According to haters like Julie, I’d never amount to anything. I was just a juvenile delinquent on his way to being a career criminal. So maybe a place like Vegas was perfect for me, lots of cons and crime going down every day.
Some redheaded slut one of the crew brought back from the club was giving me sex eyes from two sofa cushions over. I’d been doing my best to ignore her, but she was at this time in the process of scooting her unwanted drunkass next to me.
Ian smirked in our direction and exited into the kitchen. I should so sick her on him. The words hot mess came to mind as I glanced sideways at her. I imagined her passing out with her head on my lap at the same moment Gianna walked back into the room. With the way my life had been going, that would be just my luck.
I scooted over the one inch I had to spare before my right thigh was flush with the armrest. She turned her head and opened her mouth to speak; the smell of beer on her breath was strong. “What’s your name, hottie?” With her hand on my thigh, near my junk, I felt kinda victimized.
Seriously? I mean, seriously? Please go away.
I smiled at her blankly. “No hablo inglés.” Good thing I paid attention in Spanish class.
Her mouth dropped open. “What?”
“Usted es una puta.” I smiled inanely at her again.
She gave me a confused half-smile. “Did you just say that I’m pretty?”
Oh brother, this girl was muy estúpida. I cleared my throat and tried not to laugh in her face. “Actually, I just said that you’re a slut.”
I should’ve seen the slap coming, but I was distracted by Ian reentering the room with a beer in his hand. He witnessed the slap, laughing obnoxiously, but I gave him payback. Looking back at the girl, I said in a cajoling tone, “I’m sorry, I’m a jerk.” Then I pointed over to Ian, “See that guy over there?” At her unsure nod, I continued, “Well, he’s a really nice guy. You should go talk to him.”
She licked her lips. “He’s a hottie too.” Oh yeah, honey, eat him alive.
“Sure, if you say so,” I mumbled as she staggered to her feet in her ridiculous platform shoes and wobbled over to bother a person who couldn’t be more deserving of her attention.
Less than a minute later, Ian was getting a slap and a kick from the hot mess. I was almost jealous. Was I not worthy of a kick to the shin also? I almost felt guilty for siccing her on Ian. I’d break a girl’s heart with a smile, but he’d do it with a sneer.
After the girl stomped off in her heavy shoes, Ian sauntered arrogantly over to me, sitting at the other end of the couch. “When have I ever been interested your castoffs, Caleb?”
“Do you consider Gianna one of my castoffs, douche?” I asked him with one eyebrow raised.
Ian’s face became less arrogant and more, dare I say it, soft. “Gianna’s different. Better than all those other bitches.” He met my eyes again. “Much too good for you.”
“Even much more too good for you then, jerk.” I glared at him, resenting everything about him.
“I want her,” Ian informed me as if I gave a crap. As if it settled the matter.
“You want her to piss me off, prick,” I said through clenched teeth.
He looked at me in surprise and I was annoyed that I couldn’t figure out whether or not it was genuine. “This isn’t about you and me, and our childish rivalry, Caleb. I want her for herself, not because it would upset you.” He smiled evilly. “Of course, the fact it would piss you off would be a bonus.”
“I don’t have to listen to your shit. I’m going to go find Gianna, dickhead.” Leaving the living room, I went in search for her in the direction I saw her go when we first got here. She’d still been in her work clothes and had gone down the hallway to Cece’s room to change.
When I reached Cece’s room, the door was slightly ajar and the light was off. Pushing it open, I switched the light on. Gianna’s duffel bag was there on the bed, but no sign of her.
I followed the noise to the back of the house and peered through the back screen door. The backyard patio lights were on and I saw Gianna standing amongst members of the crew. Opening up the screen door, I stepped outside and shut both doors behind me. The weather was starting to get cold with fall ending and I was sure the Ramirez family would appreciate their guests not upping their heating bill.
