Her Destiny (14 page)

“This is weird,” he declares.

I can’t help but agree. And appreciate his honesty. “It is. But we can make it work, right? It’s just for tonight. I can’t let you sleep in your truck again, Nick. It’s too cold outside. I’d never forgive myself if something happened to you.”

“Yeah, it is pretty damn cold out there. Thanks for letting me stay.” He shoves his hands in his pockets and hunches up his shoulders. He looks nervous. I’m nervous too. “You sure Evan doesn’t mind me being here?”

“He probably hates that you’re staying the night, but he’ll get over it.” I take a step toward him and pat him on the shoulder, marveling at the solid feel of muscle beneath my palm, beneath the thick fabric of his sweatshirt. Has he gotten taller since the last time I saw him? Broader? He’s so big, standing next to him makes me feel small. “Do you need anything else?” I remove my hand from his shoulder, wishing I could touch him more.

“Nah. I’m gonna change, brush my teeth and go to sleep.” He smiles, looking cute, like a little boy, and my heart flutters. When he reaches for the hem of his sweatshirt I step away, watch in silent fascination as he pulls the fabric over his head, taking the T-shirt he’s wearing beneath it upward so I catch a glimpse of his flat, perfect stomach, the little trail of dark hair that starts just under his navel.

I’m breathless, my skin is tingling and when he tosses the sweatshirt onto the couch, I start to walk backwards. “Okay well, goodnight.” I need to get away from him before I do something really stupid.

Like jump him.

“Night, Reverie,” he calls after me as I hurry to my bedroom. Glancing over my shoulder, I find him watching me with that penetrating, thoughtful gaze and I turn away, practically tripping over my feet in the hall. I rush into my room, shutting the door quietly before I slump against it, closing my eyes and pressing my forehead against the rough wood.

My feelings for him haven’t stopped. I still want him. I’m still in love with him. So why am I denying myself from being with him? Because I’ve changed and I’m worried he won’t accept me for who I really am? And because my life is so crazy the last thing I need is another complication to muck it all up?

Valid reasons, but why would I deprive myself from being with him? He’s the only one who understood me. Who listened to me. Who cared about me.

I think he still does.

Cracking open my eyes, I push away from the doorway and shut off the light before I crawl into bed. I lay there in the dark, listening to him move about inside the bathroom, which is right next to my bedroom. He finishes brushing his teeth before he exits the room and I swear I can feel him standing on the other side of my closed door, waiting. Listening for any sign of life coming from within.

I can’t move. I’m frozen, holding my breath, waiting for him to knock on the door, to turn the knob, anything to show that he wants to see me. I want him to both respect my brother’s wishes and defy them. I want him overcome with need yet cautious. I want…everything.

All of him.

Disappointment crashes through me when I realize he is definitely obeying Evan’s wishes. He doesn’t sneak into my room, doesn’t attempt to talk to me, nothing. I should be happy. Pleased that he doesn’t want to upset anyone.

Instead, I’m sad.

Rolling over on my side, I punch the pillow beneath my head and settle in for the night, willing myself to fall asleep. I get to spend pretty much the entire weekend with him. Maybe we can work it out then since we’ll have plenty of time. But for now I’ll have to settle for Nick visiting me…

Only in my dreams.

The longest night/morning ever…

I
can’t fucking sleep, not while knowing Reverie is just steps away from me, tucked into her bed, all cozy and cute in that tight white top that shows off her curves and the fuzzy pajama pants. I want to sneak into her room and crawl into bed with her. Hold her close and press my face against her neck, kissing the soft skin just behind her ear. Teasing little kisses that’ll wake her up nice and slow until she’s turning into my arms and wanting more.

Just like that, my body reacts and I growl in frustration, staring up at the ceiling. The couch is narrow and short and my feet hang over the end, which sucks. Light from the various electronics that are scattered throughout the living room and kitchen cast the place in a dim glow and I can hear the occasional car passing by outside, the sound of rain falling, the rhythmic gust of wind rattling against the building.

It’s cold as hell too, the thin blankets not offering much protection against the chill air, but I hate wearing too many clothes when I sleep so it’s my own damn fault I’m cold. The Hales aren’t using central heat and I’m guessing that’s because it costs too damn much. Such a switch from their privileged life I witnessed all last summer. Evander Hale lived like a damn king with his designer clothes, expensive Rolex watch and crazy ass car that no teenager should be allowed to drive. Now he’s working his ass off, barely making it and trying to take care of his sister.

Wild.

Seeing Reverie in her new element only makes me respect her more. She’s so strong, so smart, so determined to do what she can to survive. I admire her guts. In the past I had zero guts because I naively believed the system would take care of me after David accused me of being a murderer. Considering how well that worked out for me, I finally learn how to stand up for myself, only to have the system come after me yet again.

Well, screw that noise. I’m over it. Starting now, my life is going to change. It has to. I need to get the police off my back once and for all. First step, Reverie’s statement that she was with me the night Krista died. Reverie’s right—why would I protect her only to put my own future at risk? Crazy.

Second step? Somehow convincing Reverie that we belong together. That might be harder to accomplish but I’m determined to make it happen.

