Текст книги "Dragon's Lair"
Автор книги: Chantal Fernando
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DRAGON’S LAIR
by
Chantal Fernando
Table of Contents
Dedication
Acknowledgements
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty One
Chapter Twenty Two
Chapter Twenty Three
Chapter Twenty Four
Chapter Twenty Five
Chapter Twenty Six
Chapter Twenty Seven
Chapter Twenty Eight
Chapter Twenty Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty One
Epilogue
The End
Spin My Love
About the Author
All rights reserved. This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any form without prior written permission of the publisher, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorized distribution, circulation or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s rights, and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly. Thank you for respecting the work of this author.
CHANTAL FERNANDO
Published May 2014
Cover design © Arijana Karčić, Cover It! Designs
Edited by Jenny Sims
DRAGON’S LAIR is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places and events portrayed in this book either are from the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, establishments, events, or location is purely coincidental and not intended by the author. Please do not take offence to the content, as it is FICTION.
Trademarks: This book identifies product names and services known to be trademarks, registered trademarks, or service marks of their respective holders, The authors acknowledges the trademarked status in this work of fiction. The publication and use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
Copyright © 2014 Chantal Fernando
ISBN-10: 1499290438
ISBN-13: 978-1499290431
All rights reserved.
Dedication
To Ari.
You’ve been with me since the beginning.
And you’re still here.
This one is for you.
Acknowledgements
Ari at Cover It! Designs– Thank you for everything. You know how much I love you.
To my sister Tee– Thanks for all your help with the boys while I was writing this book. If it wasn’t for you it would have taken me a much longer time to finish it.
Rose and Tash at Forever Me Romance– I can’t thank you guys enough! You are both amazing, wonderful people and I appreciate all the time and effort you put in to help me.
Love you both!
Kara Brown, Stephanie Knowles, Kimberly Brower and Stephanie Felix thanks for your help.
JC Emery– Love our daily sprints. Thanks for everything!
Rachel Brookes– Thanks for your help and all your support! See you in Sydney!
Kitty Kats Crazy About Books– a big thank you to you.
Jenny Sims– Thanks for making time for me!
Readers: Please note this is not a dark romance.
I hope you enjoy it!
Love, Chantal Fernando.
“People will love you. People will hate you. And none of it will have anything to do with you.”
― Abraham Hicks
Chapter One
I stare at the old motel building in apprehension, taking in its brown brick exterior and dirty windows.
Not the Hilton, that’s for sure.
Feeling sorry for myself is a foreign concept for me. I normally consider myself a strong woman. I need to be one, with the parents I was given and the career I have in mind for the future. I have a strong will and I’m not afraid to open my mouth and say what’s on my mind. I don’t mince words or back down. I find humor in awkward situations and try to make the most of my life.
I guess there is a first time for everything, because here I am, tail tucked between my legs, feeling more than sorry for myself.
I’d think sixty dollars would have gotten me a better motel than this, but I was wrong. It has been known to happen.
I check in at the reception, paying for a one night stay and trying not to stare at the mold on the wall. The bored looking girl at the counter hands me my key. Then I drag my feet to my room, taking one bag with me. Inside are my toiletries, clothes, and a few valuables– including my purse, passport, and food.
Unlocking the door, I walk in and check out the room. A small bathroom, a couch, bed, fridge, and a TV. Eh, it could be worse. I don’t know how—but I know it could. I put my bag on the couch and take off my sandals. Placing them neatly in the corner, I pull out one of the plastic containers and open the lid.
I munch on the cut fruit as I contemplate my life. I have five thousand dollars saved, a growing belly, and no clue what the hell I’m going to do. One thing I do know for sure is that I need to keep moving. Two nights here, and then I’m going to keep on driving. I want to get as far away from my old life as possible, that shit does not need to catch up with me.
I take a long shower, then take my time rubbing moisturizer into my skin. I have cherry blossom lotion that I use every night without fail, and tonight is no exception. I brush my teeth, comb my wavy auburn hair, and climb into bed. Wishing I had brought my own sheets, I ignore the musty smell and fall asleep.
This is my life now.
*****
One night passes and then I’m back on the road, heading farther north. Soon exhausted, I check into another dodgy motel and all but collapse onto the bed. I spend the next day looking for a job—applying anywhere and everywhere. I’m not fussy, I will do just about anything right now. Well not anything, but I’m not opposed to working in a grocery store or cleaning houses. Anything that makes some money is good enough for me. A quiet knock at the door makes me groan. I force myself to get up, expecting housekeeping. I open the door slightly, just enough to see who it is through the chain lock.
