Just Me (10 page)

“
Since I have gym, I'm thinking yours.”

Something hot flashed in his eyes. “The temptation of seeing all those babes changing is overwhelming for you, I’m sure,” I said. “But I don't think the females in my gym class are ready for you.”

He touched my chin to hold my gaze on his, “I don't give a damn about the other girls in your class, but I’d like to see more of you.”

As you may have guessed, my knees went weak. I held his wicked stare, though my voice trembled. “Do they teach you guys how to render females mute and overly warm? Because you've nailed that lesson.”

“
No, but I like watching you get flustered and knowing that it's because of me.” It wasn't just his words, but his direct and heated stare that caused my body to react in a very pleasant way. I tingled everywhere.

“
Stop looking at me like that, or I'm going to pass out right here on the gymnasium floor, and you'll have to drag my unconscious body to your next class. What is your next class?” I asked.

“
AP Calculus. And I wouldn't drag your beautiful body across the floor. I'd put you over my shoulder.”

“
Like a sack of potatoes.”

He winked. “The sexiest sack of potatoes I've ever seen.”

***

We spent the entire day together and he did add a few more memories to my happy place. After school I went home with Poppy. We went to her room after dinner to get ready for the football game. She couldn't help the grin which seemed to be permanently affixed to her mouth.

“
I almost fell off the bleachers when I saw Bastian pulling you toward Coach Farlay. To think you avoided the hot seat all these years only to be placed on it by the boy you like.”

“
I'm having a dungeon made, so it's all good. He certainly took payback to the next level.”

“
It was more than that.”

“
What do you mean?” I asked.

“
I was sitting in the stands, remember? He is completely head over heels for you. And you are just as taken with him.”

“
I am.” I admitted.

“
So it looks like operation “Win Sebastian” is a done deal. What? What's that look for?”

“
Ms. Whitney applied for a scholarship for me, one that was separate from the list we had worked on together, and I won it.”

“
Oh, my God! That's so wonderful, Lark.”

“
It is, but there's a hitch. I have to move to Harrington, Maine, at the end of April.”

It only took Poppy a minute to realize what I was saying and then she sank back onto the bed next to me. “You'll miss prom.”

“
Yep.”

“
Does Bastian know?”

“
I haven't told him, yet.”

“
What are you waiting for?”

“
He asked me to join him and his parents for his birthday dinner in two weeks.”

“
That's awesome.”

“
I'm not so sure it is. His parents are pushing Kira on him because they like the connections her family has to offer. When they find out about me and my background, I'm guessing they will do all they can to get him away from me.”

“
It doesn't seem to me that Bastian puts a whole hell of a lot of stock in what his parents want.”

“
He doesn't, but I don't want to become another source of tension between him and his family.”

“
Stop.”

“
Think about it. I have no idea who my dad is. My mother died in her twenties from being too much of a party girl, and my aunt would rather me somewhere else. To people like the Rosses, I'm the nightmare.”

Poppy looked positively outraged. “You're thinking there’ll be no point after the dinner, that's why you haven't told him about the scholarship.”

“
Yes.”

“
That's not fair to Bastian. You’re not giving him enough credit, and that's not like you.”

I stood then, because I knew she was right, but I couldn't help it. “You're right, but I can't forget where he comes from. As much as he may try to deny it, he cares what his parents think.”

“
Probably, but so what?”

“
I won't measure up for the Ross family, and that will cause problems between Bastian and his parents. And my fear is he'll choose them and I won't recover from it.”

“
I don't think he will choose them over you.”

“
A part of me hopes that too, but a bigger part of me still lives in reality.”

***

The game started at seven so Bastian would be coming for me a little after six. I didn't let Poppy dress me. In front of a stadium full of people, I needed to wear my own clothes: my own personal armor. The black cargo pants, cropped black sweater and combat boots felt very comfortable and comforting. I reached for Bastian's jacket before calling to Poppy, “See you at the game.”

“
See you there, Victory.”

Shaking my head at Poppy's silliness, I stepped outside to wait for Bastian. He was right on time. In the short period of time since we'd known each other, he also had come to be both comfortable and comforting to me. Not to mention that he was just so freaking nice to look at. To my horror, I actually spoke that last part out loud. I knew he heard me because his eyes turned all hot, but it was the light color on his cheeks that had me taking a step closer. “If I didn't know any better, I would say you were blushing.”

“
I don't blush.” He pulled me up against him, but his voice was a bit off. His mouth found mine and his hands moved under my sweater to burn a trail over the naked skin of my back. His eyes darkened like sapphires when he reached for the helmet to place on my head.

“
Later, I'm going to make you blush.”

And right on cue, my knees went weak.

***

I wasn't sure what to expect when we arrived at the stadium, but I didn't have time to ponder that because as Victory, I was spotted almost instantly, and a crowd formed around Bastian and me. We made our way through the stadium to where the football team waited. I felt like a turkey on Thanksgiving; all trussed up moments before being devoured.

Bastian's hand clenched mine the entire time even though the handcuffs had been removed at the end of the school day. It seemed he really liked holding my hand. When it came time for me to lead the team out onto the field, he reluctantly released his hold on me.

I didn't know what possessed me, but I gripped his sweater in my fist and pulled him to me so I could seal my lips over his. I caught him by surprise and moved away before he could take the kiss deeper, because feeling what I did for this boy, I might forget a stadium full of people watched.

He couldn’t respond—I had rendered Bastian mute and, I suspected under his lovely sweater, overly warm.

“
Are you ready, Larkspur?” Brad asked from my side.

