Текст книги "Tempted"

Автор книги: Eliza Jane

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Tempted
Eliza Jane

Chapter 1

Taylor

I begin my second year at Wilbrook Academy with much more confidence than my first. My boyfriend Colt is in charge after we booted his corrupt father from power, and my friends MJ and Logan are eager to embrace me when I return.

During the few week break in classes between my first and second year, I’d hung out in Pennsylvania with my parents and best friend Piper. I’d missed this place, Colt and my new friends more than I thought I would. It feels like home now.

But I’ve hardly seen Colt in the days I’ve been back at the school. He works long hours in his office, not finishing until well after dark. We usually spend a few minutes together in his room before I have to be in the dorms at Vera’s last check. Even though she works for Colt, she’ll have none of our shenanigans. She’s taken over the role of both of our mothers, much to my dismay. Colt finds her concern amusing. But the lack of alone time is really starting to suck.

After dinner, I tiptoe down the hall past Vera’s office until I reach the door to Colt’s office. It’s Saturday night, so maybe I can convince him to take a much needed break from work. I let myself in and close the door gently behind me. He’s concentrating on the computer screen and hasn’t even noticed me yet. I grin with anticipation.

“Fuck.” Colt growls, slamming his fist against the desk.

“What?” I move around the desk.

He looks up at me, startled at my sudden arrival, but his eyes soften when he sees me. I move around behind him and place my hands on his shoulders, rubbing and kneading away the tension in his neck. “What is it?”

“My brother’s moving back from California. My Dad isn’t going to pay for his private school tuition anymore.”

Oh. His brother Reis. The same age as me. I continue rubbing Colt’s shoulders and feel him relax just a little.

“I have to pick him up from the airport tomorrow.”

“Why won’t your Dad pay from his school anymore?” Seems to me like even though he isn’t working here anymore, he still has plenty of money.

“Because he’s an asshole, Taylor,” he says dryly.

My fingers stop moving for just a moment, then I remember it’s not my place to get involved in their family problems. I’d already wedged myself where I don’t belong enough. I just want to help Colt relax. I continue rubbing his shoulders with firm pressure, the way I know he likes.

“Does Reis know what happened with your Dad?”

He shakes his head. “He doesn’t know half the shady shit he’s pulled over the years, and I’d prefer it to stay that way.”

I know it’s not my place to say anything, but it seems like Reis has a right to know.

“He actually still has a relationship with our Dad, and I don’t want to mess that up for him. He deserves to heave at least one parent in his life.”

I continue working at the knots in his shoulders. He’s been working such long hours lately, it seems to have taken a toll on him.

“I’m sorry I’ve been so distracted with work.”

“It’s okay.”

He lifts my chin to look at me. “No it’s not.” He plants a quick kiss on my mouth.

I smile in response.

“I’d like to take you out tonight.” He smiles back at me as our eyes lock.

“What about work?”

“I’m not working tonight. I’ll be with my girlfriend.”

“Hm.” I kiss him again. “I think I like that word.”

“Me too.” He closes his laptop and stands, looking down at me. “What should we do tonight?”

I shrug, trying desperately to keep my mind out of the gutter. I’m just about to suggest we head to his room when he interrupts me.

“A movie?” he says between kisses.

“We could just stay in.”

He pulls his lips back from mine and shakes his head. “I want to take my girl out. We’ve never been to a movie together.”

It’s true. And he’s so adorable, I can’t argue. Plus, sitting close to Colt in a darkened movie theatre doesn’t sound bad at all.

“Mmm-kay.” I kiss him back. “Should I change?” I look down at my jeans and T-shirt.

He takes a moment to inspect me, running his hands along my jean clad hips, making my stomach squirm with nerves. “Nope. You’d be beautiful in a burlap sack. Come on.” He pulls me by the hand toward the door.

A few minutes later he stops his BMW in front of the theatre so we can read the marque sign and see what’s starting next. Our choices are limited to a cartoon about a squirrel or a horror flick, both starting in about twenty minutes.

“You up for a scary movie?” he asks, rubbing his thumb across my knuckles.

“Sure. Do we have time to get ice cream first?”

