17Kerri
It was a battle of wills that I was confident of winning. His eyes were full of fire as he locked them on the finger resting, as seductively as I could muster, in my mouth, the whites of his knuckles showing through his clenched fists. My world was turning around itself, my brain pretty foggy. I had no idea what had come over me, only that I wanted him, now. I couldn't believe how forward I was being, but I just couldn't find the will to care. A part of my brain was saying that it would be terrible in the morning, but I shut that off right after it started.
"Get out, go home." His words were growled out between his clenched teeth.
Leaning towards him, I rested my palms on the emergency break, letting my shoulders hunch and gave him a teasing glance of my cleavage. His breath hitched as his glance dropped.
"You know, you should wear muscle shirts more often, they show off your sexy abs. I like you in plaid and all,, but there's just something about tight fitting things on you." Just to make my point a little clearer, I trailed a finger seductively down his chest and abdomen.
Jason caught my wrist in an iron grip, forcing my hand to stay its downward trek. "Don't Kerri. You're drunk."
I took the opportunity to glance down and see the bulging evidence that proved that he was definitely enjoying my behavior. Quirking an eyebrow, I smiled wolfishly. "Your penis is saying otherwise." Leaning even further over into his space, I ran my finger over his jeans where a thick mound waited. He let out a hiss, grabbing that wrist as well. I couldn't help thinking how kinky this was all turning out to be. If only his hands were handcuffs and we were in a bed...
We were at a standstill; a battle of wills. The air in the car shifted heavily as the tension rose to higher peaks, almost crackling in its intensity. My brain was screaming at me, at this point, to stop, while my body was definitely not caring.
"I'll only release you if you promise to behave." His voice was hoarse and there was no doubt that I had him exactly where I wanted him. My gaze traveled over his face to land on pursed lips. Unconsciously, I licked my own and was rewarded with his scowl.
"You know you want me." I was baiting him. I was waiting for a response, for him to say or do anything. When he didn't, I gave an exaggerated sigh and nodded. He released me abruptly, as if holding my wrists for so long seared his hands.
Sitting awkwardly with my knees on the seat, hands resting once again on the emergency break, I ignored his weary look and contemplated my next move. I teetered for a minute as a wave of dizziness crashed over me.
"Are you okay?" Jason's hold was gentle as he caught my arm to steady me.
"Why ever would I not be?" I asked pleasantly, his hand on my arm not going unnoticed.
Rolling his eyes, he waited until I righted myself. "Do you need help getting up to the apartment?"
Shaking my head, I gave him my best lost puppy look. "May I have a hug at least? I'm emotionally traumatized after all. Faces heal, scars don't."
Studying me for a minute, I kept the pout on my face while trying hard to not let loose any giggles. He sighed in resignation and held out his arms, waiting for me. I threw myself into them, relishing the feel of his muscular biceps encircling me, heat radiating from his body.
I couldn't help but chuckle silently at his gullibility. He was tense as if he could read my mind. Moving slowly so it would only feel as if I was adjusting my position, which to all outward appearances I actually was, I put my cheek up against his jaw. A moan escaped me at the feel of his stubbled jaw. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I crushed myself more firmly to him, letting my breath tickle his ear.
"You know," I whispered, "I don't know why you resist what you so obviously want. I'm making it easy on you. I want you. I want to feel you inside me again."
Before I could say anything else, his hands grabbed my hair, wrenching my head back so that he was looking at my eyes searchingly. With only a slight hesitation on his part, his lips crashed against mine. His kisses were hungry and desperate like a starving man with food. I parted my lips willingly as he sought entrance and then moaned in pleasure as our tongues melded together in an erotic dance.
It barely registered when he lifted me over the gears so that I straddled him in the driver's seat. What did register was the steering wheel behind me, pressing me closer to Jason and his still rising, and barely contained, power. His mouth left mine shortly after, to trail kisses along my jaw and down my neck while his hands roamed over my waist, bunching my shirt every now and again. My body rocked against his as he began nibbling and sucking on a sensitive spot where my neck met my shoulder. I tilted my head to give him better access and was rewarded when he gently bit me.
