Brandon.

"Nothing much," he replied, running a hand through his spiky blond hair, his eyes shifting from mine. He was lying. I was sure that Bryce had plenty to say about me. He hated me as much as I hated him. Brandon wasn't fooling me for one minute. Though, I did appreciate his effort to spare me any more heartache.

Today, Brandon had gone with a rugged ensemble. He wore a flannel shirt, blue jeans and cowboy boots. The lower half of his classic jaw line was covered in dark sandy brown stubble. He looked good.

Bryce was not our usual conversation material. I'd rather discuss tampons than talk about him. He wasn't one of my favorite people nor would he ever be. When he'd found out that Brandon was gay, he'd told everyone and then teased and bullied him our entire eight grade year. He was such a selfish superficial little prick and not to mention the fact that he was conceited. It never failed. Rain or shine. He always managed to look as if he'd arrived from a photo shoot when he wasn't doing anything better than just showing up at school. He and Mia deserved each other.

"I told him I'd kick his pretty boy ass for him if he even whispered your name. He knows I'll fuck his face up if I get the chance. I owe him." He absently touched the scar above his right eyebrow.

"I don't want you fighting over me," I told him, and I meant it. I'd already caused enough drama and it was only the second day of school.

"You're worth it, baby." He shot me a mischievous grin. Kara laughed over a mouthful of burger.

"Gross!" Brandon exclaimed, gaping at her as she opened her mouth displaying the dismantled contents inside. "I don't know why I hang around you two delinquents."

They were both being silly and laughing, and I loved them dearly.

"'Cause we're goddesses." Kara fluttered her mascara coated lashes and then leaned over the console and pressed a kiss against his scruffy cheek.

Brandon immediately rubbed his face and acted as if she were contagious. "Keep your lips to yourself, Kara. Don't touch the goods. Anyway, I don't know where those lips of yours have been."

Kara smirked. "Oh think about it, Brandon."

"That is just gross, Kara. I didn't need a visual of you and Devon. Now, me and Devon…" he teased, and Kara smacked his arm playfully.

"Let's roll," she said, and glanced over her shoulder at me. "You gotta work tonight, Addie?" she asked, as she eyed me curiously.

"Unfortunately," I replied, as I finished off the last of my fries.

When Brandon put the car in reverse, he turned and threw his arm over the back of Kara's seat. "It's alright, Addie," he said, when he noted my troubled expression.

He was such a great friend. He could read my moods without me even having to say a word. He'd make the perfect boyfriend. "You know, if you were straight I'd date you."

He laughed and shook his head. Then the car inched backwards and came to a stop. "Well you know, if you were a guy I'd date you," he replied, as he raised his bushy sandy blond eyebrows suggestively at me.

"I'm getting jealous," Kara piped, giggling. It was obvious she was feeling left out.

"Shut up!" Brandon and I cried in unison.

The car filled with laughter as Brandon turned in his seat and laid his foot on the gas. We burned rubber across the school's parking lot like the delinquents we were with the speakers blaring, "Take on Me."

No sooner had we said our goodbyes than my phone began to vibrate in my back pocket. I hadn't even made it inside the house yet. I freed the phone from my pocket hitting a random button. It was Kara.

4got 2 tell u, I gave Chance ur digits.

I didn't know how I felt about that little snippet of information. I needed to talk to him, but I was afraid, especially after everything that had happened today at school.

Me:
Thanks.

I texted back.

My hand was on the doorknob when the thrum of an engine behind me drew my attention. A glance over my shoulder revealed Chance's black pickup pulling up the drive. He killed the engine and climbed out, instantly zeroing in on me. My breathing turned ragged when I noticed the dangerous glint in his narrowed eyes. His long legs were eating up the distance between us.

He was almost to the steps when my survival instincts took over, and I quickly opened the door and stepped inside the house intending to slam the door in his face, but I didn't get the chance. I pushed against the door at the same time that he did.