Unfortunately, Jared had made his way back here and he, along some of the other guys, were showing Gianna a few dance moves. Catching her up on what she’d missed out on, I was sure. She had a silly grin on her face, so I didn’t have the heart to interrupt yet by demanding her attention. Pulling back a patio chair from the table, I took a seat.
I guess the sound of my chair scraping against the cement alerted everyone to my presence because, when I looked up, most everyone’s eyes were on me. I had to say, some of the looks the guys were giving me weren’t very nice at all. Shame on them.
Gianna said something to the group and started walking across the grass to me. She looked great, wearing a pair of tight jeans, the same black motorcycle boots from the club and a blue thermal hoodie. Her dark blond hair was in a pony tail and I imagined letting it down later tonight and running my fingers through the soft strands. I imagined touching her all over, actually.
She smiled sweetly when she reached me, but then the acidic words came out of her mouth, “Hey, where’s Ian?”
I tried to keep a straight face as I lied, “Last I saw, he was making out with some wasted girl from the club.”
“Really? I was beginning to think he was gay.” Her face was all scrunched up in confusion.
At her words, it was like I fell in love with her all over again.
I couldn’t play it cool any longer, I busted out laughing. “Why did you think that?”
She shrugged. “I dunno. He’s been so sweet and sensitive, lately.”
So Ian’s plan was backfiring. I mentally rubbed my hands together in glee. All the better for me. When I glanced back up at Gianna, she was grinning. Narrowing my eyes at her, I snapped, “What?”
“I can’t believe you fell for that. I just wanted to see the look on your face, Caleb. Ian is so not gay he could be your long lost manwhore twin.” Gianna was giggling in delight at messing with me.
I grabbed her by the waist and pulled her down onto my lap. “Come here, bratty girl.”
She was laughing hysterically, trying to catch her breath. “Tell the truth, Caleb. Did the thought of Ian being gay put that happy look on your face ‘cause it means you have me all to yourself tonight, or was it something else? Hmm? Were you hoping I’d put in a good word for you?”
“Shut up brat,” I murmured before bringing her face up to mine for a kiss. Ah, this was what I’d been dying for. I needed my fix. “I’ve missed you, princess.”
Opening her eyes, she gazed up at me. “Did you miss me so much you called me on Tuesday? Did you talk to me in school on Wednesday? How about Thursday?” She shook her head. “I thought not.”
She hopped off my lap and sat in a chair next to me, eyeing me unhappily. I ran a hand through my hair in frustration and helplessness. “I told you I have my reasons.”
“Yes,” she said slowly, “But you haven’t informed me of what those reasons are. Considering the fact I’m the one who’s getting hurt, don’t you think I’m the one person who you should be explaining them to?”
This wasn’t working. This whole situation, plan of action, was only succeeding in placing distance and resentment between Gianna and me. If I continued on this path, Julie would win in the end because Gianna would become so bitter she wouldn’t want anything to do with me anymore.
Looking over her shoulder to where I was receiving a few warning looks from her friends, I took a deep breath. The time had come to take the risk. “Gianna, if I promise to tell you everything, will you leave this party with me right now?”
Her mouth parted in shock and her eyes bugged out. “Really? Everything?”
Standing up, I grabbed her hand and brought her to her feet. ??
?Yes, come on.”
I pulled her along with me through the back door and into the house, stopping by Cece’s room to pick up her bag and going into the kitchen to exit through the garage. Therefore, successfully circumventing Ian in the living room.
“I should really tell Ian I’m leaving,” Gianna said as I continued to drag her along.
Opening the passenger door of my car for her, I shook my head. “I can’t be positive, but I’m pretty sure Ian can read. Text him.”
Shutting the door for her, I rushed around the car, picturing someone coming out the front door to halt us, Ian, Jared, even Cece, and threw her bag into the backseat before starting the car.
And we were off. The house was in my rearview mirror, just like I’d been dreaming of for the past hour. I drove a few minutes away until we were at the park where I first asked her to be my girlfriend. Good memories. Well okay, at the time I’d kind of told her she was going to be my girlfriend. The parking lot on this side of the park was empty. I turned off the ignition and turned in my seat to face her.
