Bittersweet Lies (Bittersweet-Series Book 1) Page 14

  She’s definitely upset. With me!

  She should be angry with that bastard, not with the person who raced to help her like some fucking knight.

  Okay, perhaps my motives weren’t entirely selfless, but that’s not the issue right now.

  Fact is, she was harassed by a guy who almost kissed her. The mere thought is enough to send my pulse skyrocketing.

  “Okay, then don’t answer me, fine by me,” she says and shrugs, then ducks and slides out from under my arms to put more distance between us.

  I know it must be irrational and, yes, probably sounds totally dumb and corny, but I instantly miss the satisfying feeling of her body nestled against mine.

  Next time, I won’t let her get away so easily.

  “You needed help and I was close by,” I reply as if it is the most normal thing in the world.

  “I was managing just fine without you.” She tilts her head slightly and gives me an appraising look.

  “Besides, I don’t belong to you,” she clarifies.

  Of course not, I think, smiling. She already belongs to me; she just doesn’t know it yet.

  “He was drunk and even unable to think rationally,” I say emphatically.

  “The guy was dangerous, Brooke. He was intimidating and almost kissed you.” The last part sounds more like a growl.

  “I was about to ram my knee into his balls when you showed up out of nowhere and fell on him like a maniac. Steve is harmless, believe me.”

  I ball my hands into fists.

  So that’s the motherfucker’s name, echoes moodily in my mind.

  Well, at least now I have his name.

  “He did not look harmless to me.”

  Shit!

  Why can’t she simply say thanks like any normal person would?

  Because that would be too easy, I answer my own question.

  That she doesn’t want to agree with me and persistently insists on her opinion is one thing.

  But the fact that she dismisses the incident as nothing and is even unaware of the danger she was in, awakens feelings in me I thought impossible.

  If I could, I’d lock her in my room, tie her to the bed, and have my way with her until she regains her senses – which, in her case, might take half an eternity.

  For her damn stubbornness, not only does she deserve a spanking, I can also think of quite a few other things …

  “You’ve had plenty of time. Let’s go.” Carter appears next to me and looks at me darkly.

  Although his appearance might be intimidating and threatening to others, it just makes me grind my teeth in annoyance.

  I hate being interrupted, but I hate it even more when someone thinks they can order me around.

  “I said, in a moment,” I snap, trying to keep the burning fury that’s roaring like hot lava through my veins in check.

  “Your friend is right,” Brooke remarks, also stabbing me in the back.

  “You should get out of here before word gets around. Us too, for that matter,” she adds, throwing her friend a quick glance.

  “You’ve heard the little one. Let’s go.”

  Those two really piss me off, but unfortunately, they are right. We’re fortunate the people on campus are too ignorant to care about my little outburst.

  “This isn’t over yet,” I say with a warning look in her direction.

  “See you at home.”

  And with that, I leave her standing there and saunter to my car.

  “She belongs to me,” I mimic him when we finally are in the car.

  “Like some damn Neanderthal!”

  “Like a damn hot Neanderthal,” she corrects me. “You can’t deny that.”

  Annoyed, I roll my eyes. Yet again.

  “Be that as it may, it doesn’t give him the right to make such a idiotic claim to possesion.”

  Where does he even get the idea that I belong to him?

  Heather briefly looks at me. “Look for positive things. Like, he saved you from being kissed by Steve.”

  My snorting roars through the Renault Twingo. “I had the situation under control.”

  “You did not,” the little beast contradicts me, smiling to herself.

  “I was just about to ram my knee into his crotch when Blake showed up and dragged him off. From where I was standing, I had everything under control.”

  She makes a dismissive hand gesture. “Think what you will, but Steve is a couple sizes bigger than you and definitely stronger. I don’t think kicking him in his privates would have solved anything.”

  “Together with a broken nose, I think yes, don’t you?” I grumble, offended.

  “It doesn’t matter, he shouldn’t have interfered, it made everything worse.”

  Heather clucks her tongue disapprovingly. “Worse than it was? The dude is stalking you, Brooke. You shouldn’t take it lightly.”

  “The very same reason I wanted to handle the situation alone. Blake’s intervention will cause it to escalate.”

  “If you ask me …”

  “Well, I’m not,” I interrupt her.

  “… he made the guy understand that he is not to be trifled with and to stay away from you from now on if he values his good looks,” she continues undeterred.

  “We’ll see,” I mumble and lower my side window. I urgently need fresh air now to clear my head.

  Fifteen minutes later, when we arrive at home, Blake’s car is already in the driveway.

  Naturally.

  Nothing against Heather’s cozy Twingo, but the Ford Mustang makes her car look like a shopping cart.

  In the last few days, I have barely seen him, so how come today, of all days, he decided to went directly home?

  “Now don’t make such a face and let’s go inside. You’ve been stalling me all week.” She encouragingly taps my thigh.

  “Besides, we still have to talk about the incident at the lecture.”

  I purposefully reach for my bag on the floorboard.

