Infatuated (8 page)

K
ale stared at me. “You okay, babe?”

“I’m…I don’t know what I am, to be honest,” I said with a laugh. “No, I think I’m pissed.”

“Pissed is good. As long as it’s not directed at me, that is. Our first fight has to be over something really good, like when I do something utterly stupid.”

I shifted to look at him better, appreciating what he was trying to do. “Oh, like what?”

“Like refusing you sex when I have a headache or something. I’m prone to them, you know. It’s bound to happen sooner or later.”

“And that’s a fight worthy offense?”

“Oh, yeah. You’ll call me everything in the book but good. Actually, you’ll probably call me that, too, but you’ll be pissed about it.”

Between the tussled hair, heavy eyes, and schoolboy grin, everything about him screamed sexy, and that was before he opened his mouth. Simply existing made him sexy. Reaching up, I ran my fingers down the side of his cheek. He leaned into it like a cat. He didn’t have a classically handsome face, not exactly. His nose was a little too long and had obviously been broken at least once. But his eyes…those did the trick. The color, the shape, the expression in them. The way he looked at me like I was the only thing he wanted to see.

I leaned in, pressing my lips against his.

He smiled and kissed my palm. “What was that for?”

“For being you.”

“I’m feeling particularly appreciative being me, then.”

“You’re something special, you know that?” I said, thinking out loud.

“Not really.”

“Yeah, I think you are. You snuck up on me. Not many guys would be here right now. With me. With…whatever’s going on.”

His gaze lowered to my breasts again, reminding me I hadn’t put my shirt back on and was sitting in only my bra. Heat flushed my cheeks. “I think you’re wrong about that. I think every guy would want to be where I am right now. Gladly.”

“You know what I mean. You came at the wrong time and the wrong place—for you, anyway.”

“From where I’m standing—or technically sitting—I think I have pretty damn good timing.”

“You’ve got a way with words, Kale Wilder.”

“They come easy when I mean them. They come easy when I’m with you.” He reached out and took my hand in his. “You didn’t ask for the crap going on with you.”

“No, I didn’t, but that wouldn’t stop most people from running in the opposite direction as fast as they could. And I wouldn’t blame them for it.”

“I can’t speak for those people.” He shrugged. “The best things in life might be free, but they’re even better when you have to work for them. I told you, I work for what matters. You matter, Ally. No question about it. Everyone has their baggage, including me. I don’t like seeing women abused—physically or emotionally. It sets me off.”

“So you do have a dark side.”

“Doesn’t everyone? Why do you think I wear so much black? It’s slimming.”

“You make my face hurt from smiling so much.”

“That only makes me want to work harder to do it.” He linked his fingers with mine again. “I don’t know what this is or will be, but you snuck up on me, too. I guess we’re both sneaky people.”

“I’m glad you’re around, Kale.”

He grinned bashfully. “You just want me for my body. I see the way you’re eyeing me like I’m a piece of meat.”

I hadn’t been, but when he said that, my gaze immediately traveled to his bare chest. If he was a piece of meat, it was one of the finest pieces I’d seen. All bronzed and smooth, hard and soft. Just begging to be kissed, to have my tongue run over it. I shook my head. “God, I hate technology,” I said, repeating his earlier words.

“Phonus interuptus.” His smiled faded after a second and he sighed. “Speaking of technology.” Releasing my hand, he twisted around, digging through the couch cushions. He pulled out the bag from earlier. “I got this for you.”

I looked in the bag and frowned down at the cell phone—one of those cheap pre-paid ones. “Booty call phone?” I said, hoping he’d laugh.

He didn’t.

“No. I want you to leave your phone with me for a few days and use this instead. It doesn’t have any bells or whistles, but it should suffice for a while.”

“Why?”

“Because you need a phone.”

I rolled my eyes. “Why do you want mine?”

“You have some creep calling you, which may or may not turn out to be nothing, but until we know for sure, I’m thinking you’re better off safe than sorry. I’m hoping if he knows I’m answering your phone, he’ll get the hint and quit calling. If you’re not answering, then there’s no reason for him to keep trying.” He paused. “Look, if you’re worried about me having it, that’s fine, I get it. If nothing else, you should have someone else field your calls for a while or change your number. You shouldn’t have to deal with that.”

“I’m not worried about you having it.” And I wasn’t. I probably should have been, but that wasn’t why I hesitated. “It’s just that all my numbers are on that phone and everyone has that number. My mom, work, school.”

“I’ll transfer the numbers over manually if I have to, though I think we might be able to have it done. I can’t do much with the people who call, though. Maybe get a hold of the frequent callers and give them a heads up? Maybe they could spread the word.”

Laura could do that. She and my mom were really my biggest worries. Even if the school called and Kale had the phone, I’d still be able to check my messages, wouldn’t I? And honestly, I didn’t want to deal with the calls. If his idea worked and whoever was calling stopped when they didn’t get a hold of me, then it’d be worth the inconvenience. “Okay. Keep it.”

“Well, that part went over better than I thought it would. I was sure you’d argue more.”

“My only argument is on your behalf. I don’t like getting the calls, and while I don’t mind sharing that headache with someone else, it doesn’t seem right giving it to you.”

“I’m asking for it.” He shrugged. “The calls worry you, and honestly, that’s enough of a reason to take them on. Whoever this is, whatever they want, they’re not going to get it. Maybe they just want to scare you, or maybe they want more. I don’t know. So if it eases your mind, then dealing with them is a price I’m willing to pay.”

“I’m turning into an expensive and high maintenance date.”

“Look, I’m not going to lie and say I was expecting this when I asked you out, but I’m not backing down because things got complicated right off the bat. Even if you’d had a sign over your head warning people away, I still would have tried getting to know you. I still would have wanted to. If I have to work through this to get more time with you, then I will.”

