Текст книги "Wanted"

Автор книги: Kelly Elliott

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Текущая страница: 15 (всего у книги 31 страниц)

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE

Ellie…….

Ari and I took some time after Jefferson and Gunner left to unpack a few things and straighten up. The morning had been blissful and I felt like I was on cloud nine. Gunner had kissed me twice today and each time I felt like I was going to just melt in his arms. I definitely liked our move from friends to more than friends.

I was still nervous about it all though. I never felt like this with Ryan, not even close. The more time I spent with Gunner the more I felt like I was stepping into a danger zone. The last three weeks without them where pure hell and it felt so good to have him back in my life again.

Ari was being very quiet. I’m not really sure what was going on with her this afternoon. Jefferson and she got along pretty good and even bickered a few times which was a relief. I wondered if she was worried about going to the party tonight. After all the last party at Gunner and Jefferson’s house turned out pretty shitty for Ari.

Just then Ari jumped when a text came through. She bolted up and grabbed her cell off of the breakfast bar. Her face immediately fell.

“What’s wrong? Is it bad news or something?” I asked her as I walked into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water.

“Oh um no…..not at all it’s actually from Jason. Looks like they landed in France a little bit ago. He was just checking to see how my day has been. Sweet huh?” Ari said with a small smile.

“Yep, that is sweet. You telling him we are going to Brad’s party tonight?”

“I wasn’t going to. I mean he doesn’t own me, I don’t have to tell him my every damn move!” Ari snapped back at me and walked off.

What the hell was that about? Ari was sitting on the sofa typing out a text message back to Jason. Gesh….she was in a mood all of a sudden.

“What the fuck? Are you fucking kidding me?” Ari shouted as she looked up at me. I was walking back into the living room and stopped in my tracks.

“Holy hell he just told me I should probably stay home? Who the fuck does he think he is?”

WOW, I don’t think I have ever heard someone tell Ari what to do. Stupid move Jason…..

“What are you going to tell him?” I asked as I sat down next to her. She was texting so fast I could practically see the steam coming from her fingers!

“I just told him he has NO right telling me what I can and can’t do. I mean holy fuck. I just spent the last three weeks of my life devoted to him one hundred percent. Now he goes to Europe and he expects me to sit home and wait for him. I told him sorry, that is not how I roll. If he doesn’t like it he can fuck off!”

I had to let out a giggle. A part of me was thinking Ari was hoping he would fuck off. Her phone beeped again and she read the message. Her whole body just sunk down in the sofa. Oh no… maybe he was telling her to fuck off?

“What did he say Ari?”

Ari let out a sigh and looked at me. “He told me I was right, he had no right telling me what I can and can’t do and that I should go and have a good time.”

“And this makes you unhappy? Isn’t that what you wanted him to say?”

“Of course it is! I mean yeah of course it is. I guess I should wish him a good time.” Ari said as she gave me a weak smile.

Okay….I was confused.

“Yeah you probably should. He is probably already missing you.”

“Gesh….he said they are leaving in the morning for their first hike so he won’t be able to be in contact with me for a few days at a time until he can get a signal. Huh….what a shame. Anyway, I think I’m going to go get ready. Do you have any idea of what you wearing tonight?” Ari said

I had to laugh. There is no way she was into Jason at all. I would be devastated if that was Gunner.

“Nope, I have not even thought about it. Want to help me pick something out?”

“Hells yeah I do! Come on, my closet first!” Ari said as she grabbed me and dragged me to her bedroom.

Ari and I spent the next two hours or so picking out what we were going to wear, taking showers and primping. Ari called Heather and told her what time we were leaving to pick her up. I still could not believe Amanda was dating Brad. Ari filled Heather in on Josh and I could hear Heather laughing through the phone. I was pretty sure I heard the words man whore in there somewhere.