My hands moved to caress his arms, shoulders and back. Shudders of pleasure shot down my spine when his tongue migrated to certain areas. Trailing kisses back up to the sensitive spot behind my ear, he slowly brought his hands up to caress the underside of my breasts. A shocked giggle escaped my lips, only to be stolen as his mouth returned to mine, stealing the rest of my sanity. The darkness outside enhanced our senses, making every touch a blazing fire licking the skin.
As the windows began to fog, my mind failed to register what his hands were doing until I felt the buttons of my jeans open and his hand slip deftly inside. Immediately, the haze in my head lifted a little, but all thought disappeared just as quickly as his fingers began working their magic in my folds. His mouth found mine again, capturing each mewl I released breathily, as he took me to new heights, beyond anything I remembered.
As the pressure built, I could feel my blood rushing towards where his fingers were working diligently. When I felt like I was about to scream from need, he thrust two of his fingers inside of me, sending me bucking and my head falling backwards. Jason had to increase the grip he had on me with his other arm after the horn flared twice with my lack of control. Reaching my climax, his mouth caught mine stealing the scream I released as undulations of the best pleasure that I had ever faced, tormented my body.
"That's right babe, let it go." His voice was like a milky caress as I floated slowly back to earth.
After the waves subsided, he slowly removed his fingers and repositioned the buttons of my jeans.
"Oh my gosh," I half sighed, half spoke in bemusement, resting my forehead against his, "I forgot how good that feels."
He didn't say anything, just possessed this faraway look in his eyes as he turned to stare out the window.
"So, now you really have to help me up to the apartment," I joked brushing some lip gloss from the underside of his lip. Turning his face back to me, I placed a soft kiss to the tip of his nose while grinning unabashedly. "Dominic should be passed out by now and I wanna get naked with you." I drew my nails down his pecks, wishing that he didn't have his shirt on.
His piercing deep blue eyes, when he finally returned them to me, held mine tenderly for a moment, even though I could tell that he was struggling with something. A second later, it was as if a light shut off and someone else took possession of him.
"This is wrong."
I looked at him, realization dawning on me. Opening the car door, I stumbled out, ignoring his hiss as I non-too-gently jostled his lap and, probably blue now, member. The thought pacified me momentarily, but I still felt like someone had dumped a bunch of ice cold water over me.
"What the fuck is wrong with me?" I stammered, running my hands through my hair as Jason slowly got out of his car, shutting the door.
The ground shifted uneasily beneath me as I found myself stumbling, walking in the direction of the apartment, with only the moonlight to guide me. Shaking my head, I put my arms out a little to keep myself upright, as if that would help. How did I get so drunk? Tripping over a rock, I cursed.
"Whoa there sport, careful." Jason called, jogging up behind me.
"You've gotta be kidding me," I mumbled angrily, jerking my purse open for my keys.
"What's that?" Jason asked, falling into step with me.
I turned a glare on him, angry at myself for turning into a slut with only a little bit of alcohol and angry at him for pushing me away, again.
"I said," finally finding my keys, I faced him, "you have got to be fucking kidding me." I enunciated everything crisply as if I was talking to an idiot. He raised an eyebrow and folded his arms, looking at me sympathetically, so I did the only thing that I could think of... I climbed the stairs and went to put the keys in the lock. Unfortunately for me, they did not want to go in. My vision was hazy still and I couldn't get the stupid key to hit the right angle. Dammit!
There was a sigh from behind me before Jason reached out and gently plucked the keys from me. I waited for him to open the door, but instead he just stood there, watching me.
"Are you gonna open the door or do I have to sleep out here tonight?" I looked between the door and my keys pointedly.
"We need to talk about what happened."
I walked up to stand in front of him and put my hand on his chest, idly tracing his collarbone through his shirt. "I don't want to talk to you."
"Dammit Kerri, stop... STOP." He was getting aggravated and when he took my hand off of his person, I sighed dejectedly.
