I hated lying. But right now the truth wasn’t an option. I didn’t know every detail about the secrecy rule and had no idea what the penalty was for breaking it. Regardless, I figured punishment had to increase with the number of violations. “What choice do I have?”
* * * *
Hayden pulled up right behind my car.
“If you park here, I won’t be able to leave.” He probably planned to keep me trapped at his house.
Putting the car in reverse, he backed up then moved forward, stopping alongside my car.
“You’re coming inside, right?”
“No, Hayden, I’m leaving.” I groaned and got out of his car. He followed suit. “Why won’t you give up?”
He stopped beside me at the driver’s side of my Scion. “It’s absolutely fascinating how you pretend not to like me.”
“Wow. Is your ego so inflated that you can’t imagine even one girl being immune to you?”
“I’d almost buy that except I remember the way you kissed me last night. You’re lying. Not only did you like our little interlude but you want to do it again.” He smiled confidently.
“There is a possibility that you could be right. That I liked it. Past tense. But think about it and think hard. Do you really believe I’d want anything to do with a guy who’d make out with me, then another girl minutes later?”
He studied me a long moment.
Then he swooped.
Without my consent, my mouth opened for his tongue and a lust bomb exploded in my belly, sending ripples of desire to every cell in my body. When I’d first met Hayden, I’d wondered why none of the many girls he’d dated complained when it was over. Now I knew. Who’d complain with kisses like that? He made you feel grateful you got anything at all.
He pulled back and smacked his lips. “I tasted a lie on your lips.”
I forced a condescending smile. “Just because you’re a good kisser and kinda hot automatically means I like you?”
Hayden’s eyes narrowed. “You make a good point. But I still don’t believe you.” He looked less certain than a moment ago though.
“Guess what? I don’t care.” Oh, I cared a lot. And my knees trembled for wanting Hayden’s mouth on mine again. He couldn’t know that though. I turned around and searched my purse for my keys.
“They’re not in there.”
I whirled around. “What?”
“You left your purse in the booth at the restaurant. When you and Bree went to the bathroom earlier, I snagged your keys.”
I didn’t know if I should be furious that he’d invaded my purse to steal my stuff or totally turned on that he’d do such a thing because he wanted me to stay. Indignation won out and I gritted my teeth. “Please get them for me. I’ll wait here,” I said as politely as I could manage.
“Fine.” He rummaged through the SUV’s glove box and brought them to me. “Tomorrow at eight-thirty. I’ll pick you up.”
“So we drive in your car and I’m at your mercy all day? Not on your life. I’ll meet you. Where?”
“No, I’ll pick you up. It’s safer that way.”
I shook my head. “Not really.”
He held up his hand, palm out. “I promise. No more sneakiness. We go running, practice fighting, then I take you home. That’s it. I won’t bother you again until it’s time to meet with Chase.”
“Chait.”
The corners of his mouth curled.
“Fine. I’ll see you at my house in the morning,” I said.
“On second thought.” Hayden scratched his chin as though deep in thought. “Maybe you should come here. I’ll probably be out late tonight.”
“Okay, I’ll be here.” I prayed to God there would be a woman in his bed, waiting for me to discover her. I really needed him to do something foul, something to erase the memory of the most recent kiss. “See you later.” I turned.
“Hey.”
I glanced over my shoulder.
His face sobered up. “I’m not comfortable with you over there. I’m really not. Access is too easy for anyone.”
“I can’t sleep here, Hayden,” I said softly. “I can’t.”
He nodded, opening my door for me. I got in and bailed.
Chapter Sixteen
Hayden
I’d finally lost my mind.
I liked the pretty auburn-haired girl that Skyler and Brad had brought to Delia’s. She showed all the signs of being totally into me. If I’d wanted, she’d be waiting in my bed for me right now. Naked and no strings attached. I should’ve taken advantage of my situation. But I couldn’t because it was impossible to stop thinking about Tessa.
She was stunning and witty and funny. The girl of my dreams though? No such girl existed. So why was I acting like she was mine to keep?
Tessa’s Scion rolled to the end of my driveway and disappeared around the corner, and I jumped in the Viper. Minutes later, I opened the door to the basement of my friend’s house where the sounds of partying wafted up to greet me. I let the door shut and descended the steps. My lungs protested as cigarette smoke invaded them.
“Hayden. My bro.” Brad waved a shot glass full of something caramel colored in front of his face. “Come share.”
“Nah, not tonight. Not in the mood.” Even if I were tempted, getting wasted when Tessa needed guarding didn’t seem smart.
“Hey, Hayd. Watcha doin’?” Scantily dressed Lisa covered my body with hers. She was my go-to girl. Any party where either of us lacked other real prospects, we usually ended up together.
She handed me a bottle. Beer I could handle. Shots, no. I took a sip.
“Just seeing what’s going on.” I smiled at her bleary eyes. Yep. Easy.
“I’m goin’ on. Are you ready for me?” She pressed herself closer.
I sat the bottle on a nearby table, took her hand and dragged her into the make-out room. As soon as I closed the door, she pulled me to the bed and placed my hands on her breasts. I filled my hands with them while she worked the zipper on my jeans.
In my fantasy, Tessa’s were nicer. Not as full but perky. Tessa. I mentally shook my head and concentrated on Lisa whose thumbs were about to pull down my jeans. Her mouth found mine, our tongues tangling.
Tessa was a better kisser too. I liked the little sound she made when I’d surprised her with the kiss earlier tonight. And I loved the way she looked at me when she was turned on. She smelled good too, like springtime and fresh laundry.
I rolled over and zipped up my pants.
Lisa blinked. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” I kissed her lightly and popped off the bed. “I have to go. Sorry.”
Showing up had been a bad idea. Sleeping with Lisa was perfectly fine. Usually. But to be with her while thinking of someone else? It felt… deceitful. One thing I’d always prided myself on was honesty with girls.
I couldn’t get away fast enough and sped home where nothing could interfere with my thoughts of her.
* * * *
Because I’d left the party so early and gone to bed, I woke up before the alarm clock sounded and was ready long before Tessa arrived. I alternated between pacing and checking the time while I waited.
Ten more minutes.
Burned out on pacing, I switched on the television to distract me but it didn’t help.
Damn it. I couldn’t wait to see her.
I leaped up at the knock and flung the door open. “Hey.” I grinned and backed up so she could come in.
She gave a tentative smile. “Good morning. I didn’t expect you to be up already.”
“I went to bed early last night,” I said. She flinched ever so slightly and I hurried on. “I didn’t have company, if that’s what you’re wondering.”
“None of my business.” She casually examined some photos hanging on the wall. “Please don’t feel you have to stop your usual… activities on my account.” She gave me a sly smile then returned to the photos. “She had to rush home, huh?”