Senseless Attraction (11 page)

      Yeah, I felt really out of my comfort zone. Still, I took a deep breath, lifted my dress up a little, and started forward.

      Once at the door, a large body builder guy with a deep gravelly voice barked, “Name?”

      “Uh—Skylar James.”

      He looked down his list, and for a moment there, I thought Kane had forgotten to put my damn name down on a list I didn’t even know I needed to be on. I mean, come on, we weren’t going into an exclusive nightclub or anything.

      In the end, he gave me a small nod for me to enter. I gulped and walked through. The house looked exactly the same; the only difference was there were a lot of older people dressed in their best clothing, walking around with their noses up to the ceiling.

      Nearing the stairs, I heard my name being bellowed, “Sky!” In the next second, I was nearly knocked to the ground. I looked down to find Dommy hugging me close. She looked up and smiled. “You look really beautiful.”

      “Thanks, kiddo. You brush up well too.” And she did; she looked like a little princess would, in a long, pink, frilly dress, topped off with a tiara. “Where’s your pain-in-the-butt brother?” He was the one who got me into this mess; the least he could do was be here.

      “I heard that.” I turned to find Kane standing there smiling. He was dressed in a black tuxedo. As he took my outfit in from head to toe with an appreciative gleam in his eyes, I gazed over him.

      “Penguin suit? Wow.” He did actually look really double damn fine. Fine enough to get my heart rate up.

      He smirked. “Tell me about it; this is another reason why we both hate these types of gigs. Alas, we have to put up with it for our parents.”

      “And you dragged me into one.” I glared.

      “Thanks to Dommy.” He grinned, crossing his arms over his chest, looking very pleased with himself.

      What? No way could a five-year-old play me. I looked down to question said little demon-angel, but she was nowhere to be seen.

     “Do you mean to tell me that I've been played by a five-year-old to get me here?” I said through clenched teeth.

      “She is a great actress.” He took a step forward and placed his arms down to his sides. “Come on, Skylar, I knew you wouldn’t come if I had just asked. So I asked for Dommy’s help. She was more than willing; she loves having you around. And…I thought…look, I knew it wouldn’t be so boring if I had you here.”

      What the hell? Was he actually blushing? Yes, there it was. Damn, how could I stay mad at that?

      “Damn you and your evil sidekick.” I glared. But not being able to hide my twitching mouth.

      “Are you cranky now Sky?” Dommy asked from a few feet away. You would think that I wouldn’t be able to hear her from the house being so full with people, but those said people were in their own private hushed conversations. Even the soft classical music being played in the background didn’t stop the monster from being heard.

      “No.” I smiled. “But I think I’m going to have to keep a close eye on you from now on though.”

      “So you’re not mad?”

      “No, how could I stay mad at you? Now your brother is another matter,” I said, glancing at Kane, who gave me an innocent face.

      “Great, as long as you’re not mad at me.” Dommy grinned.

      “Thanks, squirt.” Kane chuckled. “Now, let’s go dance.”

      “What? Wait, no one said anything about dancing.” New nerves kicked in.

      “Don’t worry, Sky. I’ll help you,” Dommy said, taking my hand in hers and leading me into a room opposite their library, which turned out to be a large hall. At least a room like that came in handy for those types of events. Though, I could never see myself wanting a house with a room like that in it. I just knew that when it wasn’t being used, it would feel—well, empty and cold.

      Still, it took my breath away. People danced on the dance floor; there were tables to the far right side full of food, and to the other end was the band playing their music. I stifled my laugh because they looked really bored with the music they were playing. Straight across were tables and chairs for people to sit at when eating.

       It only took me a couple of seconds to take all that in. The next hour or so I spent dancing with Kane and Dommy.

      If only my Momma could’ve seen me. She wouldn’t believe it, and even though I was the one dancing around holding onto a hand of Kane’s and a small hand of Dommy’s, I couldn’t comprehend how much fun I was having. Dommy loved to dance, and even though it was light classical music being played, she threw in some rock, ballet, and hip-hop dance moves. I had never laughed so much.