“
Yeah, and call me Lark.”

He grinned. “Okay, Lark.”

After I led the team into the stadium to the roar of the crowd, Brad touched my arm to get my attention. “Whenever you plan on seeking revenge, let me know.”

“
I might just take you up on that. Bastian deserves it.”

Another grin curved his lips. “Thanks again.” His focus moved to something just behind me and I saw a twinkle in those eyes. He kissed my cheek, slipped on his helmet and ran toward the sidelines. I swear he was laughing. I wondered what that was all about until I turned and saw Bastian. Oh, Brad, you wicked boy. The look in Bastian's eyes had my heart beating wildly. It shouldn't bring me pleasure to see Bastian jealous, but it did all the same. As I made my way to the sideline and him, I noticed the cheerleaders, Mica in particular, looking in my direction. Actually Mica appeared to be looking at me, but instead of the censure I always got when my eyes found her blue ones, she looked upset. Maybe it was scared. A part of me wanted to ask her what was wrong, because seeing her vulnerable, when she had always been a mega-bitch all through our schooling, was unnatural and unnerving.

Reaching Bastian, I pressed myself right up against him and kissed him senseless. Not too senseless because he pulled me even closer and kissed me back.

It took me a minute to recover and when I did, I peered up at him through my lashes. “You were jealous.”

He didn't even bother trying to deny it. “Hell, yes.”

“
Nothing to be jealous about.”

He said nothing, but he looked at me with such possession. “I spotted Poppy and Shawn. Do you want to join them?”

“
Okay.” Was all my fuzzy brain could manage since I still basked in the glory of knowing that Bastian was jealous.

I couldn’t make out Poppy and Shawn in the crowd until they both waved as we approached. “Nice job, Victory,” Shawn said.

“
I'm going to put the experience on my resume,” I said just before I heard Sophia calling me.

“
Oh, no.” I lowered my head and my shoulders slumped.

“
You have to go,” Poppy said.

“
I know.”

“
Go where?” Bastian asked.

“
The drum line has this little dance they do in the stands before the game starts.” Poppy said. “Lark was sitting with Sophia when they did it the first time. Since the team won, they do it for every game. It’s become sort of a good luck thing.”

A big smile spread over Bastian's face. “Well go. I'm looking forward to seeing this.”

I stuck my tongue out at him before I turned and started up the bleachers. I kind of liked the dance and that Sophia and the others didn't care what anyone thought as they shook their booties. Doing the dance in front of Bastian was a bit embarrassing, but I sucked it up and did the same and as usual had a hell of a good time.

Later, Bastian drove me back to Poppy's, but he detoured to our spot near the river. He parked while I pondered the evening. The football team won and so my stint as Victory became surprisingly satisfying.

I climbed off, removed my helmet and turned in time to see Bastian swing his leg over his bike. He said nothing as he moved right into me, but instead of feeling crowded and uncomfortable as I usually did when someone infringed on my personal space, I craved his nearness. Heat licked down my arms and legs. Pressed from chest to thigh, his mouth captured mine for a kiss that fried at least a thousand of my brain cells. It wasn't an exploratory kiss like our first one, it was all about conquering, possessing and owning but which of us was the aggressor was unclear as our mouths and tongues warred. There were so many emotions moving across his features when he looked at me.

“
What are you thinking?” I asked.

“
How it's possible to know someone for so short a time and be so completely addicted to them. And I am completely hooked on you.”

I couldn't help feeling smug when I replied. “Enough to make you jealous?”

“
I wanted to rip Brad's head off and I like that guy.” His finger brushed along my jaw, before his thumb rubbed over my lower lip. “Tell me you feel it too.”

“
I do.”

“
I want to see you tomorrow night, but I have to work. Come to the garage with me.”

“
Are you sure?”

“
Yes. Caden and Kale are working tomorrow night too. We can order a pizza or something. Say yes.”

“
Yes.”

Clearly he liked my answer—his mouth captured mine and for a good long time we didn't say anything at all.

Bastian's garage wasn't what I was expecting. It wasn't just a place to work. It was like a family and their boss, Calvin Carter, was the reason. A nicer and more down to earth person I didn't think I'd ever met. His genuine friendliness immediately put you at ease and yet he was no pushover, you could see that in the set of his shoulders and the intellect shining out of his warm hazel eyes. Eyes that found mine as soon as we entered.

A smile curved his lips. “Bastian mentioned he was bringing his girlfriend tonight. I'm Cal.”

“
Lark. Nice to meet you.”

“
Likewise. There are jumpers in the back room if you want to get under the hood.”

I wouldn't know a carburetor from a brake line. “I think I'll just watch.”

“
Don't let them eat all the pizza.” He leaned closer and added, “I usually take three slices and hide them because Caden has a bottomless pit for a stomach.”

“
Good to know, thanks.”

“
Aren't you staying?” Bastian asked.

“
No, I've got to get home,” said Cal. “It's lasagna night.”

“
No fair.” Hearing that whine from Caden made me grin.

“
Next time, boys.” He started away from us but added, “If you want to punch out before eight, that's cool with me. Nice to meet you, Lark.”

“
You too.”

Kale and Caden were already working. Their open blue jumpsuits exposed the tanks they had on underneath. They both called a hello to me before they got back to work. I had no idea what they were doing under the hoods of those cars, but clearly they were very comfortable doing it.

Bastian wore a similar jumpsuit, but he had the arms tied around his waist. His black tank beautifully showcased his inked arms. He kept his hair from his eyes by pulling it back with a bandana skullcap.