Gunner had sent me three text messages since he got back home. The first one said he was back home safe and sound and they were getting the house ready for tonight. The second said he was thinking about me and the third said he couldn’t wait to hold me in his arms again. I felt the heat in my cheeks as I read the last one.

Is he really for real? Sometimes I feel like I’m going to wake up from this dream to find out I am still living at home with my mother and Gunner never existed.

“You ready to go Chica? Because I’m ready to party! I have not been to a party since….. well….fuck since the last Jefferson disaster party!” Ari said with a laugh.

I started to laugh at how much of a good mood Ari was in from compared to a few hours ago.

“I’m ready let’s go!”

Ari was wearing a blue jean mini skirt with a pink sleeveless shirt along with her pink cowboy boots. Her hair was pulled up in a low pony and she had on a pink cowboy hat. I had on a white short dress with my plain simple cowboy boots. Unlike Ari who owned ten pair of boots in every color, I opted for just one pair of simple brown boots. I decided to put my hair up also since I’m sure we would be spending most of the night in the backyard dancing.

“Oh, Jeff sent me a text asking us to pick up plastic cups so we need to stop at HEB to grab some.” Ari said as we made our way out to her jeep.

Was she skipping?

“So what got your mood turned around Ari?” I asked as I climbed into the jeep.

Ari threw her head back and laughed. “I’m going to a party instead of the damn country club for dinner! God love Jason but he needs to loosen up a little! But hey….while the cats away….the mice will play!” Ari said with another laugh as she wiggled her eyebrows up and down.

By the time we stopped and picked up Heather and then the cups for Jefferson we ended up getting to Gunner’s place around 7:45. Ari pulled in and parked behind Jefferson’s truck. As soon as we walked in the front door Gunner had me in his arms and was lifting me up again for a kiss. I’m not sure why but every time he did that it made me giggle.

“God I love the sound of your laugh!” He reached down and gave me a quick peck on the lips. The moment he put me down I was disappointed. Good lord, I needed to get a grip. I could not be acting like this, needing more and more of him every time I saw him. I would have liked a better kiss though.

Gunner grabbed my hand and led me into the kitchen where Jefferson, Brad, Josh and some other guy I had never seen before were talking. Gunner grabbed a beer out of the fridge and handed it to me after he opened it. Then he introduced me to their friend.

“Jon, this is Ellie, Ellie this is Jon.” I reached out my hand to shake his and our eyes met mine. WOW…he had the most amazing green eyes. I tried to pull my hand away but he held onto it another few seconds. The way he was looking at me instantly made me feel uncomfortable. He looked me up and down and then finally let go of my hand.

“Ellie, Gunner has told me a lot about you. It’s a real pleasure to meet you finally.” He said as he smiled at me with a smile that would knock any girl off her feet.

I looked over at Gunner who was watching my every move. “All good things I hope.”

Oh Christ what a stupid answer that was!

Jon threw his head back a little and laughed as he ran his hand through his blond hair. He was built but not as built as Gunner or Jefferson.

“Do you play football for UT also?” I asked as Gunner came up next to me and put his arm around my waist. I instantly felt the butterflies take off in my stomach and the heat from his touch pool in-between my legs. I was praying to God I was not blushing. For once I would like to not show it on my face what Gunner’s touch did to me.

Jon smiled at me and tilted his head while looking at me. What the hell? He looked down at Gunners hand resting on my waist then back up to me.

“No my dear I don’t play football for UT. I do however play baseball for UT. Do you like baseball Ellie?”

My dear???  Okay……why was it the way he spoke to me made me feel all weird?

“Um, I guess so but I really only ever watch football sorry.” I said with a shrug of my shoulders.

Jon let out a laugh again and looked at Gunner. “Lucky son of a bitch you are.” Then he looked at me again. “We might have to just get you to start liking baseball Ellie now won’t we?”

I just smiled; I didn’t really know what to say to that. Gunner leaned down and whispered against my ear if I wanted to step away and I nodded my head yes. All I wanted to do was get away from this guy. I wondered if Gunner noticed the way he was looking at me. This guy totally freaked me out!