"I don't understand. I just, I don't understand." I looked up at him with watery eyes, the tears threatening to spill over. My emotions were running crazy and I couldn't stop them. Damned alcohol.
Running his hands over his face, he stepped over to the railing and leaned against it. "I'm leaving in a week and there's your brother. We've talked about this before. I care too much about the two of you to screw things up. We're supposed to be friends now, not lovers."
I made probably the ugliest scowl that I have ever made as I looked up at him with all of the pent up anger from several years of unrequited feelings surging to the fore.
"You. You. You. You. You. You. You. You. YOU. That's all this is ever about! I give you my virginity. YOU break up with me. We make out at a park. YOU walk away in disgust. I throw myself at you. YOU re-break up with me when, here's the kicker, we're not even together, but you know that obviously as YOU'RE the one making things difficult!" I took a deep breath, trying to calm down so that I didn't wake up the neighbors. "Maybe all I want is sex. Am I not allowed to have just random, no-feelings-involved, sex with a guy? I've done it before, why won't you let me with you?"
He was looking at me with a dark expression that I'd only seen when he was beyond angry. "It's not about us and I can't just have sex with you, surely you understand that? I'm leaving, as I've told you already, to go across the continent and you want me to just give us a go, meanwhile forgoing my friendship with your brother, to only hop on a plane, leaving shards of a relationship behind? What the fuck is that? How selfish do you think I am?" He wasn't yelling, but I felt every fiber of what he said down to my bones.
My anger left me in a whoosh. I couldn't really think past the fact that he looked really adorable angry and I felt myself smiling goofily again. "All I want is sex. You can leave right after, I don't care. I'm still horny and we both know that you are too."
"No Kerri." He straightened up to his full height, making me feel dwarfed. His anger wasn't helping either, making his features sharper.
"Oh my gosh, I'm going to be sick!" I felt the bile stirring in my stomach before it hit my throat. I choked it back down, urging Jason to hurry and unlock the apartment after he stood there stupidly for a moment. When he finally got the door open, hand covering my mouth, I quickly stumbled over to the bathroom and threw myself at the toilet. I was annoyed to hear Jason coming up behind me as a torrent of mucous flew from my mouth and into the toilet bowl.
Long moments of misery crept by and I was surprised as Jason knelt by me, stroking my back, whispering words of comfort. I was doubly surprised when, after my intestines finished making their way out of me, Jason left for a moment only to reappear with a wet cloth, water and some aspirin. He was redeeming himself little by little... but not by much... maybe an inch our of a mile. Gosh, my emotions were confusing the hell out of me.
He had to help me to my feet as my legs would shake every time that I would try to stand. It was embarrassing. After brushing my teeth, I tossed back the aspirin with the water and somehow managed to get to my bed, Jason trailing behind, wet cloth in hand. When I just stared at the bed wondering how the hell I was going to climb onto it, Jason chuckled, lifting me bridle style to it.
Laying me gently down, he handed me the cloth and helped remove my boots. I watched as he worked, his bangs nearly falling into his eyes.
"He really is beautiful." I sighed.
He looked over at me questioningly. "Did you say something?"
I chuckled, knowing that I was blushing but choosing not to care. "Just, are you sure that you don't want to stay?"
As he took the last boot off, I sat up curling my legs under me, letting the cloth fall, momentarily forgotten.
"After everything I just witnessed come out of you? That would be a hell no." He at least looked amused now, as opposed to whatever he was an hour ago.
"Could you bring me my clothes over there please?" I smiled as sweetly as possible while pointing to the dresser. He nodded and did as bade.
The only light in the room came from the moonlight streaming through the window. It would have been a romantic setting, if only the other person in the room was willing. I released a gloomy sigh as he brought my tank and shorts to me.
"Thank you," I said as I took the pile.
Feeling relatively miserable, I didn't think before I took off my top the next second.
"Dammit." I looked up to see Jason turn away sharply, mumbling incoherently.
I rolled my eyes, not really caring that my cleavage was literally almost popping out of my push up bra. Thank you Victoria's Secret. "Seriously Jason, you've seen me naked. Nothing new here."