My jaw drops open and panic sets in.
Definitely not housekeeping.
“Open it, or I will,” he demands, his eyes blazing. I consider my options for a few seconds before I slide open the lock. He could just break down the door if he wanted to. I open it and take a few steps back as he enters.
Crystal blue eyes narrow on me. A muscle ticks in his jaw as his gaze rakes over me, as if checking to make sure that I’m okay. He’s wearing worn, ripped jeans and a long sleeve black t-shirt that accentuates his muscular build.
“Just in my part of the neighborhood?” I ask, hope filling my voice.
“What the fuck, Faye?” he rasps, gripping the door frame.
I take another step back. I don’t know what he is capable of right now. The old Dex would rather cut off his arm than hurt me, but do I really know him now? And I don’t know how the hell he found me.
Does he know? Of course he does.
Nothing gets by Dexter Black.
He bangs the door behind him, the noise making me flinch.
“Pack up your shit,” he demands, eyes searching the crappy motel room, which is now looking considerably smaller with his hulking presence. He doesn’t look happy with what he sees. In fact, his scowl deepens. He crosses his arms over his broad chest and stares me down, waiting for me to move.
“I’m not going anywhere,” I say, putting my hands on my hips and glaring at him. He’s not the boss of me. Yes, he’s a badass, sexy man who I had one night of hot, passionate sex with, but that doesn’t mean he gets to tell me what to do. I might have liked him bossy in bed, but this right here is a different story.
He takes a deep breath, as if calming himself. “I’ve been looking for you for two days. I’m trying not to lose my fuckin’ temper here, Faye, but you’re pushing me. I don’t think I’ve ever been this patient in my fuckin’ life.”
This is him patient?
“I’m not going anywhere,” I reply, lifting my chin up.
We stare at each other, the tension building.
I can actually feel the moment before he snaps.
His fists clench, and the tightness in his jaw looks almost painful.
I step back, into the frame of the open bathroom door as he loses it.
He picks up the TV and throws it into the wall. The crashing sound makes me jump, but he doesn’t stop there. He punches the wall several times, then slides the few glasses off the table in one smooth movement.
More crashing.
He turns and points his finger right at me.
I gulp.
My eyes widen as he grabs my bag and starts packing anything of mine he comes across. I walk up to him and try to grab it away from him, but one deathly look has me retracting my hand.
“Temper tantrum over?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.
He looks down at my bare feet, then at all the glass scattered on the carpet floor. “Don’t move.”
I do as I’m told as he brings me a pair of my shoes. I slide them on then look up at him.
Why does he want me to go with him? What good can come from it? What I need to do is move on with my life, and settle down somewhere quiet and safe. Somewhere without sex-on-a-stick bikers and their douche lord cheating brothers. Somewhere where my parents aren’t around, and I can be myself.
“I just want to be left alone, Dex,” I say, tears forming in my eyes. I’m tired, so fucking tired. My life isn’t meant to be like this, and I hate the fact that he’s seeing me this vulnerable.
I hate it.
I’m not this weak—not usually.
And he’s the last person I’d want to see me like this. He’s strong. Nothing touches him. I have no idea how he would handle me if I broke down right now, which is something I’m seriously close to doing.
“No, you thought running was going to solve your problems. You thought lying was going to solve your problems. You’re lucky my dipshit brother mentioned that you left, and that you were pregnant, or I wouldn’t even know that I was going to have a fuckin’ kid!” he yells, losing his composure.
Talk about kicking me when I’m down.
“I really don’t need your shit right now,” I mutter, looking down at the floor, feeling like the worst person in the world. Because he’s right, I probably wouldn’t have told him. I can’t say what I would have done.
“You would have gone on, wouldn’t you? Your whole life without telling me,” he says in disbelief. “Don’t you think I deserved to have found this out from you?”
I think about lying, but in the end I don’t. I deserve his judgment over this. “Do you really think you could give this kid a good life?”
Wrong thing to say, but I needed to say it because that was my rationalization for leaving without a word. He shuts his expression off from me, his eyes turning cold and hard. “I guess you’re going to find out now, aren’t you?”
“How do you know this kid is even yours?” I ask, lifting my chin up. Why am I poking the tiger? I have no idea.
