Her cheeks flush a deep crimson this time as I choke on a soft chuckle. She’s adorable when she’s nervous…especially when she’s talking nervously about my dick.
She releases my arm as we spot a golf cart speeding by us. My dad also frequents this course, and almost everyone knows us here. Not so much Raven or Vivian, but I can understand why she’d try to avoid drawing attention to us.
She breathes in and out slowly as she bites back a small smile, trying to keep a straight face before continuing, “As you know, that’s why we call...well, called you Forbidden. I never thought in a million years you’d even give me a second glance. Not when you had women far prettier than me constantly throwing themselves at you.”
Cutting her off, I reach out, taking her hand, not caring who the fuck sees, and lock my eyes on hers, letting her see the seriousness in my eyes. “That has to be the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard you say, Spitfire. And believe me, we both know you’re far from being a stupid person. You have the GPA to prove it. When you walk into a room, Raven, believe me, every other girl fades into the background. You shine with your easygoing, natural beauty. You are gorgeous all on your own, without having to add giant fake eyelashes, a pound of makeup, and fake spray-on tans. You may not see it, but I’m being completely honest with you. You are beautiful without even trying, which makes you not just beautiful, but absolutely stunning in my eyes.”
Turning suddenly, she pulls her hand from mine and begins walking again. She doesn’t say anything at first, but after a few moments, she finally turns her head to look at me again. “I don’t know how to respond to that, Linc. I’m used to you annoying the hell out of me, and me giving it right back to you. But now, everything is so different. I’ve hated the weird discomfort I’ve felt the last few days being here.”
“Me too,” I say, reaching out and gently running my hand over her shoulder then down her back before placing them in my pockets. I need to try to control myself, but being around her makes it so hard. I want to have my hands on her, exploring every single inch of her as I reacquaint myself with her body.
Folding her arms against her chest, she breaks our gaze and stares straight ahead again, watching as a father demonstrates for his son how to tee-off. The sight brings a smile to my face as memories of when my dad first taught me to golf flash through my mind. But as quickly as they appeared, they fade away as Raven begins speaking again.
“Since I’m trying to be honest and get it all out there, I want you to know I’ve been so cold and distant these last few days, because no matter how badly I want to hate you, I just can’t. I’m so angry with myself, because you didn’t deserve to be treated the way you were that night. You did nothing wrong bringing that girl home with you. Yet, I tried to play the victim that night, all because I was foolish and let myself read more into our night together than I should have.
“You never once did anything to give me the impression it was more than just sex, but the way I felt when I was with you…it was unlike anything I’ve ever felt in my entire life. I was silly to think you felt it too. I know I’m rambling and all, but I just wanted you to know I’m sorry and hope you can forgive me for doing what I did to you.”
My head is spinning like a fucking top, making me dizzy as I try to wrap my mind around everything she said. How do I respond to that? Should I be honest and tell her she wasn’t the only one who felt something that night? Or should I brush it off, accept her apology, and try to move on from here, going back to the way we were before we slept together?
In three days, everything becomes final. No matter how we feel towards one another, we can’t act on it, because feeding the flames of desire burning between us will only make things worse, rather than better.
Why does life have to be so complicated?
“Thank you for apologizing. After you left, I had time to think about everything. After tempers cooled, I was able to think rationally, and I was able to see you meant nothing behind that stupid bet. It is kind of funny now that it’s been awhile since I learned about it. I want to tell you I’m sorry for not being more respectful towards you after we were together. Random hook-up or not, I should’ve never brought that girl back to your house while you were there. Since you were honest with me, I want to be honest with you.” I swallow hard as I will myself to tell her the real reason I slept with that girl that night.