"Stop this, Addie," Chance ordered then his hand closed around the side of the door. Using his strength to his advantage, he wedged half of his body inside. "Addie," he growled, his expression fierce.

So, I did what anyone else would do when faced with six feet three inches of muscled fury. I let go of the door and ran. I was a coward, but I couldn't face him right then. I'd lock myself in my room and just pray that he would eventually give up and leave.

I darted through the kitchen, but I could hear him behind me. I sprinted up the stairs and struggled to catch my breath as my heart pounded in my chest. I had almost made it when a hand snagged ahold of my arm and spun me around at the top of the stairs. His face was stern. He was mad. "Addie," Chance said in a hoarse voice, his chest rising and falling from the pursuit.

I struggled against him, but his free hand grabbed my other arm, and he gently shook me saying my name over and over as I continued to fight him. My hair was in my face, matted to my wet cheeks. I couldn't stop crying. "I can't talk to you right now!" I screamed on a sob. I felt trapped, and I couldn't bear to see that look in his eyes. He had every right to hate me.

"That's too bad," he growled, and the next thing I knew, he'd swept me off of my feet and strolled down the hallway. "Where's your room?" he asked in a demanding tone. He stopped in front of the closed door that belonged to Natalie.

"No!" I cried, feeling the muscles of his arms contract as I renewed my struggle. He squeezed me tighter. "The end of the hall. Chance please, just let me go," I whispered, begging him, but it was useless.

His jaw was clenched. His pulse thrummed beneath his skin. His lips pressed into a thin flat line. He ignored me and headed down the hall and into my bedroom.

I was sobbing when he walked over to my bed and put me down on my feet. His hands went to my waist and yanked up my shirt baring my stomach. I panicked and tried to fight, but he pulled it over my head and down my arms throwing it onto the floor.

Then I hit him. I couldn't bear to hit his face, especially since there was a painful cut on his lower lip and it was entirely my fault. Even though I was scared and mad, I wouldn't let myself hurt him. He must have pushed me or maybe, I'd knocked myself off balance trying to fight him, but the mattress was suddenly beneath my back.

I tried to roll, but he grabbed my ankle. Then, I panicked not caring if I hurt him or not, and started kicking. He restrained me, climbing onto the bed and lying down on top of me. I couldn't breathe. "Shush, Addie," he whispered, shifting his weight slightly to the side. "You're going to make yourself sick." His elbows dug into the mattress next to my bare shoulders. I was afraid of him, and if I were being completely honest, I was afraid of myself.

His touch was gentle. He pushed the hair from my face then his big hands cupped my cheeks. I closed my eyes unable to look at him any longer. "You know, I won't hurt you," he whispered, his voice heavy and thick as his thumbs gently grazed my cheek bones.

I opened my eyes, staring back at him. Already dark stubble was shadowing his lean cheeks and strong chin. I forgot to breathe as his eyes roved over my face, down my neck settling on my chest. I'd worn my black pushup bra today, which made my full B cups really look like C's. Not to mention, his chest was pressing against mine and making them appear even fuller. They were practically shoved into his face.

A hush fell over the room, broken only by the frantic sounds of breathing and charged by the alluring force of our attraction that had sparked to life faster than a flash fire in a dry field.

His heated gaze blazed with a shameless intent burning me from the inside out. "You smell like heaven," he murmured. "Did you miss me the rest of the day?"

He studied me, obviously awaiting my answer, but I didn't reply.

"I missed you," he confessed in a harsh whisper.

"Chance," I finally said, breathing his name on a sigh of pent up longing and frustration. His eyes drifted from my chest to study my parted lips. "I'm sorry about today."

He shook his head in disbelief. "How could you not know he wasn't me, Addie?" he asked, sounding hurt that I had been unable to tell them apart. He leaned forward, his weight pressing into mine. His nose was suddenly in my hair and his lips on my ear. "How could you not have known?" He roughly whispered.

"I thought he smelled different," I murmured, my resistance fading.