Even in the dark, I could see how sad she looked. Her eyes were shimmering with tears. She was remembering, too. I was so incredibly tired of having to watch her cry while I was helpless to make it better. Her tears were breaking me.
Desperate to erase every bad memory between us, I lifted her up and helped her into the backseat, following right after. Dragging her into my body, I began tugging at her clothes in a frenzy. I had her down to nothing in less than two minutes. At the same time I was pushing her onto her back with one hand, I was unzipping my jeans with the other. I entered her roughly, knowing she was ready for me. Thrusting in and out of her wildly, I kissed any part of her within reach of my mouth.
Like an emotional dam that’d been broken, I was saying against her skin, her lips, her cheek, over and over again, “I love you. I love you. I love you.”
She climaxed more intensely than ever before. After watching her, I allowed myself to follow. Collapsing on top of her, I mumbled, “I’m sorry.”
My heartbeat was taking its time slowing down. Being with her was amazing.
Instead of recriminations for my barbaric behavior, she lightly ran her fingers through my hair and whispered hoarsely, “I love you, too.”
Despite all the anxiety caused by our uncertain future, a part of me that’d been wound up tight for weeks was finally able to relax.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“Passion makes the world go round.
Love just makes it a safer place.”
-Ice T
GIANNA
“Oh my god! Stop! Stop it, Caleb, behave!” I shouted, jumping off the bed to race to the living room. I could hear him laughing as he followed me. Grabbing two pillows off the couch, I whirled around to face him. I chucked them at him, one after another. The first totally missed him, but the second hit him smack on the face. His way-too-handsome face that I adored.
The pillows had failed to stop him. He just smiled and grabbed a hold of me, pinning my arms within his so I couldn’t get away. I struggled anyways. After all, number one rule for a girl? Never make it too easy for the guy.
“You’re mine now.”
I ducked my head against his bare chest to hide my smile. “For the moment, Caleb.”
“For always, princess.”
Damn gotta love a tamed bad boy. Best of both worlds, sweet and wild.
Thinking of last night, how wonderful it was, how wonderful he was, I sighed. “Tell me again.”
He put his hand under my chin to lift my face up to his. Kissing me softly on the cheek, he whispered, “I love you, Gianna.”
And just like that, I was feeling all girly and giddy. Ah hell! The boy owned me, body, heart, soul, every piece of me. Not that I’d ever tell him that.
I smiled coyly at him, eating it up. “Why?”
Looking a little confused at my question, he muttered to himself. “Why do girls always have to ask why?”
Exasperated, I demanded, “Because I want to know!”
He laughed, shaking his head as if I were ridiculous. “I just do.”
I struggled again until he let me go. Why did boys always have to be so difficult? “Not good enough, Caleb. I am a girl and after you denying loving me for so long, forgive me, but I’m a little insecure about it.”
His body fell back onto the couch as he lazily sat down. I glanced at where the top button of his jeans was undone then quickly back up at his face. The grin he sported let me know he’d seen where my eyes had wandered.
“Why?” I demanded again.
“‘Cause you look so sexy in your little cheerleader uniform?” His eyes roamed up and down my body, as if picturing it in his head.
I shrugged, nonchalantly saying, “I can accept that, since I love you because of your cool car.”
“Brat.” He chuckled, reaching out to grab the waistband of my sweats, pulling me onto his lap.
“Okay, okay,” I laughed the words. “It’s ‘cause you have a cute butt.”
He palmed my own bottom and squeezed. “You too, baby.”
Pushing against his chest, I whined, “Caleb, you’re supposed to be offended.”
His lips were kissing my neck, making me squirm. “Why should I be offended? I know how fine I am.”
“Hmm,” I hummed. “You’re alright looking.”
“You too, Gianna. You’ll do,” he teased then pulled back to look at me seriously. “Why do you love me?”