Closing my eyes, I breathe deep and tell my ass to go to sleep. It’s already close to two in the morning and I have no idea what the plan is when the sun comes up. Reverie said she has to work in the afternoon and I know Evan is working too. Where does that leave me? Is she definitely going with me like we discussed? Or is Evan going to take over and handle everything?

I don’t want Evan coming between us. If I can get her alone, get her to come back with me I can make this happen. I can make
us
happen.

I hear a noise in the hall and I crack open my eyes to see a golden strip of light shining beneath the closed door of the bathroom. I have no idea if it’s Evan or Reverie behind that door but I do know I have my preference. And when the door opens no less than a minute later, a gorgeous leggy blonde stepping out into the hall, I sit up, softly calling out her name. For a moment, I almost fear she didn’t hear me, but then she turns in my direction, a little smile curling her perfect lips. The relief that floods me as I watch her approach is near overwhelming.

I have it so bad for this girl and she doesn’t have a clue.

She walks toward me, her hair mussed, her expression sleepy. “Did you say my name?” she asks.

“Yeah.”

Her eyebrows scrunch up in that way they do when she’s confused. Damn, she’s cute. “You okay?” she whispers.

I sit up more and scoot over, patting the space beside me. “Come here.” I gather the blankets into my lap because I’m only wearing my boxer briefs and I don’t want to scare her. She’s seen me in less but I don’t want to mess around like that with her brother in the next room.

Besides, she’s not ready for that. I’m not going to push too hard. The last thing I want is to send her screaming, running away from me and shutting down my chances with her.

“Reverie?” She doesn’t move, no sound, no answer comes from her and my heart feels like it stops beating for an infinitely long second before she settles on the couch by my side, her warmth seeping into me, she’s so close.

“I shouldn’t do this,” she says into the darkness, facing away from me. “I should go back to my room.”

I touch her hair, flip it over her shoulder so it flows down her back. “Don’t go.” It’s all I say, a simple request that I hope like hell she meets. “Can you sleep, knowing I’m out here?”

“No,” she admits, her voice sounding choked. “But that doesn’t mean anything, right? It’s not like we’re together anymore. Everything’s so different now, including you. Including me.”

“And that’s a bad thing? If you think you changing bothers me, you’re wrong.” I skim my fingers across the length of her shoulder, down along her upper arm, feeling her shiver beneath my touch. I wish I was touching bare skin. “I like who you’ve become.”

“You don’t know me. Not really,” she counters.

“I want to. And I think we got pretty close over the summer, don’t you?”

She looks at me then, her eyes wide in the darkness, her lips parted. “I was such a different person then and you know it. I had…no clue.”

“I know.” Leaning forward, I pull her into me, wrapping my arm around her shoulders, my mouth at her ear. My skin feels electric coming into contact with her, even though she’s almost completely covered. I close my eyes, battling against all the urges I have to throw her down on the couch beneath me and strip her naked. “I taught you a lot.”

She smiles, tilting her head away from mine. “Stop.”

“Stop what?” I press my lips to her cheek, offering her a lingering kiss that I want to take further. Further and further until we’re too far gone to care.

“You’re teasing me.” The smile fades. “Making fun of the inexperienced girl.”

“No way.” I let my lips drift across her cheek, toward her ear, until I’m nibbling on the lobe and making her squirm. “I love that you were so inexperienced. It means that you’re all mine.” Being with her, having her in my arms, the possessive urge that sweeps over me is hard to deny.

This girl is definitely mine, though I’m not sure she realizes it.

A shuddering sigh escapes her and she hangs her head down. “I’ve been with other boys.”

I stiffen and pull away from her, curling my fingers around her chin and forcing her to look at me. “Hell, Reverie. Did you…have sex with them?” Anger bubbles up inside me and I tell it to fuck off. I have no right to be mad. We weren’t together. She was feeling lost, missing her old life. I can’t blame her.

But I want to tear apart every one of those guys who had their hands on her, no matter how brief the interlude was.

She slowly shakes her head, her eyes glittering with unshed tears. “I kissed them, that’s it, I swear. I think…oh my God, this is going to sound so stupid but I think I was trying to kiss you out of my system or something.”

“Did that plan work out for you?” I ask, my voice low, my thoughts turbulent. I’m quietly freaking out inside waiting for her answer and I don’t know how long I can stand it.

“No.” She loops an arm around my neck, pulling herself into me. “I still missed you.”

Gripping her by the waist, I haul her into my lap, until she’s straddling me, her knees on either side of my hips, slender hands gripping my shoulders, her fingers pressing into my skin, making it sizzle. “You miss me now?”

Reverie nods, her voice soft, her eyes heavy as she stares at my mouth. “Yes.”

It’s the aching whisper of her voice that urges me into action. I kiss her, my mouth settling on hers, our lips connecting, our bodies pressed close together. My body instantly reacts to her taste, to the way she touches me, her knees pressed hard against my hips, the eager little noises that escape from the back of her throat when I part her lips with my tongue. I haven’t kissed her in months and the rush that comes when I touch my tongue to hers for the first time since forever spurs me on.