He chuckled, his muscled chest moving against mine. "So, you like how I smell?"

Before I could reply, his tongue slowly slid along the delicate shell of my ear rendering me speechless. My hands clenched the sheet beneath me and I willed myself to try and concentrate; to try and resist. "When I get through with you, there will be no way you'll ever mistake Chase for me again."

He shifted, his mouth moving to the side of my neck where he began to gently suckle. My vision glazed over as everything in my world grew hazy. One of his hands reached for mine, untangling it from the sheet. He slid his fingers along mine holding onto my hand as if it were a lifeline. My chest was rising and falling way too fast, then his teeth gently nipped the thin skin between my neck and shoulder. I moaned, feeling his lips curve into a satisfied smile.

"You're mine, Addie. From the moment I saw you. Mine," he whispered. Then his lips danced dangerously low along the swell of one of my breast. It hurt to breathe, and I gasped, sucking in air at the brush of his tongue on my bare skin. My hand clenched his shoulder, my fingertips digging into hard muscle as I feverishly squirmed against him. I couldn't stand it. No one had ever made me feel the way that he did.

His tongue plunged between the fullness of my breasts and he slowly tortured me by licking his way up my chest and back onto my neck. The sensation was like rough satin against my skin. When I opened my eyes, he was gazing down at me wearing a tender smile. "You're so fucking beautiful," he murmured; his voice raspy with emotion. "But I still don't think you can tell us apart."

I tried to deny his words. There was no way I'd ever mistake Chase for him ever again, but his lips covered mine before I uttered a single sound, he kissed me senseless. Time seemed to stand still as his hands roamed over my body staking his claim. His lips caressed every square inch of my exposed flesh.

He allowed me to catch my breath and then began his assault all over again. He was relentless. Never complaining, not once, even when I nipped his upper lip a little too hard or stroked my tongue along the angry cut marring his lower lip.

A boneless sensation left me limp, cocooned in his warmth and protected. Chance made me feel safe, but when his fingers tugged on the button of my jeans somehow, I came to my senses. "No," I whispered, my voice overly husky with my desire. My fingers curled around his thick wrist. "It's too soon."

For a minute, he studied me and it seemed as if he wanted to protest then his expression changed as my words finally sunk in. He took me by surprise when he rolled over onto the mattress setting me free. Instantly, I missed the pressure of his weight and the warmth of his body. I sat up, my long hair falling around my shoulders. My eyes lingered on his face drifting down his chest and finally lower. His arousal was more than evident, bulging against the front of his faded jeans. Selfishly, it thrilled me. From the corner of my eye, the red numbers on the clock drew my attention.

"Shit!" I cried, and frantically crawled over top of him in a panic. His hands reached for me, but I darted away just in the nick of time. "I'm gonna be late for work."

He sat up and swung his long muscular legs over the side of the bed. Here, I was half naked, and he was still fully dressed. Underneath the weight of his stare, I grabbed my shirt from the floor and yanked it over my head. "Where are my shoes?" I cried as I looked anxiously around the room. I heard him chuckle.

I darted out of the bedroom and he followed closely behind me. One of my flip flops was lying in front of Natalie's door and I did a strange funny little dance and anxiously slid my foot inside. "Calm down, Addie," Chance said, and when I glanced over my shoulder his big body shuddered with silent laughter. I glared back at him in annoyance. I wasn't really angry at him, but I had to get to work on time. I'd promised Angel I'd come in and cover for her.

"This is all your fault." I retorted.

I found my other flip flop at the top of the stairs and ran to retrieve it. "I can't be late," I cried, and he followed after me down the stairs and into the kitchen. "Help me find my phone and keys."

The keys were on the floor near the bottom of the stairs, and I scooped them into my palm. When I looked up, Chance held my phone in his hand. "Found it on the kitchen floor." he said and held it out to me, but I had to tug hard before he let go. "I'm taking you to work, Addie." I could tell by the steely tone of his voice it was a topic not up for discussion, but I decided to press my luck anyway.