"That was five years ago and things are different now." He rubbed the back of his neck as I pulled my tank top on and replaced my jeans with the shorts.
"All done." He turned back around and let loose a sigh of relief. "You know, it wouldn't be a problem if you just had sex with me. We could just say it's your going away present." I smiled cheekily at him and scooted back towards the headboard so that I could tuck my legs under the covers.
Handing me the cloth, it was his turn to roll his eyes. "You would make a nun swear, woman. You've been hanging out with your brother too much. He's rubbing off on you."
"How so, has he been trying to sleep with you too?" It was a funny image, that. Very disturbing.
"Fuck that, I'm not gay." He looked absolutely horrified by the prospect. Too easy.
I couldn't help laughing. "You say that and yet you won't have sex with me."
His eyes twinkled convincing me that the quelling look that he was currently presenting me with was only for show. "Enough minx. Go to sleep."
I snuggled deeper into the warmth of the covers and closed my eyes. Before Jason left, he tucked me in and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead. Sleep crept up quickly after that as I lay smiling, thinking of the night's adventures and of my very own, real life Hercules.
Waking up the next morning had me cringing in absolute agony. The light shining through the window was blindingly cruel. Sitting up slowly, my head felt like a bunch of monkeys were swinging around inside with cymbals clashing together. At first, I couldn't remember anything that happened after leaving the pub, but when I did, I threw myself back on the mattress, covering my face with my pillow.
The humiliation was so strong that I contemplated jumping off a bridge and letting myself drown out of pure self-loathing. My one-night-stands never even made me feel this bad. Torn between wanting to punch Jason for being so damned stubborn and kissing him passionately for caring for me all night, I failed to notice the delicious aromas wafting through the apartment. There was a quick knock on the door before it was flung open and in walked my brother.
"Wake up drunkard!"
I peeked out from beneath my pillow of misery and glared. "Go away!"
He laughed and put his hands on his hips. "It's already one o'clock. Everyone is already awake, except you."
One o'clock? Holy crap. I slid the pillow down until it no longer hid my face or the agonizingly bright sun. I had to squint to see him as it was. Unfortunately for me, he didn't have the same problem.
"Well shit Ker, you look abysmal." Who says that anymore...?
"Really? Damn, I have a pageant to go to today." I snapped my fingers in sarcastic disappointment, as I sat back up, my eyes finally adjusting to the brightness.
He shook his head at me, smiling. "Get dressed, hurry up. We're starving out there and waiting on your lazy, drunk ass."
"How are you in such a good mood? I could've sworn that you drank as much as, if not more, than I did." I got up and walked over to look in the mirror on the dresser and cringed. Ew, it was definitely worse than I thought. My eyes were red and bloodshot, my hair was a mess and my mascara had run down my cheeks. I looked like I just got home after being with my pimp all night. Well, either that or the crypt keeper. Ouch.
"I'm a guy and therefore, can hold my liquor far better than the puny little thing that you are."
"What. Ever." I rolled my eyes and then called out to him as he walked through the door, "who all is here?"
He looked at me like I was special and not in a good way. "Who do you think? Dana got back this morning and Jason came over not too long ago to help me make burgers, which are almost done, by the way." He nodded his head towards the doorway. "So hurry the hell up."
Well I'll be damned. How in the hell was I supposed to deal with him this morning? I knew that I was blushing like mad just thinking about how slutty my behavior was last night. Oh gosh. I could feel the humiliation levels climbing to higher levels. How many times did I ask him for sex? The thought gave me goosebumps as a flash of what he did to me in his car wove its way through my, still somewhat sluggish, brain.
Sighing, I grabbed a pair of jeans, a lacy short sleeved shirt, as well as undies, before hopping into the shower. I tried stalling for as long as possible, but there was only so long before the hot water turned to ice. Realizing that whatever fate lay ahead was unavoidable, I got out. Leaving my hair wet, I put make-up on to the best of my abilities. At least this way, I can at least look less like hell froze over and zombies ruled the earth.
