Wrapped in Lace (6 page)

“I hated her for taking you,” I admitted. “But I’m not sure I ever would’ve gotten the courage to kiss you otherwise.” Piper laughed. “I still can’t believe I kissed you, and you hit me.”

“I didn’t hit you hard.”

“No, but then you just stormed off. I’ve been confused about women ever since.”

She bumped my shoulder. “I came back, though.”

I got lost in her blue eyes for a second, remembering the way her lips felt on mine. “You did. I thought I was brave to give you a little peck on the lips, but then you turned around, walked back, and kissed me like a pro. Damn, I thought my body was going to explode.”

“I’d dreamed about you kissing me for months. I wasn’t going to leave it at a little peck on the mouth,” she said, looking at her feet. “That’s why I hit you the first time. I was so mad that it took me leaving for you to make a move, then you wimped out.”

“I didn’t wimp out. It was my first time kissing a girl. Give me a break. I was being respectful—a good guy.”

“You wimped out,” Piper said. “Besides, it was my first kiss, too.”

“Well, maybe if you hadn’t hit me I’d have taken it further.” I knew I wouldn’t have then, but I knew I wanted to now. “You always did have a stiff right hook and a mean curveball.”

“Still do,” Piper said, smiling broadly before her face fell slightly. “Why’d you stop writing to me? I always wondered why you stopped.”

Ah, hell! Piper might have acted like one of the boys, but she was just as sensitive as every other girl. I couldn’t tell her the real reason I stopped writing to her. It was such a chicken shit thing to do.

“The day I left, we promised to write once a week, but then you just stopped.”

“I was a teenage boy. I was stupid and busy with sports and friends. They teased the shit out of me, so I just stopped.” I wasn’t sure if she bought that bullshit or not, but I wanted to change the subject. I didn’t want to think about having hurt her feelings. “So, why’d you move back?”

“This was always home. My mom and I moved around a lot, and no other place ever felt like home. So, after art school and Grammy’s passing, I thought it was time to come back. My grandparents were there for me, and it’s time to return the favor.”

“We used to dream about living here. I was going to buy the old Harlow place and run the bar with Rob, and you wanted to. . . . Well, you changed your mind every week.” She laughed, and I swear the stars got a little brighter.

“My mom and I lived all over, but no place was ever better than right here,” Piper said, looking up at the house.

“Where’s your mom now?”

“Still down in Miami. We lived there my last two years of high school.”

“I can’t picture you in Miami.”

“I spent most of my time in a strip club. Every woman fits in there.” I felt my jaw clench and swore I probably cracked a tooth. She looked over at me and started laughing, obviously seeing the fire in my eyes. She covered up her mouth, so as not to wake her grandfather. “My mom was a bartender. Strip clubs always paid the best. That’s how I learned to make all those naughty drinks.”

“But you never?” I knew it was none of my business, but I had to ask. I had to know. I couldn’t imagine Piper stripping. Not that I had anything against strippers, but I didn’t want to think about any man ever looking at her that way.

“Would it make a difference to you if I used to strip?” Piper asked.

“It would break my heart.” I had to be honest. I wouldn’t think less of her or anything, but it would crush me.

“I better get back inside,” she said, standing up.

I guess that wasn’t the right answer. I captured her hand and pointed into the darkness. “Look, it’s starting to snow.”

I pulled her off the porch as the first snow of the season lightly fell all around us. I watched her eyes light up as she held up her hands, smiling and letting the snow tickle her face. The first snow of the season was always the most special, the most magical. And she looked so beautiful, so alive, so happy. I wanted to capture that, to capture her. I put my hands on her waist and pulled her close. “I’m not going to wimp out this time.”

I leaned down into her smile, my warm lips causing her body to roll into me. I pulled her tighter and wound my fingers into her blonde hair and pulled her mouth closer as our tongues met. I took my time kissing her, her lips familiar. I tasted her and realized I’d been starving for her, craving her since I was fourteen years old. I didn’t want to stop.