“I know because the condom broke that night, and you hadn’t had sex with Eric in a while,” he says, staring straight at me. “Or anyone else.”
“The condom broke?” I gape, my eyes flaring.
Well, that explains things doesn’t it?
And who is he? The sex police?
He watches me under his lashes but ignores my comment.
“Grab your shit, Faye, you have five minutes or we leave without it,” he says, sitting down on the bed. I grit my teeth but do as he says, taking my few belongings and packing them back in my bag with efficient ease.
“I’m ready,” I say, avoiding eye contact. He takes the bag from me and hikes it on his shoulder, then holds the door open. I walk out and wait for him to lead me to his car. He walks down toward the car park, and I follow a few steps behind.
“What about my car? It has some of my stuff in it,” I ask him.
“Rake will drive it home,” he says as he opens the door to a black four-wheel drive. He grips my hips and lifts me up onto the seat. My breath hitches at the contact and flashes of our night together enter my mind.
Him braced above me as he grinds into me, sweat dripping down his body.
Me on all fours in front of him, his fingers digging into my hips as he thrusts.
“Faye,” he says, snapping me out of it.
“Huh?”
“What were you just thinking about?” he asks, his voice a low rumble.
“Oh, nothing,” I mumble, embarrassment coloring my cheeks.
“I’ll bet. I said Rake will handle your car so don’t worry about it.”
“Rake?” I ask, my brows furrowing in confusion. I watch as Dex lifts his head towards the side of the building. I follow his line of sight and see a man leaning against the wall, smoking a cigarette. He walks over and stands next to Dex.
“So this is what the fuss is all about,” the man named Rake says, checking me out and not being subtle about it.
“I’m Rake,” he says, grinning at me. He’s a good looking man. Blond hair, curling around his face, green eyes, and a panty-dropping smile. He has a lip ring and an eyebrow ring—both suit him perfectly.
“Faye,” I say, managing a small smile.
“I have to drive your car home,” he says. “You owe me, Faye.” Another grin and then he’s off.
Dex sends Rake a look I can’t decipher, then turns to me.
“You okay?” he asks, scanning my face. His expression softens as he looks over me.
“Yeah. Thanks for asking,” I tell him, clearing my throat. He grunts in reply, closing the door and heading to the other side. When he pulls out of the car park, he turns to me.
“You know, I thought you were one of the good ones. I never thought you would do something like this, trying to keep me in the dark about my own kid.”
With that parting shot, which I feel deep in my bones, he drives me back to Perth.
Back home.
Back to where I am trying to escape from.
Back to where my child will have no future.
Chapter Two
Five months ago
“Another high distinction. Well done Faye,” my lecturer says, smiling down at me.
“Thank you, Sir.”
“Are you ready for the mock trials next week?” he asks, referring to the mock courtroom cases we participate in as a part of this unit.
“I am. I can’t wait to get into the courtroom,” I tell him.
He smiles. “You’re going to be a great lawyer, Faye.”
“Thank you Sir. I’ll see you next week.”
I smile to myself as I leave uni to drive to my boyfriend Eric’s house. I’m halfway through my law degree, with only two years left. Eric is the same. We’ve been together since we were in grade nine, much to my mother’s dismay. My parents are big on caring what others think, and I’m a constant source of embarrassment for them. What they don’t know is that I’m one of the good ones. I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, and I’ve never touched drugs in my life. I’m studious and care about my future. Eric is ambitious as well, which is what I like about him. After we graduate, we are going to start our own law firm, get married, and buy a house. We have a plan, and we’re going to stick to it. I pull into his driveway and check my makeup in the rear view mirror. Wide hazel eyes stare back at me, lined in black kohl. My nose is straight and splattered with freckles, my lips plump and covered in pink gloss. Satisfied with my appearance, I slide out of the car and walk to his front door. The front door is unlocked, which isn’t unusual for Eric’s house, so I don’t think anything of it. His mother is social and is always having her friends over. I walk down the hall, checking my phone messages as I make my way to his room. My eyes are still on my phone as I enter, glancing up only when I hear a noise.
That’s the moment my life changed forever.
I stare in open mouthed shock as a naked Eric pounds into a woman from behind. They are both facing away from me, enjoying themselves at the same moment I’m finding it difficult to breathe.
My world collapses.
I’m a good girl. I’ve never cheated, never even held hands with another man. I’m not perfect by any means, but I know, I know, I don’t deserve this shit.