Caleb needing reassurance? Interesting. Until I suddenly felt a little on-the-spot. So, this was what a guy felt like when his girlfriend acted all needy. “Um,” I began.
Not cutting me any slack, his expression was skeptical. “Um?”
“Because,” I began again, at loss for words and feeling a blush coming on. “Because,” I said slowly.”
“Because?” he echoed, clearly amused now.
I scowled at him. “Because you care about me.” The assertion gave me strength and it became easier to continue. “Because you understand me. Because you’re so good to me.” I punched him lightly on his chest. “When you aren’t lying about loving me and ignoring me at school.”
He scoffed in disbelief. “Believe me, I was never ignoring you.” Brushing a strand of hair behind my ear, he said sweetly, “I’m always aware of you.”
I smiled in satisfaction, adding, “And because you love me.” Jumping up and down a little on his lap, I prompted, “Okay, my turn. Why do you love me?” My hands were clasped together in anticipation.
He laughed softly. His hazel eyes had a sexy look in them. “Alright, alright.” With a serious face, he said with meaning. “Because you look so hot in your cheerleader uniform.”
“Caleb!” I whined in annoyance. “Be serious!”
Placing both of his warm hands on either side of my face, he said with a light smile on his lips. “I love you because you’re you. Because underneath all that physical perfection is a vulnerable, beautiful soul who needs me and loves me back. Who sees the good in me.”
“You are good,” I stated sincerely. And vulnerable too, I thought to myself.
He visibly shuddered. “Enough of all this mushiness. Let’s have sex!”
I laughed loudly as he picked me up off the couch, intent, I suspected, on carrying me back to his bed. My intentions were otherwise, not that my hormones weren’t raging as much as his. Okay well, almost as much. Wiggling like crazy, I jumped out of his arms before he made it to the hallway.
“Wait, we need to talk seriously.” I held up a hand to ward him off.
His look was impatient. “What’s there to talk about? I love you, you love me, now let’s have sex.”
Hands on my hips, I glided around him and sat down on the couch, by myself this time. “There’s plenty to talk about, Caleb Morrison.”
“Like?” he pouted, clearly disappointed.
I stared at him thoughtfully. Where to begin? Everything was such a mess and unlike him, I couldn’t just live in the momen
t and jump into bed, forgetting about all of our problems.
Last night was wonderful, a dream come true in so many ways. Caleb had made love to me, well more like ravished me in his car, but it was still romantic because he’d told me he loved me.
Some guys might declare their love in more romantic ways, but I knew who Caleb was and I loved all of him. For Caleb, that was romance.
But even when something was a dream come true, it didn’t mean everything was perfect. I believed Caleb when he told me he loved me. Looking back at the past couple months, I could see it was there all along.
There were still issues that bothered me, though.
Thank god we had the time alone at his mom’s apartment to discuss our relationship. My mom wouldn’t expect me home until this afternoon and it was barely ten in the morning.
“Sit,” I told him, then added, “Please.”
Looking disgruntled, he complied and took a seat in a recliner across from me. Crossing his arms over his chest, he asked cautiously, “What do you want to talk about?”
I licked my lips nervously. “You told me last night about how my mom threatened you with sending me to Texas if you didn’t break up with me and that’s why you had to hurt me, but you didn’t explain the most important part.”
“I told you everything that happened and why I did what I did.” Looking at the floor, his face was a mask of concentration. With his head slightly tilted down, a lock of black hair had fallen over one eye. He glanced up at me. “So, what’s the most important part?”
Even knowing now that he loved me, I was still hurt. Trying not to cry again, I asked, “Why did you choose to break my heart instead of telling me the truth?”
He shifted uncomfortably in his seat and looked guilty. Sounding reluctant, he admitted, “I guess I just panicked. When your mom threatened to ship you off to your dad or even farther away if she had too, I gave in because she sounded completely serious and I had no doubt she would do something so horrible. I thought I’d figure something out eventually so we could be together. But for the time being, you would at least still be near.”