Her hands slid under my coat and gripped my t-shirt. I knew she wanted me closer. Our tongues slowly circling each other’s, the heat of our bodies caused each snowflake to evaporate as soon as it made contact with our skin. I softened my grip on her hair and slowly pulled away then nuzzled my nose with hers and planted a soft little kiss on her rosy lips. “You aren’t going to hit me this time, are you?” Piper smiled and shook her head. “Does the invitation to come in still stand?”

Piper’s smile widened, and she shook her head again. “Decided the bad girl thing didn’t work for me!”

I knew that already, but it still made me laugh to hear her admit it. “Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Sure, how about I drive you home?”

“Thanks,” I said and removed the coat. I handed it back to her then pulled her back into my chest. “By the way, it wouldn’t matter to me if you used to strip. It would make me sad and jealous, but it wouldn’t change who you are to me.”

She cupped my cheek tenderly. “When cash was low, my mom would strip on the side. Guys always thought that meant she was easy or that they could treat her like crap. Slap her around.”

I was getting a very vivid picture of Piper’s teenage years, and I didn’t like it. It made me sick to think about it, and I hated myself for stopping my letters to her. She probably could’ve used a friend, and I just cut her off without an explanation. I pulled her closer and rested my head on top of hers. “I’m sorry.”

“My mom didn’t always make the best decisions, but she did her best. She took a lot of crap, but the first time any of her boyfriends eyed me or raised a hand to me, she tossed them to the curb. She protected me, nothing bad ever happened to me. My mom saw to that.”

Jesus Christ, boyfriends
eyeing her
or
raising a hand
to her! That was no way to grow up. No wonder Piper thought of McAdenville so fondly.

“And my mom would’ve killed me for taking off my clothes for money. She’d strip in the worst dives before she let me even work an afternoon babysitting.”

I released the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. At least her mother tried to protect her in some ways. Piper stepped back, but I grabbed hold of her hand. “Sounds like she loves you a lot.”

“She does. People think strippers are bad people, but the thing is, we all have good and bad in us. Given the opportunity, the best people are capable of bad and vice versa.”

I immediately thought of Rob and Ellie. Was Piper right? Were they simply “good” people who did a bad thing? It was easier to believe they were just horrible. “Speaking of being bad,” I said, “think you might feel a little naughtier tomorrow?”

“I don’t know. Tomorrow is the day before Christmas Eve. I’ve been good all year, don’t want to blow it on the last day.” She giggled. “Just let me get my keys, and I’ll drive you home.” She ran up the stairs of the front porch then turned back. “Drew?”

I turned around just in time to catch her as she flew into my arms, kissing me firmly on the lips. She was trying to outdo my kiss, just like she did when we were kids. I’d let her try all night.

DECEMBER 23

PIPER

“Miss Piper, Miss
Piper!”

I’d lost count of how many times my name had been called this afternoon. The town’s annual Christmas program was today, and somehow I’d been nominated for costumes and backgrounds. It wasn’t high art, but I loved the kids, which made it fun. I peeked out from behind the curtain. The whole town came out whether they had a kid in the program or not, but I was only searching for one face. I couldn’t stop thinking about Drew. It was totally ridiculous. I hadn’t seen him in over ten years, but my heart still thundered in my chest and my knees still got weak, just like when I was a schoolgirl. I felt a tug on my dress.

“Miss Piper,” Jack said. “This itches.”

I bent down and adjusted the hood on his sheep costume. I’d forgotten Jack was in the play. Surely Drew would come to watch his nephew. Adjusting his hood, I got him in position as the curtain opened, keeping my place just offstage to make any last minute alterations. I startled when I felt my phone vibrating in the back pocket of my jeans. I pulled up the text.

Drew: You look beautiful!

My eyes shot to the crowd, searching for him, but the house lights were down, and I couldn’t see a thing.

Me: Tom, I’m busy. Or is this John?

Drew: Who should I kill first, Tom or John?