Someone taps on his window, startling us both. I lean over him to see who it is. There’s a girl with loose brown waves flowing over her shoulders, too much makeup and a gigantic smile for Colt.

“Do you know her?” I ask.

He shakes his head, and lowers the window. “Sorry, are we blocking traffic? We’ll move.”

“Colt! It’s me, Laura.”

Colt takes a moment to inspect her, and I see the recognition cross his face. “Yeah. Hi.” He glances over at me and then back at her, a blush slowly creeping up his neck.

Laura lowers herself so she can peer inside through his open window and once she spots me her face falls. “Oh.”

Colt watches my expression – shock and hurt – and he winces before turning back to her. “This is Taylor. My girlfriend,” he quickly adds.

She gives me a once over then turns to gaze appreciatively at Colt again. “Kay. Well, I guess I’ll see you around.”

Colt raises the window and speeds from the parking lot. “Let’s get you your ice cream.” He explains as he peels out of the movie theatre parking lot.

I wonder if we’re going to talk about the mystery brunette who seemed so familiar with Colt back there. But he seems set on letting the whole thing drop. “Are we going to talk about what that was?”

He attempts a smile. “Do we have to?”

“She knew who you were. Did you used to date her?”

“Nope.” He parks the car and hops out, coming around to open my door. “Please,” he pleads at my open door when I don’t make a move to get out. “I’m sorry baby. Let’s not let this ruin our night.”

I take a second to breathe before stepping out of the car. I don’t want to be a bitchy girlfriend right now, no matter how much it sucked to be confronted with Colt’s past. He and I don’t get much time together, and I don’t want to ruin it by overreacting. I try and remind myself that Colt was different before he knew me. That girl was with the old Colt. I climb out of the car and let him pull me into a hug.

“Sorry baby,” he breaths against my hair. “Let’s just forget about it, okay?” He squeezes me in a full embrace. I wrap one arm around his back.

“Can I have my ice cream now?”

He chuckles near my ear.

“Come on.”

Chapter 2

Colt

I lead Taylor inside the ice cream shop, my hand resting against the small of her back. I wish I could shield her from the mistakes of my past. But tonight some random girl in a parking lot had forced it to the present. Thank God Taylor brushed it off. She took a second to breathe, squeezing her eyes shut before getting out of the car, like she was giving herself a pep talk, and I loved her for it.

We place our order and wait in line to pay. Taylor’s open mouth and tongue licking at her melting ice cream cone is more than a little distracting. I realize I’m holding up the line, just standing there starring at her. I tear my gaze away from Taylor and her mouth. The cashier is a blonde, her hair tied up in braided pigtails. There’s something familiar about her. Oh shit. As we weave forward in line, a sinking feeling develops in my stomach.

I’m half tempted to give Taylor the cash to pay and duck out of line, but I can’t work up the courage. Maybe she won’t recognize me, but I know I slept with the blonde-haired cashier. Taylor’s at my side happily licking at her ice cream cone oblivious to my torment. Fuck that’s distracting. “Do you want to get us a table while I pay?”

She shakes her head. “I don’t think we have time. We need to get back to the theatre for the movie.”

I say a silent prayer and step up to pay.

The girl doesn’t make eye contact, just tallies up our order, punching keys on the cash register. “Two small cones. That’ll be four dollars.”

When she looks up and meets my eyes, she sucks in a breath and stumbles back a step. “Colt?”

I attempt an innocent smile. “Hello.”

Her eyes flick from mine over to Taylor’s. Taylor’s eyes widen. Shit. She’s stopped eating her ice cream and her blue eyes find mine. I hate knowing I disappoint her. The three of us stand there in an awkward stare off. The girl stares at me, shooting daggers with her eyes. Taylor stares at her feet and I’m watching Taylor, praying she can find it in her heart to forgive me twice within as many minutes. A second later, Taylor mumbles that she’ll wait in the car and heads for the door. Shit. Real smooth, Colt. That’s twice now I’ve fucked up tonight. But I have no clue how to handle these situations. This is entirely new to me.

I hand the girl the cash and dash out after Taylor without waiting for my change.

“Taylor, wait.” I jog over to her.