Trudging into the kitchen sometime later, Dana was throwing together her famous mandarin salad, Dom was getting condiments out of the fridge and Jason was flipping the last of the burgers. I felt my face heating up again. Thankfully, he hadn't noticed me yet.
"Oh sweetie, there you are! You don't look too good, you alright? Nicci told me about you joining them at the bar last night." She moved to place the salad bowl on the table, before ushering me into a seat. "That must have been wild."
"Baaaaabe, I told you not to call me that." Dom was wining like a little girl, but Dana ignored him and winked at me.
"You shouldn't sound so offended or people may start to ask question, Nicci." I choked back a laugh, catching Jason's eye as he finished plating the burgers. He definitely remembered last night. It was there in his eyes that undressed me. Oh boy. Maybe he'll play nice and never mention anything about it, ever again.
"Play nice boys," Dana scolded affectionately.
Dom stopped to peck her on the cheek while on his way to set the cheese on the table and took his seat next to her. Jason was left the chair beside mine and so took a seat as everyone began helping themselves to food. I sat avoiding his gaze, albeit awkwardly, as the three of them chatted away about this and that. I put my two cents in every now and then, picking at my food and wallowing in self-pity. Damn alcohol. I was definitely annoyed at how I lucked out on being sick while Dom and Jase were completely fine and probably slept like babies.
"Okay, somebody please explain to me how it is that I'm the only one with a damned hangover? This is gay and you guys suck." Everyone just looked at me sympathetically.
"That's because you're a chick and have no fat whereas, us guys," Dom pointed between Jason and himself, "have massive amounts of muscle that the alcohol has to chew through first."
Immediately, I thought of my hands caressing Jason's body. "Eh, well, I can't argue with that."
After saying it, I wish I could've eaten my words. Jason finally fully looked at me, eyebrows raised as he chewed a bite of salad, but thankfully no one else seemed to have noticed my momentary bout of stupidity. Dominic even showed off for me by flexing his biceps, which made Dana chuckle and whisper something into his ear. Gee, I wonder what they're discussing. Not. I rolled my eyes and went back to playing with my food.
For the rest of the day, everyone just kind of chilled watching television. Dominic ended up getting IBS, or a bad case of diarrhea, cue evil laugh, as the drinking finally caught up with his system. I tried to play it cool around everyone and act like my normal self, but the humiliation was just squatting in the center of my focus. I also tried extra hard to ignore Jason and not make eye-contact, however, I could feel his eyes boring into my skin every so often. When Dominic and Dana went to their room to do whatever it is that they said they were going to do, what normal people just refer to as sex, Jason finally found a moment to pounce.
The couch tilted beneath me as Jason plopped down in the spot to my right, causing me to slide towards him. "I love this couch, don't you?" He moved around a little, getting comfortable.
"Sure," I deadpanned.
"It's just so comfortable." He continued, "I mean, have you ever just sat on something that felt this good?"
I wasn't really paying attention to what he was saying, too busy flipping channels that when I responded with, "even better," I didn't really think and completely missed the double entendre.
"Oh really, when?" He sat with his back against the armrest, studying me.
"What?" I asked finally looking at him.
He was smirking now. "You said that you've sat on something that felt even better than this couch; I asked when."
I blushed, yet again, desperately trying to hide the direction that my thoughts kept heading. He must have seen my blush because his smirk widened. Jason was amusing himself at my expense. That prick!
When I refused to respond, he sighed, giving up his little game. "How are you feeling?"
I put a finger to my lips, head tilting in thought. "Humiliated beyond words would probably be at the top of my list right now... Whorish would definitely be a close second."
Chuckling, he scooted closer to me so that his thigh was now pressing against mine. "Humiliated, really? I don't see why..." He paused in thought, "as for the whorish part, well alcohol does that to some people. It releases peoples inhibitions and makes them act weird."
I put my head in my hands and groaned. I was surprised to feel his arm snake around me, dragging me against his side a moment later.
"No worries babe, I don't remember a thing." He dropped a kiss to the top of my head before resting his chin there.