“You’re not the only one who felt something shift between us the night we slept together. For a guy like me, I didn’t handle it well at all. It seriously scared the crap out of me, Spitfire. I had no idea how to deal with it all, especially seeing the circumstance we were in with our parents being together. I tried to ignore the feelings I had brewing inside me, so I did what I do best. I hooked up with another girl in an attempt to try and force the feelings I was developing for you away. I thought she’d be gone before you got home—but then, when you heard us, a part of me was happy. One reason being that maybe you’d feel even an ounce of the jealousy I was feeling when I watched you leave with Tessa to go out to that club.”
Raven stops suddenly, plops down on the grass, and falls back on it, letting the lightest, sexiest laughter roll from her lips. Peering down at her, I narrow my eyes and ask, “What the hell, woman? I pour my heart out to you, and you...laugh?!”
Rolling my eyes, I gaze around, seeing we’re about a good ten feet away from the restaurant now, and plop down on the grass beside her.
She wipes at the tears filling her eyes from laughing so hard and spits out, “I’m...s-sorry,” before giggling again.
“Sorry? I practically handed you my balls on a silver platter, and ya laugh at me…” The sarcasm in my tone is evident as I gaze down at her, shaking my head and watching as she inhales and exhales slowly in an attempt to calm herself. Finally, she sits up, and tucking her legs beside her, she smooth’s out her skirt and leans into me, bumping my arm with her shoulder.
“I’m sorry for laughing—really. I’m not laughing at you, Linc. I’m laughing at us. Come on; you gotta admit this is all rather funny.”
Bringing my hands down beside me, I prop myself up on the cool grass and give her a puzzled look. “Exactly what part is funny? Because call me blonde, but I’m not getting it.”
Now it’s her turn to roll her eyes. She raises her hand and slaps me playfully on the chest before elaborating for me, “I’m laughing, because seriously! How messed up are we? We’ve known each other for years and had never once been together. Then, one reckless night, we sleep together, and of course it ends up being the best sex of our lives. It’s as if we are the butt of a joke, and for three months, I’ve been moping about, miserable as all hell. When finally I thought just now that the only way to get over it is to laugh right along with God, or whoever the hell it is playing this twisted joke on us.”
I let her words sink in and nod as I hear everything she says. I guess it is rather funny in a pretty fucked up kind of way. She’s right; there’s nothing we can do about it now, so we might as well laugh at the irony of it all.
Climbing to my feet, I reach out for her hand as I let out a deep chuckle. “We are a pretty fucked up pair, aren’t we?” I ask as she squeezes my hand and allows me to pull her to her feet.
“That we are.”
Valet brings my car around as soon as we make our way to the front of the restaurant. As we’re driving through town, making our way back to Vivian’s house, I spot the sign up ahead for Starbucks. Not able to resist myself, I point ahead. “Feel like grabbing some coffee—your treat, of course?” I try to keep a straight face as Raven whips her head around to look at me.
“You’re such an ass,” she spits, trying to hold her scowl and failing miserably.
Shrugging, I pull in front of the store and put the car in park before relaxing against my seat. “What can I say? My dick earned you a month’s worth of free coffee. The least you can do is buy the poor guy a cup.” Winking at her, I finally let out the laugh I’ve been holding in and climb out of the car.
Jumping out, she walks ahead of me, but stops a few feet from the shop, waiting for me to catch up. “You’re never going to let me live that damn bet down, are you?” she finally asks as I step around her and pull the door open, ushering her in after me.
Laughing again, I tell her, “Probably not.”
To my disappointment, no matter how well our lunch went, when we got back to Vivian’s house, Raven headed straight back to her father’s house. I was hoping she’d hang around her mom’s place for at least a little bit to talk some more, but she insisted she had to get back, because she had dinner plans later with her father and stepmom. I hated watching her leave, but knowing I’ll see her again tomorrow made it a little easier.
We’re leaving tomorrow morning to the airport, and flying into Napa Valley to start the whirlwind wedding weekend. I overheard Vivian on the phone this morning with Raven, talking about the trip, and she mentioned to her possibly staying at the house tonight, and then heading to the airport together with all of us tomorrow. I didn’t stick around to hear her answer, because since I’m here, I figured she’d pass on that idea.