Gunner took my hand again and led me to the one place I was not expecting to go….his bedroom. My heart started to pound and my head started spinning. When he opened the door and led me in I felt like I was going to stop breathing.

OH. MY. GOD. NO! He didn’t think I was going to sleep with him did he. Before I could even open my mouth Gunner had me in his arms.

“Don’t think that Ellie sweetheart. I only brought you in here to give you a proper kiss in private. His ran his hand through my hair and then brought it up to the side of my face. He took the back of his hand and moved it up and down my face. All I could feel was a tingling sensation every where his hand touched. He then took both hands and cupped my face. He tilted my face up and smiled that crooked smile at me. I swear I felt my knees wobble. He leaned down and lightly brushed his lips against mine four times and it was driving me mad.

“More….”

I felt Gunner smile against my lips.

“More huh?” He asked as he let out a small laugh.

“Yes Gunner please…..I need more.”

The next thing I knew Gunners lips where back on mine and his tongue was seeking entrance into my mouth. I opened and allowed him in. He moved his hand to the back of my head and deepened the kiss so much it felt like all the air was being sucked out of my body. He slowly backed me up against the wall. Thank God because I needed something to assist me with standing before my legs buckled out from underneath me.

God I never wanted him to stop. The way he made me feel was unbelievable. I felt….cherished. When he finally pulled his lips from mine I slowly opened my eyes to look at him. His beautiful blue eyes were looking down into mine. He slowly let a smile creep across his beautiful face. I couldn’t help but smile back at him.

“Was that better Ms. Johnson?”

I let out a giggle. “Yes…yes it was Mr. Mathews. You have successfully bewitched me.”

Gunner took his index finger and traced my jaw line and then ran it over my lips. My whole body trembled and the ache between my legs grew stronger. All I wanted to do was squeeze my legs together to ease the ache.

“I’m glad to hear I have you bewitched sweetheart. I thought for a moment someone else might be trying to do the same thing.” He said as he tapped my nose with his finger.

He did notice and that was why he brought me in here! I wanted to throw myself into his arms again and beg him to kiss me once more. I wanted to forget all about some guy flirting with me right in front of him. All I wanted to see was Gunner’s beautiful eyes looking into mine.

“You ready for a party?”

“Only if you promise to keep your dance card open for me all night.” I said with a smile.

“Done!” Gunner grabbed my hand and led me to his bedroom door. He spun me around and slammed me back against the door and kissed me deeply again. He pulled his lips from mine and I gasped for air.

“That is so you don’t forget who has you bewitched.” He said with a wink. I stepped away from the door so he could open it. My head was spinning again but this time in a good way. As we walked out from Gunner’s room and through the living room I felt eyes watching us. I looked over to the kitchen and Jon was watching Gunner and I walk by. The way he was smiling felt like he was trying to look into my soul and it sent a shiver down my back. I quickly turned my head and looked up at Gunner who was smiling from ear to ear and leading us outside to the music.

Once we stepped outside the fresh air felt amazing. I looked around and saw Amanda, Ari and Heather all dancing. They all looked happy and that made me smile. Jeff had walked out the back door and pointed at some chairs for Gunner and me to sit at. I still had yet to take a drink of the beer that was in my hand.

“Do you want to go dance with your friends Ellie?” Gunner asked.

“Nope, I just want to sit here with you.” The next thing I did was probably the boldest thing I have ever done in my life. Especially since my brother was sitting right here. Gunner sat down and I sat down on his lap before I chickened out. I think Gunner was just as surprised as my brother. I went to take a swig of my beer and then felt something….oh….oh wow…was I making that happen? I stopped my beer right at my lips as I felt Gunner adjust me in his lap. Jefferson was busy looking at everyone dance so he didn’t notice Gunner lean in and whisper against my ear.