  “Don’t always decide things like that over my head. You know I can’t stand that.”

  I sound more annoyed than I intend, but Heather has a way of bringing out the worst in me. She constantly provokes it.

  She gracefully exits the car, turns around, and pokes her head in.

  “You say that every time,” she replies with a smile on her lips. “But you know what? If I weren’t so persistent, I would never find out anything personal from you. You’re way too closed off.”

  Sometimes I wonder what I like about this nosy little witch. It is definitely not her thoughtfulness.

  “And you’re too nosy,” I counter as I get out, too.

  “Believe me,” she says, locking the car and walking past me to the front door, “… later, you’ll thank me for my tenacity.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I reply shaking my head and following her.

  “Now come on, I want to introduce you to Shane.”

  ***

  “Shane is really super nice. I can understand why you like it here.” Heather makes herself comfortable on my bed, legs stretched out with her head propped up on her arms.

  “By the way, your room is cool too, especially the walk-in closet.” She looks at me conspiratorially.

  “Maybe you could put in a good word for me with my parents.”

  I raise both eyebrows. “Didn’t you say they were too nice?”

  “Well, yeah,” she replies hesitantly.

  “So what do you need me for?”

  “They might be nice, okay, but not that nice either.” She lets out a sound of frustration and rolls onto her side to see me better.

  “The one thing they’re definitely not is wasteful. My closet space is big enough for two people.”

  “Living or dead?” I inquire, suppressing a giggle.

  She looks at me and rolls her eyes. “Hilarious.”

  Although I’m sure she meant to sound offended, it rather sounds like a suppressed laugh.

  “You know what I me
an. My parents are a bit anal in that regard. They certainly aren’t hurting for money; it’s their outdated views that stand in the way of me getting my treasure.”

  Heather’s father works at the stock exchange and her mother plans high society weddings. The two are a great team and loving parents.

  “Well, if you want you can always come over and stare at mine longingly,” I offer and get the evil eye in return.

  “Oh, come on, I’m not a superficial chick who’s only into looks and fashion, but a walk-in closet is the dream of every woman, isn’t it?”

  I shrug my shoulders. “I don’t know, I can only speak for myself. How about if you put up the money to get one built?”

  “I can do that when I have my own apartment,” she replies frustrated, waving a hand dismissively.

  “Do you mind if I quickly change into something else?” I ask casually.

  She shakes her head. “No, go right ahead.”

  “Unfortunately, this outfit is not as comfortable as it looks,” I explain, grabbing a simple white top and denim shorts with a skull and crossbones emblem on the back. My mother has no idea I own such attire, which is better.

  Since my taste – when it comes to clothing – in her opinion, is not or maybe barely acceptable, at some point I disregarded her wishes and simply bought what I like. She always bitched anyway, at least this way I wear clothes I am comfortable in.

  Heather whistles admiringly. “I didn’t know you had a penchant for sexy underwear.”

  “There’s a lot you don’t know about me,” I say mysteriously, slipping on the shorts.

  “Give me time and I will uncover all your dirty little secrets.” She sounds quite confident. “Starting with the hot twins.”

  Once I pull my top on, I tug my hair into a messy ponytail. “You really aren’t going to leave it alone, are you?”

  Heather snorts snidely. “Those two are what everyone on campus is talking about. There isn’t one person who isn’t familiar with the stories.”

  “I’m not interested in rumors. I’m here for my studies, not following gossip like everyone else.”

  “That’s easy for you to say. After all, you live under the same roof as those two.” She changes position by rolling onto her belly.

  “I’m happy to switch with you, at least then I would have peace and quiet,” I mumble.

  “Are you in the mood for a Bionade?”

  “Really? You drink that stuff?”

  “Sure. I think it tastes good, what more do I want?”

  “And that it is brewed from organically farmed stuff is a nice bonus, right?”

  “What’s wrong with that?”

  She plays with a black lock of hair. A habit she always does when pondering something.

  “Nothing.”

  “Okay then.” Right. “So, do you want one or not?”

  I’m dying of thirst and if she doesn’t make up her mind soon, I will force her to her happiness.

  “Sure. But hurry. It’s time I squeeze you for information about the twins.”

  Her voice is an octave higher than usual. A clear sign she’s excited.

  “I can’t wait,” I grumble less than enthusiastic and leave the room.

  Heather yells something, but I’m already on my way downstairs and only hear muffled words through the door.

  Because I know the fridge is currently not stocked with Bionade, I head directly to the basement.

  Shane stored the crates down there because it is dark and cool. Plus, the crates are not in the way for us to stumble over.

  Just as I am about to head back upstairs with the bottles I notice the door to the gym ajar. This house simply has everything.

  Music seeps out of the room and as I approach the door to push it open a bit more, my body refuses to move even one more inch. As if in a trance, I am fascinated by the scene unfolding before my eyes.

  Pony by Ginuwine blasts out of the speakers while Blake lifts weights. Bare-chested and dressed only in black sweatpants.