      Of course, we received a few odd looks from people, but if Kane didn’t care, then I didn’t let it get to me. I already thought my heart was beating enough from all the dancing, but when Dommy said that she was going to get a drink and Kane took me into his arms for a slow dance, I thought I was going to have a heart attack.

      He pulled me close, one hand still in mine and the other went to my waist. Just that one touch of his fingers on my bare back sent shivers throughout my body. I clamped my mouth closed to hold in my moan.

      “Are you cold?” Kane whispered. He was so close to my ear that I could feel his warm breath on my neck
.

      Being so close only means he won’t have to speak so loud.

      I gulped, which I think he heard because the next second, he chuckled.

      “No—I, um, I’m fine,” I stuttered like a fool.

      “You, um, look really beautiful tonight,” Kane uttered into my ear. I wanted to move back to look into his eyes, but I was afraid of what I would find in them. Instead, I nodded into his shoulder.

      He moved me around the dance floor like a pro. This guy had to have had dance lessons, or he was just one of those people who had natural rhythm. Unlike myself, who was lucky that Kane was great at leading.

      I was enjoying his touch too much; I needed some air and soon. Thankfully, Dommy gave me the chance to make a break.

      “I think someone is ready for bed,” I said to Kane, gesturing with my head to look to the left where Dommy sat on a chair, which she was nearly falling off with her eyes half-closed.

      Kane laughed. “I think you may be right. I’ll go and get Rosita; she’s always in the kitchen on these kind of nights.”

      He went to walk off, but I grabbed his sleeve quickly. “No, do you mind if I do it?”

      “Really?” He seemed surprised.

      “Yeah.” I nodded. He took hold of my hand and led me over to Dommy. She didn’t even take any notice of us standing in front of her.

      I went to pick her up until I felt movement to the side of me. I stood up straight and turned around. Standing there were the older versions of Kane and Dommy.

      “Kane, who do we have here?” Mrs Stanley asked.

      “This is a friend of mine from school, Skylar James.”

      “Oh, you’re the one who is doing the history paper with our son.” Mr Stanley smiled.

     “Yes, sir. It’s so nice to meet you both, and thank you for having me in your beautiful home.” Momma did actually teach me manners.

      “Thank you, dear,” Mrs. Stanley said, looking anywhere but at me. “Kane, where is your girlfriend, Donna tonight?”

      Now that was a slap in the face if I ever heard one before. I could feel Kane stiffen beside me.

      “Mommy, I want to go to bed.” Saved once again by Dommy.

      “All right, sweetheart, I’ll call Rosita.”

      “It’s fine, Mom. I was going to take her.”

      Mrs Stanley rolled her eyes and sighed. “Fine, if that is what you want to do. But when you come back down, Kane, I wish for you to mingle.”

      Oh, oh, who was the boss in the house? Why, it was Evil Mom.

      It was pretty obvious that I would not be welcomed back again.

      “Sure, Mom.” Kane frowned. He scooped up Dommy in his arms, and she held on around his neck as he strode off. I quickly followed behind.

      “Sorry about that,” Kane uttered once we got Dommy changed and into bed. I pulled the blankets up over her as she snuggled down tighter.

      “Don’t worry about it,” I whispered. I bent over and gave Dommy a quick kiss on the cheek; she stirred and looked up with tired eyes, saying, “Sky, I had so much fun tonight; thank you for coming. Pleeeease say you’ll be back.”

      I smiled down at her. “Of course, hon, nothing can keep me away from another
Ruby Gloom
fan. Now, go to sleep.”

      “Night, Kane.”

      “Night, squirt.”

      We left the room, and Kane silently closed the door behind us while I leaned against the wall. Kane took my hand and led me back down the stairs. I was reluctant to go back into the hall. I grinned when he headed towards the library. He opened the door, and closed it once we were inside; the thick door blocked out most of the sound. I was starting to feel tired myself; dancing sure did take a lot out of you.

      Would Kane be able to hear my heart beating wildly from where he stood near the door? I kept walking over to the window to look out at the night’s sky. The stars were shining brightly; it didn’t seem windy out there, and I hoped it would stay like that because I didn’t bring a jacket to wear home. Momma had given me some money for a taxi home that I stuffed in my sweaty shoe.  