“I’m sorry sweetheart. I was not expecting you to do that and he kind of has a mind of his own.”

I snapped my head and looked at Gunner. Did he just say that to me? He just told me I gave him a hard on? I started to laugh and leaned down and kissed him right on the lips. Jefferson or not….I wanted Gunner to know how I felt about him every second of the day.

“Jesus Christ…can you stop Ellie….I can take you sitting on his lap but not sucking his face at the same damn time!”

CHAPTER THIRTY

Jefferson …….

Holy mother fucking shit. I could not sit here and watch my baby sister suck face with my best friend while she sat on his goddamn lap. Christ a guy can only take so much. I looked back out to the dance floor and scanned for who I was looking for.

Ari…..

She was dancing with Amanda and Heather to Usher’s “Yeah”. Fuck she could move. I wanted to know what she felt like in my arms dancing. They looked like they were heading over to get something to drink. I got up and walked over to Jack and asked him to play a certain song next. He nodded and I went and sat back down. Ari was drinking a beer and some of it ran down her lip onto her chin. Mother fucker……this girl has been getting my dick hard since I was 16 years old. She looked down at me as she wiped her chin.

“You been drinking long?” I asked as I smiled at her.

“Think you could teach me a better way to do it dickwad?” She said back to me with that damn sexy smile of hers.  I didn’t care how many times she called me names….as long as she was talking to me. I lucked out with douche bag Jason Reed out of town. Jack started up Rascal Flatts’ “What Hurts the Most” right then. I jumped up and took the beer out of her hand and handed it to Gunner.

“Dance with me…..please.”

She looked stunned but nodded her head yes. I took her hand and led her out to where a few other people were dancing. I pulled her into my arms and goddamn if she didn’t fit perfect up against my body. I had not held Ari this close to me since she was 11 year old and fell trying to roller blade.

I put my face into her hair and took a deep smell. I had to memorize every detail of how she felt, and how she smelled and looked right at this moment. I felt her relax more and more in my arms. I prayed that she was listening to the song….she wouldn’t ever let me apologize for my behavior and this was the best I could think of last minute. I pulled her closer to me as the words to the song played that I wished so badly I could say to her.

I felt her grip harder onto me and all I wanted to do was kiss her. God I wanted to kiss her so fucking bad…..she smelled like vanilla. Had she always smelled like that? I just held her tight against me while we danced.

The song was going to end soon so I leaned down and whispered in her ear.

“I’m so sorry I hurt you baby. If I could take it all back I would do it in a heartbeat. I never want to hurt you again Arianna…..ever…….It kills me you didn’t get your special moment. I will never forget that I took that away from you. I’m sorry.”

I pulled away and looked down into her face.

Fuck…she was crying…….

“Jefferson I need to tell you something and you are probably going to hate me after I tell you.” She said in between sobs.

“Baby I could never hate you.”

The song ended and we were just standing there. I reached up and tried to wipe away the tears that were falling down her face like rain.

“I….I never slept with Jason. I just told you that because I wanted to hurt you as much as you hurt me. I’m….I’m still a virgin Jeff. The moment I left that message I wanted to call you back but I was so angry still. I’m so sorry. I just wanted to hurt you as much as you hurt me.” Ari spoke so fast I hardly was able to process what the hell she was saying.

Holy mother fucking shit…..I spent almost a damn month punishing myself for something that never happened.

I closed my eyes silently thanking God she didn’t sleep with that asshole. Then I opened them and saw her staring up at me. I just smiled at her. If she had set out to hut me, she did a good job of it.

“Well squirt, it worked. I um, I need to go check on the food and everything. I’ll talk to you later okay.”

I turned and walked away from the one person I would always love…. but never be able to have.

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

A ri……

The moment Jeff turned and walked away I wanted to go after him. Oh god…I just wanted to shout out MOTHER FUCKER as loud as I could! I didn’t want to draw attention to myself so I just stood there because you know……. standing in the middle of their backyard with tears running down my face was not going to draw any attention.

