Every Little Dream (Second Chances) (12 page)

“Katie?” I whisper.

“I’m here.”
 

She turns on the light by my bed. My eyes follow the curves in her body and land on her face, her shy smile. The innocence in her eyes. I need to break it off with her. She shouldn’t get involved with me. I don’t want to but I have to.

“I feel terrible about our date.” I can never tell her where I was or what I was doing.

“Shh.”
 

“Katie.”
 

“No talking.” She leans over, pressing her hands against my chest. “I finally put it together. The work for your father dictates your time. But we’re both here now. Let’s forget about yesterday.”

Slowly, she slips off her sundress that clings to her body. Inch by inch, she exposes the rest of her creamy skin and the black lace bra and panty set. Holy fuck.

Chapter 8

Katie

I take a deep breath about to do something no one would ever think I’d do. Slowly, I let the sundress fall from my shoulders. A delicious shiver of anticipation swirls in my lower regions. Me, Katie, the good girl, about to seduce her kinda boyfriend. Ready to take the plunge. No one would ever expect this behavior from me and that’s why it feels so good.

Chad lies on the bed, his legs sprawled across the bed, most of his face hidden by the shadows of the room. The bedroom lamp I turned on has produced a soft romantic glow. Hopefully, it hides the blush spreading across my face.

The sundress slides past my hips. My lace bra and panties are exposed. I bought these weeks ago in an attempt to summon up some bravery, some boldness in hopes that I’d get to wear them with the right guy. Some day.

That day is now.

“Katie.”
 

I can barely hear his voice. It’s low and husky. Oh my, God. I’m really doing this. The dress drops to the floor. I step out of it and approach the bed. Instinct takes over. I care about this guy. I know he’s earned himself a reputation. I know he can be a jerk. I know he’s hiding things from me, but he’s also been sweet and tender and loving. And most importantly? A friend. After Justine, the best kind of friend I’ve had in a while.
 

He’s jumped through so many hoops to be with me. He’s been so willing to go on all our dates and somehow made them exciting and fun. The concert at the bandstand, the arcade, the carnival; and more recently, the peanut butter cracker picnic. I think it’s way more effort than he’s put in with a girl before, at least from what I can tell.

Tentatively, I place my right knee on the bed. In one bold move, I swing my left leg over him. I feel his eyes on me but I’m not expecting the intense stare when I meet his gaze. My hair falls down around me. I’m thankful it can hide my face. What now?
 

Skin. I want to touch and feel his skin and feel close to him. I find the bottom of his shirt and slip my hands underneath. Just the provocative touch of skin on and skin sends a fire bolt through me.
 

“Katie,” he says but I barely recognize his voice.

“Shh.” I move my hands up his chest and close my eyes briefly as I take him in with the rest of my senses. I slide my hands up farther on his stomach and chest, the muscles taut under my fingers. He helps and takes off his shirt. I soak in his naked chest, his shoulders, and the hollow at the base of his neck. My breath hitches.

I lower my head and my lips find his pulse. It jumps against my lips. Slowly, I kiss a trail down the center of his chest, to his stomach. He needs to know I’m not here to tease. I unbutton his jeans and try to hide the quick intake of my breath at my boldness. He reaches out and pulls me to him. He draws my face closer and kisses me. This doesn’t feel like the kiss of a guy out to get what he wants. It feels intimate and special and I don’t want it to end.
 

His breath brushes against my skin as he whispers, “I thought you’d be mad.”

I don’t even need to think and the words come out. “I was at first.”

I don’t know why the anger faded, but somewhere between watching Dirty Dancing and processing my own thoughts and being aware of the money stashed in my closet, I realized I was keeping secrets too. How could I be angry with him for standing me up? Maybe he had a good excuse. I didn’t even care now. I just wanted to show him that I’m not this good girl who needs her hand held every step of a relationship.
 

Before he can question my response, I slide my hips against his. It feels natural to be with him. I feel his excitement and it brings me new confidence. I find his neck again. I gently suck on his skin and taste the sweetness of Chad, the clean scent of a man.
 