I open my mouth, and then close it. Shock overrides my system. Never once did I suspect something like this from him. Never.
Anger soon replaces my shock.
“You fucking bastard!” I yell, taking two steps back, my hands on my face. Eric stills, then pulls away from the woman, turning to look at me with wide eyes. He starts shaking his head, as if he can’t believe this is happening.
I can’t believe this shit.
“Faye…” he says, reaching his arms out. For me? He has to be kidding. The woman rolls onto her back and sits up, pulling the sheet up. I gasp as I get a view of her face. Trisha. A friend of mine. In fact—one of my only female friends, at least that’s what I’d thought.
She breaks eye contact, as if ashamed. And she should be. I swallow, casting one last look at the man I thought I’d spend my life with.
“You two deserve each other,” I sneer, turning and running out of the house. I can hear Eric call out my name, desperation in his tone, but I couldn’t care less.
He’s dead to me.
*****
What does a girl do when she finds her boyfriend cheating on her? Well, after she’s cried herself sick for two days, she forces herself to get her ass out of bed. She plasters a smile on her face and reminds herself that people break up and relationships end every day. Life isn’t over. Change is good. Eric doesn’t deserve me, and things happen for a reason. Then she gets dressed up, paying special attention to her appearance, and goes out.
This is exactly what I did.
I don’t need Eric. Screw him.
What I need is a little fun.
There’s a bar I’ve seen but never been to. Knox’s Tavern, it’s called.
I get out of my car, smoothing down my dress, and start to feel a little nervous.
I’m going into a bar. By myself.
Why am I here again? Oh right, my boyfriend is a lying, cheating bastard.
The place is packed. My eyes scan the small dance floor before they land on the bar. I plop down on a stool, smiling at the men sitting near me. The place is swarming with both attractive men and women. A good pick-up place then. There are blond twins serving at the bar, both muscled and drop-dead gorgeous. I stare at them for as long as I can until someone notices, then I turn away, blushing.
Eric who?
“What can I get you?” the twin without the scar on his face asks.
“Umm…” I mutter. “Strawberry daiquiri please.”
That’s the only drink I can remember the name of. I tried one once at a friend’s eighteenth. God, I’m so boring. And predictable.
Next time I should order a shot of tequila.
The bartender smiles at me warmly, then turns to make my drink. I fight the urge to fan myself. I pay him for my drink and sip on it slowly, enjoying people watching. When I see what other women are wearing, I start to feel more confident in my black playsuit and wedges. I’m not showing too much skin at all. The sad thing is to exit the house I had to wear a cardigan over the playsuit, or my parents would have complained and nagged. I left the cardigan in my car. I sit here for an hour, declining the few drink invitations I get but feeling flattered all the same. When everyone starts to get really drunk, and a fight breaks out between a couple of bikers, I decide it’s time for me to head home. I question why I feel a little disappointed. Did I want to pick up someone tonight? Do something spontaneous for once?
As I walk to my car, I see a man standing next to a gorgeous black Harley. He’s wearing dark jeans, low on his hips, a black t-shirt and a battered leather jacket.
I know just who he is.
I’ll never forget those piercing blue eyes and thick dark hair.
I haven’t seen him in five years. The years have been very good to him. In fact, he seems to have gotten even sexier with age.
Dex.
I’ve had a crush on Dex for as long as I can remember. A silly, childhood crush. He was the local bad boy, but to me he was always sweet and patient.
He nods his head at me, a slight imperceptible move. He starts to walk towards me, taking me in from head to toe. When he grins and reaches out his hand to me without a word, I don’t think. I take it. He pulls me into his body for a hug. I lay my cheek against the cold leather of his jacket and smile.
“Long time no see,” I say, breaking the silence. I inhale deeply, taking in his scent. Something that I will never admit to another person.
“Look at you, all grown up,” he says in a low husky voice that gives me shivers. My body is on the curvy side. I have smallish breasts and a narrow waist but flared hips and solid thighs. And a huge ass. The way he is staring at me lets me know he likes what he sees.
A heck of a lot.
And it makes me feel good. Confident.
“I could say the same,” I reply breathlessly, boldly checking him out. Is that an eight pack under there? I let my hands wander over his stomach, trying to feel what’s under there.
He laughs. “Like what you see, do you?”
I step away from him, nibbling on my bottom lip.
I’ve always liked what I’ve seen with him. “I’m surprised you recognized me.”
He grazes his teeth over his lower lip. “It was the hair, dead giveaway.”