Me: They’re twins, so take your pick.

Drew: Bad girl!

“What’s got you grinning like that?” Sabrina asked, looking over my shoulder. I tried to hide my phone. “You found the wax-worthy hottie?” I nodded and gave her a brief update, unable to get into much detail because the program had just started. She let out a little squeal. “Ok, get back to flirting. I need details later.” Then she disappeared to the other side of the stage, and I looked back down to my phone.

Drew: You made the most beautiful Mary.

I smiled down at my phone, remembering my last Christmas in McAdenville. I’d been Mary in the Christmas program, and Drew had played Joseph. I’d wanted to lobby the director to add a kiss to the play that year, my crush on Drew in full force.

Drew: When you smile like that, it gives me very bad thoughts.

Me: I like bad, remember?

Drew: Trust me, I won’t forget.

Me: BTW—you were quite a cute Joseph!

Drew: Want to know Joseph’s secret?

Me: Absolutely!

Drew: I was glad for the robe. I had a boner the whole time from watching you.

I had to cover my mouth to keep from laughing. I was having way too much fun flirting with him. I couldn’t remember the last time a guy made me feel like this—so giddy. Sabrina was right. I was totally gushing over a boy.

Me: Aren’t you watching me right now?

Drew: Yep, I like watching you.

Me: Do you need a robe?

Drew: I’ve needed one since Hank’s.

My mouth suddenly dry, I licked my bottom lip, trying to decide how to respond to that one. My instinct was to reply
We need to do something about that
, but I wasn’t sure.

Drew: Please stop sliding your tongue across your lip.

Me: Why?

Drew: Because it drives me fucking crazy.

Me: In a good or bad way?

Drew: It makes me want to kiss every inch of you.

Again, I wasn’t sure how to respond. I wanted to text back
Yes, please
. I held my phone in my hand, just staring at the screen.

Drew: You’re doing it again!

Me: Guess I’m a little bad.

We kept this up through the entire program. I swear I didn’t hear one line. Drew and I text-flirted the whole time. Thank God the program was only an hour, because the texts were getting dirtier and dirtier, and I was getting hotter and hotter. I was thankful when it was over and walked out to the lobby to search for Drew. My phone dinged in my hand.

Drew: Heads up, sweetheart.

I looked up to see Drew across the lobby. He flashed me a smile that could melt any woman’s heart, not to mention her panties. We both tried to twist our way through the crowd towards each other, our eyes staying glued on one another. Then I saw him stop.

“Miss Piper!” Jack jumped in front of me, followed by Rob and Ellie.

I hugged Jack then looked up at Drew frozen on the other side of the room. Rob hugged me and kissed my cheek, and Ellie did the same. I politely smiled as my eyes searched for Drew, but he was already gone. He definitely had a knack for disappearing. I thanked Rob and Ellie for their support and made small talk. Then I found myself surrounded by other parents and kids. My phone vibrated in my pocket, but there was no way I was getting out of here anytime soon.

*

DREW

This was one
of my favorite spots in McAdenville—the lake right in the heart of town. And at Christmastime, it was even better. Christmas trees of all sizes surrounded the lake, their twinkling lights reflecting in the water. I was sure my parents would be pissed that I didn’t stick around after the program. I’d planned on staying, hoping to catch Piper after, but Rob and Ellie had beat me to it. My stomach turned at the sight of it—my brother’s arm around her. Piper must not know about our torrid family history; otherwise, I didn’t think she’d be so buddy-buddy with my big brother. The town’s gossip mill must be broken.

I leaned up against a bench in front of Old Man Winter cascaded in Christmas lights. Watching the kids running through the snowflakes he blew into the air, I took a sip of hot chocolate, which was now ice cold. I texted her after the play asking her to meet me here, but that was over an hour ago. Maybe she didn’t want to meet me. I took out my phone to see if she’d called or texted back, but there was nothing. I tossed my cup into the trashcan, wondering how long I should wait.