The vibration of the moan low in his throat brings a higher elevation of desire, spurring me one. I finish unbuttoning his jeans and tug down the zipper.

He grabs my hands. “Katie…we can’t do this.”

I pull my hands away and he lets me go. “Why not?” I continue to kiss his neck, then move back to his mouth. I tug on his bottom lip. I play tease, my tongue with his. “I kinda like you.” Many more feelings than “like” are pulsing through my heart and my body, but I keep those to myself.

He gently pushes me off, then sits on the edge, his head in his hands. “This isn’t right. We can’t do this.”

I land on the bed beside him, cast off, unwanted. Did I read him wrong? Was his physical reaction something he’d have to any half-naked girl? Maybe it had nothing to do with me? Oh my, God.
 

He runs his hands through his hair. “It’s not what you think.”
 

In one rush, the stupidity of my decision takes over. The realization hits that his feelings aren’t returned. That just maybe he’s been taking me out to improve his image, to prove to his dad that he can be a good guy. I mean, why would a good looking guy like Chad who can have any girl he wants at any time, choose to be with me?

I scramble off the bed. Pressure behind my eyes builds and I struggle to hold back the tears until I leave. I can’t cry in front of him. I just can’t. That would be even more humiliating. Why did I talk myself into this?

“Katie…”

Quickly, I step into my sundress, hiding my bold attempt at seduction. What a complete joke. In the future, I need to stick to what I’m good at—being a friend. But on the inside, this thought goes against everything I’ve wanted for myself. I guess my dreams, my desires, are meant to be just that.

“Please don’t go. Let me explain.”

Right. Talk about how his feelings aren’t returned? Talk about how I just made a fool out of myself. I don’t think so.

At the door, he says my name again. “Please.”

I catch a sob before it escapes. Just hearing my name on his lips affects me. I have to leave and say goodbye. “Chad. It’s okay. I get it. No need to talk about it.”

Then I’m gone. I close the door to his bedroom and run through the apartment. I step outside and the rush of ocean air cools my skin. I text Justine.
I’m walking home. Please come get me.

I bypass the walking and sprint away from the house. I turn down side streets at the sound of his bike revving up. I can’t accept the ride from him, my arms wrapped around him on the bike, not after his flat-out rejection.

When the sound of his bike fades, I step back on the main street. The darkness hides me well, the moon hidden by swirling clouds. I keep my head down and watch my feet pass over the cracks in the road. Justine will find me soon.

The engine of a car thrums next to me. Finally. I look up to find a Camaro keeping pace with me. The same car, it has to be. I flash back to the day this creep circled us in the parking lot. The times he’s hassled and whistled at me. Why can’t he let it go? He dangles his arm outside. All it takes is one glance to catch his blonde hair slicked to the side and the smirk on his face.
 

“Looking for a ride, gorgeous?” he drawls out.

“No.” I walk faster, my legs weak beneath me.
 

He doesn’t stop. “You look kinda lonely.”

“No thank you,” I say coldly. Where’s Justine?
 

“I don’t bite. Promise.”
 

A wave of relief crashes through me when I hear the familiar explosion of Justine’s exhaust. Her car rounds the bend and I wave her down, sprinting away. She pulls over on the other side of the road. I look both ways then cross, not looking back at the Camaro. He squeals out and takes off down the road.

I climb into the front seat. “Just drive.”

Justine pulls out again. I glance behind to make sure the creep isn’t following us.

“What’s wrong?” she asks.

“I’m sorry I dragged you out. I felt…sick and didn’t want to bother Chad for a ride home.” I hate lying to her but I can’t handle revealing what really happened. Not twice in the same night.

“Seriously? I can see right through you, but I’m not going to press you if you don’t want to talk.” She grabs my hand. “Did he hurt you?”

“Not like that.”
 

A text comes through.

Where are you? I can drive you home
. I ignore it but a minute later another one comes through.
Please. Just let me know you’re safe
.

I think about that guy and text him back.
I’m fine. I’m with Justine. You can go back home
.

Okay, thanks
.

I slump down in the seat. All I need is my bed and a night to escape this humiliation that won’t let go of me.