"Haha. That's total bullshit, but okay, I'll bite." We sat in relatively companionable silence, apart from whatever Spanish channel I had obviously flipped to, until my brother and Dana finally emerged from their room, looking slightly better than he did when he went running in.
"I guess I could've had it worse." I shuddered against Jason who chuckled and agreed.
The rest of the week went by ridiculously fast. Before any of us knew it or could blink, Friday arrived and we stood outside of Jason's house, waiting for him to open the door.
Instead of Jason, however, a middle-aged woman who looked remarkably like Kitty and Jason, stood behind the door smiling. Her smile widened when she caught sight of Dom.
"JASON!" She called out behind her while we waited awkwardly in the doorway, well I did, at least. Turning back to us she held the door wider, inviting us in. "Jason is just packing up a few boxes for us to ship to him once he gets to Oahu. He should be just about finished." Her gaze finally strayed from my brother to and on me as we walked passed her into the house.
"And who might you be? I'm not sure that we've met." Her gaze roved over my face. Before I could respond to her, Jase appeared.
"Hey guys," he greeted from behind two large boxes while making his way carefully down the stairs. Once at the bottom, Dom helped him put the boxes down and punched him lightly in the arm. They did this weird, and very kindergarten, punching game for a minute while I turned my attention back towards his mother.
"Pardon me, I"m Kerri, Dominic's sister." I held out my hand and she took it, smiling brightly.
"Wow, I should have seen the resemblance. The hair is different, yes, as is the eye color, but your features are both very striking." She paused, seeming to consider something before nodding. "Absolutely gorgeous. It makes me wish I looked like you when I was younger. Maybe than I would've gotten more attention from the boys." She sighed dramatically, eyes sparkling. This lady was fantastic! "All well, I guess that my being stuck with my current husband will have to do. I do so love the children he's given me."
Jason rolled his eyes and pushed her gently from behind. "Ignore my mother. She's obsessed with my dad. I don't know why she's like this. I'm always catching them going at it. You'd think you'd be scarred for life after one time..." He shook his head mock-sadly.
"By the way, my name is Gretchen." Jason's mom called over her shoulder to me while being steered away by her loving son.
"I think it's cute. I love it when couples do things to keep the magic burning." Grabbing Dom's hand, Dana followed, leaving me to trail after slowly. "We should do more stuff, Nicci."
Dom spanked her lightly. All of these couples were going to drive me crazy one day. At least I wasn't completely alone in that prospect. Jason seemed well on his way too.
"So, when exactly are you heading out... as in leaving?" I asked quietly as they all walked into the kitchen ahead of us, Jason's mom pulling out several mugs and a tea pitcher from the refrigerator.
"Actually, I have to go as soon as I can." He looked down at the watch on his wrist, "So basically, I have T minus no minutes."
The mood went down from there.
"That soon?" It started to feel like a black hole was opening up from behind me with Jason moving to push me into it.
Sniffing the tea, Gretchen wrinkled her nose and poured it down the sink. "Who wants coffee?" It was an abrupt subject change.
I didn't know what was wrong with me, but catching Jason's eyes made me want to cry. I knew that momentarily I would have to excuse myself and go hyperventilate. I shouldn't be feeling like this. It's not like I even like the guy anymore... but, of course, I must like him somewhat... We are trying out this whole truce thing and what with all of the ways that my body keeps betraying me...
"I would love some." I chirped up along with Dana, who smiled brightly at the idea. The smile never leaving her face, Gretchen poured coffee into the five mugs, not caring that the boys never agreed to drinking it. Dominic's face scrunched up as he stared down into the mug.
"Thank you." Taking the mug from the proffered hand, I kept my gaze lowered and occupied myself with drinking the steaming brew.
"Don't you have to shave your head?" Dom queried. Everyone turned to glance at Jason as he downed his drink and smiled, placing the newly emptied mug on the counter.
"Not really. I thought about it, but I'll just shave a bit off of it when I get there." He paused before growing serious. "Well, this has been fun, but I've gotta head out."
Dom followed Jason out into the hallway, each grabbing two of the bags that were next to the front door. Dana and I followed behind with Gretchen, standing in the doorway while the guys loaded the car.