FUCK ME!

Oh holy hells bells….the way he was holding me so close during that song….I knew the moment he asked me to dance what he was trying to do. It was his way of saying he was sorry.

I’m so sorry I hurt you baby……… Baby I could never hate you ……

I have waited eight fucking years for this…….eight years for him to call me something other than squirt, to hold me like he never wanted to let me go. Son of a fucking bitch!

Oh.my.god. I just fucked up everything……I looked over at Ellie who was now getting off of Gunner’s lap and walking over to me.

“OH MY GOD Ari what did he say to you? I’ll kill him for making you cry again that bastard!” Ellie shouted as she looked back towards the door Jeff just walked through.

I started to laugh. Why I have no idea….I found none of this shit funny. Ellie looked at me confused as hell.

“Ari what the hell is going on?”

“Oh nothing Ells….you know……Jeff just did the most fucking romantic thing anyone has ever done for me…..and I blew it. I fucking blew something I’ve been wanting for so long.” I started to cry again. GODDAMN it….the second time I have been to one of their parties and I am crying! JESUS MARY AND JOSEPH!

“Come on let’s go sit on the front porch…..” Ellie said as she turned to Gunner and pointed to the front of the house. Gunner looked concerned but just nodded his head like he understood.

“He is in the house…I can’t let him see me crying Ells.” I said as I panicked at the idea of seeing Jeff right that second.

“We will walk through the gate okay?” Ellie linked her arm with mine and we walked to the front porch.

After I told her what Jeff said to me and how I told him the truth about Jason, she just sat back in the swing.

“Ari, clearly Jeff has feelings for you sweets. You have to see that right. Why didn’t you go after him?”

“I don’t know why I didn’t Ellie. I mean it’s like he wants to be with me but he doesn’t. I don’t know how else to explain it….I feel like he is attracted to me but he does nothing to act on it. Maybe he just can’t see me as anything more than his little sisters best friend Squirt. He even called me squirt before he turned and walked away. It killed me when he said that it worked……that me trying to hurt him worked.”

“Well of course it worked. You had to know when you told him he would be upset. Give him time Ari. Maybe he just needs time to get use to the idea of you being something other than my best friend. What you need to do is show him that is not all you are. You are more than Arianna…Ellie’s best friend….You are more than just Squirt………You need to make him want you Ari….want you bad! You need to show him how much he wants to be with you!”

Ellie said with a wicked smile on her face. We both started to laugh. Only Ellie could make me feel better when I felt like shit.

“Okay I have other news! So while you were dancing, Gunner asked if we both wanted to go to his grandparent’s ranch next week for a few days. I SO want to go but I need you to go with me. Please say you will go!”

Ellie was so fucking cute when she begged! “Of course I’ll go with you. Is um…..Jeff going?”

Ellie smiled that big ole smile of hers. ”You bet he’s going! Five full days of us in the country with two really good looking guys and the Llano River runs right through it…..I’m thinking Jeff might need to see you in your red bikini! ”

“Well, when you put it that way…count me the fuck in!”

We both started laughing so hard we couldn’t stop. So Ellie thought I should go after Jeff huh? I think I was up for that challenge! Just then the front door opened…….. speak of the devil……it was Jeff.

He opened the door all the way and stepped outside. “Is everything okay? Why are y’all sitting out here?”

“Well, we were just talking about how much we were looking forward to heading out to the country with you and Gunner.” I said as I got up and walked towards Jeff.

Now it was his turn to be stunned. I walked up to him and leaned in so he had to bend down towards me to hear what I was about to say.

“I can’t decide if I want to bring my red bikini or my white one? I might just have to bring both. What do you think Jeff?”

He looked like he was having a really hard time swallowing and if I didn’t know any better I would say that Mr. Big football player was blushing. Oh yes…I liked Ellie’s plan I thought as I let a smile play across my face.

Game on Jeff………….