The next morning, I wake with a refreshed perspective. It’s amazing what a good night’s sleep will do. There are so many aspects I didn’t think about, like maybe Chad’s been seeing someone else or maybe I was just distraction and then he felt guilty because we’re friends. Whatever the reason I need to break this off. In all ways. I can’t move ahead if I still have ties to Chad, as bittersweet as this will be.

I borrow Justine’s car and head downtown to the law offices of Seymour and Blake. The money is still in the envelope. To really break ties I need to return this. With it in my closet, I’m just as bad as Chad, and after last night, I don’t want any part of that kind of deception.

The lobby looks the same, cool and professional. The arrangement of magazines on a small black stand might be new. The air feels suffocating as if too many depressed and desperate people have walked this path. The secretary behind the desk doesn’t even look up. I stand in front of her desk, the envelope clutched to my chest. I need to get rid of it.
 

She finally looks up. Her hair is pulled back in a tight bun. She peers over the edge of her glasses, her eyes taking me in, with a look that wonders what a girl my age could want with a lawyer. “May I help you?”

“I need to return this.” I know this won’t go over well. She probably doesn’t even know that someone bribed me to make sure Chad worked for his dad and followed through with the internship. But even if I helped, I don’t want to be paid for my relationship with Chad. I would’ve done it anyway.
 

“What is it?”

“Someone from your offices gave me this. You don’t know about it. Just give it to Mr. Blake. He’ll understand.” I take a deep breath then drop it on her desk.
 

I hear the gasp behind me. “Miss! Wait! You must be mistaken.”

I turn at the door. “I’m not. And I don’t need to be bribed to have a relationship.”

The tears flood and I crash through the door and run back to Justine’s car. I start it up and drive away before any henchman can hunt me down. I drive and drive. I don’t head back to the Inn. I need space. I need to think.
 

I head to Raker’s Bluff. The perfect spot to sit and think and let the sea breeze wash away my misery. No one will find me there. No one should be there during the day. When I’m close, the same Camaro passes me. I shudder and decide not to pull into the Bluff.
 

After several turns, and with confidence he didn’t follow me, I drive toward a small beach, less popular with the tourists. I park, then walk along the shore. The warm sand sifts between my toes and just like I hoped, the breeze refreshes my jumbled thoughts. By the end, I’ve come to a couple conclusions. I need to let go of Chad. Before I do that though, I want answers.
 

I want to know his secrets.

Chad

The darkness hides me, but I still sink down in the front seat of Jimmy’s car. The moon barely shines and the few stars don’t reveal my spot down the road from Kingston’s house. Yesterday at the bluff, he said something about money and tonight. That’s all I know and it’s not much to go on.

If I can follow and figure out what’s going on, then I’m done with this job and can try to figure how the hell to quit this internship. I don’t need solid proof that will hold up in court, just enough so my father knows to pursue this direction.

Something about this job makes me feel dirty. Even last year I might not have had a problem with it, but after spending time with someone who sees the world through glasses unlike anyone else, especially my dad, I know he could go about this case differently. I’m being used so my tight-fisted ass of a father doesn’t have to pay the private investigators until he knows there is something to pursue.

My thoughts wander to Katie and last night but I push it to the back of my mind. Until I can come clean with everything, I’m staying away from her, hoping she’ll listen later. She’ll understand. I hope.

The light in Kingston’s room flickers off. I slump farther down in the car but not so far that I can’t see out the window. Minutes later, his Camaro roars out of the private drive. I wait and follow a good distance behind. I expect him to head toward Raker’s Bluff. In fact, I almost set up in the brush there again, but he’s driving toward the boardwalk. Where’s he going? A spot to pick up money? A trade off? The drugs for the cash?

He pulls into The Salty Dog. I drive by, thoughts racing. Maybe the deal will take place in the back parking lot or in the bathroom. I turn around and park down the road. As I slip into the bar, staying to the sides, I’m wishing Jimmy and the guys were with me. Lately, I’d been giving them the brush off. I order a drink and take a seat in the corner. Kingston doesn’t notice a thing, standing at the bar, slamming down shots.