“You’re very…affable.”

He rubbed his hands down my arms and wrapped them around my wrists. “No one should be alone to deal with shit unless they want to be. And so we’re clear, you won’t be, even if you do want it. If this…thing…between us ends tomorrow, you still won’t be alone. So maybe I’m not that affable.”

The way his eyes blazed and fingers tightened on my wrists would have told me he meant his words, even if his tone hadn’t. He didn’t look affable at that moment. He looked unmovable.

It was a good thing then, I decided, that I didn’t want him to go anywhere.

A
t five, Kale left so I could get ready for work. He said he had work the next morning so he probably couldn’t by come after, but he’d call me after my class the next day. He made me promise to keep the replacement phone near me and call if anything happened. As he shoved my other phone into his pocket, he gave me a quick kiss that left us both breathless and me wishing I could call out of work and stay with him.

After my shift, within ten minutes of getting home, the cell rang and my heart gave one solid, painful thump before I remembered no one had the number (I hadn’t even thought to check it myself). When I glanced down at the display, I laughed when I read the contact name: It’s Only Kale. Just seeing his name calmed my nerves and had my insides melting. He talked to me for an hour, about everything and anything. Things that made sense and even more that didn’t. For ten minutes, he talked in this obviously fake sexy accent, saying the least sexy things possible, and had me laughing until my eyes watered.

It was one of the weirdest and best phone calls I’d ever had.

When I woke the next morning, I realized I’d slept better than I had in two weeks. I woke to thoughts of Kale. I woke smiling, eager to attack the day, eager to see him, to touch him.

I checked the phone after my shower and grinned when I saw Kale had left a text message. The grin widened when I read it.

Did u wake up with bed-head? Bet u did. Bet it looks sexy.

I typed a quick reply.
Already showered, so I guess you’ll never know.

A few minutes later, the phone beeped with a new message.
Looking for a job as towel boy. U hiring?

Grinning, I typed my reply.
Position closed for the day. Try again later.

I will. Tomorrow, and the next day and the day after that. Consider my applications sent in for the next month. Will also work for free. I’ll inquire again in person.

Just like that, with the silliest messages ever, my day was perfect.

My morning class flew by and crawled at the same time. Work was the same, with the added benefit of no Earl sightings. When my shift ended, Kale met me outside, wearing a sexy smile and his leather jacket. He had work the next day, so he only stayed long enough to walk me home. And like the day before, he left me with a kiss that had me wanting more.

The next few days were a repeat of that day, down to him walking me home and the text in the morning. I went to sleep smiling and woke up smiling. I went to sleep relaxed and woke up relaxed. It was nice.

Every night when he walked me home, I wanted to invite him in. I wanted him to stay the night with me. But I could never get the words out. Things were perfect as they were and I was scared to change a thing. Sex changed things, didn’t it? Especially when it mattered. When he mattered. Right now, there were no strings between us, no expectations, no commitments.

So why did I want strings? Why did I want those expectations and commitments?

Those questions kept me from inviting him in, because I didn’t think I could sleep with Kale and keep things the way they were. I didn’t think I could keep things casual. Sex with Kale would change things and I wasn’t sure I was ready for that.

Not yet.

“Hey.”

The voice shook me from my thoughts. A smile started to form on my lips, but then it slipped. Not Kale. “What can I get you?” I asked, trying to keep the disappointment from my tone.

As the guy rattled off his order, my gaze went to the clock. Twenty minutes. I just had to last twenty minutes and then I’d see him.

The longest eighteen minutes of my life ticked by and I cursed whatever force of nature made clocks move slower when you wanted them to go faster. If I thought it would have worked, I would have moved the hands on the clock ahead manually, but we logged in and out from a computer.
Damn technology.

Laura bumped into me. “You’re literally bouncing on your feet and I can see scorch marks on the clock. Hot date?”

“Just…anxious.”

She laughed. “Get out of here, girl.”

“Thanks, Laura!”

I ran to the back, cursing the computer that ran slower than the clocks, grabbed my stuff, and then I was out the door. I stopped and frowned when I didn’t see Kale’s truck.
He’s just late.

After five minutes of waiting, my phone rang. I let out a deep breath. “Hey.”

“Hey. Sorry I’m not there. My friend hit a deer over on Greenbrook and needed a lift. He’s not a happy camper.”

“Oh, hell. Is he okay?”

“Yeah, he’s fine. Got lucky. His car’s totaled though, and he’s in mourning. He’s trying to drown his sorrows in a bottle of whatever he picked up at the store. I think it’s toxic.”

“Glad he’s okay.”

“You okay to walk home?”

I fought my frown. “Of course. I walked myself home before I found you,” I said, laughing and hoping he didn’t hear the strain in it.

“You sure? Anyone give you any trouble?”

“Only technology.”

“You sound upset. You’re not mad at me are you?”

I wasn’t mad at him, at all. Disappointed a little, because I was used to him being here. But his friend needed him more than I did. “No. Of course not.” I gave a dramatic sigh. “I’m just wondering who I’m supposed to kiss goodnight now. So many options, so little time.”

A low rumble sounded. “Don’t even think about it.”

I laughed. “Hey, this is your fault.”

“Oh? How is that?”

“You’re the one who got me used to it. It’s not my fault if you can’t be here for it. A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.”

“That’s the key to ensuring all your kisses belong to me? Being there?”

“There are a few other minor details, but yes, that’s the main one.”

“Damn. You are high maintenance, aren’t you?”

I paced in front of the bar, grinning into the phone. “I’ll remember that the next time I see you.”

He chuckled. “So you home yet?”