She’s standing with her back to me, her ice cream cone melting in her hand.

“Did you have sex with that girl?” she asks in a small voice, still facing away from me.

Mt stomach sinks. “Yeah, I did. But it meant nothing.”

“Why didn’t you introduce me?” she asks.

Oh. That’s what she’s mad about? That I didn’t introduce her as my girlfriend? “I, um, don’t remember her name.”

She spins around to face me. “You’re a real asshole, you know that?” She pokes a finger into my chest.

I nod, coyly. “I know. I was lost before you and trying to fill the void, but you’re the one I want now. You’re everything to me and I hate disappointing you. Forgive me, please?” I drop to my knees in front of her right in the parking lot. I probably look like a complete douche bag, but I don’t care I’ll do whatever it takes to make her smile again.

One corner of her mouth lifts up, but her eyes are still guarded. Her ice cream cone is melting and the chocolate is beginning to run down her hand. I lift her hand to my mouth and lick the steam of chocolate from her fingers, watching her expression. I just want to get her to laugh, to forget about all this shit and enjoy herself.

She smashes the ice cream cone in my face, leaving my mouth and chin wet with sticky sweet chocolate. I lick my lips, but the effort is futile. “Feel better?”

She giggles. “Yes, I do actually.”

“Good.” I stand up and fish the napkins from my pocket, cleaning up.

She happily licks at the ice cream cone that’s now flattened from my face.

When we pull up to the movie theatre, I’m almost afraid to go inside, unsure of who else I might know in there. I never realized what a small town this was. Maybe the next time I take Taylor out, we’ll venture a few towns over just to be safe.

I breathe a sigh of relief when I spot a pimply-faced kid at the box office. I sure as shit don’t know him. After buying our tickets, Taylor goes to the concession stand and looks longingly at the popcorn. I slid up behind her. “Can I get you some popcorn?” I whisper.

“It’s okay, I don’t need it.”

I drop my voice an octave lower. “I want to feed it to you. Plus you’ll need your energy for later.”

“Later?” she squeaks.

I nod.

“Large popcorn with butter,” I say to the kid behind the counter.

We make it through the movie without any more unwelcome incidents. Taylor’s braver than I am when it comes to scary movies. I’d hoped she’d be balled up on my lap, burying her head in my chest at the gory parts, but she’d just laugh and throw a handful of popcorn into her mouth. It was adorable. But it left me craving some closeness between us.

The credits begin to roll and I stretch, leaning over to her. “Did you like it?”

She nods, smiling. “Yeah. Thanks for the movie date.” She kisses me once quickly. Her lips are salty and buttery from the popcorn. Yum.

I escort her to the lobby, my arm slung over her shoulders. She makes a stop at the restroom and I stand outside, waiting for her.

“Colt Palmer?” a female voice behind me asks.

Oh not again. I need to get rid of whoever this is before Taylor comes back.

I spin around to a leggy red head in a denim skirt so short it barely covers the important parts. Recognition strikes. This is the red head from earlier this summer, right before I met Taylor. I struggle to remember her name. Anna? Abby?

She grins at me. “Amber. Remember?”

Oh I remember. I remember her screaming out my name and her red hair a wild mess. I shake the thought away.

“Yeah. Hi.” I glance to the bathroom door. Still no sign of Taylor.

“Why didn’t you call me?”

Had she given me her number? I don’t remember. I thought it was just a one-time thing.

She leans in closer, her voice a soft purr near my ear. “You were so fucking good. I wouldn’t mind a repeat of that night.”

Taylor clears her throat next to us.

Holy shit. Taylor! Her face is beat red, her hands balled into fists at her side.

I take a step back from Amber, pulling Taylor closer in to my side. She quickly shrugs out of my grasp. “Amber, this is Taylor.” Would I get points for introducing them?

Amber sticks out her hand toward Taylor. I have no idea what Taylor is going to do next, but she looks like she wants to punch someone, preferably me.

Taylor returns the handshake. “I’m the girlfriend.”

Amber snickers. “I’m the girl he slept with this summer.”

“This summer?” Taylor goes pale.

