Fire and Ice: Book One: Burned (The Fire and Ice Series 1) (7 page)

Kellan

What am I
doing? I haven't a clue. It's a rare occasion a woman sees the inside of my
apartment, and never has one of them stayed the night. It simply goes against
everything I hold sacred, my principals. Some people may call me a dog for
getting it in, and kicking them out, but the truth is, all that cuddling
bullshit simply leads them on. They eat that shit up, and the next thing they
want is to have 'pillow talk', exchange numbers, be taken out on a date...give
me a fuckin' break. I don't, and never will, work that way. The only reason I'm
bringing The Princess back to my place is because I can almost smell the rotten
intentions of the spiteful men. They wanted Hailey to begin with, and I only
gave them a hard on to seek her out for retribution for the damage I'd caused.

 I couldn't
just let her suffer for my sins, with no one to help care for her. Not that I
care
for her, it's just that, shit...when I think of
all the scenarios that could go wrong, my gut churns. So...it's not my usual
style...I'm still a goddamn human being. I raise the volume on my stereo,
blaring Five Finger Death Punch's "Wrong Side Of Heaven", as I try to
drown out my jumbled thoughts. The lyrics do little to eradicate the blurred
lines in my mind.

After a few
miles, I finally pull up to the curb outside of my meager apartment, a non
descript duplex with peeling paint, a small porch, and fortunately for me,
located in a quiet, sleepy neighborhood with a low crime rate. I'm lucky if I
see my neighbor, living in the attached duplex, more than once a month, where
he and I exchange no more than an awkward glance. I'm fairly certain he lives
alone, and since I can make out the faint sounds of his television at times,
I'd bargain to guess I've kept him up late on more than one occasion, though
he's never complained. Maybe he's into that shit, who knows? I couldn't care
less.

I chanced a
glance at Hailey, and noticed she was staring out the window with a slight
frown on her face. I rolled my eyes before saying, "My vacation house in
Malibu is a lot nicer."

She snapped her
head towards me, her wide eyes meeting mine, as she said, "What? I didn't
say anything. It's..."

"It's
what, Hailey?" I huffed out, my voice rising, along with my temper.

"Nothing,"
she said, trying to cover her tracks, as her brows rose. "I mean, it's not
nothing
." She laughed nervously and
chewed on her bottom lip before continuing, looking away from my blazing glare.
"It's fine, Kellan," she acquiesced. She blew out a long sigh and said,
"I don't want to fight, Kellan. I just want to get inside and forget this
whole night even happened."

"You know
what sweetheart, that's your whole problem," I fired at her. "I went
out of my way to be nice to you, and what do you do? Act like a fucking
brat." I swung my car door open, stepped out, and yelled into the
darkness, "You should be grateful I didn't leave you on the side of the
goddamn road!" before I slammed my door shut with all my force.

******

Hailey

Sweet Jesus,
he's officially lost his mind. As he rounds the car, I contemplate locking
myself inside, until I realize he has the car keys. I honestly ponder whether
or not he has multiple personalities. When I think of Kellan, I picture a
hurricane; catastrophically destructive on the outside, devastating everything
and everyone in it's path until it runs out of it's own energy, yet at it's
core...it is beautiful, radiant.

Approaching my
door, he jerks it open, and stands stoically waiting for me to exit the
vehicle, all the while staring out into the street as if I weren't even
present. His jaw is ticking, and only further indicates how pissed he is at me.
I've offended him, unintentionally, of course, and now I'll most likely spend
the remainder of my night paying my penance to my Master for the evening. I
suddenly realize the irony of it all, as he is the one who screwed me over...I
should be pissed at him, and he should be kissing
my
ass!

I put the
thoughts of the drama between Kellan and myself out of my mind, and focus on
getting into his home as quickly as possible, without making a spectacle of
ourselves in the middle of the street. I make no effort to speak to him as he
takes long strides towards the front door, quickly unlocks it, and doesn't
bother to hold the door for me before entering. Apparently, chivalry is dead. I
quietly close the door behind myself; quickly I remove my shoes, all while
taking in the sparse, yet surprisingly neat, surroundings of the apartment.

Without prompt,
Kellan numbly says, "Spare bedroom's first door on the left."