  I swallow hard.

  I’m just a man

  Looking for a woman

  One who knows how to ride

  Without even falling off the saddle

  She must suit me

  Takes me to my limits

  When I drive you crazy

  You’ll never want to leave again

  His naked skin glistens with sweat, which runs down his upper body in thin rivulets and disappears under the piece of cloth covering the rest of his body.

  If you’re horny, let’s do it

  Ride me

  I’m waiting for you

  Come and dare

  He sits down on the bench, braces his hands against his hips, and leans slightly back. Then he stretches out his legs at a right angle to his upper body and slowly pulls them up to his chest.

  Mesmerized, I stare at his abdominal muscles, which visibly strain from the exercise.

  Sitting here waiting for you

  Staring at your round ass

  If I had the chance

  I would do naughty things to you

  You and your body

  Everything about you

  Every single part of your body drives me crazy

  Goose bumps form on your back

  Sweat flowing down your thigh

  Nimbly, Blake changes training stations, pulls his shoulder blades together, and cautiously places the barbell on it.

  His feet are shoulder width apart, knees slightly bent, back straight, and his gaze is fixed on the wall in front of him.

  He bends his upper body forward until it is parallel to the ground, holds the position for a few seconds, and straightens up again.

  With each squat that follows, I watch his delicious butt tighten through the thin fabric of his pants.

  Powerful shoulders.

  Strong defined arms, which any woman would like to snuggle in.

  Big hands with long skilled fingers.

  A broad back that runs down to a narrow waist.

  Shoulders and hips form this perfect male V.

  And to top it off, these unique tattoos that lend his body that certain something.

  Simply everything about this man is perfect.

  When we get to the nasty part

  I’ll show you, baby

  Wrap your hair around my fist

  Slowly penetrating your insides

  Until we reach the point

  Fuck.

  Why does the song trigger all kinds of perverted images in my head?

  Unrelenting, they assault me as I stand in the doorway like a stalker, secretly watching him.

  Now he assumes the push-up position. His feet are placed far apart, both hands resting on the mat. His body forms a line.

  He tightens his muscles, takes one hand from the ground and moves it to his back.

  Oh God.

  If he continues like this, I’ll soon need a cold shower.

  He masters each exercise as if asleep while looking like the damn god of fitness himself.

  Spellbound, I watch as he slowly lowers his body until his face almost touches the ground. Then he pushes off and raises his body back into the starting position. His dark hair is damp, his skin glistens with sweat.

  I should stop staring at him.

  I should not long for him.

  I should get out of here before he notices me.

  And yet, I remain rooted in place. Almost as if I want to be caught by him.

  Blake is in the process of finishing his exercises when I finally overcome my paralysis.

  He gets up, grabs the white towel he brought along, and loops it around his neck.

  A simple gesture, but somehow everything looks incredibly hot on him.

  Before he has a chance to turn and see me, I spin around on my heels, hurry to the stairs, and return to my room.

  “Well, that took forever. Where have you been all this time?” Heather grumbles as soon as I quickly push the door closed.

  Wordlessly, I han
d her a bottle and sit down next to her on the bed.

  “The light bulb in the basement is busted,” I say evasively and open the drawer of my nightstand.

  “It took a while to find the right crate.”

  She takes the lighter out of my hand and with skillful fingers, first opens mine, then her bottle before returning it to the drawer.

  “Don’t give me that shit,” she replies calmly, taking a big gulp.

  “Mhhh, lemon. This stuff tastes better than I imagined.”

  “As if I would give you something bad,” I mumble, putting the drink to my lips.

  I blissfully close my eyes as the taste of fruity orange with a hint of ginger spreads through my mouth.

  “So?” She sits down cross-legged next to me and looks at me expectantly. “What really happened down there?”

  “Nothing. Honestly,” I assure her. But I should have known it wouldn’t satisfy her.

  She sighs melodramatically.

  “Are you really going to make me go down there to see for myself?” she asks.

  “You little beast.”

  “What can I do about it? You are basically forcing me to be this way,” she explains and pulls an innocent pout.

  “No one is forcing you to look for dirt on other people,” I reply curtly.

  “I happened to see Blake working out in the fitness room, that’s it.”

  Heather clicks her tongue. “And you thought you’d just watch him workout. After all, it’s okay to keep me waiting.”

  “Like you wouldn’t have done the same,” I point out.

  “Oh, I would have. But I also would have come clean.”

  “Didn’t I just do that?”

  Her black hair bounces from left to right. “No. You merely said you happened to see him.” Her fingers make the gesture for quotation marks in the air.

  “No one blames you for ogling. He’s hot, any woman would be tempted.”

  “Well, since that is out of the way, we can focus again on planning our evening.”

  She places a hand on my thigh. “Did you really think I’d let you off that easy?”

  Resignedly, I fall backward on the bed. “What do you want to know?”

  “How do you know each other? You and the twins?”

  An easy question.

  “We grew up together. Not here, but in the dinky town I stayed behind in.”