      Um, gross. Sorry, taxi driver, whoever you would be.

      I turned to see what Kane was doing, and jumped when I found him right behind me. Kane stepped closer as a small smile played at the corner of his lips. We both stared at each other. Then he reached out with one hand to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear. His touch was warm and inviting, causing me to close my eyes and enjoy the feel of it.

      “This is the only reason I had second thoughts of asking you here,” he whispered.

      I opened my eyes, looking at him sceptically. He laughed, but then stopped when he ran his hand from my face down to cup the back of my neck. He continued, “Whenever I’m around you, Skylar James, I can’t think straight and I always want to touch you.”

      Again, I gulped, and then cleared my throat to say, “Well, I think it could be a bad idea bringing me into a room alone.”

      He chuckled, and then sobered to ask, “Do you want me to step back?”

      “I–uh…”

      A knock at the door saved me from answering. Kane walked over to answer it, and I decided to follow him. I think it would have been a great idea if we left the room, because if we stayed there alone and he asked me that question again, I wouldn’t be able to say yes.

      Kane opened the door and Rosita quickly squeezed her way in, pushing Kane back in the process. She didn’t seem surprised to see me in here with him; she gave me a wave and a smiled, then said to Kane with a disappointed look, “Miss Donna is here looking for you.”

      My heart dropped to my feet. I was sure Kane turned pale. Honestly, I felt for him; he nearly made a mistake with me and it was like getting a cold splash of water in the face to find out his girlfriend—even though they were on a break—was, in fact, here to see him. Maybe even to reconcile things between them.

      I gripped my stomach. I felt sick.

      Next, there was another knock at the door, which made us all jump, and then Donna called out for Kane. Rosita opened the door and went out; Kane followed her, mouthing to me that he wouldn’t be long.

      Yeah, right.

      I went over to the wall for some help in supporting myself. Okay, to be honest, I got closer to see if I could hear the conversation, which I could.

     
“Donna, what are you doing here?” Kane asked.

      “Your mother called and said that she thought I should come, and it wasn’t the same without me being here on your arm.”

      “Of course she did.” Kane sighed loudly.

      “Kane, look, I really am sorry for the way I acted. If I thought it would have caused you to tell me we needed a break, then I wouldn’t have said what I did.”

     
Say what now?
Kane was the one who asked for the break? What had Donna said for him to do that?

      I let my own thoughts die when I heard Donna speak again, “I will never act that way again; just please say that it was all silly. I promise I
will
make it up to you.”

      I just knew she was rubbing herself up against him, but unfortunately, I had no right to run out there and slam her face into the ground. Which was what I really wanted to do.

      “No more waiting, baby. Your mom gave her permission for me to spend the night…in your room, honey,” she cooed.

      It fell silent out there. Oh God, were they kissing while I was standing just a few feet away? Or worse, was he actually going to say, ‘Yahoo, I’ll race you upstairs,’ and forget that I was even in the house?

      “Rosita, what is it?” Kane asked.

      “Nothing, Mr Kane. Excuse me for a second.” The door to the library opened and Rosita came in.

      “Donna, I…”

      I didn’t hear the rest, what caught my undivided attention was the look on Rosita’s face; she looked upset and concerned. She closed the door with one hand and had a phone in the other.

      “Rosita, what is it?” I asked panicked, my hand going to my throat.

      “It is for you, Senorita.” She held out the phone. I took it with a shaking hand and held it up to my ear. Rosita stepped closer, her arm going around my waist.

      “Hello?”

      “Oh, Sky, honey.” I recognized the voice straight away. It was Barbra Keating, my Momma’s best friend from her work.

      Oh no, this couldn’t be good if she was ringing me here.

      “It’s your Momma, honey. There was a robbery at the store. Oh, honey, he—the man had a gun…”

      Thankfully, Rosita was there, or else I would have fallen to the floor. “No, no, no. Not Momma, please…”

      “Sky, hon, listen. She’s been shot; she’s at the hospital. I’m here now, but—hon, I don’t know… she’s being operated on now. Come here, honey; she’ll want to see you when she gets out.”