“She really overdid it this time,” I said to myself as I looked in the mirror. Tiff went all out on my tiny black cocktail dress.
It was tight to my body, hugging my curves just right, with black oriental lace and a sexy, open back. I placed my hands on my hips, feeling my waistline and how soft it felt to the touch. La piece de resistance were the shoes, which were Louboutin, hot pink sling backs. Damn, I was smoking hot with my hair all wavy, cascading past my shoulders into perfect large curls. I swallowed hard, knowing I had to walk out of this bedroom to an awaiting Jason, who had the night off. I took a deep breath. Well, at least I could look mouthwatering. Even an older sister could look hot, right? Right?
I turned the doorknob and opened the door. The heavy aroma of tomatoes and basil hit my nose. Jason was cooking. Soft jazz music was playing in the background as I made my way through the hallway. I stopped short and waited just before the entryway to the living room and kitchen area. I watched him in his tight, grey t-shirt, cooking. He had a towel thrown over his right shoulder. His jeans barely hung off his hips as he made his way around his kitchen, making himself pasta. I took two more steps and purposefully knocked my heels a little harder so he would notice me.
Jason stopped what he was doing and simply looked. No words were exchanged, his grey eyes taking measure of me. My skin grew hot and I began to feel my belly drop. I dragged my eyes away from his, wanting to break free from his gaze and separate myself from him. I wanted to take back what I had so freely given and become Kassia once more.
“Looking good,” he said quietly, as I picked up my purse.
“Thanks. I won’t be too late, and if I am, I’ll call you.” I reached the front door. That’s when I heard his breath hitch. He growled into his chest, but I chose to ignore it.
“Do you really think you should be wearing that?’ he grumbled. I rolled my eyes at his question.
“Yes! Why?”
He threw the towel onto the counter and marched over to me.
“Don’t you think it makes you look easy?” Oh, you asshole, you.
“No! I think it makes me look sexy and hot and I'm hoping my date will, too,” I fired back, now glaring at him. My heels made me taller, but still the boy towered over me.
“Make sure he treats you the way you should be treated,” he brooded.
“I’ve been dating since you’ve been in elementary school. I know how to make a man treat me right.” I grabbed the doorknob.
“Just be careful and have fun,” he said in a serious tone.
I yanked the door open and left.
The party was nice. I was able to talk to some other authors. I really enjoyed discussing our craft. As for my date, the man was good looking and nice, but he wasn’t interested in me. He wanted Tiff. She just didn’t know it.
The whole night he made sure he was within earshot of her, almost ignoring me. I was okay with it, only because he had his crush and I had mine. I laughed as I was having my wine, thinking how he’ll eventually be in the spot I'm in and start to let go of how he felt. Tiff never told me, but the truth was she always had a thing for my brother. I tried once to convince him to go out with her, but it blew up in my face. I never told her he wasn’t interested. A small part of me thought he didn’t want to go out with her because she posed a challenge he wasn’t ready for.
Tiff had a limo come and pick me up and told me the same limo would drive me back home whenever I needed. I decided to not think about anything and enjoy my night.
It was well into the night before I eventually made my way back to Jason’s condo. I quietly opened the door not to wake him, since he’d been sleeping on his couch. I had offered him his own bed, but he refused every time. The last time he nearly bit my head off, so I let it go.
I made my way past him. My eyes gazing over to see the moonlight’s blue hue highlighting his bare chest. I stopped and stared, knowing I was doing what I promised myself I wouldn’t. What was I? A masochist? I tore my eyes away and headed to the bedroom, when I started to hear his quiet pleas. He began moving and jerking around, his face was contorted and he bared his teeth. Jason was having a nightmare.
I moved in closer while his hand reached out trying to grab the air in front of him. I took his hand into mine. He held it tight like a vise. He then pulled me to his body. He hugged me close, murmuring words I could barely understand. Silent tears fell as he tried to fight whatever terror he was facing. With my free hand, I gently wiped his tears away, caressing his somber face. His breathing began to slow down and he stopped stirring. He nuzzled his face into my neck and held me tight. I eventually fell asleep in his warm embrace.