I swallow hard. “Oh.”
Very articulate Faye.
“Who are you here with?” he asks, eyes darting to the bar. “Not that it matters.”
“No one,” I reply, shrugging my shoulders a little sheepishly.
He gives me a slow spreading devilish smile. “Good. Want to get out of here?”
My eyes flare. “You just got here.”
“Yeah, but now I’ve found what I’m looking for,” he says, squeezing my hand gently.
Do I want to go with him? With the way he’s looking at me, I know what he wants.
My gaze lowers to his lips. I’d really like a taste of them. Fuck the consequences. I don’t owe Eric anything anymore. I’m a single woman. And I find myself wanting him, badly.
Don’t regret anything that makes you happy.
“Okay,” I reply on a shaky breath.
“You sure?” he asks, rubbing his hand down my arm. “’Cuz I want you pretty fuckin’ bad right now.”
I shiver at both his gravelly tone and his admission.
“Trust me, I’m sure,” I say with more confidence in my tone. The feeling is mutual.
He leans down and kisses me, catching me off guard. At the first taste of his lips, a moan escapes me. He pulls back before I want him to.
“Get on babe,” he demands.
“I’ve never been on a bike before,” I admit.
His answering smile makes my pulse race. “You’ll be fine, just hold onto me.”
I watch as he pulls off his leather jacket. “Here,” he says, putting it on my shoulders. “You’ll freeze otherwise.”
I slide my arms into the sleeves and zip it up. He looks at me in his jacket, an almost possessive look flashing in his eyes. Did I just imagine that? It’s probably my wishful thinking.
After putting a helmet on, I get on the back of his bike, wrapping my arms around his stomach. I can feel his taut, rock hard abs properly now under his thin t-shirt. Definitely an eight pack.
I’m in ab heaven!
We ride for about half an hour, finally pulling up to a hotel. Spending all that time pressed against him has left me achy… and wanting. Never once in my life did I think I’d have a chance with Dex. I’d locked him away in my ‘never going to happen’ fantasies, but here I was. And I was going to make the most of it.
As we walk inside, I realize something.
“My car…”
I just left it there, completely captivated by Dex. I didn’t even think.
“I’ll handle it,” he says, in a low husky voice. “Just give me the keys.”
“Okay,” I reply, my voice cracking a little. He checks us into a room and holds my hand until we get to the door. He unlocks it with a swipe of a card, then gestures for me to enter. I walk in and take in the room. It’s spacious, with a king bed, couch, and a TV. It’s a nice room, not a cheap one. I’d know, since my mother only stays in the best of the best whenever we go on family holidays.
“Come here,” he says, sitting on the bed and pulling off his shirt. I do as instructed, going to sit next to him.
“You sure you want this?” he asks, running his finger along my jawline. Goosebumps appear on my skin just from that touch.
“I’m sure,” I tell him, shifting on the bed. He nods once, a thoughtful look on his handsome face, then he taps his hands on his lap. Before I know what I’m doing, I sit on his lap, straddling him. When he kisses me, I don’t stop him. He feels too good, smells too good, and I want to forget.
More than that, I want a taste of this man.
We both stand, and he strips off my clothes slowly, taking his time.
“Your body is fuckin’ amazing, you know that?” he whispers as he stares at me completely naked.
“I’m glad you approve,” I reply with a smirk. The way he’s staring at me right now… I don’t think I’ve ever felt so beautiful in my life.
My eyes follow his hands as he undresses himself. His body is impressive, all hard angles and ripples. My mouth waters.
Naked, he turns and leans down to pull a condom out of his wallet. The dragon’s face tattooed on his back is staring right at me, its body coiled tightly behind it. It’s beautiful, intricate, and deadly.
Just like the man standing before me.
He faces me once more, tearing the condom packet open with a flash of his white teeth, and sliding it on. He’s huge. I’ve only ever been with Eric, but I notice that Dex is a lot bigger in width and length. He flashes me a grin when he sees me staring. Too turned on to care that I was caught ogling him, I lick my lips instead. His eyes darken. Leaning over me, he gently pushes me back on the bed. He kisses my lips with no preamble, his tongue exploring my mouth. He knows what he’s doing, just how to turn me on. I moan into his mouth as his finger slides into me. He makes a sound deep in his throat, a growling sound. I’m more than ready for him as he slides himself into me with one smooth thrust. His patience clearly over, he thrusts deeply, a curse leaving his lips. His body shows me just how much I’ve been missing out on, his skilled moves giving me more pleasure than I’ve ever experienced before. I come once, twice, before he finishes himself. He kisses me on my forehead once before he pulls out. I sit up and frown, when I notice the look on his face. He looks angry.