“Oh, sorry,” Amber says with mock innocence. “How long have you two been dating?”

Taylor turns and rushes for the doors.

“Thanks a lot,” I say to Amber.

She shrugs, looking pleased with herself. Her revenge for me not calling her, I guess.

I rush out after Taylor. She stands against my car, tears freely streaming down her cheeks. “Don’t.” She holds up a hand, preventing me from coming any closer. I unlock her door and open it for her without a word. She slips inside and leans her head back against the seat.

I climb in next to her and pull away. The silence in the car is deafening. “You just need to know I was with her before I even met you – I know she made it sound different, but I promise you, Taylor.”

“Oh you promise me,” she says, sarcasm dripping from her voice. “Just like you promised them that’d you call? Your promises mean nothing. How can I trust you, Colt?”

I stay quiet. She has a point.

“Maybe I want a boyfriend that hasn’t already slept with half the town. Is this going to be what it’s like when we go out? Because I can’t handle this.”

Chapter 3

Taylor

This has officially been the worst date ever. Three of Colt’s past conquests have confronted us tonight, each more beautiful than the last. We ride in silence back to the school. I just want to be alone. I never knew I could have such a jealous streak, but apparently when confronted with a parade of girls who’d all slept with my boyfriend – something I hadn’t even done – it brings out the worst in me.

Colt grips the steering wheel and guns it, eager to be done with this date, just like I am. When he stops the car in the gravel drive, I get out without a word.

He hops out of the car and jogs to catch up with me. “Can we talk, please? I don’t want tonight to end like this.”

I swallow and slowly meet his eyes. He’s pleading with me. And I can’t refuse him. I nod, almost imperceptibly. “Fine.”

He takes my hand and leads me inside.

Once we’re inside Colt’s room, that is normally so familiar and comfortable to me, I just stand there with my arms folded across my chest, not wanting to go any further.

“Come sit.” He guides me by my shoulders over to his bed.

We both sit, but I make sure there’s plenty of space separating us.

I knew this conversation was inevitable, and as curious as I was, part of me wanted to avoid it for as long as possible. But we’d been slowly building to this point the whole summer. We started dating officially a couple months ago, but after Colt’s dad fled, he’d had to take up the slack, so our relationship had progressed slowly, which was just fine with me. Colt’s been busy running the company, recruiting a new class of first years, traveling for field assignments and I’ve stayed busy with school and my friends. It had been pretty close to perfect, but now I’m starting to see things are not going to be so easy for us.

“There are a few things I need to know,” I start.

He nods, solemnly.

“How many girls?”

His eyes widen. He’d been hoping I’d start with an easier question. He looks down. “I’m really not sure.”

“Well, ballpark then. Just give me an estimate.”

His head stays down, and he fiddles with the blanket on his bed. I’m not sure he’s going to answer me.

“Okay, so usually it was what, a few girls a week?”

He looks up suddenly, his face in agony. “No, a few a month. At most.”

“Okay, a few a month, so three times twelve months a year, that’s thirty-six girls a year, and how long have you been this way?”

“Um, I lost my virginity when I was fifteen.”

I calculate and recalculate in my head. Four years times thirty six girls a year on average is almost one hundred and fifty, give or take. Holy shit!

Colt realizes the number the same time I do. “That can’t be right.” He shakes his head.

“One hundred and forty four! Colt.” I smack his shoulder. “You’re a manwhore.”

“Taylor, I’m sorry.” He grabs my hand, but I pull it away. “It’s not that many. I swear.”

My number is one and I regretted even that. Something told me though, Colt didn’t have that same self-awareness. “Did you use protection?”

“Always. Every time, I promise. And I’ve been tested too.”

“Why Colt? How did you get like this?”

MJ and I had a theory, that he’d been looking for love and closeness in all the wrong places. His mother died when he was young and his father turned into a callous workaholic. Colt needed that connection, that closeness to another person. And he found it, if only for a short time, with girl after girl. The feeling never lasted long though, and so he sought the next girl. He hadn’t even known he was stuck in this pattern until I came along last spring. I challenged him in a way that no one had. I didn’t put up with his antics and I think he also liked that I wasn’t falling all over him, like most girls usually did.