******

Kellan

Alright, I'll
admit it...maybe I overreacted. But Jesus H. Christ, can she get any more
pretentious? I reach into the refrigerator and grab an ice cold beer, popping
the top, and taking several long swigs, letting the cold refreshing liquid
settle my nerves. I brace my hands against the kitchen counter and let my head
fall forward, feeling drained from the events of the day.
Holy fuck, if it's not one thing, it's another with her.
I straighten myself and take another drink of my beer, nearly draining it,
before I realize it's been several minutes since Hailey headed for the bedroom.
Feeling a pang of guilt for berating her, and a small semblance of obligation
towards her well being while on my watch, I decide to go check on her.

I approached
the closed bedroom door cautiously, and raised my hand to knock, before
lowering it, wondering if this was such a good idea after all. The earlier
events of the evening had left us all in a tailspin, and if I entered this
room, I could be opening Pandora's Box. I didn't know what was behind this
door, and I wasn't sure I wanted to. Perhaps it was best to let sleeping dogs
lie. Then again, I'd told myself I needed to explain what had happened between
Georgia and me earlier. If I didn't do it now, I may not get a second chance.

We were alone,
and I planned to take advantage of it, even it meant I had to chase her down
the street, throw her over my shoulder, and drag her back kicking and
screaming. It wasn't usually how I got women to scream for me, but I had a
sneaking suspicion Hailey wasn't just going to roll over and wipe her hands
clean of the mess I'd made tonight, regardless of the fact that I'd saved her
ass tonight.

I gingerly
turned the doorknob, pushing the door, as it creaked midway open. Hailey's head
swung towards me, her eyes that of a deer's caught in the headlights. She was
sitting on the edge of the opposite side of the bed, her back to me, and I
could tell by her red-rimmed eyes that she'd been crying.
Fuck!
I absolutely hate when chicks cry. I never know
what to do. My mother used to cry all the time, and I had no clue how to
comfort her.

A sense of
immense dread flooded my system as Hailey turned away from me and bowed her
head. I leaned against the doorframe, trying to collect my thoughts, hoping a
light bulb moment would pop into my mind and rescue me; but there would be no
easy way out tonight. I was going to have to eat shit and man the fuck up.

I sighed and
pushed off of the doorframe, walked around the bed, and knelt down in front of
Hailey. As I'd figured, she made no attempt to make eye contact with me. I
place my finger under her chin in an effort to bring her eyes to mine, as I
said, "Look at me."

She pulled away
from me instantly, gritting out, "Don't touch me!"

Jesus, I
figured she'd want answers. I didn't think she'd shut me out completely. I had
to get her to listen to me. I blew out a frustrated breath, and combed my
fingers through my hair before I said, "Hailey, I can explain what
happened. It's not what it looked like."

She shot me a
fiery glare, and half laughed, as tears welled up in her eyes. "Well
that's awfully
convenient
Kellan! How many
times have you used
that
line?"

"Hailey,
you have to believe me...just let me explain."

"Ha! I
should believe you, why? Oh yeah...because I should be able to tell when a
fucking liar is telling the truth!"

She was
squeezing me by the balls, and I didn't take that shit; definitely not from
smart-ass women. She was fueling the fire that simmered just below the surface
at all times, ready to ignite at a moment's notice, and I was defenseless to
it. The flames that consumed me were a coping mechanism. Once set ablaze, they
were an unstoppable force within me.

******

Hailey

I couldn't
believe this jackass was trying to convince me I was...what?...seeing things
earlier tonight? That I'd gotten it all wrong?
Hello!
I have eyes.
I know what I witnessed. There's no use in him 'explaining'
anything. Lies. Georgia was right. And now I know she knew all too well because
she's screwing Kellan behind my back!
Wait...what?
It's not like you're seeing him.
But then again, she said she could tell
I had it bad for him, so why would she go after him herself? I mean, Girl Code,
right?

Well...I guess
technically she had met him before she met me, so it's really not fair to
accost her for sleeping with him. But, damnit! Why didn't she just come out and
tell me, rather than try and warn me off of him, like she was doing me a favor?
I may have been disappointed, but I wouldn't be crushed by all the lies. I
honestly wish Jordan were here. I wish he had been the one to swoop in when
those guys were giving me trouble. I wish I were at his house, relaxing and
talking and...

Pulled from my
thoughts, Kellan stood up abruptly, threw a fist into the wall, and narrowed
his eyes on me, yelling, "Don't you
ever
accuse me of being a fucking liar, got it Princess?" My eyes grew wide and
I began to shake with fear, my mouth hanging open as Kellan stomped out of the
bedroom, slamming the door behind himself as the walls rattled.