“What is it?” I ask, my voice hoarse and unsure.
He clears his throat. “Nothing.” He stands up and heads out of the room. I get dressed quickly, wondering what the hell I just did. I’ve never done anything like this in my life. I needed to get home—right now. Dex comes back into the room, condom taken care of, and lies back on the bed with his arms stretched behind his head. Not a care in the world.
I reach down to grab my clothes.
“What are you doing?” he asks, looking over at me in amusement.
“Getting dressed.”
He sits up and pulls me back onto the bed. “Not done with you yet babe.”
His mouth finds mine, and I lose all rational thought.
*****
“I’ll take you home. My friend Tracker will bring your car to you,” he says the next morning, not looking at me.
“Okay,” I say, awkwardly waiting while he dresses. I fiddle with the hem of my top, looking around the room distractedly. I got up before him and took a shower, waiting to leave. He wasn’t making this awkward at all, but I am. He is obviously familiar with this situation, while I am officially doing my first walk of shame. Last night had me feeling off-kilter. Did I imagine the connection between us? Last night wasn’t fucking. It was meant to be, but it didn’t feel like it. I don’t know what to think. Dex is acting like it was nothing, so I am imagining things. I only have Eric to compare him to. Maybe Eric and I just didn’t have any passion. Is that what it was? Passion? I don’t regret anything though, not even a little bit. Last night is something I will never forget.
“Faye,” he says, drawing my eyes to him.
“Yeah?”
“Are you okay?” he asks, standing before me now fully dressed.
I force myself to hold eye contact. “Yeah, I’ve just never done anything like this before,” I admit, looking away shyly.
He lifts my face up with his hand on my chin.
“What do you mean you’ve never done anything like this before?” he asks, tilting his head and looking confused.
“I mean, a one-night stand,” I say, shrugging my shoulders.
“I hope you’re not expecting a ring, or some shit?” he says, looking amused.
“You asshole,” I snap, standing up and walking myself to the door. A ring? He’d probably give me a burger ring.
Dex follows behind me. “I’m just playing around, no need to get angry.”
I turn to look at him. “I see age hasn’t made you any funnier.”
He laughs. “Oh please, I used to have you in hysterics.”
I laugh at the reminder. Okay, so he always did have a good sense of humor.
“How old are you now?” he asks, lighting a cigarette as we step outside.
“Twenty.”
“Fuck, you’re a baby still,” he says, puffing out smoke and shaking his head.
“Old enough for you to fuck,” I say dryly, examining my manicure.
Dex laughs, a deep musical sound. He always did have a great laugh, the bastard.
“You have a dirty mouth on you babe.”
“You’d know,” I mutter to myself.
More laughter.
“Hey we both got what we wanted,” he says, putting out the cigarette with his shoe.
“How so?” I ask him, stepping closer to his bike.
“You got revenge on my brother, isn’t that what you wanted? A taste of wild?”
I hate that I blush. How does he know about Eric and me?
I did get what I wanted, but it wasn’t revenge.
It was just him.
“And what did you get Dex?” I ask, tilting my head to the side.
He grins wolfishly. “I got to fuck a fairy.”
I grit my teeth. When I was younger, Dex used to call me fairy, because that’s the meaning of Faye.
It used to drive me crazy.
Apparently is still does.
“Hop on,” he says. “Let’s get you home.”
*****
Dex kisses me on the forehead before he rides off. I walk into my house, coming to a standstill when I see Eric sitting with my mother having a coffee. There goes my good mood.
“What are you doing here?” I demand, walking to my room and turning my back on the two of them.
“Faye! Where have you been? Don’t talk to your boyfriend like that. I raised you better,” my mother admonishes. I ignore her like I usually do. Nothing I do is ever good enough for her. I’m not who she wants me to be, and I accepted that a long time ago. Eric walks into my room and closes the door behind him. I sit on my bed and stare up at him, wanting to get this over with. My face is impassive, not giving away anything. I don’t want him to have any part of me anymore, even my anger.
He doesn’t deserve it.
“Where were you last night?” he asks, fists clenching and releasing. I almost laugh at his audacity. How dare he question where I was? “I came by to talk to you, and you weren’t home.”