But I need to hear Colt say it and realize all this.

“After my mom died, I didn’t have much love in my life. Something was missing. It just left this giant hole in me. I threw myself into martial arts, I enjoyed taking out my aggression and beating the shit out of people just to feel something. But after a while, that wasn’t enough anymore. And then I started high school, and girls started noticing me. I got tall practically overnight and was in good shape from all the training. It was easy. Too easy. I could be with them and forget about my crappy life. I know it’s not right the way I used them, but I figure they were using me for something too, so it didn’t really bother me.”

He’d been getting love and attention the only way he knew how – by sleeping with anything that moved. It was sad, but on some strange level, I understood. Colt had spent many years feeling unloved and not capable of returning love. But I knew he’s capable of more. And I know he wants to change. That’s why tonight, having his past stirred up and brought to the surface sucked.

He shifts on the bed so he’s facing me. His eyes are soft and pleading. “And then I met you. And you were everything I never had. Challenging. Smart. Beautiful. Sassy. I wanted you. But it was weird, because I wanted more than just sex with you. I liked being around you. I was sure I was going to fuck it up somehow, but thank God, you saw through all my bullshit and gave me a chance.”

I smile lightly at him, trying to be encouraging. As mad as I was, am, at him for tonight, I like that he’s opening up to me.

He takes my hand again and this time I let him.

“You are everything to me. Please forgive me Taylor. I promise that is all in my past. A past that I hope we can just forget about.”

I knew it would be impossible for me to forget. Especially now that I know the number one hundred and forty four. God golly. I place my palm on his cheek with its rough stubble. “I can’t forget, Colt. But I can try to forgive the mistakes of your past. I’m not going to lie and say I won’t get jealous sometimes. But I trust you.”

He closes his eyes, and takes a deep breath, relieved. “I don’t deserve you.”

I press a soft kiss to his lips while his eyes are still closed. “Then I guess you’ll just have to work harder to make it up to me.”

* * *

Colt left early this morning to go pick up his brother Reis from the airport. After lunch, I’m passing through the foyer, enjoying the last of my leisurely days before classes start up again tomorrow when I spot them.

I stop suddenly. Colt’s back with his brother Reis. They stand in the foyer, wrestling in the suitcases.

Colt grins when he spots me. “This is my Reis.” Colt gestures to the look-a-like standing next to him. Reis stands a half inch shorter, his hair is messy just like Colt’s, but sandy brown, lightened by the California sun. Other than that small difference, he and Colt are damn near identical. Same strong jaw line, straight nose and hazel eyes framed in dark lashes. Colt places a hand on my shoulder, interrupting my inspection of Reis. “This is my girlfriend, Taylor.”

“Girlfriend? Well done bro.” Reis smiles crookedly and leans in toward me, taking my hand in his. “Nice to meet you, Taylor.”

“You too,” I choke out. Why am I so thrown off? So he looks like Colt? Big deal.

Colt glances down at his watch. “I’ve got to get some work done. Sorry, but Taylor, would you mind showing Reis around a bit and keeping him company for a few hours?”

Reis grins at me.

A few hours? I look down at my shoes. “Uh, sure.”

“That’s okay, I’m pretty tired from travelling. I’d actually just like to take a shower and rest for a little bit if I could.”

“Oh, of course,” Colt says. “In that case, just show him to my room, Taylor.” He pulls his keys from his pocket and works a key free from the set. He hands it to Reis. “Keep it. I have another.”

Colt snakes an arm around my waist and pulls me in towards him. I stumble, losing my balance until I’m against his chest. He leans down and plants a quick kiss on my mouth. “Come by my office later. Okay, baby?”

I nod and kiss him again, but pull away quickly since I sense Reis watching me.

“It’s good to have you back,” Colt says to Reis, patting his shoulder.

Reis is quiet, his eyes still on mine.

Colt takes off in the direction of his office leaving Reis and I standing together in the hall. I begin walking to the stairs and Reis steps in line beside me.

“So what’s your special talent?” he asks with a mocking tone.

Is he jealous that he didn’t have a talent that qualified him to go to his Dad’s school? “Ah, I’m a hacker.” I don’t bother try to rephrase it anymore. I guess that’s what I am.