"Do you go to school, Kerri?" I turned my head at Gretchen's question.
Nodding, "Yeah, I'm on break from Brown right now, but I'll be heading back there shortly."
"Brown... as in Rhode Island Brown?" She looked a cross between surprised and impressed. "You must be really smart."
"Oh she really is! You should hear the things that Dom says about her." I felt my face heat as I shrugged nonchalantly. Dana's praise was making me uncomfortable, especially in front of Jason's mother.
Gretchen grew pensive as she watched her son and Dominic patting each other on the back as they finished with the bags. When the boys looked over at us, Gretchen made her way out to give her son an enormous hug and a stern lecture on how to keep in touch. Dana walked over to Dom after giving Jase a hug as well, which left me standing awkwardly, again, at the door, unsure of what to do.
They didn't really leave me much of a choice as, once they all finished with their goodbyes, looked over at me expectantly. I sighed audibly, walking over. Gretchen led Dom and Dana away, chatting to them about coming back to visit while Jason was away.
"Just remember what I said about those Hawaiian Island girls." I grimace at how jealous that could've sounded, but he chuckled and pulled me into a bone crushing hug.
"I will squirt. Try not to get into any trouble while I'm away, okay?" He radiated heat and a smell that I only was ever able to associate with him. I wasn't sure what it as that he used or if it was just that he smelled good on his own. I once read somewhere that some people become intoxicated by the basic body scent of others of whom they are attracted to. After reading that, I had laughed my ass off thinking of how ridiculous that sounded, but with Jason, I could finally understand somewhat, without understanding.
"Okay?" He repeated after a moment, giving me another squeeze before finally releasing me.
I immediately missed his warmth and mentally gave my head a firm shake. "I'm an angel, you should know this by now." I made a halo with my hands about my head and pouted at him.
Barking out a laugh, he shook his head, chucking me under the chin. "Stay the hell away from alcohol, okay?"
Biting my thumb-nail, I pretended to contemplate his words. After a moment, I shook my head and scrunched up my face. "Nope, sorry. Can't and won't promise that."
He sighed and shook his head, smiling tenderly down at me.
"You ready honey?" Gretchen looked over from where she was standing with my brother and Dana.
He hesitated while his eyes held mine for a moment longer, before he turned to her and nodded. "Yeah, I need to go." He looked back at me and then turned to get into his rental car for the day.
"Please remember to call as soon as your flight lands so that I know you arrived safely, okay? He smiled as the engine flared to life.
"Try not to get any girls pregnant either." Dom called out.
I looked sharply over at my brother, but found that he was only joking and released the breath I hadn't know that I was holding. Pulling out of the driveway, he gave one last wave before he was gone. Who knew if I'd ever see him again?
"Well, now that my baby has left me again, I'm going to make you a replacement baby until he can come home. I demand that you keep in touch and visit me from Rhode Island, since it's not that far away." I looked at Gretchen like she was crazy. She flashed her dimples at me, giving me a warm hug. "I mean it. Kathryn spoke highly of you, it's like you're her hero of the hour, and Jason cares about the three of you, so I absolutely must take care of you or he'll hate me forever."
I wasn't really sure what to make of her, but nevertheless found myself nodding and smiling anyway. Leaving Jason's house was weird. I felt different and wasn't sure why. I just knew that I already missed Jason again and I mentally cursed myself for letting him crawl back under my skin after so many years of ignoring his existence. I wasn't sure if I would see him again, but with his mother forcing her way into my life, that was a higher possibility. Bastards. I couldn't wait to get back to school.
A/N: So, now all of my chapters have been thoroughly edited and I can start on my newest one. I will be working very hard on it. I'm sorry to be dragging my feet. I wanted to reattach myself to the story, edit it in the process and then reconfigure the future of the characters in my head. Now that all of that business has been taken care of, we can move forward. I appreciate all of you guys who have reviewed, positive and negatives. Again, not trying to offend anybody with my writing, I'm just wanting to make this story as realistic as possible while keeping true to my characters.