Kellan

Fuck this. Fuck
her. Fuck it all. I don't need this shit. I slammed the door behind myself, and
slid down the wall, slumping against it, as I let my head fall back, desperate
to calm my agitated nerves. I heard the familiar creak of the door opening, and
didn't bother to look over. I was so done with all of this shit. I nearly had
enough money saved to blow town, and that's exactly what I intended to do
within the next couple of months. A couple of months...I just needed to hang on
a little longer. Bury my head in the sand until then, and haul ass as I passed
the city limits, blaring my music as I watched the 'Welcome To Chambers' sign
disappear in my rearview mirror. Christ, I couldn't wait for that day.

My thoughts
were interrupted as I felt Hailey's small, warm hand touch my own, causing me
to flinch, instinctually, as I flicked my unrelenting gaze at her softened one.
She gestured to my hand, and then looked back to me, as she said, "You're
bleeding. I'll get some ice and a washcloth."

As she began to
stand, I halted her, saying, "Don't bother. A few minutes ago you were
ready to burn me at the stake, now...what? You're some Florence Nightingale?
Give me a break." An awkward silence settled in between us before I looked
away, saying, "Just go to bed, Hailey."

"I'm
sorry, Kellan...I was just..." she whispered, pleading, as I looked at her
with indignation.

"Sorry?
You're
sorry? I fucked up, and you're apologizing to
me?
" I spat out, my voice rising. This
was goddamn ridiculous. All I had tried to do all night was apologize for my
colossal fuck up, and now she was in front of me, on her knees, telling me
she
was sorry! I didn't need this shit on my
conscience.

I rapidly rose
from the floor and headed to the kitchen for a drink. I definitely needed
something stronger than a beer. My hand was killing me, and mind was reeling.
Before I made it halfway down the hallway, Hailey caught up to me, and stepped
in front of me, attempting to halt me, as I continued to try to sidestep her.
Finally, I grabbed her by the shoulders, and set her aside, as I continued past
her.

I reached the
kitchen, knowing full well she was hot on my heels, and grabbed a bottle of
Jack out of the cupboard, pouring myself half a glass.
That ought to take the edge off...for starters.
I
took a few large swallows, letting the acidy burn flow down my throat, as the
warmth of the soothing liquid eased my frayed nerves. Turning around, I
realized I was cornered against the kitchen counters by Piss Pants, and had
nowhere to run, lest I physically remove her...again. I rolled my eyes and
pinched the bridge of my nose, now feeling as if I had an annoying younger
sibling following me around.
More like kissing
cousins. VERY DISTANT cousins.
I had drained half of my whiskey, so a
small laugh escaped me, as I inwardly amused myself.

With a
perplexed look, Hailey asked, "What's so funny?"

I shook my
head, and replied simply, "Nothin'," before I hopped up onto the
counter. If she was gonna cage me in, I might as well get comfortable for a
while. "So, how can I help ya darlin'," I continued with a sly grin.
If people thought I was a dick day to day, they sure as hell wouldn't want to
be around me when I was drinking whiskey. My cocky attitude magnified to at
least twice its normal dosage; and I loved every minute of it.

Hailey sighed,
as if defeated, and lowered her head, mumbling out, "Will you please let
me apologize...for earlier?"

I snorted...the
whiskey kicking in, making me bold and uncaring, as I acquiesced, ushering my
hands for her to have at it. "Fine, let's hear it...this should be
good," I chuckled. She didn't look amused, and I couldn't care less.

She took a deep
breath, looked around, as if trying to find the right words to convey her
thoughts, and said in a hushed tone, "I didn't mean to call you a liar,
Kellan. I just thought...at the time, well," she lowered her head again,
and began to wring her hands, continuing, "What was I supposed to
think?" She looked up to me, her eyes glossed over with a fresh set of
tears, and her voice rising, as she said, "You and Georgia painted a
pretty clear picture, ya know?"

I nodded in
understanding, and threw back the rest of my drink, pouring another glassful to
ease my anxiousness. I didn't do the whole 'Can we kiss and make up?' shit.
This was new territory for me. But something about Hailey made me want to make
things right between us. I needed her to hear me out. "Is it my turn,
now?" I asked sarcastically. She bit her bottom lip and nodded. Jesus, I
couldn't even put my pride aside to give her a proper explanation.