He nods. “That’s cool.”

“What about you?” I ask. “Any special talents?”

“Unless being a forward on the soccer team would qualify me, then no.”

We reach the second floor and I stop in front of Colt’s door. “This is his room.”

Reis stares at the door. “It’s a definite improvement from the last time I visited – he was still in the dorms.”

Sometimes I forget that Colt used to be a student here. He seemed so confident and in control, especially now that he’s running the whole place. His confidence is sexy, but I didn’t like that he rarely had time to hang out with me anymore with his new workload.

Reis makes no move to unlock the door, and instead turns to me, leaning casually against the wall to study me. “Colt’s never had a girlfriend as far as I know. And you’re not his usual type.”

There’s so much I want to inspect in his comment, but I prioritize. “What do you mean not his type?” I’m terrified he’s measuring my looks against people like Bria and Samantha, the gorgeous girls Colt’s been known to go for.

He looks me up and down and seeing the hurt on my face, he steps closer, his hands raised in a gesture of innocence. “Oh, no. I didn’t mean it that way. You’re hot, so I can see why he likes you. I just meant – you’re younger. He doesn’t normally do younger.”

“Oh.” I guess he’s right. Colt’s always had his eighteen and older rule. I blush knowing that Reis thinks I’m hot.

“And you’re kind of a shrimp.” He pats the top of my head, drawing attention to my height – which clocks in about a foot shorter than him and Colt.

I roll my eyes. “You’re just as charming as Colt, aren’t you?”

He chuckles. I think he secretly likes that I just compared him to his older brother.

“Come on, Shrimp. I need you to show me around.”

Reis slips the key into the lock and holds the door open for me. I hadn’t planned on staying, but I step through. I’ll give him a quick tour so I don’t seem rude. I point to things as we progress through the room. “Seating area. Computer.” I motion to Colt’s sofa and desk. “TV.” I pick up the remote, handing it to Reis as I go. He sets it back down.

“Uh, bed.” My cheeks flamed pink against my will. Reis grins. He smiles easily and often, not like the usually serious Colt.

“So I guess that pretty much completes the tour.”

“Shower?” Reis turns to face me, cocking one eyebrow.

“Oh, right.” I point to the door at the end of the room. “His bathroom’s through there. There should be some towels in the cabinet.”

Reis stands solidly before me. “Well unless you care to join me, I guess that’s it then.”

Join him? In the shower? I attempt an awkward laugh, hoping he’s kidding, but his face is serious. “I’m good, thanks.”

“Knock, knock,” MJ calls, pushing open Colt’s door. Whenever I’m not in the dorm or the computer lab, MJ knows I’m most likely in Colt’s room.

I step back from Reis, thankful for the reprieve from the intensity between us. “Hey MJ.”

Reis grins looking between MJ and I.

“I figured you’d be in here,” she says.

“This is Colt’s brother, Reis. He’s just moving back from California and I was showing him around.”

Reis extends a hand towards MJ, and she places her hand in his. “MJ,” she says, introducing herself while her hand remains locked in his.

Reis is completely at her mercy, taking in her smooth honey-colored skin, chocolate eyes and brilliant smile all in an instant. The way she straightens her shoulders and pushes her chest forward tells me that she’s into him. Which is strange, because she’s so anti-Colt and they look so much alike. He doesn’t shake her hand, he just holds it, releasing it almost reluctantly a moment later.

“Well I was just leaving,” I say to MJ, interrupting the unspoken reverie between them.

“And I was just about to shower. If you care to join me.” Reis tips his chin toward the bathroom, but his eyes rest on MJ.

I stifle a cough. “Um, no. Come on.” I pull MJ by the arm. She doesn’t say anything, but I can tell she considered it for a second. “MJ,” I scold under my breath, pulling her to the door.

“So I guess that’s a no on the shower?” he calls.

I slip out of the room as quickly as I can, towing MJ behind me. I hear Reis chuckling from the other side of the door.

What a little shit! He only did it to get a rise out of me. I stalk away, needing to blow off some steam and keep my distance from Reis.