I combed my
hands through my hair and blew out a frustrated breath to calm myself, before I
continued, "I was fucking around with her." Hailey cocked her brow
and placed a hand on her hip. Definitely poor word choice. "Not like that,
Hailey...I mean, I was being a dick to her. She isn't even into men."
Hailey looked at me skeptically. I held up my right hand, adding, "I
swear...you can ask her yourself."

Hailey shook
her head back and forth in disbelief. "I don't get you, Kellan. Why would
you act like that towards her? You two looked liked you were ready to get it on
in the middle of the hallway!" she exclaimed.

I jumped down
off the counter, invading her space, as we now stood just inches apart. She
made no effort to back away from me, and began to tremble slightly.
Goddamnit...being near to her had me on overdrive; but I still owed her
clarification about what had happened between Georgia and me. As my mind flew
back to the conversation I'd overheard between Hailey and Georgia, my
expression hardened as I recanted what I'd stumbled upon. "I heard
her...talking to you. I heard every goddamn word she was forcing down your
throat about me...about us. She had no right to..."

Hailey
interrupted, "Us?"

I closed my
eyes, and leaned my hands back against the counter, not even realizing at the
moment the implications of dropping the mother of all bombs, in the tiniest of
all packages.
Us. A slip of the lip?
Or...
I had to get this situation under control
before Hailey started thinking thoughts that would never happen. She was great.
Better than great- she was the total package...sweet and sassy, beautiful and
classy. She drove me wild, to the brink. But it would never be more than
casual, and she would always want more. Granted, seeing another man's eyes on
her puts my stomach in knots; not my usual style. And Jordan is still going to
fucking explain himself. The thought of him wanting her, being with her...

Hailey breaks
me out of my self-induced reverie, pulling me back into reality.
"Kellan," she furrows her brow, continuing with a saddened look,
"What do you want from me?"

******

Hailey

Kellan looked
at me with fire in his eyes, an intensity that instantly had me melting, and my
breath hitching. He wasted no time in grabbing me by the waist, pulling me into
him, and growling out, "Everything," before he captured my lips,
biting and sucking them in a frenzied onslaught. He continued his explorations,
delving his tongue deep inside of my mouth, as I tried to meet his hungry
passion, his tongue ring clashing with my teeth. God, he was driving me wild.

I slid my hands
along his strong shoulders, up his neck, and into his soft black hair, mussed
and sexy as hell. His tight t-shirt left nothing to the imagination, as his
muscled frame flexed against the fabric; the only barrier between us being our
clothing. I wanted nothing more than to feel his heated skin against mine, feel
him enter me and take me to heaven on Earth.

Sliding his
hands to grab my bottom, he pulled me against his hard, straining erection. The
thought of me affecting him this way had me panting with need for him as he
broke our kiss and began to lick his way down my jawline and neck. I tilted my
head to give him better access, as I moaned in pleasure, while he made his way
to my earlobe, nipping at it, as his hot breath brushed against my skin. But
I'd been here, nearly here, with Kellan before. I didn't want to get my hopes
up, only to have him toy with me, and push me away, yet again. Damnit,
though...I was so lost to his feverish touch, and his hands were everywhere.

He pulled away
from me and slid his hands into my hair, gripping hard, and pulling my face
back to peer into my eyes. The pressure of his grasp against my scalp felt
heated, and somewhat painful, yet excited me at the same time. Everything about
Kellan excited me. There was a thrill behind not knowing where he'd take me
next...how far he'd go...where this would lead.

Kellan shoved
off of the counter, pushing me back a step as he continued to rein me in,
hiking my leg around his waist. He ground his erection against my wet core,
before he placed his lips to my ear, gritting out with his hot breath against
my skin, "Tonight, you're
mine
, Princess...only
you and me." He pulled back to peer at me with lust filled adoration. His
statement left me not only dumbfounded, but also dripping with need for him. If
I were being honest, I had needed him from the moment I saw him; and tonight,
Kellan was about to give himself over to me for the first time. A lump formed
in my throat at the thought of how far we'd come, and how fast I'd really
fallen for him without realizing it. Now that I knew how he really felt about
me, I needed to make my feelings clear, too. By the end of the night, Kellan
would be able to rest easy, knowing he was the only man for me.